{"id":254908,"date":"2025-05-02T13:20:54","date_gmt":"2025-05-02T17:20:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/interiordesign.net\/?post_type=id_project&p=254908"},"modified":"2025-05-02T13:20:56","modified_gmt":"2025-05-02T17:20:56","slug":"shebara-resort-design-in-saudi-arabia","status":"publish","type":"id_project","link":"https:\/\/interiordesign.net\/projects\/shebara-resort-design-in-saudi-arabia\/","title":{"rendered":"Shebara Resort, A Floating Net-Zero Oasis, Wows In Saudi Arabia"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\"aerial
The arc of overwater orbs includes the central arrival pavilion and jetty, while the beachfront villas, spa, and other facilities dot the landscape behind. Photography by Katarina Premfors.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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May 2, 2025<\/p>\n\n\n

Words: <\/span>Peter\u00a0Webster<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Shebara Resort, A Floating Net-Zero Oasis, Wows In Saudi Arabia<\/h1>\n\n\n

You can\u2019t say Saudi Arabia doesn\u2019t put its money where its mouth is. Announced in 2017 with an estimated budget of $23.6 billion, the gobsmacking Red Sea Project\u2014a tourism megadevelopment that, by 2030, aims to create 50 resorts across 22 islands and six inland sites on the kingdom\u2019s west coast\u2014has already seen four properties open. One of the most recent, the Shebara Resort, sits 15 miles offshore on Sheybarah Island, an irregular sliver of rolling sand dunes, desert flora, turtle nesting grounds, and pristine coral reefs. If Killa Design<\/a>\u2019s master plan and architecture for the 73-key luxury enclave evoke a string of pearls threading the shoreline, that\u2019s purely intentional. Housed in mirror-finished stainless-steel ellipsoids, Shebara\u2019s guest villas form a dazzling silver-bead necklace that winds over water and land as if gently dropped there by the sea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDropped there\u201d is the apposite phrase: The shiny orbs were entirely prefabricated and outfitted in the United Arab Emirates, then shipped to the site and lowered onto concrete foundations with steel pile caps embedded in the seabed and the beachfront. This strategy not only ensured that each structure is as carefully built and meticulously detailed as a superyacht but also minimized construction impact on the island\u2019s delicate ecosystem. In fact, powered by a massive solar array and supported by a reverse-osmosis desalination plant, wastewater reclamation system, and all-electric land and marine transportation, the whole eco-resort operates at net-zero levels of energy, water, and waste.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Shebara Resort Redefines Luxury On The Red Sea<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"island
Over the Red Sea, at Shebara Resort on Saudi Arabia\u2019s Sheybarah Island, Killa Design\u2019s stainless-steel orbs house either guest rooms by Studio Paolo Ferrari or restaurants, bars, and amenities by Rockwell Group. Photography by Ema Peters.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Reached by boat or seaplane, Shebara defers to the natural environment in other ways, too. Despite the buildings\u2019 futuristic, look-at-me aesthetic\u2014they could be a fleet of intergalactic spacecraft on a friendly visit\u2014their mirrored skins reflect the sea and sky, sand and scrub, making them appear to dematerialize into the landscape. The overwater villas\u2019 cantilevered support system gives the impression they\u2019re floating weightlessly above the surface, with no disturbance to the marine habitat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If Killa successfully resolved the problem of integrating such distinctive architecture into an unspoiled setting, it fell to a couple of other firms to formulate equally arresting interiors that nonetheless blended seamlessly with the striking exteriors. Studio Paolo Ferrari<\/a>\u2014already engaged on another Red Sea Project property, Desert Rock in the Hejaz Mountains\u2014won the competition to outfit the villas. \u201cI knew the guest rooms had to be forward-looking, unconventional, even experimental, but I didn\u2019t want them to be overly expressive,\u201d founder and principal designer Paolo Ferrari begins. \u201cWe aimed to embed a timeless, lyrical quality in the work, too.\u201d It turned out that solving the first challenge\u2014linking the outer shell to the space inside\u2014also helped achieve the balance Ferrari envisioned. \u201cThe need for connection made it important to bring polished steel into the interior,\u201d he says. \u201cThat led us to look at the material in a fresh light, as something very pure, architectural, and lovely to experiment with.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sleek Technology Meets Human Craftsmanship\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"room
The exterior\u2019s polished steel reappears inside as a wall-mounted bar, floor lamp, and side table. Photography by Ema Peters.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The shiny metal appears throughout, handled almost as if it were liquid\u2014poured into sculptural forms that include side tables, floor lamps, vanity mirrors, and headboards with integrated nightstands that curl around each bed. All are custom, like the rest of the furnishings. Most spectacular is the wall-mounted bar: a gleaming silver cabinet resembling a giant chrysalis that, at the touch of a button, opens gently like a blossom to reveal an interior lined in rich crimson leather. \u201cThere\u2019s something intentionally perplexing about it because, as a guest, you have no idea what it is,\u201d Ferrari notes. \u201cBut it also has a joyful quality of surprise and discovery.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Like the resort\u2019s space-age architecture, the centerpiece cabinet is intriguingly mysterious rather than disconcertingly alien\u2014sleek technology imbued with natural warmth and human craftsmanship. Ferrari\u2019s cocoonlike interiors extend this aesthetic, replicating the seamless surfaces, smooth curves, and precision engineering of the outer shells, but rendered in a restrained materials palette that connects to nature. Joining the fluid steel forms are travertine floors, carved-oak vanities, ebony built-ins, leather paneling with dark-bronze inlay, wool rugs, and plaster ceilings. \u201cIt\u2019s about using materials in new and unexpected ways,\u201d Ferrari concludes, \u201cbut ensuring that it\u2019s still very honest, simple, and pure, despite how complex it is as a project.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Amenities Abound In This Visionary Resort\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"dining
A custom installation comprising hundreds of oak rods forms the undulating ceilingscape in Lunara, a beachfront brasserie. Photography by Katarina Premfors.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Rockwell Group<\/a> was hired to outfit the five restaurants and bars, along with the arrival pavilion, spa, gym, and other public spaces, some 39,000 square feet in all. \u201cWorking with domed spaces was technically challenging,\u201d Rockwell partner and project lead Brad Zuger acknowledges. \u201cThe exterior is enigmatic, unified, and stunning. Our interiors are softer, more story-driven, and widely varied according to the space\u2019s program.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A couple of the restaurants illustrate what Zuger means. Lunara, a beachfront brasserie, brings the colors and textures of the island\u2019s gorgeously austere landscape indoors. The ceiling, an undulating sea of suspended oak rods, is as mesmerizing as a tide-swayed kelp forest. Its biomorphic pattern is echoed in the bespoke oak-parquet flooring, while sage green and similarly organic hues enrich the custom furnishings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"dining
In Ariamare, a seafood restaurant, the ribbed plaster ceiling was inspired by fish bones, while the custom chandelier evokes their scales. Photography by Katarina Premfors. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ariamare, which serves Mediterranean-style cuisine, draws inspiration from the sea. Here, plaster ribbing spans the curved ceiling, suggesting the delicate tracery of fish bones, while a glittering chandelier evokes their iridescent scales. It floats above the crudo bar\u2014a semicircle of chiseled natural stone with the heft of an Attic monolith. This echo of the ancient past in a contemporary setting helps give guests the experience Zuger hopes for: \u201cThey should feel as though they\u2019ve stepped into another world.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Walk Through The Shebara Resort<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"room
Each room has a mosaic-lined pool. Photography by Katarina Premfors.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"balcony
The terrace at Solera, a specialty-drinks bar, overlooks the adult swimming pool. Photography by Katarina Premfors.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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\"corner
All furnishings in the guest villas are custom. Photography by Ema Peters. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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\"closeup
The wall sweeps out to conceal a structural column. Photography by Ema Peters.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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\"bathroom
A bathroom\u2019s custom carved-oak vanity leans back into the curving wall. Photography by Ema Peters.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"room
Walls are paneled in leather with dark-bronze inlay, ceilings are plaster, and flooring is travertine. Photography by Katarina Premfors.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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\"bar
Equipped with motorized hydraulic hinges, the bar opens up to reveal a leather-lined interior. Photography by Ema Peters.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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\"white
Pool deck seating and planters are cast concrete. Photography by Ema Peters.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"aerial
The arc of overwater orbs includes the central arrival pavilion and jetty, while the beachfront villas, spa, and other facilities dot the landscape behind. Photography by Katarina Premfors.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"exterior
A pool and David Rockwell\u2019s Sunset chaise lounges front the gym. Photography by Katarina Premfors.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"exterior
Deck lighting is directed downward, observing dark-sky principles that preserve views of the stars. Photography by Katarina Premfors.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"pod
The island is surrounded by coral reefs and abundant marine life. Photography by Katarina Premfors.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"aerial
Custom daybeds populate the intimate spa pool terrace. Photography by Katarina Premfors.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"exterior
Villa entryways are iroko, as is the boardwalk. Photography by Ema Peters.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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\"multiple
An arcade of free-form arches provides an organic entry to the spa. Photography by Katarina Premfors. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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\"exterior
The island\u2019s desert flora is reflected in the beachfront Royal Villa\u2019s mirror-finished exterior. Photography by Ema Peters. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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\"hammam
Carved natural stone benches and bespoke plasterwork outfit the sybaritic hammam. Photography by Katarina Premfors.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
PROJECT TEAM<\/h6><\/div>\n\n\n\n

ROCKWELL GROUP:<\/strong> HARAM KIM; LAUREN TUDOR; GRACIE ZHANG. STUART MCGUIRE; JOHN GAITAN; LUCAS STANOIS; CRAWFORD NOBLE; JOANNE WENDERSKA; RAJESHTA JULATUM; DIPRA SHETTY; SARAH YAO: <\/strong>STUDIO PAOLO FERRARI. KILLA DESIGN: <\/strong>ARCHITECT OF RECORD. DEPA GROUP: <\/strong>CUSTOM FURNITURE WORKSHOP; GENERAL CONTRACTOR.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PRODUCT SOURCES<\/h6><\/div>\n\n\n\n

FROM FRONT MCH INTERNATIONAL: <\/strong>CUSTOM RUG (GUEST ROOM). GRANKRAFT INDUSTRIES: <\/strong>CUSTOM BAR CABINET. LASVIT: <\/strong>CUSTOM BEDSIDE LIGHT, CUSTOM FLOOR LAMP (GUEST ROOM), CUSTOM CHANDELIER (ARIAMARE). SANIHARTO: <\/strong>CUSTOM ARMCHAIR (GUEST ROOM), CUSTOM TABLE, CUSTOM CHAISE LOUNGES (ROYAL VILLA). GESSI: <\/strong>FITTINGS (HAMMAM). ROCHE BOBOIS: <\/strong>CHAISE LOUNGES (GYM).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n