Cape Town-based architectural practice SAOTA in association with AARS Architects have designed the Radisson Blu Hotel project. The hotel design was completed in 2009 and is located in Dakar, Senegal.
According to the architects: “Overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and tucked away in the Fann Corniche, the new Radisson Blu Hotel is a contemporary expression of Senegalese Style. The hotel was commissioned by the Teylium Group and forms part of a larger development which includes designer retail stores, apartments, spa, cinemas and a bowling alley. The brief called for 180 suites, a fine dining restaurant, an all-day restaurant, conference facilities, meeting rooms and admin facilities.
“The corniche is an important public facility and a condition of the development was that the bulk of the building needed to be
developed below road level. The building was developed to take full advantage of the ocean views towards the West. The
dramatic entrance with quadruple volume foyer space and spiral staircase is the primary node connecting the rooms to the pool
and restaurant levels below and the conferencing facilities. The Filini fine dining restaurant overlooks the pool and the Main
entertainment terrace, and opens up to a terrace providing a vantage point to appreciate Dakar sunsets. The feature aluminium
screens articulate the facades and prevent excessive heat gain.
The interior design was overseen by Antoni Associates. The interiors act as a fusion between the minimal contemporary architecture and the strongly emphasised contemporary African aesthetic. Natural materials such as stone, rock, wood and sandstone are contrasted with strong African forms, motifs, embellishments and striking earth coloured tones. Scale, form and texture are key elements and allow the interior spaces to become vast neutral toned canvases on which Pan African art and artefacts are displayed.”
Images courtesy of Jon Case & Vauban Radi
