Architectural Narrative

Set on the breathtaking Gulf of Aqaba, our stunning natural oasis is shaped by time, history and mythology. It will provide a backdrop for extraordinary life moments. A place to stimulate the senses, unwind and recharge. Visionary architecture in serene surroundings. Visitors will discover unforgettable experiences in complete harmony with nature. Leyja will allow people and planet to connect deeply.
At its northern edge, the Red Sea bifurcates into two regions that were once similar but are now profoundly different because of human intervention: the Gulf of Suez with its canal, one of the world’s busiest transportation corridors, and the Gulf of Aqaba, which still preserves its rich marine ecosystems. On Aqaba’s eastern coast, NEOM is inviting tourists to adventure into its unspoiled mountainous landscape.
A narrow inlet, or wadi, reachable through a one-hour hike from the nearest road and three kilometers away from the sea, is the site chosen by NEOM to unfold its tourism strategy for the region. The project is a balancing act between architecture and topography: 40 hotel rooms suspended from the cliff with minimal contact to the rock, their shape and configuration forming an abstract extension of the terrain’s natural lines. The volumes are purposely devoid of large openings onto the landscape, encouraging the visitors to be in direct contact with their surroundings.

Visual Narrative

This series captures a building that equally disappears into the landscape and also stands out. Suspended above the wadi, each structure mirrors the contours of the cliffs while introducing something wholly other—a mirage of geometry and shadow. From a distance, the forms feel natural, shaped by wind and time; up close, they assert a striking presence through precise lines, unexpected stillness, and bright reflections. The visuals shift between wide views that embed the project in its vast, untouched terrain and intimate moments that reveal texture, weight, and tension.