RIYADH — Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman, who is also the chairman of The Red Sea Development Company (TRSDC), launched on Wednesday the "Coral Bloom," a part of the luxury Red Sea Project. The "Coral Bloom" was created by architectural firm Foster + Partners, and designed to blend in with the island's pristine natural environment. The dolphin-shaped Shurayrah island which is one of the 90 islands the project covers, will be home to "Coral Bloom" and serve as the hub island for the project. Guests at "Coral Bloom" will enjoy nine different experiences on a single island — Dunes, The Trail, The Coves, Coral Pavilion, Reef Villas, Nature Reserve, The Club, Golf Course, and Luxury Village. Commenting on the project, John Pagano, CEO of TRSDC, said: "We expect guests to be awed by what they see when they first arrive at The Red Sea Project, enjoying a truly immersive barefoot luxury experience. The Coral Bloom designs, taking inspiration from the incredible flora and fauna found uniquely in Saudi Arabia, promise to make that vision a reality, "Shurayrah Island is the gateway to The Red Sea Project so it's important that it sets the standard in groundbreaking architecture and sustainable design, not just for our destination, but globally too. This is achieved by going beyond simply protecting the environment, to applying a regenerative approach," he added. There will be 11 hotels on Shurayrah, which will be operated by some of the most distinguished hotel brands in the world. The island's natural landscape will be used to dramatic effect with all hotels and villas nestled within the landscape. The absence of high-rise buildings will ensure the spectacular vistas remain uninhibited while creating a sense of mystery for guests as the island slowly reveals itself. The hotel designs have also been responsive to the changing world and traveler demands over the last 12 months. There will be no internal corridors for example, in response to a growing demand for space and seclusion following the coronavirus pandemic. The resorts themselves will be created using lightweight materials with a low thermal mass and manufactured offsite, meaning more energy-efficient construction and less impact on the environment. Gerard Evenden, head of Studio at Foster + Partners, said: "Our vision for Shurayrah is inspired by the island's natural state, with the hotels designed to give the impression that they have washed up on the beaches and nestled among the dunes almost like driftwood. The materials we use and the low impact they have ensures that the pristine environment is protected, while the additions we make to the island serve to enhance what is already there – hence the name, ‘Coral Bloom'." The Red Sea Development Company is committed to delivering a 30 percent net conservation benefit by 2040. It is creating the world's largest district cooling plant powered by renewable energy 24 hours a day to facilitate efficient centralized cooling across the destination. The entire destination will be powered by renewables, underpinned by the largest battery storage system in the world.
