Falcon’s Treehouse employed elemental storytelling to render the enchanting Sahara Kingdom: The Lost Cities of Arabia.
Client: AMWAL
Services: Theme Park Design, Master Planning, Hospitality Design
Location: Dubai, UAE
A leading investment firm in the Middle East chose Falcon’s Treehouse to master plan an innovative theme park and integrated resort in Dubai. Sahara Kingdom was supposed to be built on 113 acres as part of a massive entertainment development project called Dubailand. Actually, calling it “massive” is an understatement. Dubailand would have been the size of a major city, playing host to millions of visitors a year. It was truly one of the most ambitious leisure projects ever planned.
Falcon’s was brought into the fold because of their trusted ability to create state-of-the-art attractions and destinations that are driven by compelling storytelling. To the visionaries at Falcon’s, designing the Sahara Kingdom resort was a dream. The intent was to bring the wonders of the ancient world dramatically back to life.
Sahara Kingdom Concept Art.
Using their unique brand of elemental storytelling, Falcon’s crafted a legend about how the lost cities of Arabia were formed from shifting sands by the traditional Genie of the Earth, Dao. According to the narrative they conjured up, seven gleaming cities were once deemed to be the architectural wonders of the world. These lost cities all succumbed to the shifting allegiances of man or mysterious cataclysmic events, but then they were magically restored to their former glory. From his splendid Palace of Lost Cities, Dao transported all of his incredible structural masterpieces to this special location in Dubai.
There was more to Sahara Kingdom, however, than just the theme park. This extraordinary world-class resort would have also featured opulent hotel accommodations, superior residential dwellings, employee housing, and a themed retail and fine dining complex.
The scope of the project required the Falcon’s team to approach the design with unity in mind. Taking a holistic view is nothing new to the themed entertainment company. They always start with the basic building blocks, the crux of the story, and expand from there. A prime goal is usually forging an emotional connection between the venue and its guests. In the case of Sahara Kingdom, that connection was to be established when guests encounter bygone civilizations through immersive, engaging, and entertaining content that envelops them, both physically and emotionally. The bold architecture that was designed for every zone was also a captivating element meant to further draw visitors into these unforgettable stories, capturing their imagination and igniting their spirit.
In addition to offering an in-depth tour of the region's long and rich history, Sahara Kingdom would have featured breathtaking waterfront views, dazzling live entertainment and events, and of course, the opportunity to test one’s nerves on white-knuckle thrill rides. The park would have boasted unique family-friendly fare as well.
Through the magic of storytelling, Falcon’s opened a window into a world of adventure, romance, and excitement that would’ve enticed visitors to lose themselves in the wonders of Arabia.
