Sands of Time

The Sanctuary Retreat, a visionary concept nestled along the tranquil shores of the Arabian Sea.

Inspired by the serene futurist settlements of distant desert planets portrayed in science fiction literature, movies, and video games, our retreat offers a harmonious blend of timeless elegance, minimalism, and cultural richness.

Drawing upon the architectural wisdom of Arabian desert settlements, where cooling and shading were paramount, our retreat embraces the principles of natural ventilation and thermal comfort. Taking cues from the vaulted ceilings of traditional Arab houses, our private villas feature domed structures that rise and sink gracefully amidst the landscape, reminiscent of long sandworms weaving through the dunes.

Each villa is a sanctuary unto itself, with private rock gardens and circular windows framing vistas of the majestic Arabian skies. The design language is minimalist yet evocative, with clean lines and geometric forms that pay homage to ancient Cycladic art while embracing the organic shapes found in nature and in the arabic traditional architecture.

At the heart of the retreat lies a central oasis, where a circular swimming pool mirrors the tranquil lakes of the desert. Around it, the landscape unfolds in a symphony of organic gardens and meandering paths, inviting guests to explore and reconnect with the natural world.

A maze of domes, arches, and courtyards offers respite from the sun’s glare, while streams and fountains provide a soothing soundtrack to accompany moments of reflection. Perforated walls play with light and shadow, creating an ever-shifting tapestry of patterns that dance across the landscape.

In choosing materials, we draw inspiration from the colors and textures of the Arabian landscape—the deep blues of the sea, the warm hues of the sand, and the rugged beauty of rocky mountains and oases. Marbles and stones echo the earthy tones of rammed earth construction, while natural materials such as wood and bamboo add warmth and texture to the design.

With Mediterranean influences from our architects’ backgrounds, the retreat exudes a sense of understated luxury that seamlessly blends with the surrounding environment. Here, global, ethnic, and bohemian elements converge to create a space that is at once contemporary and timeless—a sanctuary for the soul amidst the ever-changing sands of time.