Amid a flurry of high-profile openings in Saudi Arabia’s ambitious Red Sea development, homegrown Saudi project Shebara Resort stands out with its futuristic design.

March 2025

But then, the future is something architect Shaun Killa, founder of the Dubai-based firm Killa Design, contemplates often: he was the mastermind behind Dubai’s landmark Museum of the Future. At Shebara Resort, overwater villas clad in polished stainless steel with sinuous mirrored silhouettes resemble a string of pearls skimming above the waves. “We wanted to reflect the sky and the lagoon and the coral below—whether it’s sunrise or a cloudy day or an orange sky, they’re constantly changing,” Killa says. “They blend into nature although they’re highly futuristic.” While it’s no rustic beach retreat, it’s very much an eco-sensitive escape: all 73 villas were constructed in Sharjah, UAE, and shipped over so as not to disrupt the delicate ecosystem of mangroves and coral reefs with building activity, and the island is entirely powered by a solar park, with more than 1 million square feet of solar panels that guests are invited to bike through. “We want people to get excited about the fact they are on an island that’s 100% powered from the sun,” Killa says. His latest project, Dubai’s long-awaited Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab, sees him coming full circle: he first arrived in Dubai more than 25 years ago to work on Jumeirah’s iconic, sail-inspired Burj Al Arab. The new 386-room hotel, with a façade modeled after a yacht, joins that and the wave-shaped Jumeirah Beach Hotelto complete the hospitality brand’s trio of maritime properties.

Rising from the turquoise waters of the Red Sea, the gleaming orbs of Shebara Resort appear weightless, radiating an ethereal glow.

By Aneesha Rai| March 2025

Designed by Killa Design – the visionary firm behind Dubai’s Museum of the Future – this retreat seamlessly blends cutting-edge engineering with the organic beauty of its surroundings. At the heart of Shebara’s design lies an inspired architectural concept: a series of shimmering, stainless steel orbs that house the resort’s 73 villas. The overwater properties, linked in a graceful chain, appear as if floating on the sea, evoking a string of pearls. The beach villas reflect the golden sands, mirroring the shifting hues of the sky. “They’re almost like bubbles that come up from the ocean floor, reflecting everything that’s above them,” says Shaun Killa, founder and design director of Killa Design. “When you look at Shebara, it reveals itself from the water.”

Suspended above the waves, the resort’s overwater villas offer a connection to the marine ecosystem. Set 50 metres from the natural coral reef, the villas rest on minimal structural supports, reducing their environmental impact. “Each overwater villa is like an observation platform for guests to witness the fish, birds and turtles that thrive in this area,” says Killa.

Shebara’s sustainable ethos extends beyond its architectural footprint. Constructed off-site and assembled with a modular ‘plug-in’ approach, the villas integrate seamlessly into a solar-powered, zero-energy infrastructure. “The offshore construction methodology was implemented to preserve the natural environment of the island, minimising any potential impact to coral and wildlife,” adds Killa. Surrounded by Sheybarah Island’s pristine mangroves and coral reefs, the resort operates entirely off-grid. A state-of-the-art solar farm provides 100% of the resort’s energy needs, powering desalination, cooling, lighting and transportation. The solar installation itself is an architectural statement, arranged in a circular pattern that complements the resort’s flowing design. Walking and biking paths guide guests through this innovative energy landscape, turning sustainability into an immersive experience. “The entire infrastructural backbone of the project forms part of a visitor experience where guests can be exposed to, and learn about, the approach that has made the project a truly self-sustained development,” says Killa.

Designed by Studio Paolo Ferrari, Shebara’s interiors embrace a philosophy of ‘Natural Futurism,’ straddling futurism and timelessness. Drawing inspiration from the protective shell of a sea urchin, Ferrari’s team crafted interiors that contrast the orbs’ sleek exteriors with soft, cocooning spaces. The studio leaned into aerodynamics and movement to create soft and tailored interiors. With the sea’s vibrant blues outside, the studio embraced a restrained interior palette, allowing nature to take centre stage. “Our idea is to frame the water, and to let nature be the real focus,” shares Paolo Ferrari, the studio’s founder. Echoing the precision of yacht and aviation design, Shebara’s interiors are meticulously crafted. Curved surfaces necessitated advanced 3D modelling techniques to optimise space and ensure the seamless integration of furnishings. “How we maximise space in a villa like this is similar to how you design a private jet or yacht, where you have to maximise every square inch,” says Ferrari. 

Material selection was driven by a desire to harmonise with the natural surroundings. Soft leather, warm wood and hand-crafted details enhance the villas’ intimate, human-centred atmosphere. “The result is a space that feels both futuristic and timeless,” shares Ferrari. By merging avant-garde design with ecological sensitivity, Shebara offers an unparalleled experience where architecture and nature exist in perfect symbiosis.

In an exclusive interview, architect Shaun Killa reveals what guests can expect from Dubai’s superyacht-shaped luxury hotel, Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab

By Katharina Kotrba, Contributor | March 2025

Ever since news of its construction broke, Dubai’s Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab has ranked high on the list of the world’s most anticipated hotel openings. Now, as the resort nears its debut, we spoke with architect Shaun Killa to dive into the design, the details, and what makes Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab stand out in a city known for pushing the boundaries of luxury.

Killa chose a sleek, yacht-inspired silhouette and an overall focus on quiet luxury—prioritizing quality over quantity and understated elegance over extravagance. This is a marked departure from Dubai’s signature skyscrapers and often bolder, high-energy interpretation of luxury.

Jumeirah, Dubai’s state-owned hospitality company, has a track record of redefining the rules of hospitality. Standout properties, like the opulent, sail-shaped Jumeirah Burj Al Arab put Dubai on the map when it opened 25 years ago. To this day, it goes by its moniker as the ‘world’s only 7-star hotel.’

A quarter of a century later, the group aims to make the new Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab the next icon in hospitality, describing it as ushering in ‘a new epoch’.

The two Jumeirah hotels are in close proximity; Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab sits just 1,500 feet across from the Jumeirah Burj Al Arab on its own purpose-built peninsula in the ocean.

“When we were asked to design Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab, the brief was clear,” Killa explains via video call. “It had to complement the Jumeirah Burj Al Arab, not compete with it.”

Where Jumeirah Burj Al Arab rises skyward with sharp edges, Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab curves and flows like a yacht moving out of the harbor.

Once inside, guests will find what Killa describes a “deeper sense of luxury”: 386 rooms designed as private retreats with balconies, a big focus on well-being with a three-story wellness area spanning nearly 40,000 square feet and 13 treatment suites with private terraces, and an expansive dining lineup with four bars and a staggering eleven different restaurants.

The outdoors come with an 82-berth marina, a waterfront promenade, four pools, two sandy beaches, nine ocean-view private villas and 82 serviced residences.

The elongated hotel building takes center stage on the peninsula with its asymmetrical design, defined by double-curved lines, gentle convex and concave forms, and a smooth contour that tapers at both ends. These flowing forms create the impression of movement—like a ship gliding through the water.

The hotel building reaches a maximum height of 16 stories. An unusual choice in an era where developers prioritize height to optimize land use, which is often the case in Dubai, home to the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, and soon home to the second tallest also, once construction of the new 131-story Burj Azizi is completed.

“I wanted to design something both elegant and timeless—a structure that complements its surroundings rather than competes with them,” Killa explains.

Instead of vertical reach, Killa’s Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab has different methods to create memorable experiences, starting at arrival: As soon as guests pass through the entrance gates, the driver navigates a road that curves and twists toward the lobby.

Lush, jungle-like greenery obscures potential views of the building. “There’s a sense of anticipation as you wind through the entrance, until suddenly, the view opens up, and you find yourself standing beneath this grand arch.”

This curved portico, four stories high, spans a remarkable 120 feet without a single supporting column. Despite its weight of 3,000 tons, the arch appears to float effortlessly while carrying the remaining 12 floors above it.

Big Emotional Impact Upon Arrival

“We designed it to have an emotional impact, a true sense of arrival that makes people feel something the moment they arrive.”

But it isn’t just about the scale: In addition to its enormous and surprising size, the open cutout in the building serves as a larger-than-life framework for the deep blue ocean behind it—as well the Jumeirah Burj Al Arab.

”We’ve positioned the arch to be perfectly aligned with the Jumeirah Burj Al Arab and the sunset beyond, to create a picture-perfect moment where architecture and setting come together seamlessly,” Killa explains.

”For decades, visitors have come to Dubai to capture the Jumeirah Burj Al Arab,” he continues, ”and we wanted to honor that legacy. I have no doubt that this arch is where the most photos will be taken.”

Those arriving at night are welcomed by a different version of Killa’s less-is-more approach: the façade emits a gentle, singular shade of warm, soft white light. No multicolor displays or light show effects—just a subtle, warm white glow.

“I prefer lighting that enhances a building’s form rather than overwhelms it,” the architect says. “It’s the same philosophy we used with the Museum of the Future. I love when a building’s presence is defined by this kind of subtlety.”

Small, elegant spaces instead of a large lobby

This philosophy extends to the interiors, where Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab emphasizes personal moments over grand gestures. Instead of a large lobby, Killa’s long, yacht-like layout guides guests through intricately crafted, smaller spaces with restaurants, bars, hidden nooks and alcoves.

“You’re on your own progressive journey of discovery. The experience unfolds as you move through it, revealing new moments and hidden details at every turn. I think people will love it because it’s rarely done this well,” he says.

Five designers shaped the interiors, creating distinct moods using warm, refined color palettes. The design evokes the feeling of being invited into a private home or aboard a luxurious yacht, says Killa, paying homage to Dubai’s heritage and the Bedouin tradition of hospitality—where guests are welcomed with food, drink and kindness.

With Dubai’s Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab’s grand opening day around the corner, how does the architect plan to celebrate the arrival of the first visitors?

“I’d like to sit somewhere quietly and observe how guests interact with the spaces we’ve designed,” Killa says. ”Where will they naturally gravitate? What details make them stop and take a photo? Those moments, when people experience a space in the way you imagined, are the greatest reward as an architect.”