Azure Zanzibar

Authors’ Comment

The Azure Zanzibar Project envisions the development of a seaside resort comprising vacation homes and complementary facilities, located on the western shore of the island, facing the sunset. Inspired by the local philosophy “Hakuna Matata” (“no worries”), the project aims to offer a relaxed, immersive experience in harmony with Zanzibar’s natural landscape.
The resort is designed as a pavilion-based system and includes various types of vacation units – with 1, 2, or 3 bedrooms – built both on land and over water, each featuring a private pool. Additional facilities include two restaurants (one on land, one over water), a spa and gym, an open-air cinema, a garden area for growing ingredients for the restaurants, communal pools, and an administrative area for staff housing and operations.
Architecturally, the design blends rustic, simple volumes with contemporary interior and exterior elements, creating a bridge between the world tourists come from and the one they are about to discover in Zanzibar. Local materials and traditional craftsmanship play a central role in the design: exotic woods (coconut, mango, teak), locally-produced masonry, makuti thatched roofs with natural ventilation, microcement finishes, and handmade furniture and decorations (rattan, woven palm leaves). Local labor is also encouraged and integrated into the construction process.
Challenging climatic and geographic conditions - such as high humidity, salinity, strong tides, and the absence of basic infrastructure - were addressed through adaptive sustainable solutions: solar and photovoltaic panels, rainwater collection and reuse (including greywater systems and firewater storage in pools), water supply through wells and desalination, and a biodigester-based sewage system that converts organic waste into valuable resources like gas and natural fertilizer.
Azure Zanzibar is more than a tourist destination - it is a model of sustainable, temporary living that respects the environment and integrates local culture. It offers visitors an authentic experience, deeply rooted in the natural and social context of the island.