To develop a 22 Story Landmark Hotel for the Visiting Heads of State, High level Summits and Conferences in The Gambia.
- To develop a landmark structure on the beaches of Gambia which blends with its immediate Environment.
- A form which is derived from nature and which belongs to the Site.
- A building which uses modern day technologies and yet is close to nature.
- The word “Landmark” in this (The Gambian) Context carries a lot of significance. In the context of a virgin and natural landscape like the Gambian Beaches, the most suitable choice of a built form would have been a two storied below the palm tops, structure that would homogenize the local landscape.
Here in contrast our design brief was to conceive a landmark building, there the word “Landmark” holds great significance and meaning.
Based on the above stated detailed studies we concluded that examples chosen from nature ie the flower petals of the Sydney opera house, the Lotus Flower of the Bahai Temple in New Delhi and the planetarium in Spain which derives inspiration from an Eye are
Based on the above stated detailed studies we concluded that examples chosen from nature ie the flower petals of the Sydney opera house, the Lotus Flower of the Bahai Temple in New Delhi and the planetarium in Spain which derives inspiration from an Eye are
- Brilliant Landmark Structures
- A remarkably high visual retention value and above all
- Blend extremely well with their immediate surroundings.
Since time immemorial architecture has been drawing strength from natural forms and interpreting them into built forms. These structures also do not date, lose their appeal or get dwarfed by any construction/ development that might overshadow them in the urban context.
Having decided in favour of a natural form as against other architectural or engineering forms in our context the choice of a natural form was very simple almost an automatic choice, that of a Pearl in an open shell- a Clam Pair.
Thus, the Pearl of the Atlantic was born on the white and beautiful beaches of The Gambia.
A 22 Story high hotel building in the form of a Clam-Pair with a pearl nestled in between made an ideal form.
Having decided in favour of a natural form as against other architectural or engineering forms in our context the choice of a natural form was very simple almost an automatic choice, that of a Pearl in an open shell- a Clam Pair.
Thus, the Pearl of the Atlantic was born on the white and beautiful beaches of The Gambia.
A 22 Story high hotel building in the form of a Clam-Pair with a pearl nestled in between made an ideal form.
- A high Symbolic Value
- An Association of The Gambia as the “Pearl of Africa”
- For the Tourist Visiting the Gambia it is “The Pearl of the Atlantic”
- The Pearl is symbolic of a small but a very precious living being.
Architectural interpretation of the pearl into a hotel building was achieved with the lower shell of the Clam-Pair housing all the public functions like Banqueting, Auditoriums, Meeting Halls, Conferences, Exhibitions etc. with their related services.
The structural Configuration of the outer edge of the shell forms the backbone of our structural system with deep fins, all of them converging to form an excellent entry into the hotel.
The structural Configuration of the outer edge of the shell forms the backbone of our structural system with deep fins, all of them converging to form an excellent entry into the hotel.
- The top level of this shell houses the large voluminous Lobby, reception, Lounges and also serves as the base plate for the very dynamic ever-changing atrium.
- The Upper shell with the Atrium in the middle houses all the Presidential Suites, the service apartments, the offices etc.
- All these functions are centered around the Dynamic Atrium on the inside and beautiful vistas of the Atlantic on the Outside with private balconies and terraces with private pools.
- The Crown at the top of the shell houses the Spa and restaurant with an Infinity pool overlooking the Atlantic from the Vantage Point.
In between the two shells sits a 20-meter diameter pearl with a reflective pool around. This is the Exposition center for international meets, summits and conferences with panoramic views all round.
- A high Symbolic Value
- An Association of The Gambia as the “Pearl of Africa”
- For the Tourist Visiting the Gambia it is “The Pearl of the Atlantic”
- The Pearl is symbolic of a small but a very precious living being.