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 | Apr 25, 2017
Dutch building incorporates 22 emojis into its façade
The emoji building is part of a larger mixed-use development built around a 150-year-old oak tree.
Mixed-Use | Apr 24, 2017
Take a look at Brooklyn’s Domino Sugar Refinery redevelopment
The master plan features market-rate and affordable housing, mixed-use space, and a waterfront park with a 5-block long “Artifact Walk.”
Sports and Recreational Facilities | Apr 21, 2017
Boston Celtics training and practice facility will be part of Boston Landing mixed-use development
The facility will also include two floors of Class A laboratory and office space and retail space.
Mixed-Use | Apr 7, 2017
North Hollywood mixed-use development NoHo West begins construction
The development is expected to open in 2018.
Mixed-Use | Apr 5, 2017
SOM-designed ‘vertical village’ is Thailand’s largest private-sector development ever
60,000 people will live and work in One Bangkok when it is completed in 2025.
Urban Planning | Mar 31, 2017
4 important things to consider when designing streets for people, not just cars
For the most part what you see is streets that have been designed with the car in mind—at a large scale for a fast speed.
High-rise Construction | Mar 31, 2017
Ping An Finance Center officially becomes the fourth tallest building in the world
The completed building sits between the Makkah Royal Clock Tower at 1,972 feet and One World Trade Center at 1,776 feet.
Mixed-Use | Mar 27, 2017
The Plant brings terrace-to-table living to Toronto
Curated Properties and Windmill Developments have teamed up to create a mixed-use building with food as the crux of the project.
Mixed-Use | Mar 21, 2017
Studio Gang commissioned to design its first Canadian building
The project will be a mixed-use tower at the southwest corner of Yonge and Delisle in Toronto.
Retail Centers | Mar 9, 2017
When everyone shops online, what happens to mixed-use retail?
NBBJ’s David Yuan explains how changing retail trends are creating new opportunities for urban experiences and public space.