first look at aquellum, NEOM’s subterranean metaverse community in saudi arabia

the project nestles discreetly within the 450-meter-high mountain range along the gulf of aqaba coastline.

lea zeitoun January 10, 2024 3 min

inside the experiential aquellum community by NEOM

Aquellum is the latest addition to NEOM‘s ongoing regional development in northwest Saudi Arabia. The striking new project nestles discreetly within the 450-meter-high mountain range along the Gulf of Aqaba coastline, revealing an experiential and subterranean digitalized community, subsumed in the Metaverse. Far from conventional, the destination meshes advanced technology, avant-garde architecture, and forward-looking concepts, promising guests a glimpse into futuristic living. Aquellum architect Tobias Wallisser describes it as an ‘ultra-luxury upside-down skyscraper. The facade’s facing inwards instead of facing outwards. Things are inside out and upside down.’

first look at aquellum, NEOM's subterranean metaverse community in saudi arabia - 1 — all images courtesy NEOM

a spellbinding vertical hub driven by digital technology

To access Aquellum, visitors get to board a specially designed vessel at the world’s first floating marina. This journey takes them through a concealed underground canal before unveiling an immersive community hidden within the mountains. Inside, the architects envision an exhilarating, 100-meter-high vertical experience with an impressive courtyard stretching from the water to the sky, with an expansive program that includes hotel accommodation, apartments, retail spaces, leisure and entertainment zones and innovative hubs. Meanwhile, a dynamic boulevard winds through the courtyard, connecting diverse social spaces, hospitality, immersive arts, events, shopping, and dining. A signature space, dubbed ‘The Generator’, houses research labs for disruptors, innovators, and creative thinkers.

first look at aquellum, NEOM's subterranean metaverse community in saudi arabia - 2 — Aquellum is an experiential and subterranean digitalized community

Completing NEOM’s Aquellum vision is an omnidirectional internal transit system that facilitates easy access to upper floors, transporting residents and visitors to their homes and hotels, ascending to rooftop gardens with scenic coastal views. ‘Aquellum is the reset of your curiosity. Taking absolutely nothing and creating something totally new and exciting. Filling that void with experience, technology, possibilities, and learning — the scale of which the world has never seen,’ concludes the Aquellum team.

first look at aquellum, NEOM's subterranean metaverse community in saudi arabia - 3 — tucked within the 450-meter-high mountain range along the Gulf of Aqaba coastline

first look at aquellum, NEOM's subterranean metaverse community in saudi arabia - 4 — the destination meshes advanced technology, avant-garde architecture, and forward-looking concepts

first look at aquellum, NEOM's subterranean metaverse community in saudi arabia - 5 — a 100-meter-high vertical experience

first look at aquellum, NEOM's subterranean metaverse community in saudi arabia - 6 — ascending to rooftop gardens with scenic coastal views

first look at aquellum, NEOM's subterranean metaverse community in saudi arabia - 7 — an impressive courtyard stretching from the water to the sky

first look at aquellum, NEOM's subterranean metaverse community in saudi arabia - 8 — Aquellum hosts a range of programs, from hospitality to retail spaces

project info:

name: Aquellum

location: Gulf of Aqaba, Saudi Arabia

developed by: NEOM | @discoverneom