killa design plans overwater and inland villas for the red sea project in saudi arabia

killa design, an architecture firm led by shaun killa, has drawn up plans for a series of overwater and inland villas as part of the red sea project in saudi arabia. the ambitious development, which is striving to be the world’s most ambitious sustainable luxury tourism destination, also features projects by foster + partners: a dolphin-shaped hub referred to as ‘coral bloom’; and a pair of unique hotel designs. set to complete by 2022, the first phase of the project also includes around 100 overwater and inland villas designed by kengo kuma.

all images courtesy of killa design / the red sea development company

to be connected to sheybarah island, the circular configuration of killa design’s overwater villas is inspired by the neighboring coral reefs. ‘the circle represents unity, integration and wholeness, giving guests a sense of completion, confidence and harmony,’ explains the team. ‘these coral-inspired villas emerging from the surface of the water will be made of a polished steel that will reflect the water, the sky, and the best part of the project — the reef below.’

sheybarah island is the furthest from the mainland, located in the south east of the red sea project’s archipelago. as the island features a 30 to 40-meter reef drop-off in close proximity to the beach, the team expects that the location will attract a lot of attention from those looking to explore the pristine waters that surround the island. meanwhile, the inland villas — also designed by shaun killa’s firm — are inspired by sand dunes with the units set apart to give guests a sense of privacy. read more about the project on the development’s official website, and see designboom’s ongoing coverage here.

project info:

name: overwater and inland villas on sheybarah island
location: saudi arabia
design: killa design
project: the red sea project