Office Kersten Geers David Van Severen

Dar Al Riffa Al Oda . East Riffa

Office Kersten Geers David Van Severen . The Ministry of Culture of Bahrain

Designed by the Belgian architecture firm, Office Kersten Geers David Van Severen in collaboration with Emaar, the Dar Al Riffa Al Oda project comprises the conservation and rehabilitation of the existing Dar in the old neighborhood of East Riffa as well as an extension on a neighboring plot, which will accommodate a larger performance hall, as well as sleeping quarters.

The new Dar Al Riffa Al Oda will enhance the intangible heritage of Riffa, and the folk singing that is specific to this area of Bahrain. The extension is a three- storey building enveloped with a steel mesh, which also acts as a cooling device shading the building from direct sunlight. The mesh can be lifted on the ground floor, opening it up directly to the street and reinforcing its role as an open majlis to the city. Designed according to a similar design as the Dar Jinaa majlis the two dars will help in creating a network of Dars across Bahrain and work towards revitalizing the folk singing traditions and making them more accessible to visitors and tourists.

Dar Al Riffa Al Oda
Location: East Riffa
Architects: Office Kersten Geers David Van Severen in collaboration with Emaar
Status: Status: ongoing- construction to start in October 2013