BACA President receives AD Design Award

Manama, Feb. 6 (BNA): President of the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Authority (BACA) and Board of Trustees Chairperson of the Shaikh Ibrahim bin Mohammed for Culture and Research, Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, has received the “AD Design Award” 2020 for the cultural projects category. The award was granted to the renovated iconic “Nuzul Al-Salam” (Peace Hotel), also known as “Fathallah House” in Muharraq which was designed by the Ammar Basheir Creative Studio. Launched in the Middle East in 2015, the award is granted annually by the “Architectural Digest” magazine. The “Nuzul Al-Salam” is one of the fruits of the agreement signed between the UAE and Shaikh Ebrahim bin Mohammed Al Khalifa Centre for Culture and Research in Bahrain, marking the centenary of the late Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al-Nahyan. It was designed by a Bahraini team, led by designer Ammar Basheir. The individually styled suites, awash with elegant colour, are inspired by the Epic of Gilgamesh, an ancient Mesopotamian poem. The hotel’s room names are also inspired by the epic poem, such as “Noor” (light), “Ruaya” (vision) and “Zahratul Khulud” (the rose of eternity). At the heart of the space is an idyllic tiled courtyard, with fragrant citrus trees. There is also a spectacular staircase, which was designed by Bahraini carpenters using 700 pieces of ship wood, reminiscent of Bahrain’s deep-rooted ship-building industry. There is also a kinetic wall using the latest technology with moons and suns that move with a sensor. As soon as visitors walk by, the moon will become a crescent and then full. This wall is also adorned with quotes from the late Shaikh Zayed that are relevant to peace, prosperity and heritage.