The client wanted a home that would live within nature, created by the acacia forest on his beachfront plot. The architects sought inspiration from traditional Swahili houses and selected entirely local materials, which were transported by boat, donkey and/or wooden cart. Plans were drawn directly on the ground, a freeform platform was laid, and ‘makuti’ (palm-leaf) roofing was woven into an indoor/outdoor residence, now a small luxury hotel, that winds its way through natural gaps in the forest. Beneath the roof, various cube-shaped coral stone constructions were inserted to create both private and public spaces, only the bedrooms being enclosed. Lime plaster was used for wall finishes. Sea breezes provide natural cross-ventilation.
Source: Aga Khan Trust for Culture
