Domus, an international architecture and design magazine, has named Green Corner Building as one of the ten best architectural projects of the year 2021.
Located in Muharraq, Bahrain, Green Corner operates under the auspices of Sheikh Ibrahim Centre for Culture and Research.
The project opened in January last year with the support of United Arab Emirates to commemorate the Year of Zayed and to promote cultural cooperation between the UAE and Bahrain.
An embodiment of the two nations’ distinguished relations, the project aims to preserve the historical heritage and cultural assets of the two countries and strengthen their bilateral ties.
Commenting on the international recognition of the project, Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Youth, said that he was delighted to see this project being featured among the top ten architectural designs of the year 2021.
“The Green Corner project is a manifestation of the vision of our late Founding Father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan as it builds on the elements of environment, nature and heritage,” he said.
Domus magazine featured a full-length article about the Green Corner project noting that the project reflects the ability of architectural designs to create an emotional relationship with its surroundings and forge a dialogue in the language of art and craftsmanship.
It also highlighted the remarkable façade of the modern building made of large sand-cast concrete blocks and quoted architect Anne Holtrup, who said that the project reinterprets traditional Bahraini methods of construction, which relied on limestone and sandstones.
The Green Corner project is being transformed into a library housing an archive of art in the Kingdom of Bahrain. It will also be a site for restoration of artistic documents and preservation of old books and paintings.
The building was designed by the Dutch Architectural firm Studio Ann Holtrup, and the interior design of the building was the work of Ammar Basheir Creative Studio.
The four floors of the building were made by open casting of concrete. While one full floor has been dedicated to the restoration of paintings and old books and manuscripts, another floor is being used for cultural promotion.
The Green Corner building made headlines recently and was recognised by many design specialists when it appeared on the cover of the El Croquis magazine, a prestigious design and architecture magazine published in English and Spanish.
The building is located next to an acclaimed vertical garden created by Sheikh Ibrahim Centre and designed by the French botanist Patrick Blanc, the founder of vertical garden technology known the world over for his distinctive designs.