Designed by Grimshaw Architects, Arup engineering, and Haley Sharpe Design, the project is located 35 kilometers from Muscat, -the capital and largest metropolitan city of Oman, in the foothills of the Al-Hajar mountains, the ‘Oman Botanic garden’ has a unique site condition. It is one of only a few locations in the world where the ancient sea bed is still visible after tectonic activity elevated the bed to 100 meters above sea level. Arup and Grimshaw worked with the existing natural ridges and ravines that traverse the site to design the buildings and walkways, carefully integrating them within the spectacular undulating land.
"The Oman Botanic Garden is an astonishing project with many layers of interwoven cultural and environmental significance. Its scale and diversity is truly world-leading; Grimshaw have delivered on their ambitious and unique design."
Omar Al Kathiri, Project Director, Oman Botanic Garden
Description of project by Grimshaw Architects
Covering 420 hectares, the Oman Botanic Garden will be the largest of its kind in the Arabian Peninsula and one of the largest in the world. The garden will conserve and celebrate Oman's botanic diversity within two biomes and surrounding external habitats, containing the country's most endangered and endemic flora.
Located at the foot of the Al Hajar Mountains, the site itself is one of only a handful of locations in the world where the ancient sea bed is visible, sitting 100 metres above sea level. The garden will also be home to a visitor centre and educational and research facilities, nestled within the natural ravines and ridges that traverse the site minimising disturbance to the existing terrain.
The entire flora of the Sultanate of Oman can be experienced as visitors make their way through the gardens. The eight defined habitats of the country are sensitively arranged at the centre of the site, bound by Jebel Sufra and the majestic Qurn Mubarak.
Oman's wadis, mountains and deserts are represented in an immersive landscape setting, displaying only native species, many of which cannot be found anywhere else in the world. The most sensitive of Oman's habitats are enclosed within the two biomes, which mimic the species' natural habitat.
Passive and active shading, UV light controls, cooling and plant irrigation are integrated throughout the gardens. Building form, shape and materials have been considered and selected in response to atmospheric conditions and the natural topography.
Sunlight, weather patterns and human behaviour have informed the garden's design and ensure the continued preservation of the country's huge variety of fauna.
