Reef Island, Manama, Bahrain

Reef Island is a mixed development on a 579,000m² reclaimed island located on Manama’s northern shore near the Bahrain Financial Harbour. Through a competition, Pentago in collaboration with Spowers Architects Australia won the bid for the master planning, architectural and landscape design. The massive scale, six-year project brought with it many unique challenges. In creating and shaping the island from scratch many factors came into play such as the ocean currents, keeping the aqua environment healthy and stabilizing the ocean.

The master plan had to include facilities, amenities and various regulations and procedures. Essentially, they were building a mini-city. Alfresco dining was re-introduced together with the open wall concept to facilitate the heat during certain periods of the year. Design strategies such as double-glazing and roof overhangs served to not only protect from the heat but also to access the amazing view lines on the coast. Landscape on the island was planned from scratch to be inviting and comfortable, addressing the outdoors with parks and gardens designed for families. Reef Island is still ongoing and is now a home to many happy expatriates and Bahrainis.