Ardh Architects, the Dubai-based firm behind some of the most impressive private residences in the UAE, has revealed something a bit different for its latest project. Dubbed the Floating Retreat, renders released so far promise an incredibly unique glamping experience set in the mountains of Sharjah, suspended between two peaks with up to 10 transparent prism pods hanging from a long wooden plank.
The tents are suspended in mid-air, looking over Sharjah’s natural splendour and taking in popular sites like Al Noor Mosque and Al Majaz Park. Obviously, it’s not the type of accommodation just anyone would throw themselves at, but it is one of the most unique and fascinating hospitality projects to emerge out of the UAE in recent years.
Ardh Architects has taken on the project to promote environmental awareness, designing a colourful campsite where each lodging is suspended from a long wooden plank that stretches from one mountain to another, fixed by a set of suspension cords.
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The campsite’s surrounding area is apparently a hive of outdoor activity for those who want to explore the UAE beyond the tentpoles of Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Visitors to Sharjah regularly make their way up to the mountains to climb, hike and cycle – all activities guests will have right on their “door” step if they choose to stay at the Floating Retreat.
From renders, it looks like tents will be suspended from the wooden plank at various depths so guests will be able to choose how far down they would like to be. Although it’s not like you’d be any less “suspended” in the air so those who lack the constitution for such a daring accommodation don’t really have much of a choice.
Emirati architect and Ardh Architects founder Oman AlQwais has described the floating retreat in the UAE as “the quality of calm such as the [one] experienced in places with mainly natural features and activities, free from disturbance from manmade ones.”
There’s no word as to when the Floating Retreat will open but we’ll be sure to update this article when more details are released. For now, take a look at all the renders released so far and try to picture yourself actually hanging out in one of those suspended pods.
