The St. Regis Red Sea Resort | Kengo Kuma and associates

Kengo Kuma and Associates were commissioned to design an exquisite luxury tourism destination on a pristine island in Saudi Arabia—an ambitious project aimed at setting a new benchmark for sustainable development and positioning the Kingdom as a leading global tourism hub. The development includes 100 villas across seven typologies—ranging from land-based to overwater villas—as well as a series of public facilities.

The untouched natural beauty of the island formed the foundation of our design approach. Every architectural gesture is rooted in respect for the surrounding landscape, creating a seamless dialogue between nature and the built environment.

The relatively flat terrain of the island suggested a low, horizontal architecture—gentle forms that blend into the landscape rather than impose upon it. For the dune villas and public buildings, we took inspiration from the naturally occurring sand dunes. The architecture appears to rise from the earth, with softly curved roofs folding down to meet the ground, creating sculptural forms that feel as though they’ve emerged organically from the sand. These land-based structures embody our philosophy of “anti-object” architecture—designs that are not about imposing form but about harmonizing with the land, blurring the boundary between building and environment.

The offshore villas draw inspiration from the vibrant coral ecosystems beneath the ocean’s surface. Their design is articulated through a graceful, spiraling volume that evokes the organic beauty of marine life. Each villa’s plan mirrors this spiral, creating a private sea courtyard at its core while securing panoramic, uninterrupted views of the ocean in all directions. This coral-inspired form is not merely an aesthetic gesture—it is a spatial strategy that enhances privacy, strengthens the connection between interior and exterior, and reinforces the building’s integration with its marine context.

Given the remoteness and ecological sensitivity of the site, we prioritized prefabrication to minimize on-site impact. The project employs a combination of volumetric and panelized prefabrication systems, significantly reducing construction time and environmental disruption. We deliberately avoided concrete where possible, favoring natural materials that convey warmth and softness. The primary palette includes wood and natural plaster, evoking a tactile, human scale. The roofs of all buildings are clad in cedar shingles, which will weather gracefully into a soft silver-gray patina, further anchoring the architecture within its natural surroundings.

Sustainability is not a feature of the project—it is its foundation. Every design decision was made with environmental responsibility at its core. In this delicate ecosystem, architecture must tread lightly and act as a steward of the land. This project is part of a visionary initiative by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to transition from an oil-based economy to a diversified, tourism-driven future by 2030. The ambition is bold and necessary. We are honored to contribute to this national transformation, believing that architecture can be a catalyst for meaningful change. Our work here represents a small but essential fragment of this larger mosaic—a vision of a future where luxury, sustainability, and cultural transformation coexist. 

Lead Architects: Nicola Maniero, Derin Kinacigil, Juan Franco, Hannah Appelgren, Tania Utomo, Ludovica Cirillo, Aris Kafantaris, Paolo Danesi, Tran Huy Vu Nguyen, Carmen Kong, Satoshi Adachi, Rita Topa, Pavel Sipkin, Aigerim Szyzdykova Janet Choy

Structure engineer: AKT2 

Mechanical Engineer: Hilson Moran 

Interior Designer: Kristina Zanic

Landscape Designer: AECOM

Local Architects: Dewan

LEED consultant: Arcadis

Photography: Nicola Maniero,