Winner of an Honourable Mention Award in the 2025 WLA Awards – Built Hospitality Landscape Design
Cultural Legacy
Erth (Arabic for “legacy”) plays a significant part in the story of Abu Dhabi, its community and the enduring influence of the UAE’s Founding Father, Sheikh Zayed Al Nahyan. In 1983 Sheikh Zayed envisioned a recreational complex for UAE Armed Forces officers, which opened in December 1997 as the Armed Forces Officers Club. Originally exclusive, the complex opened to the public in 2003, and in 2021 it was rebranded as Erth. Its renaissance has strengthened the character of this important civic asset as a 5-star resort, event venue, and recreational hub that welcomes locals, residents and visitors alike.
In preparation for Erth’s rebranding, the landscape was redesigned to enrich visitor experience and strengthen cultural connection of place. At the heart of the design is a celebration of journey and hospitality, reinterpreted in a contemporary way that reflects Emirati identity through both form and experience.
Identity
The central garden courtyard stands as a key external feature within Erth’s grounds. Its view axes from the main foyer of the building, originally designed by French architect Roger Taillibert in 1997 and now considered a significant landmark in Abu Dhabi. WAHO’s creative strategy was rooted in a deep understanding of the overall vision for the space. Extending Tallibert’s original intent, the team developed a design that accommodates modern amenities while embedding local cultural identity into the spatial language of the site.
This courtyard space was designed to interact seamlessly with the structure’s symmetrical form. It provides a compelling focal point, framing views for perimeter hotel rooms and inviting guest interaction within a versatile hospitality zone. Throughout the landscape, the design draws inspiration from the coastal margin between the desert beaches and sea, in particular pearl diving. Based on the local heritage of Abu Dhabi, this concept informed the white materiality, edge treatments and contextual materials, which help tell Erth’s story.
Colour and texture play a vital role in shaping the landscape’s character. Soft pastel and lime-green tones from coastal plants harmonise with burnt tans and creams from the sand and sabkha coast margin of Abu Dhabi. In some areas, the paving edge is broken down to create a faded varied interface with the softscape. After dark, subtle lighting highlights the textures and layers of the seating spaces and walkways.
Anchoring the space is a circular water feature, its design mirroring the form and appearance of a pearl. The water feature is an inverted convex shape that texturally plays on the beauty and irregularity of naturally found pearls. A thin film of water over this surface references the dynamic waters of the Arabian gulf, with movement provided by the prevailing winds. It is from this central point that the landscape extends outwards, connecting the hotel, recreational facilities and beach club.
Accessibility
As a mixed-use community destination, multiple open spaces provide opportunities for a variety of activities such as special events, performances and educational engagements. Accessibility is prioritised between and within these exterior spaces. Sunken gardens, terraces and multifunctional lawns are all accessible via ramps and Braille markers are incorporated near steps.
Environmental Stewardship
The landscape design integrates a range of sustainable strategies, with a particular emphasis on water efficiency. Endemic and native desert and coastal plant species are used to significantly reduce irrigation demand in the arid climate, while trees provide natural shade throughout the site. An efficient, falaj-inspired system uses gravity-driven flow to irrigate the softscape and connect key seating areas.
Within the central courtyard lies a sunken wadi garden, referencing the dry riverbeds common in arid regions. Designed as a Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) feature, this wadi captures seasonal rainfall to support seasonal flowering at specific times of the year. Locally sourced materials were used for the hardscape, while pocket gardens are enriched with natural elements reflective of the UAE’s landscape.
Flexibility
Erth has grown into a dynamic, publicly accessible hospitality destination that supports a diverse range of experiences. As new elements are introduced across the complex, its spatial dynamics are expected to naturally evolve. Designed with adaptability in mind, the landscape accommodates this evolution, remaining responsive to both programmatic change and natural growth. Over time, the maturing of trees and the flourishing of shrubs will enhance the organic character of the environment.
Each element of Erth’s outdoor realm reflects a deeper story of cultural identity and reverence for place. It weaves together narratives of history, nature and community to welcome guests through a profound expression of UAE heritage and hospitality.
Erth
Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE
Lead Consultant: Atkins Realis
Landscape Architect: WAHO Landscape Architects
Image Credits:
Erth Resort Abu Dhabi
Jon Wallis Photography