Oppenheim Architecture has released details of their Desert Rock hotel complex, situated in the mountains along Saudi Arabia’s west coast. When completed in 2023, the complex will include 48 villas and 12 hotel suites, some of which are carved directly into the mountainside. The Desert Rock hotel forms part of a wider redevelopment known as the Red Sea Project, which is set to comprise 50 resorts across 22 islands and six inland sites upon its completion in 2030.

Oppenheim’s scheme seeks to blend with its surroundings through the use of natural materials, some of which are recycled from the site. During the daytime, the hotel's material palettes and shadow effects blend with the mountainside to conceal the scheme, while at night, the glow of the architectural lighting activates the hillside. The approach to the hotel, along a hidden valley within the mountains, has been further considered to gently reveal the scheme as guests draw nearer, and minimize obstruction of views from the hotel bedrooms across the mountains.

The hotel comprises a range of accommodation, including ground floor dwellings, crevice hotel suites midway up the mountain, and a select number of excavated rooms within the rockface itself. Other facilities include a spa and fitness center, remote destination dining areas, and a lagoon oasis.

From an environmental perspective, the scheme is being designed to achieve LEED Platinum, the highest rating offered by the organization. The hotel’s servicing will include water retention and distribution systems which will harvest rainwater to support on-site vegetation, while materials excavated from the site will be repurposed during construction. This includes the use of excavated stone for walls and flooring, and ground stone and sand for concrete aggregate.

“Desert Rock is one of the most dramatic desert landscapes in the world, which is why we wanted to use the architecture as a way to honor and respect it,” said Chad Oppenheim, founder of Oppenheim Architecture. “By utilizing natural materials and integrating the resort into the rock, guests can connect physically with the destination and experience Saudi Arabia’s stunning, natural beauty.”

Construction of the scheme began in July 2021. Phase One of the resort complex, including 16 hotels, is due to be completed by 2023.