Sindalah Island, a flagship destination within Saudi Arabia, has received the Blue Design Award in the “Water Leisure Hub” category at the Blue Design Summit 2025. Designed by Luca Dini Design & Architecture, the island was recognised for its blend of Italian design, luxury hospitality and innovation.

Sindalah Island in Saudi Arabia, designed by Luca Dini, wins Blue Design Award at the Blue Design Summit 2025. (Photo credit: NEOM

Presented in La Spezia, the award acknowledges the studio’s work in creating Sindalah Island from the ground up as a luxury destination in the Red Sea. The 840,000 square-metre island features a marina with 86 berths for yachts up to 50-metres and 75 offshore buoys capable of accommodating superyachts up to 180-metre.

The marina also offers services, including fuel, water and power supply, yacht maintenance and access to the Sindalah Yacht Club. The club includes a fine-dining restaurant, lounge, outdoor terrace and swimming pool.

Luca Dini, founder and CEO of Luca Dini of Design & Architecture, accepted the award and took part in the panel “The Island That Will Be”, where he discussed Sindalah’s development alongside project partners Technogym, Stefano Ricci S.p.A. and Alpemare. The collaborators brought their expertise to several of the island’s leisure and hospitality venues. Technogym created the Sports Club, Stefano Ricci developed the Yacht Club and Alpemare contributed to the beach facilities on nearby Shushah Island.

From the left: Maria Cristina Sabatini, journalist and presenter; Luca Dini, founder and CEO of LUCA DINI Design & Architecture; Cinzia Garibaldi, PR and Communication FP Art; and Antonella Cotta Ramusino, artistic director of the Blue Design Summit. (Photo credit: Image Building)

“Sindalah Island is a jewel where luxury and nature come together—a place we were able to bring to life also thanks to all the partners who contributed their expertise to a shared vision,” Dini stated.

From the left: Fabio Giannotti, General Manager of Alpemare; Cristian Brugnoli, Architecture & Interior Design Director at Technogym; Luca Dini, founder and CEO of LUCA DINI Design & Architecture; and Filippo Ricci, Co-CEO and Creative Director of Stefano Ricci S.p.A. (Photo credit: Image Building)

Technogym’s Architecture & Interior Design Director, Cristian Brugnoli, noted the importance of including wellness from the conceptual stage. Filippo Ricci, Co-CEO and Creative Director at Stefano Ricci S.p.A., described the Sindalah Yacht Club as a combination of Italian excellence and Saudi innovation. Alpemare’s General Manager, Fabio Giannotti, highlighted the brand’s aim to bring a holistic lifestyle experience to Shushah Island, offering activities related to wellness, dining and events.

Sindalah Island has already welcomed its first guests, having opened in October 2024. The island is set to become a yachting destination in the Red Sea. The Blue Design Award affirms Luca Dini’s vision and the project's success in redefining luxury through sustainable design and international collaboration.