Saudi Architect Ibrahim Joharji Achieves a Distinguished Position in the North Pole Hotel International Competition
The international architectural platform YAC has announced the results of its global competition dedicated to conceptual proposals for a tourist hotel in the North Pole. The challenge addressed one of the most demanding environments on Earth, calling on participants to rethink how architecture can respond to extreme climatic conditions while framing the natural spectacle of polar light. The jury included noted figures in contemporary design such as Micheli and Dagur Eggertsson, alongside other internationally recognized architects.
This edition of the competition invited designers to explore the relationship between built form and the Arctic’s cosmic phenomena, particularly the aurora borealis, whose shifting chromatic patterns make the region a unique destination for scientific observation and tourism. The core question posed to participants was how architecture can heighten the experience of viewing the sky rather than merely functioning as a shelter.
Studio Ibrahim Joharji submitted its proposal for the NEB Arctic Hotel, a concept rooted in organic architectural thinking and in a comparative study between two opposing landscapes: snow formations in polar regions and sand formations in desert environments. The project interprets the rippling patterns found in both terrains as a shared spatial language, transforming them into a panoramic roof geometry that expands the field of vision toward the sky.
The design introduces layered, flowing ceiling structures that open toward the horizon, allowing guests to observe natural light phenomena from multiple viewing angles. This approach repositions the roof as an instrument for environmental perception rather than a conventional architectural element.
Reaching the competition’s final stages, Studio Ibrahim Joharji secured a distinguished position on the shortlist, reflecting the growing presence of Saudi architects within the international design community. The NEB Arctic Hotel proposal contributes to the ongoing discourse on how architecture can adapt to and interact with some of the planet’s most extreme ecological contexts.
Images courtesy of INJ Architects.
