La Reserve

La Reserve is a hotel resort situated on the outskirts of Dakar, Senegal in a semi-arid landscape that is interspersed with Baobabs. The precise location of the Baobabs played an integral role in the design of the masterplan, along with the positioning of key-buildings on-site to create a dynamic and poetic relationship between these colossal trees and the resultant architecture. The entrance road to the project very intentionally winds between the Baobabs -elevating the sense of journey and weaves amongst them until reaching the main building/reception point that encircles the largest Baobab on the site. It is customary in Senegal for the largest Baobab in the area to be the central meeting point and this is further emphasized here. Architectural inspiration is drawn from the site, predominantly arranging buildings around the location of significant Baobab trees but also the very earth itself comprising of the clay-rich soil that is compacted to form Rammed Earth Walls that express the red coloration of the soil and lends a certain gravitas. Soil is also used to create large Earth Berms that further integrate the architecture into the landscape, intertwining with the buildings and creating sinuous forms that both hold and conceal the buildings from view to create uninterrupted views out to the natural landscape. Berms are also used to create tall naturally ventilated walkways, which extend upwards to create thermal chimneys whilst still allowing natural light in from above. Berms also have several practical benefits and are used as visual and noise barriers – as well as to conceal back of house functions. Vernacular architecture plays a vital role in lending cultural significance to the design. Cues are taken from the architectural typology of hut and kraal making - traditional methods of encircling and enclosing spaces are re-interpreted in a contemporary manner for the main building which consists of circles within circles – also a nod towards the fractal relationships predominant in vernacular African architecture. The Club Prive stage and Boma screen are created using traditional weaving methods, allowing for complex curved forms to be built locally and by hand, and creating employment for the local artisans. All the buildings, despite varying in form from one another, share a common thread in that they are underpinned by the same themes-that being an architecture that is very closely associated with the site via the use of natural material, Rammed Earth, Earth Berms and passive ventilation and cooling via thermal chimneys. This creates an architecture that is rooted in place, that not only respects its surroundings but elevates it, and promotes a closer connection to the landscape.