The El Gouna resort was originally designed by Michael Graves in the late 1990s.
The colourful architecture of arches, domes and courtyards interprets the ancient local vernacular on a grand scale.
We were asked to refresh the existing 4-star Ocean View hotel, and achieve a 5 star rating.
Our approach was, in turn, inspired by the architecture of the existing.
The typical room's new central-axis generates a consequentially formal organisation of the room.
Rigorous symmetry provides a bathroom and separate dressing room off a central hall.
Repeating arches and niches remember the architecture of the hotel.
Local, natural materials and crafts - terracotta, rattan and embrodiery provide hand-made figurative relief.