The cornerstone of Saudi Arabia’s bid to reinvent itself as a world-class tourism destination, the Red Sea Project will see around 90 uninhabited islands along Saudi Arabia’s west coast transformed into top-of-the-line hospitality, wellness and cultural hotspots. And key to that plan, which is part of the kingdom’s Saudi Vision 2030 manifesto to diversify its economy beyond oil, is the British architecture firm Foster + Partners.
The studio that has already helmed iconic buildings across Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East, is designing pioneering projects – from transport hubs and resorts to cultural venues, that promise a new era of architectural innovation.
Southern Dunes is one of the two in-land resorts that are part of the Red Sea Project. Around 100 kilometres northeast of the beach town of Umluj, this Foster + Partners hotel will feature 40 villas surrounded by the Arabian desert and protected by asymmetric timber roofs. Arranged in neat lines to create a wind-break, but also to ensure all villas have unhindered views of the desert, the angular shape of the guesthouses is contrasted by the rather organic, umbrella-like structures that make up the communal areas. Like desert foliage, these light-weight timber forms will seem to emerge from the landscape.
Partly submerged underwater, the Marine Life Institute at the Triple Bay Marina in Amaala is slated to be ‘the world's first fully immersive experiential marine life centre’. If all goes to plan, the 10,430 square-metres complex will also feature one of the largest man-made reefs in the world: 40 metres long and 10 metres deep.
Inspired by the interconnected forms found in coral reefs, the complex is imagined as a series of organic-shaped building clusters brought together by a canopy. Exhibition displays, spherical tanks and futuristic labs will be housed within steel structures clad with glass-reinforced concrete panels that will give the complex its soft, yet soaring profile.
Currently under construction some 15 kilometres inland from Saudi Arabia’s west coast, the profile of the Red Sea International Airport is inspired by the soft, undulating shapes of the sand dunes. Designed to service a capacity of one million passengers a year by 2030, the airport will encompass five ‘pods’, with each fully capable of functioning as mini terminals: this will allow the operator to open or close sections of the airport based on traffic, thereby conserving energy.
"Inspired by the colours and textures of the desert landscape, the design seeks to create a calm and luxurious journey through the terminal and will become a transit hub for visitors coming in by both land and air,” said Gerard Evenden, head of studio at Foster + Partners, in 2019 when the project was first revealed. Slated to achieve a LEED Platinum sustainability rating, the shape of the overall complex has been designed to reduce solar gain inside through passive design. Plus, it will be powered by 100 per cent renewable energy.
Located in the Amaala Marina Village, which is also being designed by Foster + Partners, the Equinox Resort Amaala hotel will feature 128 rooms, including two luxury penthouses overlooking the sparkling new marina by Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast. Developed with luxury lifestyle brand Equinox, it will feature a magnesium-salt rooftop pool and courtyards inspired by Arabian Architecture. It’s circular floating canopy will welcome guests, whether they arrive by car or boat.
