Bab Al Shams’ new desert villas – which as their name suggests – are tucked into the folds of the Dubai desert, surrounded by the silence of endless sand dunes. “In a city like Dubai which is very bright, busy and noisy – silence is a luxury,” says Delfina Cortese, founder of her eponymous Dubai-based studio, Delfina Design, who let this rare quiet informed her creative approach for the latest additions to the city's iconic desert resort. “The project had to merge into this silence.”
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The earthy material palette also echoes this concept: natural walnut wood was used for the furniture (including tables and floor lamps), alabaster for the wall sconces, and Travertine and Serpeggiante stone for the vanity and shower. In the living room, the bar features Light Blue Quartzite which stands out as a piece of art.. Using notes from the natural world ensured that the spaces felt serene and rooted in their environment; the minimalist design allowed the vastness of the desert in.
This connection between indoor and outdoor living can be observed across the interiors. The main bathroom, for example, features a double-stone vanity overlooking the internal courtyard, while the shower connects both the inside and outside for a seamless experience.
The architecture of Bab Al Sham's new desert villas – designed by Dubai-based AD100 studio Anarchitect – draws inspiration from Bedouin lifestyles and the community's deep connection to the desert. “The goal was to create a balance between authenticity and modernity, imagining spaces that reflect the simplicity and resilience of traditional desert living whilst reinterpreting new standards for luxury hospitality,” says founding principal, Jonathan Ashmore.
The circular forms of the villas are reminiscent of Bedouin tents and set the minimalist guidelines that are echoed in the interiors. Here, raw and natural materials are also used to blend the buildings into the desert landscape, allowing guests to feel truly immersed in their surroundings. “Departing from conventional orthogonal forms, we introduced fluid, organic shapes that echo the surrounding desert dunes, aligning with the operator’s vision for a unique, immersive experience that connects guests more intimately with the landscape,” says Ashmore.
The villas also draw from the region’s architectural traditions such as framed views, natural ventilation, shading and the use of natural materials that “embody local vernacular wisdom”.
“Reinterpreting tradition into a contemporary context was key to the project’s narrative. The circular form of the Bedouin tent served as the foundation but was transformed into a permanent structure with modern features like a sky oculus and clerestory windows,” Ashmore explains. “These design elements evoke the Bedouin use of natural light and ventilation, offering a contemporary edge that bridges the past and present of desert living.”
