Grand memories from the CID Awards 2019. (Photo: Commercial Interior design)

The Al Faya Lodge has been named Interior Design Hotel of the Year at the Commercial Interior Design Awards 2019.

A unique hotel in the Sharjah desert and designed by Anarchitect has taken home the award for the best hotel interior at this year’s CID Awards.

The hotel has been getting a lot of press because of its incredible, minimalist and climatically responsive design.

We find out more.

Al Faya Lodge wins big at CID Awards

Anarchitect must be riding high on the heels of their recent win at the Commercial Interior Design Awards 2019, where they took home the prize for Interior Design of the Year: Hotel.

The honor was bestowed on them because of their amazing project in the Sharjah desert, the Al Faya Lodge.

The judges made glowing remarks about the project in their assessment, saying it was “brave” and “boundary pushing”, while at the same time respecting the desert context it is situated in. They also lauded the because of its sensitive treatment of the surrounding environment, responding to the particular climatic conditions with its design.

An oasis in the desert

The Al Faya Lodge really is a unique property. Forming part of the bespoke Sharjah Collection, a range of eco-lodges and boutique hotels dotted around the Sharjah emirate, the lodge is an architectural gem in the middle of the desert.

Anarchitect has created a genuine oasis, a secluded getaway where guests can indulge in the minimalist environment of the boutique hotel, treat themselves to some pampering at the saltwater spa and dine at the gourmet restaurant.

There were two existing single-storey stone structures on the site, which the architects have transformed into a private and relaxing retreat.

Jonathan Ashmore, the founder of Anarchitect, spoke of the project, saying, “This project is so much about the Middle East, about the UAE. It’s a project that we brought back to life and we wanted it to be another great experience for people to enjoy the desert context in Sharjah… I think the beauty of the project is that people will get to see another part of the UAE that they may not have seen before.”