Red Sea Ummahat 9-3 Resort

Design Team：Kengo Kuma & Associates
Size：17000 m²   
Location：Ummahat AlShaykh，Saudi Arabia

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Feature：

Project - Renowned Japanese architect Kengo Kuma has completed a remarkable hospitality complex on the remote Ummahat AlShaykh island in Saudi Arabia, seamlessly integrating low-lying villas and striking offshore pavilions with the island's pristine natural landscape. Kuma's site-specific design approach was rooted in the island's unique characteristics, prioritizing a philosophy of harmonious integration with the surrounding environment. Despite the challenges posed by the delicate coastal setting, the architect has crafted a series of low, horizontally-oriented "Land Villas" with gently curved roofs that mirror the undulating sand dunes. This not only ensures privacy for guests, but also minimizes disruption to the island's natural topography. Inspired by the vibrant coral reefs beneath the island's waters, the offshore "Sea Villas" feature sculptural, spiral-shaped volumes that emerge gracefully from the Red Sea, offering unobstructed ocean views. Embracing a consistent coral and dune-inspired aesthetic, all structures, including hotel amenities, are seamlessly integrated with the landscape through the use of warm, tactile materials like wood and clay plaster. Prioritizing sustainability and longevity, Kuma's design skilfully avoids the use of heavy concrete, instead employing prefabricated wood and clay systems that create a sense of lightness and connection to nature. The resulting architecture is a remarkable feat of site-sensitive design, offering an immersive hospitality experience deeply rooted in its spectacular coastal context.

 

Design Team - Founded in 1990 by renowned Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, Kengo Kuma and Associates (KKAA) has established itself as a global leader in thoughtful, context-driven design. With a team of highly skilled professionals across offices in Tokyo, Paris, Beijing, and Shanghai, the firm has completed innovative projects in over 40 countries, seamlessly blending architecture with the natural environment. Kuma's design philosophy emphasizes a deep connection to place, using natural materials and sensitive interventions to craft buildings that elevate the human experience while respecting local cultures and ecologies. From large-scale cultural institutions to intimate residential retreats, KKAA's portfolio showcases a mastery of scale and typology, united by a commitment to sustainability and an innate understanding of how architecture can foster meaningful relationships between people and their surroundings. With Kuma at the helm, KKAA continues to push the boundaries of contemporary architecture, integrating innovative technologies and traditional craftsmanship to realize visionary designs that redefine the role of the built environment. As the firm enters its fourth decade, its reputation for excellence and innovation continues to grow, solidifying its position as a global leader in the field.