NEOM

Spent the day looking at sites along the Gulf of Aqaba coast, with teams from seven architectural practices, and the client (NEOM) for a limited design exercise. My legs are just knackered after scrambling up and down bits of rock all day. This is one site with the view to the sea, and inland (extra). 

Some of you have asked what NEOM is:
NEOM is the name of a future zone being built in the Tabuk Province of northwestern Saudi Arabia. It is planned to incorporate smart city technologies and to function as a tourist destination. The Zone is planned to be totally powered by renewable energy sources.
The site is north of the Red Sea, east of Egypt across the Gulf of Aqaba, and south of Jordan. It will cover a total area of 26,500 km2 (10,200 sq mi) and will extend 460 km along the coast of the Red Sea. To compare the size, Belgium covers an area of 30,689 km2 (11,849 sq mi)

The latest project is called TROJENA, which:
“will offer year-round outdoor skiing and adventure sports to be completed in 2026, an unrivalled experience and a global landmark for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Highlights include a stunning man-made freshwater lake and ‘The Vault’. It is a folded village fusing technology, entertainment and hospitality – as the main gateway into TROJENA.”

We are not involved in this, however I was there last summer https://www.blipfoto.com/entry/2860737352186203552