BMNP Visitor Centre.
Introduction and Overall Objective
The BMNP Visitor Centre, based in the headquarters of the Bale Mountains National Park (BMNP) is currently under construction. When it is finished, it will be an educational centre where the general public (national & international tourists, students and Bale residents) can come and both learn about the areas cultural and natural splendours, as well as appreciate its special beauty.
The Interpretive Centre will be a creative and innovative building, which will draw on the expertise of both artistic and creative thinkers, modern designers, and wildlife scientists. The building itself is an artistic expression of its natural surroundings, and has been designed and is being built by two of Ethiopia’s leading artists, Elias Sime and Meskerem Assegued, of the Zoma Contemporary Arts Centre.
Context
The BMNP is internationally recognized as a biodiversity hotspot and an important site for global conservation. It receives approximately three thousand five hundred tourists (international and national) per year, a number which is increasing by approx. 20% pa, as well as a number of student groups and researchers.
The BMNP is managed by the Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority (EWCA) which, together with its partners, is working to improve the conservation status of the National Park, the relationship between the National Park and local communities, the level of awareness regarding the National Park, and the degree of understanding of the National Parks ecological system.
As part of this process the need for a centre for education and awareness was identified. The following images are the construction process of
The BMNP Visitor Centre, based in the headquarters of the Bale Mountains National Park (BMNP) is currently under construction. When it is finished, it will be an educational centre where the general public (national & international tourists, students and Bale residents) can come and both learn about the areas cultural and natural splendours, as well as appreciate its special beauty.
The Interpretive Centre will be a creative and innovative building, which will draw on the expertise of both artistic and creative thinkers, modern designers, and wildlife scientists. The building itself is an artistic expression of its natural surroundings, and has been designed and is being built by two of Ethiopia’s leading artists, Elias Sime and Meskerem Assegued, of the Zoma Contemporary Arts Centre.
Context
The BMNP is internationally recognized as a biodiversity hotspot and an important site for global conservation. It receives approximately three thousand five hundred tourists (international and national) per year, a number which is increasing by approx. 20% pa, as well as a number of student groups and researchers.
The BMNP is managed by the Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority (EWCA) which, together with its partners, is working to improve the conservation status of the National Park, the relationship between the National Park and local communities, the level of awareness regarding the National Park, and the degree of understanding of the National Parks ecological system.
As part of this process the need for a centre for education and awareness was identified. The following images are the construction process of
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