Architecture Studios Kengo Kuma and Associates and Foster + Partners Dreams Big Tourism Plans In Saudi Arabia
Renowned architecture studios Kengo Kuma and Associates and Foster + Partners has unveiled plans for a tourism development project named The Red Sea Project in Saudi Arabia.



The project will be situated on the Saudi Arabian islands within the Red Sea and will be served by its own airport. It is set to play a key role in the country’s plans to increase international tourism. Called “the world’s most ambitious tourism development” by The Red Sea Development Company, it will be built on a chain of 90 undeveloped islands between the cities of Umluj and Al Wajh on the west coast of Saudi Arabia.
As part of the studios' collaboration, Foster + Partners will create an airport to serve several hotels and boost the project’s development. Kengo Kuma and Associates focused more on the design of 100-holiday villas and restaurants for the scheme on Ummahat Al Shaykh Island, some of which will be built directly over the water. Also included are a community building, a spa, a reception pavilion, housekeeping villas and a guest jetty.
Phase One of the project is set to open in 2022. "This is a resort which seeks to embrace the natural setting and rich cultural history of the region…the design for our assets was inspired by the beautifully natural occurring elements of the island," said Kuma.
"We are working on several projects in the region including the state-of-the-art Red Sea International Airport as well as three major luxury developments: the Southern Dunes, located in the mountainous region inland, and Ummahat Al Sheikh and Shurayrah islands, two exclusive island resorts located off the Red Sea coast," Foster + Partners head of studio Gerard Evenden told Dezeen.
- date publishedJanuary 29, 2021
- categoryArchitecture
- original sourceDezeen↗