Aqua Splash, Kinshasa

Water Park, Kinshasa
Location:
The project is located at Kinshasa, capital city of The Democratic Republic of Congo, Central Africa. The site is located on the National Highway N1 around 15 kms away from Kinshasa airport. It is easily accessible from other regions of Congo.
Climate:
The climate here is hot all year round. Rainy season is from October to May with frequent but short bouts of violent rainstorms. Overall, the climate is harsh.
The Site:
A site visit was done by our experienced team before planning. The given land parcel was almost flat with a slight slope towards the south side and the strata was majorly loose murum. It had very little existing vegetation. The site is surrounded by dense residential development on the east and south sides, and industrial development on the west side.
Client’s brief:
The client had given their requirement in short as “a very colourful environment with a feeling of openness” as the land parcel was very small for a waterpark.
Design Approach:
The main design consideration of this waterpark was ease of use of all spaces and legibility of the entire area. Importance was given to the visitor’s movement in the park, overall atmosphere of the space and the placement of the rides with safety for an overall immersive experience.
We just kept in mind that at any given moment, people are going to be playing, eating, lounging, strolling and not only swimming and splashing on the water rides. So equal importance was given to all these factors while planning to ultimately make a memorable guest experience.
Also, the site being surrounded by residential development on two sides, acoustic panels on compound wall were proposed to cut down the sound from the park. To achieve the feeling of openness in the park, 40 % of the lazy river was taken below the ground creating an expanse of ground above and a altogether different aqua theme experience below along the lazy river.
Overall, ‘waves’ as a theme has been used all over the park reflecting in paving patterns, wall claddings/ paintings, building elevational treatment and even outdoor railings.
Entrance Plaza:
This plaza was going to function as a pedestrian visitor’s arrival point as well as relaxation while waiting before proceeding to the rides. So, it was designed with an attractive wavy paving pattern in stamp concrete with lots of colourful covered and open seating considering the hot climate of Congo. The plaza orients the visitors for further movement. It is also lined with mist sprayers at appropriate points to beat the heat.
Drop off plaza:
This drop-off plaza is the first impression for a visitor as he alights from the vehicle at this area. Ease of vehicular circulation is considered as per left-hand drive in Congo while designing this space. A photo opportunity feature graces the island with a large, paved pedestrian space lined with trees and flags. A wavy and canopy at the drop-off gives the space a colourful ambience as well as protection from the scorching sun. this drop-off gives the visitors a preview of the park in the form of graphics in the circular cutouts in the backdrop wall.
Plantation:
Around 80% native trees and plants have been used for softscape. A mixture of evergreen and deciduous trees was planted to achieve some or the other colour in all seasons. Also, least litter trees have been planted along water bodies to reduce the load on filtration. All plant varieties selected are having less water requirement and less maintenance.