Sited roughly 90 kilometers north of Dubai on the man-made island of Al Marjan, in the Emirate Ras Al Khaimah, this 81,630 square meter resort hotel draws from the landform making culture of the UAE. The 5-sided site is extruded as a 35 meter tall block, eroded and carved in order to create a cohesive form that adapts to the varied program of a resort hotel. Smaller scaled carving at lower levels create entries & moments of public engagement with the beach, while large scale carving at upper levels create tower elements containing hotel rooms open to views and daylight. Middle levels remain large site-spanning plates for conferencing and entertainment programs, while pool decks and spa programs occur above these nestled within the canyons of hotel towers above. The skin of the original extruded block form is articulated as a rough surface through the use of fritted glass and aluminum extrusions, while carved portions of the block are clear glass rendered shear through the minimal use of extrusions on the exterior side.
Program: 480 guest rooms, restaurant, bar, retail, and entertainment; plus a ballroom, conference rooms, and fitness area with a spa and gym