Conservation / AlUla, Saudi Arabia

Dar Tantora

Existing-condition documentation and restoration proposals for the P2 building group and U571–572 kitchen units.

P2 hotel accommodation — ground floor restoration plan

My contribution

I documented the existing condition of the historic units adapted into hotel accommodation using manual measured surveys and 3D scanning, and translated the survey information into technical architectural drawings. I studied and recorded physical traces on site alongside documented narratives and reports to inform the restoration drawings, and contributed to method statements.

I led the physical restoration and adaptive reuse works on site and was responsible for their execution, directly managing the builders and craftspeople. I also proposed, executed and supervised stabilization works, following the project drawings and method statements through completion.

Work undertaken with EQI KSA for the Royal Commission for AlUla.

P2 hotel accommodation — existing conditions and restoration

Ground floor plan

First floor plan

Ground floor reflected ceiling plan

First floor reflected ceiling plan

Sections

Northern street frontage — existing condition and restoration

I documented the existing street frontage, recording the surviving traces and building pathologies. This comparative sheet presents the existing condition alongside the restoration drawing, showing the relationship between retained fabric, tayrah connections and proposed reconstruction.

Dar Tantora northern street frontage: existing condition above and restoration below, with traces, pathologies and reconstruction annotations — Northern street frontage, Phase 2 — existing condition and restoration

Alley levels and overhead tayrah connections

I independently surveyed three main alleys within the Dar Tantora project perimeter in the southern part of AlUla Old Town. Using 3D scanning and manual tracing, I documented street levels and the heights of the tayrahs: first-floor connections between buildings that span the pedestrian alleys. The survey also recorded existing narratives and building pathologies.

Street-level survey section in S39 — from S40 to S41, showing overhead tayrah connections — S39 — from S40 to S41

Street-level survey section in S41 — from S36 to S39, showing overhead tayrah connections — S41 — from S36 to S39

Street-level survey section in S36 — from S41 to Unit 598, showing overhead tayrah connections — S36 — from S41 to Unit 598

Kitchen units U571–572

Existing-condition and restoration drawings for the kitchen units, including floor plans, reflected ceiling plans, sections and elevations.

Kitchen units U571–572: First floor plans, existing and restoration — First floor plans — existing condition and restoration

Kitchen units U571–572: Ground floor reflected ceiling plans, existing and restoration — Ground floor reflected ceiling plans — existing condition and restoration

Kitchen units U571–572: First floor reflected ceiling plans, existing and restoration — First floor reflected ceiling plans — existing condition and restoration

Kitchen units U571–572: Section and elevation, existing and restoration — Section and elevation — existing condition and restoration

Unit 572 — western elevation

Site works — Unit 683

I led and was responsible for executing the site works documented here, directly managing builders and craftspeople. My responsibilities also included proposing, executing and supervising stabilization works in accordance with the restoration drawings and method statements.

A — Stair space

Unit 683 — Stair space with exposed masonry, timber beams and an existing stair — Existing Condition

Unit 683 — Stair space following restoration, with repaired surfaces and timber door — Restored Condition

Unit 683 — Stair space in adaptive reuse, with a handrail, rug and furnishings — Adaptively Reused Condition

B — Upper-level space

Unit 683 — Upper-level space with exposed masonry and timber beams — Existing Condition

Unit 683 — Upper-level space following restoration — Restored Condition

Unit 683 — Upper-level interior during adaptive reuse works — Adaptive Reuse Works in Progress

Unit 683 — Furnished upper-level interior in adaptive reuse — Adaptively Reused Condition

Site works — Unit 686

A — Stair space

Unit 686 — Stair space with exposed masonry and an incomplete ceiling — Existing Condition

Unit 686 — Stair space during restoration with exposed timber ceiling beams — Restoration Works in Progress

Unit 686 — Restored stair space with earthen finishes and a timber door — Restored Condition

Unit 686 — Stair space following adaptive reuse with finished walls and furnishings — Adaptively Reused Condition

B — Upper-level space

Unit 686 — Upper-level space following restoration — Restored Condition

Unit 686 — Upper-level interior during adaptive reuse works — Adaptive Reuse Works in Progress

C — Ceiling restoration

Unit 686 — Timber ceiling structure during restoration — Restoration Works in Progress

Unit 686 — Restored interior showing timber beams and ceiling layers — Restored Condition

Site works — Unit 687

A — Stair space

Unit 687 — Stair space with exposed masonry and an open ceiling — Existing Condition

Unit 687 — Restored stair space beneath timber ceiling beams — Restored Condition

Unit 687 — Stair space following adaptive reuse, with a handrail, rug and furnishings — Adaptively Reused Condition

B — Staircase detail

Unit 687 — Staircase during restoration, with scaffolding in place — Restoration Works in Progress

Unit 687 — Staircase and furnishings following adaptive reuse — Adaptively Reused Condition

C — Upper-level room

Unit 687 — Restored upper-level room with timber ceiling structure — Restored Condition

Unit 687 — Upper-level room during adaptive reuse works — Adaptive Reuse Works in Progress

Unit 687 — Furnished upper-level room following adaptive reuse — Adaptively Reused Condition

Site works — Unit 688

A — Interior views

Unit 688 — Existing interior with exposed masonry and a curved staircase — Existing Condition

Unit 688 — Restored interior with earthen finishes and a curved staircase — Restored Condition

Unit 688 — Furnished seating area beneath timber ceiling beams — Adaptively Reused Condition

B — Stair and ceiling views

Unit 688 — Existing stair and exposed timber ceiling structure — Existing Condition

Unit 688 — Restored stair and timber ceiling structure — Restored Condition

Unit 688 — Adaptively reused interior with seating, rugs and wall decorations — Adaptively Reused Condition

Site works — Unit 689

A — Upper-level space

Unit 689 — Existing upper-level space with exposed masonry and timber floor beams — Existing Condition

Unit 689 — Restored upper-level space showing earthen walls and timber floor structure — Restored Condition

Unit 689 — Furnished upper-level seating area beneath a timber ceiling — Adaptively Reused Condition

B — Stair space

Unit 689 — Existing stair space with exposed masonry and open ceiling — Existing Condition

Unit 689 — Restored stair space with earthen finishes, timber ceiling and door — Restored Condition

Unit 689 — Adaptively reused stair space with a handrail, seating and furnishings — Adaptively Reused Condition

Site works — Alleys and corridors

A — Alley

Dar Tantora — Completed alley with paving and lighting below overhead building connections — Adaptively Reused Condition

B — Covered corridor

Dar Tantora — Existing covered corridor with exposed walls, timber beams and an uneven ground surface — Existing Condition

Dar Tantora — Covered corridor during adaptive reuse works, with workers and construction equipment — Adaptive Reuse Works in Progress

Dar Tantora — Completed covered corridor with a paved walkway beneath timber ceiling beams — Adaptively Reused Condition

C — Covered passage

Dar Tantora — Restored covered passage with earthen walls and timber overhead structure — Restored Condition

Dar Tantora — Covered passage during adaptive reuse works, with temporary lighting and equipment — Adaptive Reuse Works in Progress

D — Connecting passage

Dar Tantora — Connecting passage during adaptive reuse works, with workers and materials — Adaptive Reuse Works in Progress

Site works — Hotel restaurant

I was in charge of executing and supervising the site works to adapt this historic building and courtyard for restaurant use within Dar Tantora Hotel, directly managing the builders and craftspeople.

A — Courtyard dining

Dar Tantora Hotel — Restaurant courtyard during adaptive reuse works, with masonry, scaffolding and construction materials — Adaptive Reuse Works in Progress

Dar Tantora Hotel — Completed restaurant courtyard at night, with dining tables and hanging lanterns — Adaptively Reused Condition

B — Dining area and masonry details

Dar Tantora Hotel — Restaurant dining area during adaptive reuse works, with masonry piers and paving under construction — Adaptive Reuse Works in Progress

Dar Tantora Hotel — Completed restaurant dining area at night, with tables, masonry piers and lanterns — Adaptively Reused Condition

Site works — Private residence

I was in charge of executing and supervising the site works to adapt this historic building and courtyard into a private residence within Dar Tantora Hotel, directly managing the builders and craftspeople.