Italian contractor Webuild has won a $4.7 billion bid to deliver the central manmade water feature included in the Trojena mountainside resort concept that forms a vital part of Saudi Arabia’s NEOM megadevelopment for 2030.
The contract calls for the construction of three dams and an artificial lake feature plus a new structure called the Bow that will house its 3,600-guest hotel and residences, complimenting a ski resort and network of experiential nature areas and wildlife reserves.
The roughly 1.7-mile-long lake itself will become the largest manmade body of water in Saudia Arabia, the firm says. Elevations at the site range from 4,920 to 8,530 feet. Bechtel had been previously contracted as the project manager. NEOM says they aim to have things completed in time for Trojena to host the 2029 Asian Winter Games.
Philip Gullett, the Executive Director – Region Head at Trojena, said in an update: “We have already completed around three million cubic meters of excavation at the lake site, and we continue to excavate 90,000 cubic meters of rock per week. Importantly are implementing a sustainable approach by using all the rock excavated and reusing it for the lakebed lining and dam construction.”
Webuild is also in charge of constructing the high-speed rail connection to Oxagon and The Line. AECOM has been contracted for the delivery of the NEOM International Airport and NEOM’s other satellite resort destinations (including Trojena, Siranna, Leyja, Epicon, and the new Aquellum concept) on the Gulf of Aqaba.
As was mentioned in the Webuild announcement, German-based LAVA is leading the master plan for the Trojena resort concept.
7 Comments
In realms where oil fortunes flow, Developers ill-informed, ambitions aglow.
Architectural canvas, a cultural delight, Yet tainted with riches, a questionable sight.
They weave a tale of designs untold, With dirty money, their stories unfold.
Pandering to elitists, their aim in the air, Whose wealth dictates what's deemed fair.
Guess this puzzle of misguided glee, Where Saudi dreams clash with authenticity.
In the realm of structures, a dance so sly, What am I, beneath the Arabian sky?
They're still better than your Israelis
Rather support them than your guys (hamas).
Nice photo of a guy that made his career cracking islamophobic jokes...
Well, we know who would side with imperialist and fascists. Thanks pandanut.
It shouldn't need to be said, but no version of the term sustainable should be used in conjuction with a new artificial lake for a resort that requires three million cubic meters of excavation.
This whole NEOM "thingamajig" merely smacks of elitism with not a single whit of design evidence regarding nature, ecosystems, and sustainability. As a retired architect I see this whole design concept as that of a king who knows nothing of the real world and wants only to impress others of their power. NEOM is another pyramid in the making that future world survivors will see as proof as to why 21st century societies collapsed onto themselves.
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