NURAI ISLAND RETREATAby Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Sand… Palms. Soft breeze... Warm shallow waters of the Persian Gulf... Secluded dream island...

OS was honored to partake in the invited international design completion to program, plan, and design a private exclusive resort located on the artificially constructed island of Nurai. Initial vision for the island construction was developed by the internationally-renowned designer Dror Benshetrit based in NYC.

OS’s concept used a metaphor of pearl-like private villas carefully arranged upon a Persian rug of the island’s lush greenery. Serenity, privacy, natural beauty, unparalleled amenities will be offered to the most discriminating guests

Each villa's shape resembled that of an oyster or a scallop within an undulating ground plane shaped to hide buildings and emphasize the beauty of nature. Materials used where fossil-rock representing the seabed, tinted glass glistening like jewels, and champagne-colored metal roof curving softly to resemble the profile of a scallop's shell.

Behind poetic vision hides very pragmatic, sustainable, technologically and financially justified scheme. Our local partners developed extensive engineering measures to allow for remote infrastructure to support six-star experience; prevent island’s erosion and provide access by boat and helicopter

*This project was completed in partnership with DAR AL HANDASAH NAZIH TALEB & PARTNERS.