(Title)
Siwa Eco-lodge
(Year)
2023
(Area)
5,100 sq
(Type)
Hospitality
(Location)
Siwa Oasis, Egypt
(Firm)
KAL
(Role)
Principal Architect & Project Lead
The Siwan history is a rich amalgamation of varying ethnic and religious foundations.
Ancient Egyptian, Ancient Roman, Amazigh,
Islamic and modern Bedouin influences are present in the language, food, customs and
beliefs. And similarly, they have all left their marks, influencing the architecture of this
ancient oasis.
So, who is to dictate which architectural
language prevails?
The eco-lodge’s architectural concept does not stand as an homage to any single native reference. Instead, it represents a vernacular typology that is unlike any other in the area.
The eco-lodge’s architectural vision pays homage to what may best encapsulate the essence of the Siwan Oasis.
Outwardly, one experiences the rugged forms and rough finishes of an often harsh and desolate landscape, but from within, a pure ethereal mass of stillness and serenity is extracted, leaving the visitors of this Oasis haven with a similar sense of internal peace and serenity.
Inspired by the architecture of the Siwan Shali Fort in its stacked cubical forms, smooth edges and
finished with the classic Karshif materiality, Santar’s architecture references the massing, texture and condensed compositions of the
historical fort.
However, when a pure geometric mass is subtracted from within the vernacular cubical forms, the empty negatives that have been left behind are pure, perfect and brightly lit white spaces, representing the contemporary
influences of the project, whilst enhancing the serenity it aims to instill inwardly within its
occupants.
The final architectural
elements are the
asymmetrical conical light wells that have been directly inspired by the
incredibly unique
geological formations of the Siwan mountains. Coincidentally, they also represent some of the
earliest dome structures made by man.
With an exciting composition of Standard Guestroom Clusters, Private Suite Clusters and Villa Clusters, the eco-lodge’s user experience represents a vernacular village-like aesthetic, offering hotel and day-use guests a serene private Oasis within an Oasis.
Environmental Architectural Design Strategies Utilized:
- Conical domes to allow filtered daylight into the indoor spaces, reducing radiation exposure of the rood and enhancing passive cross-ventilation
- Intentionally positioned wall openings and windows for enhanced cross-ventilation
- Thick CEB walls fabricated on site to improve thermal envelope performance and minimizing construction carbon footprint and transportation costs to the remote Siwan desert oasis
- Cantilevered shade structures to protect the envelope from direct heat gain
- The Southern elevations utilizing characteristically small and deep windows for thermal massing and to reduce heat gain into indoor spaces
- Elevations facing away from the excessive heat gaining south elevations have been allowed to have larger operable windows to maximize vies of Lake Siwa and facing the prevailing winds
- Green roofs to improve thermal performance of buildings and reduce the rare but recently high volume storm water runoff
- Heavenly vegetated courtyards for improved cross-ventilation and to aid with heat gain and excessively dry air