DAR07-Abraj Kudai – Major Hotel Complex

Project Overview

Abraj Kudai is one of the largest hotel developments in the world, designed to accommodate millions of visitors traveling to Mecca for Hajj and Umrah. Located near the Grand Mosque (Al-Masjid al-Haram), the project represents a landmark in mega-scale hospitality architecture and vertical urban design.

Developed during my role as Senior Architect at Dar Al Handasah, the project integrates luxury hotel towers, commercial programs, dining zones, service hubs, and extensive logistical infrastructure within a dense, vertically organized complex tailored for high-capacity crowd movement.

Responsibilities and Expertise:

Architectural Programming & Planning

1. Developed a multifunctional program merging hospitality, security, crowd management, and support services.
2. Ensured optimal space planning for millions of annual pilgrims.

Site & Urban Analysis

1. Conducted detailed studies of one of the world’s most intense pedestrian environments.
2. Addressed urban constraints related to proximity to major religious landmarks.

Concept & Design Development

1. Designed a vertical high-density complex with stacked towers supported by a robust podium.
2. Delivered an iconic massing strategy suited to large-scale religious tourism.

Façade & Structural Strategy

1. Created climate-responsive façades engineered for Mecca's harsh desert conditions (heat, dust, and wear).
2. Coordinated long-span structural solutions to support the massive footprint.

Code Compliance & Safety

1. Ensured full alignment with Saudi building codes, including fire safety and vertical circulation.
2. Assessed risks linked to crowd flow, emergency routes, and large-scale event scenarios.

Interdisciplinary Coordination

1. Collaborated with structural, MEP, life-safety, acoustics, signage, and circulation teams to achieve an integrated design solution.

Sustainable & Passive Design Strategies

1. Integrated energy-efficient systems, water-saving strategies, and passive cooling/daylighting solutions appropriate for extreme desert environments.