Images by Fox Browne Creative
If you want to get a dream African experience, you have to start thinking of Sossusvlei Desert Lodge in the middle of Namib Desert in Namibia. The exclusive ground level structures was designed by Fox Browne Creative in partnership with Architect Jack Alexander, as an initiative of andBeyond, the lodge offers a unique African hotel experience as the project’s brief entailed the clever repurposing of an existing building from the 1990s to create a contemporary yet timeless architecture, while staying appropriate to the incredible natural landscape.
The architectural gestures are simple and sensitive to the desert landscape
Designer Fox Browne and Jack Alexander’s concept was to embrace the natural topography and colors of the desert through exclusive architectural gestures that are sensitive to the landscape with a series of geometric lines that are made from glass, rock and steel, in line with the organic curves and natural forms of the surrounding hills and sand dunes.
Following the intent of the design team to create exclusive experience for the visitor, the structures were designed in line with the natural setting to minimize human impact on the sensitive environment as the intended purpose were achieved through the intentional repurposing of the original 1990s buildings by crafting a contemporary, and befitting series of spaces accommodating the natural materials and a sense of desert-inspired luxury.
Blending in with the natural environment, the guest suites overlook the vast desert
To ensure the lodge is totally self-sustained, the design team clad the roof in PV panels which allows the buildings to harvest the harsh temperature of the natural environment that is used to create enough energy through the sun for the exclusive resort. Then the power generated is used to power a series of environmentally responsive air-conditioning and water recycling systems to ensure that the resorthas a positive impacts on the environment that inspired its design.
Externally, the roofs have been clad in PV panels, allowing the buildings to harness solar energy
According to Debra Fox, the principal owner of Fox Browne Creative. ‘We are immensely proud of what we have accomplished as a team providing a luxurious guest experience while minimizing the impact on the extremely sensitive and natural environment.’
The guest suites have been designed to harness the very harsh conditions of the desert and use it to create solar energy
Designed by Fox Browne Creative, the color palette of the interiors is inspired by the natural landscape
Skylights in the bedrooms allow guests to stargaze Africa’s only ‘dark sky reserve’
One of the outdoor dining areas at the lodge, boasting incredible views
An outdoor fire on the veranda of the star dune suite
Floor plan of the main guest lodge at andbeyond’s Sossusvlei Desert Lodge
Diagram of the roof shades designed by architect jack alexander
Project Info:
Project Name: Sossusvlei Desert Lodge
Location: Namib Desert, Namibia
Client: andbeyond
Interior Design: Fox Browne Creative
Collaborating Architect: Jack Alexander