Zurbatiya-Mehra Border Crossing Station / Maitham M. Almubarak

 

Function: Border Crossing Station

Site location: Between Zurbatiya, Iraq and Mehran, Iran.

Year: 2014

Institution: Savannah College of Art and Design

 

 

Intent

The desert suggests great emptiness of great fullness. In either case, it is a vast of sameness where architecture give us a sense of place. Simultaneously, a monument is created to commemorate the countries.

The imaginary borderline between the two countries shall not stand in the way of the Iraqis and the Iranians. Instead, it shall be where their paths cross and where they rest, eat, and pray together.

Organization

The architecture completely separates the governmental needs from the human needs. To clear customs, one must take the secure underground path depending on their mode of transportation. The path descends them into the ground and detaches them physically and visually from the surroundings The rest area and the mosque are separated from customs by the river, giving the travelers the opportunity to take advantage of the amenities before carrying on.

Memory

Recollect memories, as well as is ought. The memorial of peace celebrates those loved ones lost in the wars between the two governments.

The circular movement of the bridge path underlays memories from the Hajj, Muslims greatest pilgrim. Those memories are brought to the surface through the ritual one has to take to elevate themselves from underground to above ground.

The stepped courtyard allows one to connect, touch, and see themselves in the water. It also between the dry season and the rain season.

Architecture

Inspired by Peter Zumthor’s phenomenology, and Michael Graves’ ideas about cultural influences on architecture, Zurbatiya/ Mehran Border Crossing Station allows an architectural experience with minimum conditioned space with a straightforward circulation. It features a juxtaposition of: floating and hefty, tectonic and stereotomic, effecting the environment and being effected.

 

Nationality: Bahrain

Contacts: maitham.me2@gmail.com / www.maithamalmubarak.com

Institutions attended: Savannah College or Art and Design

Tutor: Professor Olin

Links to videos or websites where your project is presented: www.maithamalmubarak.com

How did you hear about us: Sergi Sauras

 

Author: Maitham M. Almubarak