Location: Al Soudah, Saudi Arabia

Scope: Design & Build

Year: 2019

Status: Complete

Team: Khalid Henaidy, Asia Khan, Ahmed Frehat, Tahir Tuffaha, Abdalrhman Yassin, Abdulrahman Abdullah

Briefing:

In this project we were given a unique opportunity to propose a challenging design that should be scalable, replicable, sustainable and reversible.

Having a minimal foot print, impact on the site and vegetation should be reduced to a minimum. And to provide an exceptional experience.

At 3000m altitude, the top of Jebel Sawda is one of the highest locations in Saudi Arabia.

The western side of the mountain has retained most of its natural roughed terrain and vegetation, has extensive views, humid weather and low temperatures during most of the year.

Architectural Solution:

First. Locations, on the edge of the mountain cliff that will be accessible by a walkway.

Second. In order to achieve a more delicate presence on the landscape the shelter’s footprint is split into units that are then merged into a single more complex geometry.

Third. Reproduction and variation. Various prototypes where designed to allow different combinations.

Fourth. Positioning. The V shape of the cabin will open up towards the view whilst allowing a reducing its physical shape on the rear side, giving the impression of a much smaller structure than it actually is.

Concept:

The cabin will hover on the mountain’s cliff reflecting the shape of the mountain edge. Each cabin will be projecting its volume in the air in a specific location in relation to the typography turning the interior spaces into a panoramic view.

The temporary nature of the cabins will be underlined by the nature of its finishes and colors.

The external anthracite metal cladding will underline the artificiality of shelter. The dark neutral exterior will also contribute to highlight the contrast between the intensity of the exterior environment and the comfort and Coziness of its warm interior spaces, entirely cladding wall.