Neom has unveiled a new luxury development in the northwest of Saudi Arabia on the coast of the Gulf of Aqaba. 

Called Zardun, the project, made up of four buildings, will provide a peaceful retreat for discerning guests seeking genuine experiences in a stunning natural environment. 

Designed by Dutch architecture practice OMA, Zardun, which spans four square kilometers, was planned with environmental stewardship in mind. The resort is set in a carefully restored semi-desert landscape that thrives with native fauna and flora.

As part of this, the studio created a number of oases to support a variety of habitats and make it easier to reintroduce and care for native plant, animal, and tree species. The project is led by OMA Partner Chris van Duijn.

The renowned Zannier Interior Design Studio will create the interior designs, assuring a distinctive and expert touch. 

Zardun is created as part of Neom's one of mega regions, Magna. Other regions include, Trojena, The Line, Sindalah, Oxagon. 

The natural surroundings are complemented by the four architectural compounds. The four compounds will form an experience center and three hotels, totaling 100 rooms and suites, among the four unique structures that utilize the site's varying topographical features.

The visitor center, which is perched on a hill, is made up of varying vertical volumes that open to the sea and mountains. The structure will be used as a gathering place for resident scientists who research the surrounding environment as well as an interactive learning center for the general public.

Every hotel has been planned to provide a unique experience that reflects the environment. The Wedge, a set of three suspended transparent volumes that provide visitors with an elevated vantage point to overlook the landscape, is tucked away between two hills.

On the other side, the Stack emerges as a more inward-looking collection of horizontal volumes that draw inspiration from the nearby rock formations. 

The Tower, a remarkable building with angular sections carved out of the center to reflect the changing natural landscape, stands between them on the level ground.

An underground entrance to a distinctly unique visitor center greets visitors and leads to a 360-degree observation deck that showcases Zardun's splendor, offering a setting for the closest possible human-nature interaction. 

Trekking, mountain biking, rock climbing, stargazing, meditation, yoga, and other sports and leisure activities will be available to guests, along with educational programs on nature conservation and rewilding and life-changing experiences.

The project is created in collaboration with Zannier Hotels, offering one-of-a-kind stays and experiences, united by a desire to inspire Life’s Greatest Stories.

The resort will include a number of verdant oases intended to support a variety of habitats, assisting in the reintroduction of native animal, tree, and plant species as part of Neom and Zannier Hotels' commitment to protecting and improving the natural environment.

"Zardun is a very ambitious plan to bring back plants and animals that have been living on the Gulf of Aqaba. Zardun is a new beginning," said OMA partner Chris van Duijn.

"Guest are welcomed with this complete surprise – suddenly they see the landscape that once was there, from the small insects to the birds and the mammals," he continued.

"They see Nubian Ibex and Arabian Oryx, animals that all became extinct in this area. It's almost like time travel."

"Each building relates to a different topographic element," Van Duijn added.

"We have The Wedge, which is a kind of in a valley – two hills on either side, and it's like a theatre overlooking the landscape."

He continued that "The second building is a tower – it's a monolith that stands on the flatlands, eroded by wind and time – as if it was always there."

"And the third building is the stacked hotel. There are rock formations with sharp articulated lines and there is a kind of directionality break."

Van Duijn highlighted that "We need to think about the future of the planet," he said. "It's not even a question of whether we want to do it or not, we have to do it. This is the scale of thinking here in Neom."

"Zardun is a new movement to transform how we live and how we coexist on the planet," he added.

Zardun scheme is the 7th of the 12th region within the Magna development, alongside Epicon, Norlana, Siranna, Utamo, Aquellum, Leyja, Xaynor, Jaumur, Elanan, Gidori, and Treyam. 

According to Neom, Magna will be a unique destination, unlike anything else on earth. It will perfectly blend breathtaking nature, extraordinary experiences, and remarkable architectural design, all while providing luxury living and tourism opportunities. 

This will take place within a nature reserve, where 95% of the land is dedicated to wildlife preservation.

High-profiled architecture practices work Neom's projects, The Line, such as Morphosis, Peter Cook, OMA, Peri Cobb Freed & Partners, Studio Fuksas, Tom Wiscombe Architecture, UNStudio, Coop Himmelb(l)au, HOK, Oyler Wu Collaborative. 

Neom recently revealed that Gensler, Mott MacDonald, and Delugan Meissl Associate Architects (DMAA) would be the new architects for The Line project.

In 2023, three men were sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia for resisting "displacements" in Neom project site by Saudi Arabia’s Specialised Criminal Court (SCC). Described as "a revolution in urban living", The Line will incorporate smart technologies and is expected to provide home 9 million residents. 

All images courtesy of Neom. 

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