Erth: A Landscape of Heritage, Hospitality, and Place
Erth plays a significant role in the cultural and civic story of Abu Dhabi, closely connected to the legacy of His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Originally established in 1983 as the Armed Forces Officers Club, the complex was conceived as a place of rest, security, and communal gathering for UAE Armed Forces officers. In 2003 it opened to the public, and in 2021 was re-established as Erth, reinforcing its identity as a destination rooted in land, heritage, and Emirati hospitality.
The landscape redesign was central to this transformation. More than a visual setting, the landscape was conceived as an experiential framework that supports hospitality, comfort, and cultural connection. It complements the architectural legacy of Roger Taillibert’s building while introducing contemporary public life through accessibility, shade, and spatial clarity.
Landscape as Cultural Journey
The design draws on the Emirati tradition of journey and arrival, where hospitality offers generosity and care after travel across desert or sea. At Erth, the landscape becomes the culmination of this journey: a place of calm, respite, and welcome. Inspiration is drawn from Abu Dhabi’s coastal margin – the meeting of desert sands, sabkha, and the Arabian Gulf – and from the heritage of pearl diving, which shaped the region’s coastal identity.
The Central Garden Courtyard
The central garden courtyard forms the heart of Erth. Aligned with the main foyer axis and visible from surrounding hotel rooms, it functions as both visual anchor and social focus. The courtyard operates as a flexible hospitality space, accommodating events, gatherings, and moments of quiet retreat. At its centre sits a circular water feature inspired by the form of a pearl. Its inverted convex surface carries a thin film of water that responds to light and prevailing winds, evoking the movement of the Gulf and the irregular beauty of naturally found pearls. From this point, paths, terraces, and planted zones radiate outward, connecting hotel, recreation facilities, and beach club.
Architecture, Landscape, and Spatial Continuity
The landscape reinforces the architectural order of the complex while remaining generous and adaptable. Ground planes, terraces, and planting zones guide movement intuitively, eliminating reliance on overt wayfinding. Spatial sequences transition seamlessly between interior and exterior, strengthening the relationship between architecture and landscape and enhancing the sense of arrival and orientation.
Material, Planting, and Comfort
Materiality is restrained and contextually grounded. Light toned surfaces reference coastal architecture and reflect heat, while softened paving edges dissolve into planting zones reminiscent of shifting shorelines. Planting draws primarily from native and coastal species selected for resilience, shade, enclosure, and seasonal variation. Pastel and lime greens are balanced with sandy creams and muted earth tones, reinforcing a calm and welcoming landscape character.
Inclusive and Adaptive Public Spaces
As a mixed-use destination, Erth offers a diverse collection of outdoor spaces including shaded areas, terraces, sunken gardens, and multi-functional lawns. Accessibility is fully integrated, with ramps and tactile markers ensuring inclusive movement throughout. The landscape is designed to adapt to evolving hospitality programmes, supporting both everyday leisure and large-scale events.
Sustainable Practices Rooted in Tradition
Sustainability is embedded through passive design strategies and material choices. Tree canopies provide natural shading, while irrigation draws inspiration from traditional falaj systems, supporting efficient water use and long-term resilience.
A Landscape of Identity and Welcome
Erth’s landscape moves beyond ornament to become a cultural expression shaped through space. Its measured sequencing, material restraint, water, and planting establish spatial clarity, comfort, and continuity across the site. Bridging past and present, the landscape aligns architectural legacy with contemporary Emirati values of hospitality – an enduring example of landscape and architecture working together to create a memorable destination.
Client: Armed Forces Officers’ Club
Lead Consultant: AtkinsRéalis
Photography: ©JonWallisPhotography & images Courtesy of Erth Resort (images are labelled accordingly)
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