architectural remit doesn’t stop in the construction phase. We’ve sometimes worked with clients to establish specific training programmes for the staff where they are educated about nature conservation or local wildlife, such as at Six Senses Con Dao. As designers, this plays a significant role in the way our work will impact the climate in the long run.
What role can architects and designers play in helping clients develop new ways of doing business in the years to come? RA: We’ve seen an evolution in the way hotel operators market their brands. Tere is a trend for hotels to cultivate their brands up to the most specific details to make sure they resonate with their client base. Tis is the case with Wink Hotel Saigon Centre, the first hotel from the new Wink brand rolling out across Vietnam designed by AW². Te ultimate goal is to create hospitality spaces that attract visitors because of the way they align with the brand’s culture and values.
Please tell us about a recent project that has utilised new ideas, new technology or innovative creative thinking. SL: We are currently constructing Ashar Tented Resort in Saudi Arabia, in the historic AlUla desert region, 15km from the Kingdom’s first Unesco World Heritage Site, Hegra. In
such a high-profile site, we had to consider many factors including how to integrate and respond to the Saudi Vision 2030. Te preservation of the natural beauty and rich heritage of the site are at the forefront of the project, as well as supporting the nation’s long-term touristic, cultural and economic goals for the region.
We worked closely with the Royal Commission of AlUla and Afalula to develop a concept that limits the imprint on the site and uses a historic building technique, compressed earth bricks, a natural and local resource. Te resulting aesthetic will be a natural harmony of colours and textures that integrate perfectly with the surrounding environment, inspired by the nomadic nature of Bedouin architecture. RA: At Ashar, micro-catchment gardens have been incorporated to provide flood protection during the months of high rainfall when flash floods can occur in this region. Te landscape design overall emphasises the natural growth of greenery, a sustainable design choice that supports local desert species. Today, guests want to feel that a hotel has a positive impact on the local environment. Tey want to feel their accommodation ‘belongs’ to its location, and eco- tourism often focuses on this aspect by finding ways for the design to inhabit its locality without harming it, and by considering the future in a meaningful way.
aw2.com
Above Wink Hotel Saigon Centre contains street life-inspired furniture designed by AW²
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