# The Iconic Gateway

Diyar Al Muharraq, Bahrain. Muharraq, Bahrain, 2023. Design: Collaborative Architecture.

The Iconic Gateway marks the entrance to Diyar Al Muharraq in Bahrain. Conceived as both a pedestrian bridge and a landmark within the emerging urban landscape, it establishes a distinctive threshold to the new city. Drawing inspiration from Bahrain’s maritime heritage and the interlocking arches of the Diyar identity, the design synthesizes cultural symbolism with structural innovation, engineered to respond to the climatic demands of the Gulf.

Two 65-meter steel pylons support a cable-suspended footbridge, creating a distinctive silhouette that marks the entrance to the township.

## Key facts

- Location: Diyar Al Muharraq, Bahrain
- Client: Diyar Al Muharraq
- Typology: Infrastructure, Civic
- Status: Competition proposal
- Year: 2023
- Structure: Web Structures, Ramboll
- 65 m height of each steel pylon
- 165 m clear span
- Vernacular intelligence wind catchers and screens

## Engineering for climate and comfort

The bridge integrates structural clarity with environmental responsiveness. A double layer of stainless-steel solar screens, informed by the region’s mashrabiya traditions, filters heat and glare while providing shelter from harsh weather. Timber decking and a radiant cooling system address pedestrian comfort during Bahrain’s extreme summer temperatures. Together, these elements elevate a functional crossing into a civic asset that connects people while expressing cultural continuity, technological ambition, and Bahrain’s investment in its people and future.

## Awards and shortlists

- 2023: Competition proposal, Diyar Al Muharraq

## In print

- 2025 Oct: Insite, “Minimalism & Misinterpretations” (the pages on the project, PDF: https://collaborativearchitecture.com/press/features/2025-10-insite-minimalism-and-misinterpretations.pdf)

## Credit for publications

The Iconic Gateway, Muharraq. Design: Collaborative Architecture (https://collaborativearchitecture.com/work/iconic-gateway/)

Page: https://collaborativearchitecture.com/work/iconic-gateway/