Situated in the idyllic southern village of Kawkaba, the project is an ecolodge resort comprising twelve suites in a sloping site commanding magnificent views towards the “jabal el-cheikh” mountain range.
The client’s brief strongly focused on sourcing available materials, local craftsmanship, and sustainability.
In terms of masterplanning, an access road is discreetly tucked on the upper edge of the property while the pavilions are spread within the topography in such a way as to maximize views while maintaining privacy. Moreover, each room is anchored by an existing olive tree which becomes a feature in the private entrance courtyards. These courtyards, lower in level, are linked by natural steps to a winding pedestrian passage looping all the way back to the lobby.
The architecture itself takes its cues from the traditional agricultural terraces. Hence local stone is extensively used in several configurations: debbecheh for enclosures and gabion for earth retaining walls. Each pavilion is carefully embedded within the topography to minimize excavation. The space of the room is wrapped inside out in a ribbon of debbecheh stone leaving a generous glazed facade towards the main view and a green roof topping the suite.
The lobby is simply a floating concrete green roof resting on a gabion retaining wall with a perimeter of glass open onto the lounge terraces outside and a natural swimming pool.
Consequently, upon arrival at the resort, one only perceives rectangular patches of landscape cascading down the slope.