Foster + Partners Wins Chance To Develop In Saudi Arabia

The Jabal Omar competition in Saudi Arabia recently gave Foster + Partners the winning prize for their scheme for a new luxury hotel and serviced apartments in the heart of Makkah.

Inspired by traditional Arab architecture, it’s design reinterprets the traditional dense building clusters, creating a new contemporary vernacular that respects its sacred location.

Following the mountainous terrain, its cascading vertical elements form a new topography. The new mixed-use development will create a new gateway along the route to the Grand Mosque for pilgrims from the world over.

Foster + Partners Senior Executive Partner Luke Fox said the firm was absolutely delighted to have won the competition.

"Makkah is one of the most unique cities in the world. As the home of the Holy Kaaba - the holiest site in Islam - it presents a special challenge and honour for any developer and architect.

"Our design sets out to create an innovative building form that will be respectful to the scale and importance of the Grand Mosque," he said.

The scheme addresses the shortage of accommodation in Makkah in response to the rapid growth in visitor numbers. Occupying a large portion of the site, the orientation of all rooms and apartments maximise and optimise views towards the Holy Kaaba – the main focal point for every visitor.

Generated from the inside-out, its interior design is an antidote to the lack of identity that typical generic hotel rooms suffer from. Every room has a dedicated space for private prayer and contemplation that provides direct views to the Grand Mosque and Holy Kaaba.

Located on the axis between the new Haramain High-speed Rail Station and the Grand Mosque, the site also forms a key part of the pilgrims’ journey towards the Holy Kaaba. A dramatic pedestrian ramp integrated with the new topography will take the pilgrims through naturally lit spaces, adding to the special experience of visiting the Grand Mosque.

“Our endeavour has been to make the experience special and appropriate to its unique location," Mr Fox said.

"The design follows a philosophy of ‘luxury with humility’ with an understated elegance throughout the development." 

Images courtesy Foster + Partners