Project Data:

Completion Date:     6/1/2028

Square Footage:      683000

Building Use:           Hotel & Residences

Project Description:

Abraj Omar Hotel & Residences in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, presented a series of unique design challenges that required careful consideration and ingenuity.

With a projected 30 million visitors per year by 2030, maximizing the buildable area was a crucial aspect of the site’s functionality. Being only 300 meters from the Masjid al-Haram, the site required a sensitive approach to both design and construction. The narrow site constraints included uneven topography, an existing basement, and underground freeway and ramp access - all which posed difficulties for sufficient public space to gather and celebrate. The already challenging program also called for incorporating a minimum of 275 guestrooms, approximately 200 residential units, and fully automated parking.

The division of spaces between the hotel, residences and shared amenities, required careful planning to ensure both privacy and accessibility. The design had to cater to different user groups while maintaining a seamless flow. Direct access to the Grand Mosque through the pedestrian spine was an essential aspect of the design, requiring thoughtful integration that ensured accessibility and functional coherence with the surroundings while preserving and enhancing the spiritual and cultural connection of the place.

Ensuring that the building provides the best views of significant landmarks such as the Kaaba and the Clock Tower required meticulous planning in the building’s massing and orientation. Equally important was protecting the building from natural elements, especially the intense sun. Implementing a veil made of vertical elements to reduce solar radiation from limestone, along with jewelry-like filigrees for shade served to shield the building.

Abraj Omar aims to distinguish itself from local design, while still adhering to local governance. Creating a unifying experience for all visitors that resonated with the spiritual significance of Makkah, while designing a contemporary interpretation of Saudi architecture that honored local, regional, and indigenous heritage posed a delicate balance. Every design choice had to reflect a deep respect for the place’s religious and cultural importance. The use of light and dark bronze to reflect sunlight during the day and provide lighting features during the night was an innovative aspect that required careful selection of materials and technologies to create the desired visual effects.

Abraj Omar’s challenges are multifaceted, encompassing cultural, environmental, structural, and functional aspects. The successful navigation of these challenges resulted in a building that will honor its location’s heritage and spiritual significance. Estimated completion is mid-2028.

Design for Integration, Design for Equitable Communities, Design for Ecosystems, Design for Water , Design for Economy, Design for Energy, Design for Well-being, Design for Resources, Design for Change, Design for Discovery 

DESIGN FOR INTEGRATION

From a distance, the tower's silhouette appears to be swathed in a protective layer reminiscent of a veil, paying homage to the local culture. Veils have long symbolized modesty and reverence in Middle Eastern traditions, and the Makkah Tower has embraced this symbol to shield itself from the natural elements. The veil is ingeniously crafted from a series of vertical limestone elements, a material rooted deeply in Arabian architecture. During the daytime, these intricate designs glitter and reflect sunlight, almost like a dance of sun and shadow. By night, these same filigrees transform into stunning lighting features, adding a luminescent charm to the night sky. These limestone formations aren’t just representative of local building traditions but serve a functional role in reducing solar radiation. The strategic placement and alignment allow them to cast shadows upon one another, ensuring the building remains cool in Makkah's intense heat, thus optimizing energy consumption.

Beneath this towering marvel is the podium. A carefully crafted segment that pays homage to Makkah’s artisanal prowess. Alongside fritted glass, they serve as filters, allowing diffused sunlight to cascade into public areas, creating a serene ambiance, reminiscent of sunrays filtering through date palms.


DESIGN FOR EQUITABLE COMMUNITIES

Makkah is a place where diversity converges at its zenith. This project is a symbol of unity, inclusivity, and celebration of the diverse tapestry of pilgrims visiting the holy city. The foundation lies in its mission: to provide a space where every individual, regardless of their cultural or geographical background, feels welcomed, understood, and celebrated. Its design speaks volumes about this commitment to equitable communities. The façade of the tower features a mesmerizing mosaic, made up of patterns and graphics inspired by various cultures worldwide. From African geometric prints to Indonesian Batik motifs, from the intricate patterns of Central Asian kilims to the flowing scripts of Southeast Asian calligraphy – each is woven seamlessly into the tower's exterior. This multicultural tapestry serves as a visual diary, telling stories of thousands of pilgrims and their journey.

Inside the tower, the theme of inclusivity continues. Communal spaces are designed to encourage interactions between visitors from different backgrounds. Rooms are equipped with features accommodating diverse needs, from prayer spaces oriented towards the Kaaba to kitchens fitted to cater to varied culinary preferences. Interactive displays scattered throughout the building showcase stories, rituals, and traditions from different cultures. These touchpoints not only educate visitors about global customs but also emphasize the shared values and beliefs that bind humanity.


DESIGN FOR ECOSYSTEMS

Abraj Omar Hotel & Residences is a vertical ecosystem within a dense city center. As one ventures to the Spine (Level 2), they are greeted with an expansive oasis of greeneries and water features. This isn't just a garden; it's a micro-habitat with indigenous flora, ranging from date palms to aromatic herbs, proliferate here, providing a refreshing retreat for both residents and local wildlife.

This green philosophy doesn't stop at Level 2 but extend atop the podium with the wellness garden. As one ascends the tower, pockets of green spaces pepper the vertical landscape. This landscape culminates with the Sky Garden on Level 19 with cascading water features, reflecting the age-old desert oasis, meander through beds of vibrant flowers and shade-providing trees. There is also seating areas surrounded by aromatic plants that offer places of contemplation and communion with nature. The crown jewel is its penthouse level. Residents are treated to private gardens, where they can grow their herbs or simply bask in the tranquility of a space that's both intimate and expansive. These rooftop gardens are not just aesthetic features but also serve as vital spaces for urban pollinators, integrating the building further into the city's ecological fabric.


DESIGN FOR WATER

In a city where rain is sparse, the Abraj Omar tower stands tall, not as a challenge to nature, but as a complement to it. Every facet of its design speaks of water conservation, utilization, and celebration. Terraced gardens on various levels act as catchment zones, collecting rainwater that is then filtered and stored in underground cisterns. Inside, water conservation takes on a modern touch. Every apartment and hotel room is equipped with state-of-the-art fixtures that reduce water consumption.

The landscape surrounding the tower is also a testament to desert resilience. Indigenous plants, which have adapted to the desert’s sporadic rains and scorching sun, paint the ground in shades of green, ochre, and russet. These xeriscape gardens, interspersed with water-efficient drip irrigation systems, serve as a reminder of the harmony between nature and nurture. Water features within the property aren’t merely ornamental but functional. Shallow reflecting pools not only offer serene vistas but also aid in micro-climatic cooling, reducing the need for artificial air-conditioning.


DESIGN FOR ECONOMY

At the core of project’s economic genius is its façade rationalization. Efficiency is brought about by modular design and a unitized façade. This standardization, while maintaining aesthetic appeal, greatly reduces construction complexities, errors, and associated costs. Moreover, it ensures a quicker construction timeline and simpler maintenance processes.

The tower's verticality highlights another economic masterstroke: a consistent high floor-to-floor design. This uniformity across levels promotes repetition in structural elements, mechanical systems, and even interior fit-outs. By having the same floor-to-floor height throughout the whole building, it manages to streamline procurement processes, manage inventory more efficiently, and simplify installation and construction workflows.

Understanding the differing needs of a hotel and residential spaces, the tower's design optimally stacks these spaces to ensure efficient use of shared utilities and amenities. This meticulous stacking reduces the need for complex and multiple vertical transportation cores, further economizing the space and resources. Utility zones, like water supply and waste disposal, benefit from this stacking model, leading to efficient management and reduced operational costs.


DESIGN FOR ENERGY

This project acknowledges the challenges posed by Makkah’s hot and arid climate, as well as the increasing demand for energy efficiency in a city that treasures every watt of power. Central to the tower's innovation is its shared cooling system. Abraj Omar took a communal approach. It is the heart of a network that pumps cooled air to neighboring edifices, ensuring that not just one, but several structures benefit from the cooling mechanism. This not only reduces energy consumption but also curtails the urban heat island effect, a critical consideration.

In addition, nestled below the pedestrian Spine are the generator and the main equipment that power the structure. This design placement ensures that the building's machinery is both compact and efficient. Moreover, easy access from the street level means that maintenance and checks can be carried out with minimal disruption to the residents and guests.


DESIGN FOR WELL-BEING

While many structures in Makkah pay homage to the past, Abraj Omar reaches out to the holistic future, ensuring that every visitor and resident not only feels at home but feels whole. On levels 19 & 20, the tower offers spaces dedicated to prayers and meditation. These are panoramic prayer halls, offering sweeping views of the Makkah cityscape, and connected to the Sky Garden. One of the tower's crown jewels is its wellness garden, perched atop the state-of-the-art fitness center. After an invigorating workout, residents and guests can retreat to this elevated oasis. Filled with aromatic herbs, gentle water features, and shaded seating alcoves, this is a space dedicated to rejuvenation. And to nourish the body, a health bar sits nestled in one corner, serving up a menu of wholesome food and refreshing drinks, made from locally sourced, organic ingredients. The commitment to wellness extends beyond its walls.


DESIGN FOR RESOURCES

At the very core of the project’s ethos is the commitment to zero waste. The building is a living example of circular economy principles, that was collaboratively developed in the early phases of design with consultants and operator. The primary construction materials, including concrete and steel, are sourced from suppliers who utilize sustainable manufacturing processes, drastically reducing embodied carbon. Locally sourced materials are favored, not only to minimize transportation emissions but also to support and uplift the local economy. The design itself is imbued with green intelligence. Walls have high thermal mass, ensuring optimal temperature regulation, thereby reducing the reliance on artificial heating or cooling. And as another example, no plastic bottle on site was a strong direction from the operator. The most commendable feature of the project is its continuous performance monitoring. Advanced sensors throughout the building keep a real-time check on energy consumption, water usage, and indoor air quality. This data-driven approach enables timely interventions, ensuring the building always operates at peak efficiency.


DESIGN FOR CHANGE

The genius of Abraj Omar lies in its ability to foresee and adapt to evolving uses. Recognizing that buildings often outlive their initial purposes, the tower's architecture uses modular components. The interior layout also provides a lot of flexibility. Today's expansive hotel suite can be effortlessly transformed into residential apartments, co-working spaces, or communal hubs, reflecting the dynamic needs of society. Such flexibility ensures that Abraj Omar remains relevant, functional, and economically viable across generations. Climate change, with its unpredictable challenges, is at the forefront of Abraj Omar’s design principles.


DESIGN FOR DISCOVERY

The journey of Abraj Omar’s inception was one paved with introspection. The design phase was a collaborative dialogue among architects, local engineers, client, and operator. Through a series of workshops, charrettes, and iterative feedback loops, the design was refined, ensuring that the tower not only met functional requirements but also resonated with the spirit of Makkah.

Abraj Omar is a journey of discovery and spirituality. Its façade, inspired by Islamic geometric patterns, serves as an ever-present reminder of Islam's rich heritage. Inside, flowing water features evoke the purity of the Zamzam Well, immediately grounding guests in tranquility. Specialized 'Discovery Paths' guide them through narratives of the Quran and Islam's history, culminating in breathtaking views of the Kaaba, panoramic elevators, inviting introspection on one's place in the vast tapestry of creation.

In essence, Abraj Omar Hotel & Residences is a conduit for spiritual voyage. By seamlessly blending tradition with modernity, it offers every guest and resident an unparalleled opportunity to connect, reflect, and deepen their bond with the Divine.

Completion Date:     6/1/2028

Square Footage:      683000

Building Use:           Hotel & Residences

Location:                 Makkah, Saudi Arabia

Gensler

DAR Engineering

Alesayi Holding

DAR Engineering

DAR Engineering

DAR Engineering