Client: Client Representative HAJ-Project Managers
Location: Undisclosed Island
Services Provided: Concept Design
Plot Size: N/A
Total Built-up Area: 6,892 m²
Construction Cost: US $15,760,000
Year: 2005
Challenge:
The project was envisioned as a luxurious, private retreat on an undeveloped island, requiring a sensitive approach to environmental integration and exclusivity. The challenge was to develop a master plan that preserved the island’s natural beauty while ensuring privacy, grandeur, and an immersive connection to the surrounding seascape. Additionally, the design needed to establish a clear architectural hierarchy, guiding movement from the land towards the sea, while preserving a sense of enclosure and exclusivity within a defined spatial order.
Approach:
Designed by Dar Al Omran - Rasem Badran (DAO-Badran), the master plan was structured along a primary visual axis, penetrating the palace grounds and extending toward the sea, organizing the various functional clusters in a luxuriously arranged sequence. This axial planning reinforced a sense of belonging, both to the palace’s internal courtyards and to the larger territorial identity of the estate.
To enhance the spatial drama, the main palace was elevated on a hill, cascading down towards the sea through a series of terraces and landscaped gradients. This approach mirrored the hierarchical composition of historic castles, where the most prominent elements sat atop the highest vantage point, gradually descending towards more open, interactive spaces by the shoreline. The design culminated with a lighthouse, acting as a defining landmark that punctuated the end of the axis, reinforcing the strong visual connection between land, architecture, and sea.
The architectural expression combined traditional principles of spatial organization with modern luxury, ensuring that each courtyard and cluster remained visually and functionally cohesive. The use of natural materials, layered terraces, and strategically positioned viewpoints allowed the design to feel deeply connected to its surroundings, offering a seamless blend of exclusivity and experiential living.
Impact:
This exclusive island retreat redefines luxury living through its thoughtful master planning and architectural storytelling. By integrating hierarchy, movement, and visual connectivity, the project ensures a harmonious relationship between built form and the surrounding natural environment. Through its elegant fusion of tradition and contemporary refinement, the palace becomes a sanctuary of prestige, privacy, and timeless architectural excellence, standing as a landmark for high-end island residences.
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