From its flowing exterior to its tranquil marina villas, Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab stands as a sanctuary of luxury, combining cutting-edge technology with timeless beauty. Bringing his signature design brilliance, renowned architect Shaun Killa has masterfully completed the iconic Jumeirah Hotel trilogy alongside Jumeirah Burj Al Arab and Jumeirah Beach Hotel.

 

Counting the Museum of the Future and Dubai Opera as celebrated works, Killa has crafted a striking fusion of elegance and innovation for this new masterpiece. His commitment to sustainability is reflected through his thoughtful design, inspired by the fluidity of superyachts and blending seamlessly into Dubai's waterfront, the positioning of which is carefully considered to preserve the iconic view of the Burj Al Arab, with a bold arch entrance framing this landmark perfectly. Barnes International spoke with Killa in an interview that reveals the inspiration behind the hotel's design, the challenges faced, and the lasting impact he hopes to leave on the guest experience and Dubai's architectural legacy.

 

"Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab is the subtle intervention of beauty that doesn't shout or try to be something it is not. To fit into Dubai's architecture scene, we ensured that it would remain timeless by not being overly articulated in form but rather subtle, simple and elegant – allowing it to be discovered and admired." - Shaun Killa.

 

 

What was your design vision for Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab, and how did you develop your concept from the original brief given?

When we were asked to develop a design for Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab, one of the first criteria was that it needed to complement Jumeirah Burj Al Arab. So, not only did we have to come up with a design that respected this iconic property but also one that would complete and complement the trilogy of hotels including Jumeirah Beach Hotel.

 

We had first to decide what story we wanted to tell through our design, so we examined the existing properties along the beachfront to ensure that our narrative fitted in seamlessly. This is where we conceptualized our design story, one that would originate at Madinat Jumeirah and end at Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab. It depicts the evolution of design, starting with Jumeirah Al Qasr and Jumeirah Mina Al Salam and their traditional architecture, moving on to Jumeirah Al Naseem's classic design and next transitioning to modern architecture at Jumeirah Burj Al Arab and Jumeirah Beach Hotel. The design story ultimately concludes at Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab, where we look at what the future holds through futuristic yet more fluid or sinuous architecture.

 

With the world's ultra-yachts as the inspiration, we wanted to create the same sense of being in water through curvatures, almost like a yacht going out to sea. Previously, we didn't have the software to create double-formed designs, so modern lines had curvature but were almost 2D and sharp-edged. With the software and technology, we have today, we can create that fluidity with design and create double-curved forms. The residence building slopes in one direction, and the other curves back on itself to create a dynamic movement. It was designed to give a sense of the building moving in a direction – although stationary, the eye creates this movement.

 

Our next component was to ensure that the hotel allowed views through to the Jumeirah Burj Al Arab, which is why we decided to split the buildings to showcase the iconic view.

 

 

In your view, what makes the hotel architecturally distinctive? Are there any subtle, standout design elements?

The arch under the hotel is one of the project's most unique design aspects and represents the entire guest drop-off experience. Usually, when guests are dropped off at a hotel, they are behind the building or, at best, in the lobby, and as they move through the building, they become more aware of where they have arrived.

 

We wanted to create a unique guest experience where you are presented with this beautiful view when you drive up to the hotel and get dropped off. The design journey begins at the elegant gatehouse, where guests are welcomed into an experience that seamlessly blends natural beauty with architectural excellence. A lush, greenery-lined drive unfolds, revealing sweeping views of the vibrant marina and iconic Dubai skyline on one side. As the hotel comes into view, the striking architectural arch frames the shimmering waters of the Arabian Gulf alongside the iconic Jumeirah Burj Al Arab, creating a breathtaking visual moment that culminates in a grand entrance, embodying timeless sophistication and setting the stage for unforgettable moments. 

Another unique area is the Marsa Al Arab Marina. The hotel is flat by the marina, with extensive resort landscaping on either side representing a superyacht heading out to sea. As I love the sea so much, I felt there was an opportunity to utilize the space in the marina to create a series of stunning villas. Originally, the marina walls had the rock revetment on the outside, concrete on the inside and sand in the middle – which was enough for parking and a two-way road next to it. To create the perched villas, we moved the rock revetment out by 6 meters and filled it with sand to build the nine villas, extending the whole marina experience.

 

The penthouses at the top of the residences have a full 360-degree experience; as the design slowly peals away, it presents a cascading prowl of a luxury ship, and the balconies provide the perfect view.

 

When we first came up with the design for the hotel, we could've easily combined it with the residences. However, we were very conscious that Burj Al Arab Jumeirah is such a significant icon that we did not want to block tourists from the view from the beach. We spent a tremendous amount of time taking photos from different angles and GPS positions to ensure we gave guests and visitors the best possible viewpoint. This is why the hotel and residences are set so far apart, to allow for that viewing experience of the iconic Jumeirah Burj Al Arab.

 

 

Have sustainable practices been integrated into the design of Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab?

We used the balconies as a shading device for the glass; the wraparound balcony experience means that the glass facades very seldom have direct sunlight on them. In doing this, we reduced the heat load on the building, lowering the cooling load per sqm by up to 40%. All the mechanical and electrical systems have been specified as low-energy recovery systems and work together to reduce overall energy consumption.

 

 

What avant-garde concepts or innovative techniques have you infused into the design of Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab?

The hotel consists of a lower ground floor, a mezzanine floor, a ground floor, 16 hotel floors and a roof. The steel arch structure was created as the drop-off area for the hotel and acts as a transfer slab for the 11 floors of the hotel structure above.

 

The structural steel arch's main elements are two prominent arches and two cross arches 16.5m high from the base level. The steel arch is supported at the foundation level on two 5,625mm deep pile caps tied with two horizontal steel boxes as tie beams at the base level. The Reinforced Cement Concrete vertical elements are planted on an internal steel truss within the arch that consists of beams and overhanging beams to support the planted concrete cores and columns. The steel arch comprises compact box sections with different dimensions, depths, widths, and thicknesses.

 

The approximate total weight of the arch is around 3,000 tones. The arch was made in segments at the fabrication yard, transported in segments and installed on temporary supports at the site. All are connected to gather by site welding.

 

 

What aspect of Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab’s opening are you most eager to experience?

 

As a team we have worked tirelessly to design and construct it. The day the property opens is when you hand the project over to the guests to enjoy.

I look forward to driving up to the hotel, being dropped off and heading up to the terrace to watch the sunset and witness the guests explore and enjoy the hotel. This project is all about giving back to the guests so that they leave with lasting memories that can be shared with their loved ones.

 

 

How does the design of Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab elevate the guest experience?

The building slowly reveals itself by creating surprise at the arch drop-off followed by flowing movements of the interior space. After travelling for many hours, we wanted the design to start the guest experience from the moment the chauffeur door opens, and you step outside. The restaurants & bars experiences across the hotel have also been carefully crafted to create intimacy.

 

 

If Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab were a movie set, which film would you imagine being shot there?

I would love to see a James Bond filmed at Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab. The arch of the hotel with Jumeirah Burj Al Arab against a glowing sunset would make for the perfect backdrop as he pulls up in his Aston Martin.

 

 

In five words, how would you define the essence of Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab?

Elegant, avant-garde, futuristic, emotive and soft.