Foster + Partners has recently revealed their winning design for a luxury hotel and serviced apartments in the Saudi Arabian city of Mecca. The design’s vertical cascading elements are meant to resemble the surrounding mountainous terrain and form a new topography while its clustered appearance pays homage to traditional Arab architecture.
According to Foster + Partners, the development is meant to address the shortage of accommodations in Mecca as the number of annual visitors continues to grow. All of the rooms and apartments are oriented to maximize direct views towards the Holy Kaaba and the Grand Mosque and come equipped with a dedicated space for private prayer.
The new development will be located on the axis between the new Haramain High-speed Rail Station and the Grand Mosque and will form a key part of the pilgrims’ journey towards the Holy Kaaba. A new pedestrian ramp will be integrated into the new design and lead pilgrims through naturally lit spaces.
“Mecca 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 honor for any developer and architect,” says Luke Fox, Head of Studio and Senior Executive Partner, Foster + Partners, on the firm’s website. “Our design sets out to create an innovative building form that will be respectful to the scale and importance of the Grand Mosque.”
Rendering courtesy of Foster + Partners.
Rendering courtesy of Foster + Partners.
Rendering courtesy of Foster + Partners.
Related Stories
Mixed-Use | Feb 19, 2019
Sunset Library in Brooklyn will be capped with 50 affordable residences
Magnusson Architecture and Planning is designing the facility.
Mixed-Use | Feb 18, 2019
Seaport World Trade Center will offer Bostonians 737,000 sf of waterfront mixed-use space
Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects is designing the project.
Mixed-Use | Jan 22, 2019
Mixed-use skyscraper rises in the heart of metropolitan Tokyo
Pickard Chilton designed the building.
Mixed-Use | Jan 4, 2019
Grenoble, France’s new mixed-use building has the skin of a python
A Prada bag inspired the design.
Mixed-Use | Jan 2, 2019
Goettsch Partners’ and Lead8’s mixed-use complex begins construction in Changchun, China
The complex includes a 980-foot tower.
Mixed-Use | Dec 14, 2018
Schmidt Hammer Lassen’s first U.S. project breaks ground in Detroit
The mixed-use development will connect some of Detroit’s key public spaces.
Mixed-Use | Dec 10, 2018
Luxury residential development completes in downtown Charleston
JE Dunn was the general contractor for the project and The Preston Partnership is the architect of record.
Mixed-Use | Nov 7, 2018
53-story L.A. tower has a series of 12 cantilevered pools
Arquitectonica is designing the building.
Mixed-Use | Nov 5, 2018
44-acre mixed-use project completes in Northridge, Calif.
Ware Malcomb designed the project.
Mixed-Use | Oct 25, 2018
Philadelphia’s uCity Square kicks off major expansion drive
This innovation center has several office, lab, and residential buildings in the works.