SAOTA Concept Design Shortlisted For a WAF 2016 Award

WORDS Cheri Morris IMAGES SAOTA

SAOTA has had their concept design Sindia shortlisted as a finalist for the 2016 World Architecture Festival awards, in the Leisure Led Development Future Project category.

The resort estate, to be located in Dakar, Senegal, is inspired by the character and culture of West Africa. The luxurious accommodation is influenced by the traditional architecture of the semi-nomadic people (“fulbes”) living in the savannah areas of Senegal. The traditional hut housing has been reinterpreted in a contemporary way with a specific focus on sensitivity to the environment.

The 3 610 square metre baobab-filled resort nestled just outside the town of Sindia is comprised of dining areas, as well as central meeting and lounging areas. Private pavilion-like accommodation suites are dotted around a lake for enhanced privacy and evaporative cooling to ensure ultimate comfort and cool temperatures on hot days.

The resort structures also boast thick earth walls, cross ventilation, solar chimneys and plant-filled courtyards to ensure reduced thermal temperatures in the day and sufficient heat retention on cooler nights. Baobab-inspired structures hold up canopies that take direct inspiration from the use of traditional shade structures.

The project is headed by Stefan Antoni, Phillippe Fouché, Roxanne Kaye and Thabiso Nkoane. Phillippe will be representing SAOTA at the World Architecture Festival where Sindia will be presented to an international panel of judges and delegates.

View a few more of our shortlisted favourites here.