The Design
The Architect
July 2005 we found Ivan Sutila, an architect based in Tanzania to help us design the lodge. Ivan Sutila was born and raised in former Yugoslavia (Kroatia) and has lived in Tanzania for 30 years. He is best known for the award winning design of the theatre for the College of Arts in Bagamoyo. Since Sutila loves the sea and sea food and enjoys cooking, he decided to combine all his preferences and concentrated on designing exclusive hotels, preferable near the sea.
We worked together closely with Ivan during the whole building period which was a wonderful experience. The result you can see for yourself. Sutila’s designs are always organic, and inspired by the environment. At Unguja lodge the design was inspired by the setting and by our fascination for sea shells and the African village.
Sutila says:
‘I’m inspired by the sea and sea food. Also, I refuse to recognize that the world is black and white. The world is colourful instead.’
If you would like to see more of Ivan Sutila's work then take a look at his web page by clicking here.
The building
All the walls are constructed in the traditional manner using coral stones and lime. The roofs are built from wooden poles and makuti. Makuti are small mats woven from palm leaves. This material is used all along the East African coast. For doors and other woodwork coconut wood is used.
Specialised Zanzibari fundi’s (craftsmen) built the structures: Fundi Kombo and his workers were responsible for the walls and floors. Fundi Mohammed and his men built the roofs. They both worked with Sutila before, so they knew how to deal with the complex organic designs
The result is a successful combination of African and European styles. This blending is appropriate in Zanzibar which has a culture that grew out of a fusion of peoples and cultures: African, Arabic, European and Asian. The theme of adapting local styles continues within....
Inside the villas the sitting rooms follow the traditional Zanzibar design. The concrete benches, called baraza, you’ll find everywhere on Zanzibar. For your comfort, we’ve added cushions. In all villas you find a traditional Zanzibar bed in the loft. These beds were used by wealthy people in former days, like sultans. The beds were generally quite high, so a slave could sleep underneath!