Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
“Desert Rock is one of the most dramatic desert landscapes in the world, which is why we wanted to use the architecture as a way to honor and respect it,” states Chad Oppenheim.
Created by architectural design firm Oppenheim Architecture, Desert Rock in Western Saudi Arabia for The Red Sea Development Company (TRSDC), the developer behind an ambitious regenerative tourism project called: The Red Sea Project.
Desert Rock is being designed to protect and preserve the environment and will allow guests to connect with the nature and local culture of the region.
The 60-key resort will feature state-of-the-art facilities, including a world-class spa and fitness center, remote destination dining areas as well as a feature lagoon oasis.
Desert Rock will offer a range of accommodation for its guests, from ground-level dwellings to crevice hotel suites midway up the mountain, while a select number of excavated rooms will be placed within the rock massif itself.
“To provide undisrupted views across the landscape, most roads leading into the resort will be pushed to the edge of the main wadi and hidden behind landscape mounds,” said Oppenheim Architecture.
“This will also minimize sound and light pollution, allowing guests to fully absorb the dramatic desert landscape,” the firm added.
“We wanted to create a destination that allows guests to experience Saudi Arabia’s untouched beauty,” explained John Pagano, CEO of TRSDC.
“We have drawn inspiration from the surrounding environment, while providing unparalleled luxury, allowing guests to connect with nature and create memorable experiences,” he added.
The architectural language of the hotels and villas is formed naturally by using an excavation technique from the rocks. As a common design principle of Oppenheim Architecture by adopting the philosophy of “building with the land, not on the land,” the structures are designed in the same principle.
Guests will enter the resort through a hidden valley nestled between the mountains.
From there, they’ll find 48 villas and 12 hotel rooms within the mountain, located amongst the vista, with architecture fully integrated into the rock to preserve its striking silhouette.
A range of accommodation will be available, from ground-level dwellings to crevice hotel suites midway up the mountain, and a select number of excavated rooms within the rock massif itself.
To provide undisrupted views across the landscape, most roads leading into the resort will be pushed to the edge of the main wadi and hidden behind landscape mounds.
This will also minimize sound and light pollution, allowing guests to fully absorb the dramatic desert landscape.
Guests will be able to hike, use dune buggies, and stargaze as part of the site-wide activities program.
The project also aims to maintain the ancient history of the site by hiring members of the local community to act as stewards of the land and provide educational tours for visitors about the local history of the area.
As part of TRSDC’s commitment to regenerative tourism, Desert Rock will be designed to achieve the highest Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification level.
“This will also minimize sound and light pollution, allowing guests to fully absorb the dramatic desert landscape,” the firm added.
Project: Desert Rock Resort
Architects: Oppenheim Architecture
Client: The Red Sea Development Company (TRSDC)
