Case study for Landscaping Architecture- Bab Al Sham's Resort and Spa, U.A.E., Its a vast Hospitality Project and is one of the prominent Resorts in U.A.E; Justifying the Local architecture and using smart elements of design for landscaping has made this project noteworthy.

1. BAB AL SHAM’S RESORT AND SPA, Dubai United Arabs Emirates
By Godwin Austen Johnson and Chartered Architects

2. Site Location
Schematic Map to Access Resort
Burj Al Arab
Emirates Tower, Trade Centre
Some prominent places to visit in U.A.E

3. About Bab Al Sham’s Resort and Spa
• Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa is an exclusive low-rise resort, a unique retreat
in the desert surrounded by rolling dunes and natural desert landscape. The resort
provides a unique and traditional desert experience that is true to the culture and
heritage of Dubai and the UAE.
Bab Al Shams was designed to resemble a
fortified rural Arab village in the desert built in and
around an oasis. Inside the walls, shaded
courtyards, walkways and water features provide cool
shelter and maintain the unique
ambience and atmosphere.
Typical persian architecture is followed while
designing the resort.

4. Vehicular access
Nature of Approach
Highway
Internal roads
Desert pathways
1.
1.View of the project while driving towards parking
Datum of the Resort merges with the corresponding Desert
Landform

5. Plan of the Resort and Spa
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6. Vegetation and the Response to site context
Trees which are used for designing
the landscape are commonly palm
trees such as dates.
Use of these trees on both the
sides of the pathway, in
perspective becomes guidelines in
itself
There are lawns at the west, where horse and camel rides
are done and since this lawns are close to desert these
rides are further continued in desert too.
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F
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F
The type of vegetation preferred by the architect
was purely desert vegetation that camouflaged
with the structures of sandstones

7. How the Spaces are designed?...
The Architect played with levels
to create a play of spaces and
classified them as open or
semi-open for function like café
So that people use the spaces
as per their convenience.
As shown in the image
besides the café at the
terrace has full 360 degree
view of corresponding site.
G H
G
Architect wanted to make the place more
happening and celebrate the desert environment
which he brought about by the means of
landscaping.
I
HI

8. Water Bodies used in project as landscape element
SCHEMATIC SECTION OF THE INFINITY POOL
Pools are oriented to the southern west part of the project
from where we get a panoramic view of the desert and it
acts like the infinity pools for which the concept of mirage
was used.
There are concrete columns which support
pergolas to create semi-open space that to in
between pool
View of the pool ‘D’
D

9. Water Bodies used in project as landscape element
Not only for the outdoor purpose,
but the architect has also used the
water features in the interiors of the
complex and provided the artificial
rain showers, there are strips of
water bodies for internal ventilation
of corridors
Artificial rain showers
Strip of water features on sides of corridor
As shown in the schematic section below the architect has worked out the
courtyard system to ventilate the spaces and use of water body in central court
not only provided aesthetical quality but also made sure that a suitable
temperature is maintained in the surrounding spaces through ventilation.
SCHEMATIC SECTION OF THE COURTYARD
The pots are used as a
landscape element in major
places either they are lightened
up or they are totally filled by
water etc

10. Why should one visit this resort?...
This resort is counted as one of the best among
the desert resorts because of the way the project
is executed by the means of architecture as well
as landscaping.
The experience of the place takes us to old times
that too brought about by using modern
technology.
A typical Desert Resort is being celebrated by the
people arriving here.

11. Architect’s Practice
Architect Godwin Austen Johnson with the
chartered architects has executed many
architectural and landscape projects in
Dubai.
This firm practices mostly Hospitality,
Institutional and Corporate practices in
Landscape Architecture.
GAJ aims to set in motion a countrywide trend in the UAE
to incorporate traditional Islamic themes into modern
architecture in major aspects

12. Other projects done by Architect in Hospitality Landscape
Architecture
Arabian Court Project, Dubai
Tozeur Resort, Dubai
Architect has executed many projects in
Dubai, and some famous resorts are
designed by him and his firm in which there
is a pattern of design specifically related to
the site context.
Particularly Architect is very careful about
the use of landscape elements wherever he
use in his project and attempts to make the
space more happening one.
His projects have been a classic examples of
how architecture of structure should
correspond to the surrounding landspace.