foster + partners' green residential scheme encircles a lagoon along saudi arabia's red sea

a ringed structure anchors laheq island for the red sea project

Joining its ongoing hospitality developments with the Red Sea Project, Foster + Partners has now revealed designs for Laheq, a new residential-led island development in Saudi Arabia. Commissioned by Red Sea Global, the project marks the first permanent community at the idyllic destination, transforming the 400-hectare Laheq Island into a luxury retreat and low-impact community immersed in nature. 

The scheme is defined by an 800-meter-wide circular structure referred to as The Ring, which encircles a central lagoon and white sand beaches. By concentrating development toward the centre of the island, the masterplan preserves the natural ecosystems around its perimeter, allowing them to continue thriving undisturbed. The ring also embodies the design’s environmental ethos: a circular system where recycled water supports the island’s lush vegetation, and greenery is integrated throughout to create a living landscape that evolves over time. In addition to residential units, the development includes a 115-berth marina, two hotels, a beach club, schools for sailing and watersports, a racket club, an 18-hole golf course with a clubhouse, and a souk.

all images courtesy of Red Sea Global

foster + partners preserves the islands natural ecosystems

The overall concept, titled Forever Garden, imagines a resort community where plant life is able to flourish across the island. Pergolas, shaded canopies, and elevated green spaces are integrated across the landscape to foster a sense of wellbeing and comfort for. ‘Residents and visitors are invited into a serene garden that engages all the senses and offers panoramic views of the magnificent surroundings,’ says Norman Foster, Founder and Executive Chairman of Foster + Partners. Water recycling systems will also be implemented for irrigation, and the structure itself, elevated above the water, includes green roofs, shaded canopies, and pergolas designed to enhance thermal comfort and wellbeing.

For the residences, Laheq introduces a mix of options, from luxury apartments within The Ring to a series of large villas set along the island’s shoreline. Additional residential communities are distributed across the island’s southern, central, and northern zones. A shared architectural language defined by layered timber geometries lends cohesion to the scattered developments. The architects have distributed the remaining residential communities across the south, centre, and north of the island, with large villas positioned along the shoreline. A unified architectural language of geometric timber frames ties the various zones together. According to Gerard Evenden, Head of Studio at Foster + Partners, the goal was to ‘add as little as possible to the island, while totally immersing residents and guests in nature.’ He noted that the ring-shaped layout offered the best solution to minimize environmental impact while maximizing access to sea views and private lagoon experiences.

Foster + Partners reveals designs for Laheq as part of the Red Sea Project

the scheme is defined by an 800-meter-wide circular structure referred to as The Ring

Laheq introduces a mix of residential from luxury apartments within The Ring to a series of villas set along the shoreline

project info:

name: Laheq

architect: Foster + Partners | @fosterandpartners

location: Laheq Island, Red Sea Project