Upon my appointment as the concept architect for the complete rebuild of Mokuti Etosha Lodge's public areas, my focus was on creating a cohesive and well-planned environment that enhances both operational efficiency and guest experience.
A key priority was preserving all existing trees, ensuring that the space planning worked harmoniously with the natural landscape.
By designing the hotel from the inside out, every element was carefully considered to create a natural flow between indoor and outdoor spaces, maximize functionality, and highlight the lodge’s distinctive surroundings. To further connect the design to its environment, I incorporated locally sourced natural stone, cladding select feature walls to enhance authenticity and reinforce a strong sense of place.
A major challenge was incorporating the expansive natural landscape into the design while preserving the towering trees and existing gardens. Careful space planning was essential to ensure that new structures complemented the surroundings rather than disrupting them.
Introducing water throughout the public spaces required careful consideration of sustainability and efficient circulation. The challenge was to create a visually striking and calming effect while ensuring practical water management.
The design needed to create a strong connection between indoor and outdoor spaces while maintaining guest comfort. Providing shelter from the elements while keeping spaces open and inviting required a thoughtful approach to layout and materials.
Capturing the vast, horizontal character of the Etosha Pan in the architecture required careful attention to scale and proportion. This was especially important around the pool bar and restaurant area, where horizontal design elements played a key role in reinforcing a true sense of place.
With Mokuti Etosha Lodge’s magnificent gardens and towering trees, I aimed to make nature a defining feature of the public area design. Restaurants, bars, and lounges were designed to open up, seamlessly connecting guests to the outdoor experience.
Water features were integrated throughout the public spaces, enhancing the ambiance and creating a sense of tranquility.
Strong horizontal design elements were introduced, particularly around the pool bar and restaurant area, reflecting the vast expanse of the Etosha Pan and reinforcing an authentic sense of place.
.svg)
