BUSH & COAST RETREAT
Zimbabwe and Mozambique · Concept
Architecture · Interior · Landscape

A concept for a small hotel in two settings, following the route many travellers already take through southern Africa: time in the Zimbabwean bush, then on to the Mozambique coast.

In Zimbabwe, the hotel is a scatter of low pavilions set between existing acacia and baobab trees. Each suite stands on a raised timber deck, lifted just off the red earth so the ground and its planting stay undisturbed. Floor-to-ceiling glazing keeps the bush in view from every room, and deep timber roofs soften the midday light. Inside, honed limestone, slatted timber, linen and hand-woven textiles stay close to the colours of the landscape, with objects by local makers bringing the culture of the place indoors. Native aloes and euphorbia gather around the decks, and path lighting stays low so the night sky remains dark.

On the coast, the architecture changes to suit a brighter, more exposed site. White lime-rendered volumes sit behind the dunes, with deep overhangs and recessed balconies shading the glass from sea glare. Living spaces open straight onto timber terraces and the sand beyond.

Both settings share one intention: a place where attention can recover and the nervous system can settle, with the landscape doing most of the work.