Team Rose of Babylon - Disney Imaginations 2019 Finalists / 1st Place Winner
Nick Hammond - Architectural Designer
Remi Jeffrey-Coker - Illustrator
Zeke Waters - Production Designer
Carolyn Teves - Production Designer
Imaginations is a design competition created and sponsored by Walt Disney Imagineering with the purpose of seeking out and nurturing the next generation of diverse Imagineers.
In 2019, teams were challenged to create an experience that explores a Natural or Ancient Wonder of the World. The contest proved challenging with a focus on places that are difficult to enjoy either because they are remote, inhospitable, or no longer exist. Students created experiences that explore and share these Wonders safely for a wide range of guests, at or near the original presumed location.
Press Release - https://disneyimaginations.com/2019-imaginations-winners/
Illustration by Remi Jeffrey-Coker
One hundred years after the fall of The Hanging Gardens of Babylon, a family of traders crashed into the bank of the Euphrates river. As her parents and siblings scattered across the desert searching for refuge, the youngest of the family, a small girl named Izdehar, wandered into the wreckage.
As she searched, a small withered plant tumbled across the desert and through the broken vessel to stop at her feet. She felt pity for the shriveled plant and watered it hoping to revive it. The plant began to open to reveal a small piece of stone that Izdehar ran her fingers over and read the engraving “To my love Amytis”. The stone and plant immediately began to glow with a light that cascaded across the desert, turning the once barren land around the crashed ship into a flourishing oasis of plant life and natural resources.
Inside this plant, a plant we know today as the Rose of Jericho, hid the last known relic of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, placed there by the Queen during the final days of this wonder of the ancient world. Within this relic remained the magic, essence, and life of the Hanging Gardens. As time passed, researchers and explorers settled around the shipwreck and began to exchange knowledge and culture. Now hundreds of years later, the mysteries of this forgotten ancient wonder where magic, agriculture, and technology intertwine, are now explorable at The Rose of Babylon.
The Rose of Babylon is a one-of-a-kind botanical Inquisitorium that offers eclectic entertainment for guests of all ages. Located on the banks of the Euphrates river, our experience stands in a budding tourist location along with remnants of middle eastern history, including the ruins of ancient Babylon and the Ishtar Gate. The Rose of Babylon is easily accessible to nationals in Iraq because of the major cities surrounding the site.
Our inquisitorium is an entertainment venue that invites its visitors to formulate their own adventure based on their curiosity. We are encouraging our guests to ask questions and search for the answers in our activities and exhibits.
Section Drawing by Nick Hammond, Zeke Waters and Carolyn Teves
While you await the call time stamped on your journal, immerse yourself in a bustling marketplace that is filled with goods from around the world. Modeled after a traditional Qaysari Bazaar, this space is the central hub where creative ideas, stories and products are exchanged.
Illustration by Remi Jeffrey-Coker
Illustration by Nick Hammond, Zeke Waters, Carolyn Teves & Remi Jeffrey-Coker
The Origins of Us- a world transformed by the mystical relic from the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. Streams of light guide guests through slides, root systems, and more. And watch as interactive wall murals illustrate some of the many technological and cultural advancements made in the Fertile Crescent. Learn how we are connected to the past by observing the creation of tools that we use today. Practically every inch of The Origins of Us is climbable, crawlable, and explorable.
Illustration by Remi Jeffrey-Coker
After you’ve uncovered the history of Mesopotamia- travel onward to the next experience where nature and technology intertwine. This experience, called Planting a New Seed, consists of two parts including the research center and the hydrology play lab. As you travel through the hydrology play lab, you will be surrounded by historical and modern irrigation methodologies. Make a splash as you learn about concepts like the water cycle and water conservation. The play lab emphasizes the past, present, and future importance of the Euphrates. This coincides with our own efforts to revitalize the river.
In the second exhibit of Planting a New Seed, guests may research new advancements in agriculture, hydrology, and irrigation alongside researchers from around the world.
Illustration by Remi Jeffrey-Coker
Illustration by Carolyn Teves
High above hangs the last experience of the Rose of Babylon- the Everlasting Garden. This garden’s variety and luxury could only be rivaled by the ancient Hanging Garden itself. Without the combined efforts of our experts and our guests, this garden would not be possible.
Illustration by Remi Jeffrey-Coker
The vegetation grown in this garden is distributed throughout Iraq to communities in need. As more guests visit The Rose of Babylon, these family gardens can grow. Each family has the ability to plant a new seed in the garden.
This project was conceived by the Savannah College of Art and Design Team Rose of Babylon and created for the 2019 Walt Disney Imagineering’s Imaginations Design Competition. This project is the sole property of Walt Disney Imagineering and all rights to use these ideas are exclusive to Walt Disney Imagineering. The competition is a way for students and recent graduates to showcase their talents and for Walt Disney Imagineering to identify new talent.