2026 Design Middle East Awards KSA Future Project of the Year
Design Middle East
Project Location
Al Khobar, KSA
Area
299,500 SM
Client
SUMOU Holding
Services
Architecture, interior design, and landscape architecture
Layered Living
The residential tower rises as a vertical community, balancing privacy, outdoor living, and shared amenities. Continuous balconies embrace the building, extending each residence outward to capture shade and sweeping views. Vertical screens define individual retreats, lending the tower a layered and dynamic presence.
Inside, gentle forms and botanical tones echo the movement of the Arabian Gulf and the vibrant colors of Al Khobar’s native flora. This design language flows from the lobby through the apartments and into shared spaces, shaping a unified residential identity. Landscaped gardens and terraces invite residents outdoors, while an infinity pool, spa, fitness center, library, cinema, co-working lounge, and family spaces foster well-being, connection, and a rich daily rhythm.
Distinct Identities, One Address
The office tower gathers SUMOU’s headquarters, five subsidiary workplaces, executive floors, and leasable offices into a single business address. Its refined vertical silhouette stands out on Al Khobar’s skyline, with dedicated arrival sequences that distinguish the headquarters from the wider workplace community.
Each workplace environment is shaped by its own identity, unified by a connected palette of materials and forms. Fluid lines and oasis-inspired colors define the leasable offices, while layered forms and natural tones give SUMOU’s headquarters a distinct character. Subsidiary floors reflect their individual brands yet remain part of the SUMOU story. Indoor gardens, cafés, co-working areas, meeting rooms, lounges, and social dining spaces bring hospitality and choice to the workplace, supporting focus, collaboration, and spontaneous connection.
A Connected Public Realm
The podium becomes the social and spatial heart of SUMOU, linking the residential tower, offices, retail, and leisure spaces across several levels. A signature canopy marks the main arrival, lending the development a civic identity, while a series of steps, planted terraces, and pedestrian pathways guide seamless movement from the ground floor to the upper podium.
The landscape draws inspiration from Al Khobar’s natural environment, cultural heritage, and coastal setting. Native plantings and shade trees enhance comfort and conserve water. Heritage patterns and market-style retail spill into the public realm, recalling the city’s commercial past. Wave-shaped forms, reflective pools, and interactive water features evoke the Arabian Gulf and help cool the microclimate. Gardens, dining terraces, plazas, children’s play areas, sports facilities, and public art animate the public realm from morning to night.
Award
