Saint-Gobain Grand Prix Goes to Saudi’s Shebara Island Resort

Floating in a remote corner of Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea, the Shebara South Island Resort is a feat of architectural poetry. This year, it earned the Grand Prix at the 14th Saint-Gobain Trophy, an award that has been honouring contractors’ inventive uses of Saint-Gobain’s drywall solution since 1998.

Designed by Killa Design and realised by UAE-based Takla Interior Solution LLC, the resort unfolds as a constellation of sculptural pods, appearing to hover effortlessly above Shaybara Island’s untouched coral reefs. This 73-key hyper-luxury retreat lies secluded in the Al Wajh Lagoon, a 45-minute boat ride from the mainland—a logistical challenge that set the tone for every phase of the project.

The setting demanded architectural ingenuity. With curving ceilings, dramatic cantilevered terraces, and a form shaped by sensitivity to site and climate, the resort had to withstand high wind pressure, shifting tides, and harsh sea conditions—all while preserving the island’s fragile ecosystem. Each gesture in the design had to reconcile beauty with resilience.

Prefabricated offsite to reduce impact and achieve near-zero material waste, the villas float lightly on the land, their lightweight Gyproc systems ensuring sustainability without compromise. In Shebara, innovation meets fragility, crafting a luxury destination with a lesson in both architectural ambition and care.

Photography Credit: Saint Gobain