Students from the Department of Architecture, "Ali Ziyad" and "Aisha Shabeeb," participated in the DUNES Global Competition with a project titled "Wellness Resort in the Sinai Desert – Egypt."
The project's objective is to restore the spirit of the place by creating an immersive experience with nature, aiming to enhance overall well-being through activities that include meditation, training, work, and recreational sports.
Design Concept: The design incorporates principles of environmental design to embody the concept of "Journey Through the Sands of Time," where the desert meets the oasis, representing the womb of the harsh desert in a silent dialogue that sparks creativity in the architectural narrative. This narrative paints a captivating architectural scene that expresses harmony between the interior and exterior, telling the story of coexistence between the harshness of nature and the softness and luxury of life as a duality embraced by the design. The architectural mass is characterized by its strict geometric structure, resembling a Mexican ship with a shell that reflects the barren desert landscape and its harsh sand dunes. This bold color contrast is mirrored in the calm water surface of the oasis, creating a volume that employs natural materials like wood and palm trees, making the surfaces and levels of its spaces appear as threads of dawn in the desert, reflecting the tranquility of nature.
The environmental design focuses on creating a small city resembling a green oasis amidst a sea of sand. The project's volumes, which house its interior spaces, are interconnected, embodying a monument of unity and brotherhood. The environmental design utilizes a system of spaces and openings for ventilation, acting as the lungs of the stone structure that breathe life into the project. By studying the movement of air currents in the desert, the design creates a natural spirit that allows for the entry of light and natural ventilation, spreading light throughout the project and facilitating a coexistence experience for humans with the desert environment. This journey invites contemplation of the Creator's creativity in the vast universe.
