Project Name: Radisson Blu Hotel
Location: Dakar, Senegal
Architects: SAOTA - Stefan Antoni Olmesdahl Truen Architects in association with AARS Architects SAOTA Project Team: Stefan Antoni, Greg Truen, Alexandra van der Stoep, Andrew Cunningham & Thabiso Nkoane AARS Project Team: Stephane Willig & William Dawson
Interior Design: ANTONI ASSOCIATES Project Team: Mark Rielly, Vanessa Weissenstein, Andy Malcomess & Ashleigh Gilmour
Completion Date: June 2009
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 Architecture and Decor were developed 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 & artefacts are displayed.
Photographs: Jon Case & Vauban Radi
Web Contacts: www.saota.com www.aainteriors.co.za www.okha.com
