Since 2021 tourists have been able to experience top-of-the-line camping near the oasis city of al-'Ula  in west Saudi Arabia. Just 15 km from the UNESCO World Culture site of Hegra is a sprawling hotel complex of 47 suites with a luxury spa, infinity pool and two gourmet restaurants.
The low, gently curving lines of the tents blend in perfectly with the sand dunes that surround them. The architects Reda Amalou and Stéphanie Ledoux, from the French architectural practice AW², designed the Al Ashar resort with the mantra "back to basic" at the forefront. It is built from local materials using traditional shapes and patterns.

Inspired by tradition

Locally sourced clay was used to make this desert construction as climate friendly as possible. This material is both a good insulator whilst also having great heat storage capacity. The sustainable material is an excellent form of climate control, quickly absorbing moisture and capable of releasing it again later, keeping cool in summer and storing heat in the winter. The local resource also blends harmoniously with its surroundings in terms of its colour and texture.   For the design of the individual lodgings AW² took inspiration from the simple, rectangular shape of a Bedouin tent. With a view to natural energy saving, they adapted the function of the adjustable canvas covers to ensure both good ventilation and sun shading. They also added all the modern comforts expected of a luxury hotel room that is in such close contact with nature.

Sliding systems to suit the climate

Large Panorama Design sliding doors make you feel like you are outside when you are indoors, even when they are closed. Slimline profiles in combination with glass areas of up to a height of 3500 mm offer maximum transparency and light penetration. The high-quality Schüco ASE 70 PD.ME system was developed specially for the MENA region (Middle East and North Africa). The sliding doors have a sufficient glass thickness, between 24 and 40 mm, to seamlessly absorb the temperature differences of the prevailing climate. This ranges from extremely hot summer days to very cold winter nights.