A Bahrain-based researcher is showcasing stunning models inspired by archives and accounts of what may have been the first architectural competition in the kingdom.
Dr Suha Hasan has highlighted elements from Bahrain’s rich heritage at the Competition for Culture, being held at Bait Higher Grounds Cafe as part of the ongoing Muharraq Nights festival.
Five digital reproductions of a cultural centre proposed in the 1970s are the focus of the event that will continue until the end of January.
“We were able to create digital reproductions of the designs in my studio ASH in Stockholm using archival records and conducting interviews with numerous experts and renowned architects,” Ms Hasan, a research fellow at the Oxford University’s St Antony’s College, told the GDN.
“The exhibition also aims to weave together stories from the scattered archives to shed light on the architecture scene in the 70s and how Bahrain contributed to it.”
In 1974, seven architects were invited to the kingdom by American University of Beirut engineering and architecture faculty dean Raymond Ghos to design models of a cultural centre that showcased the kingdom’s rich history.
The designs were later displayed at an exhibition held at what is today known as the Golden Tulip Bahrain, formerly the Hilton.
The architects included André Wogenscky (France), Basil Spence (Britain), Paul Rudolph (USA), Roland Rainer (Austria), and Timo Penttilä (Finland), who won the competition. Although Jørn Utzon (Denmark) and Kenzo Tange (Japan) were also invited, they declined to participate.
“It was potentially the first architectural contest in the country to result in an exhibition,” said Dr Hasan.
“It was organised by what was once known as the Works, Electricity and Water Ministry in the 1970s as part of a proposed museum complex suggested by Unesco at the time.
“Although it was referred to as a design contest for the museum, my research indicates that it was a standalone contest for a culture centre.”
Dr Hasan who graduated with a PhD in planning and decision making from the KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm said compiling all the records and information about the event was a tedious task.
“I started searching for documentation about the competition in various archives worldwide that houses collections related to the architects involved,” she said, adding that she also spoke to individuals that worked with the architects and could provide further details about the competition.
“Even though I am 100 per cent certain the competition took place, the only tangible document I could find was a newspaper article about the exhibition in Akhbar Al Khaleej in March 1976.
“I spoke to renowned architects based in the US, Finland, Austria, the UK and Lebanon to get more information.”
She added that she attempted to speak to people in cultural fields in Bahrain; however, many key figures could not recount the exhibition taking place, and the majority of those who could have provided further information have unfortunately passed away.
“The week the competition took place coincided with heavy rainfall, which flooded the streets, as reported in the newspapers. This could have made it difficult for people to visit,” she added.
Dr Hasan hopes that by holding the exhibition as part of the Muharraq Nights festival, new details about the competition would emerge.
“The more we know about history, the better perspective we have on the present that we are living in and contributing to. I want to thank the Bahrain architecture firm, MSCEB, who made it possible for the exhibition to take place.”
The exhibition is open for viewing everyday, from 5pm to 10pm.
julia@gdnmedia.bh
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