The design of The Serai Wing reflects the importance of preservation. The immersive retreat required a challenging renovation, upgrade and repurposing of the two former homes. Dividing them into 12 guest rooms, Anarchitect intricately designed and repurposed the homes and infused them with minimalistic, stylish modern design elements. Each of the rooms is uniquely crafted with its own individual layout drawn from the transformation of the historical buildings and maintains a seamless blend of traditional Emirati design elements from the original edifices alongside original and new materials.

“The whole idea of this project is not just about regeneration, but repurposing,” explains Ashmore. Each room showcases the original coral and limestone mortal walls of the two merchant homes and features high ceilings and teak-wood trellises alongside modern travertine, white-metal accents and a serene palette of neutral hues. “We did not want to create a pastiche to make the building look like it was from the original 1950s buildings,” said Ashmore. “What we wanted to do is take influences from parts of the project that were existing, the forms, the shapes, the volumetrics as well as the materials and the perforations, and translate them into a new series of buildings that showed that this was a new intervention in 2023 that was different from the original build 70 years ago.” 

Devised as an inner city sanctuary in Sharjah’s historic district, the property is thoughtfully layered to comprise remnants of its past with modern design elements of the present. Due to the candidacy of the heart of Sharjah for UNESCO World Heritage Site status, renovations to The Serai Wing were carefully designed to preserve its integration into the historic coastal community of Sharjah, which once served as a major merchant hub along the shores of the Arabian Gulf, one of the oldest maritime routes.

“Historic layers sit harmoniously alongside new contemporary interventions realised in travertine stone and perforated white-metal surfaces that create additional and necessary functionality to facilitate the new hospitality program transcended into the properties,” Ashmore writes in the press release of the project. 

Inside, the rooms are bathed in natural light that emanates through traditional Arabian windows illuminating the space and fostering a serene, intimate atmosphere. The 12 accommodation options, including the 70-sqm duplex Khalid Grand Suite, feature bespoke furniture, luxurious marble-clad bathrooms, and in-room technology, focusing on comfort and privacy. The rooms are designed around a traditional tranquil central courtyard and have direct access to a temperature-controlled swimming pool with lounge seating and unique sculptural shades. Additionally, a Ghaf tree – the national tree of the United Arab Emirates –  is located within the center of the courtyard. Ashmore says his studio had to sensitively design the area around the tree to maintain it. 

Anarchitect’s design of The Serai Wing offers a rare dialogue between heritage and modern design. In November 2025, The Serai Wing won the inaugural RIBA Middle East Award for the Adaptive Reuse for representing a transformative piece of architecture that evocatively reflects the importance of preservation while reimagining a new modern lifestyle destination for regional and global travellers. 

Designed as an escape within the city, The Serai Wing offers a contemporary experience rooted in the heritage of its location. Views of Sharjah can be relished at various intervals throughout the rooms of Bait Khalid bin Ibrahim where strategic design gestures highlight seclusion, privacy and wellbeing. 

The past and present converge in The Serai Wing. As its clean lines meet Emirati traditional architectural components and minimalist design, the structure also offers a gateway to the city’s cultural scene. With the Sharjah Art Foundation just a quick walk away, a further dialogue between the city’s art and timeless architecture can be had.

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“‘Sustainable design’ is a paradox,” shares Professor Louise Valentine, Head of School of Design at the School of Textiles and Design at Heriot-Watt University Dubai. “The concept of sustainability is a benchmark for quality, and our interpretation of it enables us to gauge a designer’s commitment to design excellence… Across the world, we see two crises fundamentally changing our lives: the climate crisis and the diversity, equity and inclusivity crisis. As we explore this juncture with bold imagination and ambition, the next responsibilities for design will unfold, and the necessary discoveries about what constitutes sustainability will be made.” 

Current trends 

Jonathan Ashmore, Founding Principal at ANARCHITECT, observes a significant shift in client awareness and preferences. “We have seen more demand for unique, contextual and well-considered design solutions over the quick-to-market ones, which also shows a more progressive respect for sustainability in regional architecture.” He notes that repurposing and transforming existing buildings not only reduces carbon footprint but also breathes new life into structures, ensuring their historical and cultural relevance.

Jeffrey Meawad, Founding Architect at JM Design & Architecture, adds, “Sustainable architecture has evolved to incorporate energy-saving techniques, natural design elements and smart technology. It’s crucial for us to adapt to these changes and integrate sustainable practices into our work.” Meawad emphasises the importance of using natural materials and minimising waste, such as in the Mariolino by the sea Bodrum restaurant and beach bar, where natural materials and abundant greenery were used.

Innovative materials and technologies

Ashmore confirms the value in sourcing natural materials locally to reduce environmental costs and to draw on the contextual vernacular of construction materials used historically. “For example, in regions where stone is abundant, we explore innovative structural uses of this material with progressive engineers. Similarly, we use low-carbon mixtures for concrete and, where suitable, employ rammed-earth construction methods.”

Meawad underscores the vital role of understanding clients’ needs and integrating sustainability into the design process. “For instance, we designed a roof covered with solar panels, serving as a striking design feature. Sustainable design can save money over time and inspire innovative ideas.”

Ayman El Hibri, Director at WilkinsonEyre, agrees that it is important to select materials that have a low carbon footprint throughout their lifecycle. “Our approach includes using materials with high recycled content and recyclability. This commitment to sustainability is evident in projects like the Citibank project in Canary Wharf, London, where all materials used meet stringent Environmental Product Declaration criteria.”

Integration of sustainable design principles

Ashmore highlights too the adoption of passive design strategies. “Clients are more aware of energy consumption and are requesting materials with longevity and local sourcing. This approach reduces reliance on artificial energy sources and enhances the overall comfort and functionality of spaces.”

Meawad stresses the value of understanding clients’ carbon footprints and incorporating basic sustainable principles like reducing, reusing and recycling. “We design spaces that maximise natural light to reduce power consumption, and use low-E [low-emissivity] glass to improve thermal efficiency.”

El Hibri argues that sustainability must be an intrinsic part of architectural design. “Treating sustainability as an afterthought undermines its potential to effect meaningful change. Instead, it needs to be fully integrated into every stage of the architectural process, from initial design concepts to construction and eventual decommissioning.”

Annamaria Lambiri, Chair of the Department of Interior Design and Associate Professor of Interior Design at American University of Dubai, adds, “The attention to sustainable approaches in design supports the minimisation of environmental impact, the optimisation of buildings’ performance, and enhances occupants’ health and well-being.” She adds that sustainable initiatives focus on eco-friendly materials, energy-efficient solutions, renewable energy integration, waste reduction and water conservation.

Economic benefits and regulatory impacts

Ashmore explains that sustainable buildings often result in long-term savings through reduced energy consumption. “The use of energy-efficient systems and durable materials can lower operating costs over time and enhance property value.”

Meawad concurs: “Sustainable design offers clear economic benefits, including lower energy bills, higher property values and long-term savings from reduced maintenance costs.”

El Hibri also notes that sustainable buildings typically command higher market values due to lower operational costs and healthier spaces. “Projects like 8 Bishopsgate in London demonstrate that sustainability positively impacts rentability and marketability.”

Notable examples 

Ashmore shares the example of The Serai Wing at Chedi Al Bait, a transformation of 1950s merchant houses into a twelve-suite boutique hotel. “This project showcases the careful balance of introducing contemporary architectural interventions into characterful and traditionally recognisable buildings,” he says.

Meawad mentions the Bosco Verticale in Milan and Beirut Terraces in Downtown Beirut as examples of sustainable architecture that enhance environmental quality and human experience.

El Hibri, meanwhile, cites 8 Bishopsgate and Gardens by the Bay as projects that seamlessly integrate sustainability and aesthetics. “8 Bishopsgate is one of the first towers in the UK to achieve BREEAM Outstanding [certification], demonstrating exemplary embodied and operational carbon considerations.”

The integration of sustainable design principles into contemporary architecture not only addresses environmental concerns but also enhances the aesthetic and functional quality of spaces. As Ashmore aptly puts it, “Sustainable design is not just about creating buildings; it’s about creating better futures.”

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The curvature of the Love Handle lever mimics the contours of a grasping hand.

Precise alignment allows the Love Handle pull-handle to appear to be a single entity between two doors.

The mirror-polish finish of the circular leather rose at the end of the Love Handle knob alludes to the bond of the human touch.

Jonathan Ashmore, architect and founder of ANARCHITECT, commented, “We chose to create a triptych of door handles – many architect’s obsession – and turned them into an artistic expression of our most precious commodity – privacy. The designs evoke intimacy, love and excitement and the moments we hold most precious hidden behind closed doors.”

Jonathan Ashmore
Photo: Misha Obradovic

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