Atlantis The Royal Resort and Residences is the new Dubai landmark on The Palm and one of WSP’s most exciting recent projects in the region. But what makes Atlantis The Royal so special, and what does it take to create a project of such scale? 

In this episode of the Anticipate Podcast, Liam O’Connell, Associate Director of Building Services, is joined by Andy Veall, Senior Technical Director at WSP in the Middle East, and John Shamon, Chief Technical Officer at Atlantis The Royal, to share their comprehensive insights into the making of this ultra-luxury experiential resort. 

This discussion explores the unique structural challenges, innovative design elements, and the exceptional teamwork that went into creating this architectural wonder, now ranked among the world’s best 50 hotels. Our guests also discuss their personal experiences and pivotal moments during the project, offering an insider’s view of what it takes to bring such a grand vision to life. 

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Key Takeaways

  1. Bold Architecture Requires Innovative Engineering: Atlantis The Royal’s distinctive form combines multiple towers, skybridges and cantilevers, requiring structural solutions that enabled the architectural vision while managing the complexity of a development of this scale. WSP describes the solution as an innovative hybrid structural system supported by bespoke construction techniques. 

  2. Structural Efficiency Can Support More Sustainable Design: Despite its complex geometry, the project team focused on optimising the structure to reduce material consumption, construction time and embodied carbon while meeting the performance requirements of a landmark luxury development.

  3. Global Collaboration Was Fundamental to Delivering the Vision: Delivering a project of this complexity required close coordination between multidisciplinary teams, specialist consultants and designers across multiple countries, supported by digital collaboration and BIM.

  4. Engineering Decisions Can Enhance the Guest Experience: Technical solutions were not considered in isolation. From the building's structural configuration to its arrival experience and connections between interior and exterior spaces, engineering decisions helped enable the distinctive experience envisioned for the resort.
  5. Atlantis The Royal Demonstrates What Is Possible When Engineering Pushes Boundaries: The project's unusual geometry, skybridges and cantilevers required the team to move beyond conventional solutions, helping establish a new benchmark for technically ambitious hospitality developments.

Big Questions Answered

What makes the engineering of Atlantis The Royal so unique?

The building’s scale and unconventional geometry created a distinctive structural challenge. Its towers are interconnected through skybridges and cantilevers, requiring an innovative structural system that could realise the architectural vision while remaining efficient and buildable. 

How was the environmental impact of the structure reduced?

The structural engineering team sought to minimise material consumption while addressing the project's complex geometry. The podcast also highlights the use of more sustainable concrete mixes and embodied-carbon assessments to understand and improve the efficiency of the structure. 

How did multidisciplinary collaboration contribute to the project?

Delivering Atlantis The Royal required expertise spanning structural engineering, building services, façades, vertical transportation and environmental services. WSP brought together expertise from its global teams to support the project's ambitious architectural and engineering vision.

What engineering solutions were required to deliver the project’s distinctive form?

The structural solution combined multiple towers with complex bridges and cantilevers. One of the defining elements was the Main Skybridge, where a steel and composite structural solution was used to reduce weight and simplify construction and logistics.

What does Atlantis The Royal demonstrate about the future of ambitious building design?

Atlantis The Royal demonstrates how close collaboration between architects, engineers, clients and specialist teams can turn unconventional architectural ideas into buildable structures. Its complex geometry required engineering innovation while maintaining the distinctive character of the original vision.

Meet our guests


  Liam O’Connell headshot circle  Veall-Andy (1)

John Shamon 2
   Liam O’Connell

           Andy Veall

 John Shamon