Set within the ecologically diverse Sheybarah Island in Saudi Arabia, Shebara Resort is a 73-key luxury destination designed by Killa Design for Red Sea Global. The project combines reflective architecture with off-grid infrastructure, placing its villas among mangroves, dunes, turtle nesting grounds, and coral reefs approximately 25 kilometres from the mainland.
Completed in 2024, the resort includes 38 overwater villas and 35 beachfront villas. Access is limited to boats and seaplanes, reinforcing the sense of isolation while requiring the development to operate with a high degree of environmental independence.
A String of Pearls Above the Red Sea
The overwater villas are conceived as a sequence of polished stainless-steel orbs resembling a string of pearls. Their curved surfaces reflect the changing colours of the sky and sea, allowing the buildings to appear visually lighter despite their futuristic forms. Rather than competing with the landscape, the mirrored envelopes continually absorb its movement, light, and atmosphere.
Each accommodation pod is cantilevered above the protected lagoon with only a limited structural footprint at the supporting column. The villas are positioned more than 50 metres from the natural coral reef, while panoramic glazing and private pools give guests an uninterrupted relationship with the surrounding marine environment.
Off-Site Construction Reduces Island Disturbance
To reduce construction activity on the island, the villas were manufactured, fitted out, and commissioned offshore. The completed modules were then transported to Sheybarah Island and connected to the resort infrastructure as near-finished units. This modular construction strategy limited heavy work around sensitive dunes, reefs, mangroves, and nesting areas.
The method also provided greater control over fabrication quality, particularly for the complex curved shells and highly reflective exterior panels. Inside, Studio Paolo Ferrari developed interiors that respond to the unusual geometry while maintaining a warm and tactile contrast with the villas’ metallic outer surfaces.
An Off-Grid Infrastructure Becomes Part of the Experience
Shebara Resort is supported by a 110,000-square-metre solar farm and integrated systems for desalination, reverse osmosis, sewage treatment, and water reclamation. Electric vehicles are used for both land and marine transportation, helping the resort pursue its goal of reducing operational impacts across energy, water, waste, and mobility.
Instead of concealing these systems entirely, the project treats sustainable infrastructure as an educational component of the guest experience. Visitors can learn how an isolated hospitality development generates power, manages water, and processes waste while operating within a fragile island ecosystem. The resort has also been designed to meet LEED Platinum environmental standards.
Luxury Tourism Linked to Regeneration
The environmental programme extends beyond reducing the physical footprint of the buildings. Planned guest activities include mangrove expansion, coral gardening, and support for turtle nesting habitats. These initiatives position tourism as a potential contributor to ecological regeneration rather than simply an activity taking place beside nature.
Shebara also aims to create education and employment opportunities for nearby rural communities, with particular attention given to expanding professional opportunities for Saudi women. Facilities include five restaurants, a spa, a fitness centre, private pools, and observation points overlooking the lagoon.
Through reflective forms, limited ground contact, and self-contained utility systems, Killa Design has created a resort where architecture, infrastructure, and conservation form one interconnected experience. Shebara Resort presents a distinctive model for marine eco-tourism, balancing visual spectacle and luxury hospitality with the long-term protection of Sheybarah Island.
| Technical Sheet | |
|---|---|
| Project | Shebara Resort |
| Location | Sheybarah Island, The Red Sea, Saudi Arabia |
| Client and Developer | Red Sea Global |
| Architect | Killa Design |
| Interior Designer | Studio Paolo Ferrari |
| Project Type | Luxury eco-resort |
| Status | Completed |
| Completion | 2024 |
| Number of Keys | 73 |
| Accommodation | 38 overwater villas and 35 beachfront villas |
| Access | Boat or seaplane |
| Distance from Mainland | Approximately 25 kilometres |
| Main Facilities | Private pools, spa, fitness centre, and five restaurants |
| Villa Material | Polished stainless-steel exterior |
| Energy Infrastructure | On-site 110,000-square-metre solar farm |
| Water Systems | Desalination, reverse osmosis, and water reclamation |
| Transportation | Electric land and marine vehicles |
| Construction Method | Off-site villa fabrication and installation |
| Environmental Standard | LEED Platinum |