bahrain?s pearling path is a 3.5 kilometer (2.2 mile) trail that connects a series of destinations significant to the country?s pearling industry. located on muharraq island, the visitor pathway connects three oyster beds, a seashore site, and nine clusters of historic buildings that comprise a total of 17 architectural structures. although the region?s pearling economy subsided in the 1930s, the route was designated a UNESCO world heritage site in 2012. now, amid the historic commercial buildings of muharraq?s traditional market, swiss architect valerio olgiati has designed the trail?s visitor and experience center.

image © archive olgiati (also main image)
 
 
the building, which also serves as an entrance to the pearling path, is defined externally by a series of concrete elements that serve as a new reference point within the densely populated city. once inside, the site?s ruins ? part of the trail ? are presented beneath a vast concrete canopy. here, valerio olgiati has created a large space where a forest of columns and wind towers elevates the roof 10 meters (33 feet) above the ground.
image © archive olgiati
 
 
?it is an urban room for the people of muharraq with the scale of a public park,? olgiati explains. as well as providing vital shade from the hot sun, the design?s scale offers a different urban environment. deeper into the site, an ?enigmatic house? contains the museum. ?as a totality the building creates a universe in itself that is the entrance f...