AL RIYAH PALACE

Abu Dhabi
UAE

Nestled in the exclusive district of Al Bateen, Abu Dhabi, Al Riyah Palace stands as a poetic embodiment of wind, space, and light. Named after the Arabic word for “winds”, this contemporary palace blurs the boundaries between architecture and sculpture.

With a form that appears shaped by the desert breeze, the palace reinterprets traditional Arabian grandeur through an avant-garde, organic language — an architectural gesture where fluidity, refinement, and monumentality converge in perfect harmony.

A Palace Sculpted by Light & Silence

The South Facade

The North Facade

THE FACADE – A LIVING STRUCTURE OF LIGHT & RHYTHM

The façade of Al Riyah Palace is a kinetic composition of vertical sculptural elements, reminiscent of wind-carved sand formations. These flowing pillars are not only structural but poetic — their twisted rhythm creates a dance of shadows and light throughout the day, both internally and externally.

The design plays with transparency and mass, integrating grand arched glazing that opens the palace to the landscape while maintaining a strong architectural identity.

At the center of the main axis, a long reflecting pool pays tribute to the symmetrical water features of Persian palaces, reinforcing the sense of timeless grandeur and serenity. The envelope thus becomes a breathing skin — modern, rooted in place, and responsive to its environment.

THE SCULPTURAL APPROACH

As one strolls along the winding gravel path, a sense of discovery unfolds. The soft curve of the allée draws the eye gently toward the residence, revealing its dynamic façade from an ever-changing perspective. The architecture is not static — it breathes and evolves with every angle. Each column flares organically from ground to roof, like carved stone softened by wind, creating rhythm and depth in the play of light.

The façade becomes a sculpture in itself, merging structure and expression. What is seen frontally as balance becomes, in profile, a dance of tension and release. The path is more than a way forward — it is a curated promenade through form, shadow, and serenity.

The Promenade View

INTERIOR DESIGN – SPATIAL FLUIDITY & SCULPTED SERENITY

Inside, Al Riyah Palace unfolds as a serene sanctuary where every space is sculpted with intention.

The double-height entrance lobby showcases a monumental central staircase, inspired by the elegance of hotel Paramount, floating like a sculpture at the core of the space.

Parametric ceilings flow above, with indirect lighting enhancing the calm fluidity of the design.

The Entrance & the Staircase

The Leaving Area

The Dining Area

Each room — from the lounges to the bedrooms — is shaped with soft, organic volumes. The master suite features a custom headboard sculpted like a wind-formed leaf, echoing the palace’s name.

Spaces are generous, minimal, and sensual — allowing nature, light, and silence to dominate.

The Master Bedroom