Case Study: ABU ELDARAG RESORT
Client: Travco Travel
Location: Ain Sokhna, Egypt
Area: 420,000 m²
Scope: Master Planning, Urban Design, and Landscape Architecture

Project Overview 

Schaduf was entrusted with the comprehensive landscape vision for Abu Eldarag Resort—branded as Cavo Resort—a 420,000 m² coastal development in Ain Sokhna by Travco Travel. Positioned on elevated terrain overlooking the Red Sea, the project required a thoughtful, strategic response to the site’s dramatic topography and the client’s ambition to create a world-class destination.

Our role spanned the entire outdoor planning spectrum—from initial master planning and urban design to landscape architecture and spatial experience curation. The objective: design a resort that not only respects its natural surroundings but elevates them, creating an immersive, walkable, and sustainable experience that appeals to both residents and visitors.

Challenges 

• Complex Terrain: The elevated site demanded a solution that could harmonize built elements with steep gradients, preserving both accessibility and aesthetics.
• Multi-Functional Program: Integrating hospitality, residential, recreational, and wellness zones while maintaining a unified visual identity.
• Sustainable Stewardship: Designing lush, welcoming environments that thrive in a coastal, water-conscious climate.

Solutions 

• Terraced Design Integration: We leveraged the site’s elevation to create cascading residential and garden terraces, blending built forms with the terrain.
• Central Circulation Spine: A thoughtfully designed pedestrian promenade weaves through the resort, connecting programmatic zones with shaded pathways, vibrant plantings, and gathering points.
• Program Zoning with Seamless Transitions: From tranquil wellness areas to vibrant commercial plazas, each zone was planned for clarity of use, yet unified through consistent materiality and planting strategies.
• Green Amenities with Purpose: Recreational facilities like the aqua park and sports zones were sensitively integrated to enhance utility without interrupting the resort’s overall tranquility.
• Wellness-Centered Landscapes: Yoga centers and wellness pavilions were placed within calm garden sanctuaries, surrounded by native plants, fragrant herbs, and water elements.
• Environmental Responsibility: Drought-tolerant planting, rainwater harvesting systems, and permeable paving contribute to long-term resilience and reduced ecological impact.

Outcomes 

• Functional Beauty at Scale: The resort now benefits from a cohesive landscape framework that enhances usability, walkability, and visual delight.
• Distinct Yet Connected Zones: Whether guests seek community or solitude, each space offers a curated experience while feeling part of a larger, harmonious whole.
• Increased Property Value: The early integration of landscape and urban design has added long-term investment value by improving liveability, marketability, and operational efficiency.
• Sustainable Legacy: The use of native vegetation and responsible water management aligns the development with modern environmental standards and future-proofs the site.

Conclusion

At Schaduf, we approach landscape not as decoration—but as infrastructure, strategy, and narrative. In Cavo Resort, our integrated planning and landscape design created more than just scenic views—it shaped a lifestyle destination that respects the land, elevates user experience, and unlocks long-term value for our client.

This project exemplifies our belief that every successful development starts with landscape thinking—where the land itself becomes a framework for innovation, sustainability, and human connection.