In 2017, HKA | Hermann Kamte & Associates was invited and selected to an international restricted competition by The Dubai Municipality to reinvent the City Waterfront by proposing an entertainment centre which could be the new iconic place of the city. The project is directed by the following architects: Hermann Kamte (Creative Director), Ange Djoke (Architect), and Joseph Ndi (Architect & Urban Planner). The architectural concept seeks to play a leading role in tourism attractions, sports, and healthy social life in Dubai. 

Dubai is representing culture across the globe aside its position as a business centre. People are travelling to Dubai from across the world to discover technology and to observe architectural designs. Fine Flower—Dubai Heart is planned to be the largest leisure park in the city and in the world. To be the most complete water park in the world, the project is dealing with the relationship between Architecture and Nature. The design has identified the need to explore the connection between humans and three main elements; Water, Earth, and Air. The project is going to hold the record for the world’s tallest artificial waterfall.

The challenge consists to create a space that will provide a leisure atmosphere with respect for the environments. Fine Flower—Dubai Heart has a heart-shaped design surrounding the towers. The project is inspired by the shape of a flower, a natural element which needs water, air, and earth to grow.

The design is addressed to the young, the old as well as families who want to relax and share unforgettable moments in the Middle East. The site provides a gathering point for practising sports and water activities. Furthermore, for visitors the project utilizes different methods to educate, excite, and entertain. Consideration is given to the advanced high technology facilities.

Fine Flower—Dubai Heart is a small island divided into several elements to encompass the different activities such as the main step heart-shaped building, tall water slides and towers, water activities plaza, sports activity areas, children water zone and water playground, cafes & restaurants, gift shop and front shops zone, facility building for lockers, showers and toilets, roof shops and activities, a panoramic restaurant tower, visitors service facilities (ticketing, information), front gate security & administration facilities, sea sand beach areas, water jogging walkways, food service areas, open theatre plaza services, outdoor exhibit support facilities, the ability to insert marina within the project, museums, etc.

The project wants to increase the awareness of Dubai to the Global audience and to attract more tourists. 

Data Sheet

Official name: Fine Flower—Dubaï Heart

Location: Dubai, United Arabs Emirates

Team: Hermann Kamte | Architect & Designer, Ange Djoke | Architect, Joseph NDI | Architect & Urban Planner

Photo credits: HKA | Hermann Kamte & Associates 

About HKA | Hermann Kamte & Associates

HKA | Hermann Kamte & Associates is an award-winning International Architecture firm based in Yaoundé, Cameroon led by Hermann Kamte. The Office provides services including Architecture, Design, Urban Planning, Landscape, Education, Research and Development.

As a young practice, HKA has gained international visibility and currently worked in a range of projects in Africa, Europe, North America and Asia. Through a series of international awards and rewards, HKA, focuses on sustainable development integrating modern design tools into its creative process to achieve contemporary and modern aesthetics.

About Hermann Kamte

The Cameroonian Architect Hermann Kamte is the founding associate and the creative director of HKA | Hermann Kamte & Associates. In 2016, he earned his Master degree in architecture with “Distinction” at the prestigious EAMAU (École Africaine des Métiers de l’Architecture et de l’Urbanisme).

Through a series of award-winning design, Hermann has developed a reputation for designing projects that are as programmatically and technically innovative as they are eco-friendly, marketable, serviceable, affordable, sustainable and ecological conscience.

Hermann has received numerous awards and honours, including the WAFX Prize’s Cultural Identity Prize in 2017 at the World Architecture Festival, the Gold in Architectural Design at the American Prize of Architecture and the Inaugural Archi. Awards Africa “Premiere” held by African Union of Architects (AUA) in 2018. 

Alongside his architectural practice, Hermann is becoming a frequent public speaker and has spoken in venues such as CTBUH, ARCHITECTURE ZA and LAFARGEHOLCIM FOUNDATION.

Awards & Recognition

-2018 | Winner | Taipei International Design Awards | Public Space Design | Taipei | Taiwan 

-2018 | Finalist | Taipei International Design Awards | Public Space Design | Taipei | Taiwan  

-2018 | Finalist | Architizer A+Awards | Unbuilt Multi Housing | New York | USA 
-2018 | Winner | MSADA | Housing, Office, Cultural, Skyscraper, Public Space, | New York | USA
-2018 | Winner | Archi.Award Africa | Concept/Unbuilt | Port-Louis | Mauritus
-2018 | 2nd Prize | Le Monde Smart Cities | Housing & Urban Planning | Singapore | Singapore
-2018 | Finalist | World Architecture Festival | WAF Research Program | Amsterdam | Netherlands
-2018 | Winner | Creative Conscience | Architecture & Interior Design | London | UK
-2018 | Finalist | The Plan Award | Housing Future | Bologna | Italia
-2018 | Finalist | MIPIM/AR Future Projects | Residential | Cannes | France
-2018 | Finalist | Inspireli Awards 2017 | Vison | Moscow | Russia
-2017 | Winner | WA Awards 26th Cycle | Designed | USA
-2017 | 1st Prize Awards | WAFX Prize | Cultural Identity | Germany
-2017 | Winner | American Architecture Prize | Green Architecture | New York | USA
-2017 | 1st Prize Awards | Rethinking The Future Awards | Residential (Concept) | New Delhi | India
-2017 | Finalist | World Architecture Festival | Future Project—Residential | Berlin | Germany
-2017 | Bronze Trophy | A’Design Award | Architecture, Building & Structure Design | Come | Italia