In the Qatari desert, the landscape of rock and sand shapes the silhouette of the project.
The walls that mark the main entrance to the resort rotate in an organic movement, generating a shell-like form. Two long walls protect the complex from the prevailing north-westerly winds, the Shamal, following the ancient wisdom of nomadic encampments.
The central axis is a kind of spine floating above the ground, creating a covered system that houses the main guest services: reception, international restaurants, shopping areas, traditional restaurants, and tea rooms. These elements are enclosed by “light” partitions—glazed or screened—according to traditional woodcraft techniques. The immense shell is an organic body that moves a few meters above the ground. At times it touches it, as in the inner courtyards that host the large braziers of nomadic tradition.
A wave of stone, between desert and fire. Along this spine branch the paths leading to the guest rooms and other outdoor public spaces: the swimming pools and the open-air theatre for falconry.
The Shamal project began as a conceptual idea, designed specifically for a competition. It is an exploratory and experimental proposal inspired by the element of the tent. The rooms are designed as accommodation that reinterprets traditional architecture, applying contemporary technological solutions. The compactness of the volumes works in conjunction with various layers of shading filters. The result is a complex that is highly efficient in terms of energy, lighting and internal comfort for users. It also takes the form of a representative and recognisable architectural object, which shapes the landscape according to an aggregative system that echoes the theme of the camp.
The accommodations are raised above the ground on a wooden platform, which supports the climate-controlled interior spaces, a patio protected by walls, and an entrance area covered with carpets. A large tent, traditional in appearance yet highly technological, shelters and protects the resort’s guests.
The accommodations are articulated into different units through the aggregation of one or more modules. In their largest configuration they form private villas, organized around the shared space of the patio and the carpeted terrace; these define the southern boundary of the resort, opening out toward the desert.
Completing the master plan, a racetrack and an 18-hole golf course offer guests additional leisure spaces. The central spine gently twists at its far end and slips into the desert dunes. Only a series of punctual observatories emerge—true silent towers from which to quietly observe the sky.
The Plan Award 2020 Finalist
