Middle East Hotel*

*WITH GENSLER

Location :

Makkah, Saudi Arabia

Guest Keys :

250 Status :

Confidential

Generating this hotel within this prominent location involved a significant understanding of the region’s culture. Engaging closely with the client, Darlene and the Gensler team studied many facets of the region, from traditional Islamic-Arab homes and their historical importance to understanding the significance of the culture’s spirituality and prayer rituals.

The hotel design emphasizes the value of spiritual purity while creating an extension of the Hajj (pilgrimage) experience. The primary design driver was inspired by the region and visiting the Kaaba, the most sacred site in Islam. The design narrative was based on understanding the cultural factors of purity and spirituality. The black silk and gold embroidery of the Kiswah (the cloth covering the Kaaba) provided how the pattern would be celebrated throughout the space. Tone-on-tone techniques inspire and relate to the spiritual impact. The enormous grand marble structures forming the prayer zones around the Kaaba serve as the inspirational language for the hotel interiors, delivering grandness and formal characteristics. Natural light generates contrast and pattern in a clean, contemporary interior. Traditional textures abstracted from prayer rugs and Hijazi screens bring life to the overall interior design.

The Public area planning is derived from the traditional Islamic Arab home, where a courtyard and fountain provide passive cooling. Large volumes create an impact for visitors, reinforcing the Hajj. Further accentuating the architectural language found in the culture, the guestroom utilizes the pure geometry of a box to nestle the bed and create sleeping quarters. The room is surrounded by a pattern reminiscent of Mashrabiya screens. Using these details in a new way provides warmth to the space and honors the strong regional customs. With spiritual purity as the focus, the hotel offers a calm interior where beauty comes from traditional expressions generated by light and nature.