GAMRA MOUNTAIN RESORT, TENSILE ARCHITECTURE IN AL BAHA
A HIGH ALTITUDE RETREAT IN AL BAHA MOUNTAINS
SITE LOCATION: Al Baha, Saudi Arabia
Gamra Mountain Resort is a high-altitude sanctuary in Al Baha, Saudi Arabia, set more than 2,260 metres above sea level amid the dramatic landscape of the Al Baha mountains. The resort features 30 private mountain suites, two dining venues and an adventure park, all framed by sweeping views across the surrounding highlands.
SCOPE OF WORK:
Tenthouse served as the resort’s lead front-of-house master planner and design architect, shaping the overall guest experience and architectural vision across the development. We also acted as the project’s tensile specialist, responsible for the tensile architecture of both the tented accommodation and the main-area canopies. This integrated role allowed us to establish a cohesive architectural language across the resort, connecting planning, built form, interiors and tensile structures with the character of the mountain landscape.
We designed, engineered, supplied and installed all 30 mountain suites, leveraging our Voyager building system — a four-season, fully insulated tented cabin that combines the comfort and privacy of a conventional cabin with the allure of canvas and expansive tensile canopies. At Gamra, the unique roof membranes were customised with integrated mesh bands, transforming the negative space between the accommodation units into a veil that bridges sky and earth. These permeable sections filter natural light and allow rainwater to feed gardens beneath, encouraging vegetation to form a living acoustic barrier between suites while simultaneously venting excess hot air through the canopy.
Our project scope also included the complete design, supply and installation of the accommodation interiors. Developed in alignment with Mantis’s brand standards and our client’s operational requirements, the interiors create a cohesive connection between architecture, materiality and the surrounding landscape. Every element was thoughtfully considered to complement the mountain setting and deliver a warm and comfortable experience, with the functionality and refined finish expected of a premium mountain retreat.
As part of our wider architectural and tensile scope, we also designed and engineered the main-area tensile canopies, reinforcing a unified textile architectural language across the resort - one that responds to climate and landscape while maintaining a light and sensitive presence within its remarkable mountain setting.
PROJECT COLLABORATION:
Client: ASFAR
Operator: Mantis Collection
Textile Architects & Engineers: Tenthouse Structures
Textile Systems Supplier & Install: Tenthouse Structures
Interior Designer: Tenthouse Structures
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