Historic Qena Port Resort & Marina

Thamar university

Project idea

Shabwah Governorate in Yemen was the capital of the Hadhramaut Kingdom and a crossroads of maritime and land trade routes. It was famous for building cities and palaces, including the historic Shabwah Palace, temples, markets, and historic ports. It was also famous for its trade in frankincense, incense, and pottery in the region's ancient history. Despite this, the governorate boasts significant historical and heritage value, including environmental reserves, stunning natural landscapes, islands, and volcanic craters. Despite this, the region lacks any tourism or entertainment projects befitting its heritage. The problem has been the loss of the region's historical and heritage architectural identity. This is due to the community's influx to the project area to hold seasonal events, despite the availability of services and the influx of visitors and tourists to the project site. Furthermore, the project is located next to a buried historic city and the historic port of Qana. Several expeditions, including the French expedition, have excavated the area. Therefore, this project was chosen for the following objectives:
Project Objectives:
1. To highlight the historical architectural identity that distinguishes the region, which is now threatened with extinction, using a new approach and architectural elements that are characteristic of Yemeni architecture in Shabwah Governorate.
2. Achieving the principles of environmental, social, cultural, and historical sustainability.
3. Providing recreational areas that are compatible with the culture and customs of the community and with foreign visitors.
4. Encouraging investment in tourism and urban projects, given that the region lacks tourism development projects that meet the needs of the community, visitors, and tourists.

Therefore, the design concept was inspired by the frankincense tree branch. Among the most prominent characteristics of the general site and surrounding areas were:

The trade and export of frankincense (the branch of the myrrh tree), which was present at that time in some valleys of Shabwa, Hadhramaut, and Dhofar.

Establishing the historic port and city of Qena.

Al-Gharab Fort and Volcanic Craters

The frankincense tree branch and the horizontal shape of the craters and the fort were stripped, and some construction and planning methods were applied to the historic cities surrounding the project site.

Project description

The main project components consist of the following:
1. A historic tourist hotel that embodies the architectural identity of the historic Shabwa Palace. This included the rehabilitation and reuse of the palace as a tourist hotel, highlighting its identity and architectural details, and the way the palace spaces are distributed and used to meet the needs of the community and its users, while preserving the basic form of the ancient Shabwa Palace.
2. The project consists of a popular market for jewelry, ornaments, frankincense, incense, and handicrafts that are part of the Yemeni identity of Shabwa Governorate and were traded by ancient Yemenis through the historic Qana Port.
3. 3. It also includes a fitness and health center.
4. The project consists of two types of residential villas that embody the architectural identity of the region in a new style that suits modern requirements.
5. The project includes a marina, the main objective of which is to facilitate access to the reserves and islands surrounding the site, which boast significant historical and touristic landscapes and breathtaking natural scenery.
6. A semi-open exhibition space for events and water shows, such as dolphin shows...
7. An Arabian horse stable for horse riding lessons and the seasonal show held in the same area, a community event that is part of its culture.
8. Open areas, camping areas, green areas, and swimming pools.
9. A popular restaurant.
10. Cafes.
11. A corniche and pedestrian walkways.
12. An open exhibition space.
13. Public services.
14. Sports fields.
15. A mosque.

Technical information

The ancient construction method was employed, utilizing locally available stones, lime, clay, wood, and other sustainable materials. Reinforced concrete was used in the hotel's foundations and columns, and its exposed parts were clad with lime and other sustainable materials. The topography of the site was utilized in the distribution of components, smooth movement, and the formation of levels and differences in block heights, facilitating wind movement across the site and viewing angles. The available stones were utilized in the construction of terraces, sidewalks, and sand formations. Historical and heritage architectural elements were used to highlight the Yemeni architectural identity and the region.