ZAFIR-HOTEL

Idea projektu

This eco-luxury hotel in El Quseir, Egypt, is conceived as a climate-responsive retreat that transforms the death of coral reefs into an architectural narrative of renewal and resilience / Drawing inspiration from eroded reef formations, sand dunes, and coastal winds, the project employs organic geometries and passive environmental systems to create a bio-integrated hospitality experience / The building skin is designed as a multi-layered system that harvests dew and sea mist through fog-catching mesh, channels moisture through grooved facades and nano-pathways, and cools interior spaces using evaporative techniques — all while referencing traditional materials like palm fronds and lime plaster / Set within a fragile coastal ecosystem, the hotel aims to regenerate its context through low-impact construction, thermal comfort strategies, and cultural continuity / Its objectives include ecological healing, the revival of local craftsmanship, storytelling through spatial sequence, and creating meaningful connections between global visitors and the local community / Ultimately, the hotel stands as a living system — one that collects, breathes, shades, and remembers.

Popis projektu

The scope of the project solution encompasses the design, integration, and implementation of an eco-luxury hospitality complex that responds holistically to the environmental, cultural, and climatic conditions of El Quseir. It involves the development of an adaptive building skin that passively collects moisture, regulates interior temperatures, and minimizes energy and water consumption. The scope extends to the architectural articulation of space through organic forms that blend into the coastal topography, the use of locally sourced materials and traditional techniques, and the spatial programming of public, semi-public, and private zones to accommodate various user experiences. Beyond physical construction, the project also includes the creation of a narrative-driven spatial journey that educates, immerses, and emotionally connects guests with the region’s ecological and historical identity. This comprehensive approach positions the hotel not only as a destination for luxury and rest but as a climate-resilient and culturally embedded solution.

Technické informace

The technical specification of the project centers on a multi-layered, climate-adaptive architectural system designed to function efficiently within El Quseir’s arid coastal environment. The structure employs a combination of reinforced concrete slabs and shear walls for stability, integrated with a lightweight steel truss box system to span open spaces and support the dynamic building envelope. The façade features grooved lime-based plaster surfaces embedded with nano-channels for water flow, combined with fog-harvesting mesh membranes and palm frond shading elements that reduce solar gain and enhance evaporative cooling. The building integrates a passive water collection and redistribution system, directing condensed dew and mist from the façade into subsurface storage for landscape irrigation and greywater use. Interior finishes utilize breathable, low-thermal conductivity materials to maintain ambient comfort without mechanical intervention. The project also incorporates minimal excavation techniques to preserve the natural topography, alongside modular detailing for ease of maintenance, material efficiency, and long-term resilience in a corrosive marine climate.