"This is Egypt" in Canberra

Concept 

People of all ages go to theme parks to experience another world through the rides, food and entertainment. This experience is found in the proposal for the Land of Ancient Egyptian Styled Theme Park in Canberra, Australia.

Below provides the main concept approach:

1. There is a practical and very simple layout of rides and buildings. All rides are located towards the south-east and, buildings (e.g museum and administration) are towards the north-west for easy navigation. Also, this ensures that the rides and buildings are distant enough to minimise any safety risks.

2. Expressing aspect of ancient Egypt was essential. Objects/statues (e.g Sphinx Head) are scattered within the park and, are seen from the outside. The architectural style of ancient Egypt are shown through different building elements (e.g. pillars, doorways, towers).

3. Materiality and colour were carefully chosen to create a light and enjoyable atmosphere for the visitors. The material involves: the use of masonry (sandstone inspired by structures in Egypt) and metal (steel sheeting inspired by structures in Australia)

4. Expansion was considered because the concept is a part of a larger plot of land that will include an extension of the concept and, addition of other ancient style theme parks (e.g Ancient Rome and Ancient China). These extensions and additions are to occur over a period of 10-30 year.

Altogether, the concept remains playful and humorous. The concept is playful because the spaces have been designed for ease of enjoyment and humorous to create laughter and smiles for visitors. 

Research

Various photos¹ relating to ancient Egypt were collected including: specific elements and notable landmarks (e.g. mosque and museum). This helped generate the building designs and, environment in the theme park. Then three amusement park examples were studied to understand the balanced layout of rides and buildings that would be most convenient for the visitors. These examples were  Luna Park (Sydney), Disney Land (Tokyo) and Sky Ranch (Tagaytay). In addition, research into basic colour theory was gathered to: see which colours on the colour wheel complimented each other and, the different emotions associated with certain colours. 

Iteration 

As the concept developed there were several changes made:

1. Originally, there was a skyline railway travelling along the outer walls of the theme park and a carousel in the centre. The skyline railway was replaced with a roller coaster to add to the excitement of taking the rides while viewing the park and surrounding from above and, the carousel was replaced with a sitting area to provide space for visitors to gather. 

2. Arrangement of the rides and buildings had to be adjusted to allow for enough open space in the park. The roller coaster was going to run through the park but, the vertical supports reduced the ground level space. Therefore, the roller coaster was placed along the outer walls to free up more central space. 

3. There was an intent to experiment with different levels of the natural ground levels but, the ground levels for the site was all flattened out to create an ease of travel for all visitors. 

4. Along with the statues seen inside and outside the park, the Pyramids were to be included in the park. This was to be a physical form, which turned into "billboard" attached on the sides of the roller coaster track then, became a sign which says "think of pyramids" to match the entrance sign "this is egypt". Signs were used to generate a interest through humour. 

5. Primary colours (blue, red and yellow) were to be used because they expressed a calm tone. However to create an atmosphere of more energy and excitement, red, orange and yellow were used which all naturally complimented each other² and matched the natural yellow colour of the sandstone and cream colour steel sheeting.

Intention

The experience for visitors will be different however, the overall experience may be like the following. 

As people past by the theme park (by walking, cycling or driving) along one of the roads, they will notice the theme park by the large six towers connecting a tall roller coaster track. Then, there is a sign, that displays "think of pyramids" to engage the human curiosity and imagination. On another road, there is a head of a sphinx, looking from a dip in the roller coaster tracks as it stares at the road waiting for visitors.

Eventually people, will wonder "what is this theme park and why is it here?". Then, one day, they decide to visit. At the entrance is a large sign that greets the visitors "this is egypt" (just to assure visitors that they are entering an ancient Egyptian themed park in the capital of Australia and that "yes, this is real"). Once inside, they are in another world. The bitumen from the road and carpark become sand gravel. There are common ancient Egyptian statues/objects as well as palm trees and old fashioned light posts found in the streets of an Egypt city.

After visiting the museum and looking at artefacts, going on the spinner and vertical drop, sitting near or taking a ride on the ferris wheel and hearing children in excitement as they travel around the park on the kids train, eating at the food court, then taking the roller coaster (which should probably be done before eating at the food court), the day has now ended. People leave the park with a smile ready tell others "Hey, you should go to the Egyptian theme park, it was super fun!".