Fountains of Mercy
A civic design initiative announced by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum introduces a thoughtful approach to embedding care, generosity, and ecological responsibility within Dubai’s public realm. Commissioned by Dubai Municipality in alignment with the principles of the Dubai Civility Committee and supported by a philanthropist, the ongoing initiative provides accessible water sources for birds across dense urban environments.
The project was designed and curated by E+A Studio, with engineering and fabrication delivered in collaboration with Metalfabrik.
As cities densify and natural ground cover is replaced by hard surfaces, access to water, shelter, and resting spaces for birds becomes increasingly scarce. These gradual losses weaken the ecological systems that allow urban life to remain balanced. When birds begin to disappear, cities shift in subtle but perceptible ways, becoming quieter, harsher, and less alive.
“Preserving biodiversity is inseparable from preserving the quality of human experience,” says Evgeniia Molchanova, founder of E+A Studio. “They are part of the same living system.”
Fountains of Mercy responds through presence rather than spectacle. By reintroducing accessible water sources into dense urban environments, the initiative restores visible and meaningful ecological activity to the public realm. The movement of birds, the sound of wings, and the rhythm of daily visits introduce gentle sensory cues that soften engineered surroundings. In doing so, the project supports biodiversity while also enriching how people experience and emotionally connect with the city.