Be a happy person from tomorrow
Feed the horses to chop wood to travel the world
Care for grain and vegetables from tomorrow
I have a house
Facing the sea, spring blossoms bloom
-Haizi-
The soft white sand is matched with the rising sun, and the sea breeze becomes gentle. As if the sea across the horizon is the closest place to the sky, we have sorted out four buildings facing the sea and fallen into the leisurely world together.
01
Whisper
Sarah Birkett&AdamHumphreys
Located on the secluded Nhamabue Peninsula in southern Mozambique, Sussurro opens the door to see the sparkling lagoon not far away, the warm sea breeze blowing the thatch under the eaves, and everyone in the middle of it can experience the ultimate experience of the Inyambane coast and vernacular architecture.
Without the need for carving, the turquoise waters of the Inhambane coast are already the hotel's best "courtyard views", and Sussurro's project leaders Sarah Birkett and Adam Hummphreys have taken advantage of the location to create a series of immersive experience spaces.
Sussurro has a total of 6 bungalows of about 90 m2, each with access to a private garden through a waterfront balcony. The hotel's public areas include a pool, bar, yoga platform and a relaxing dining space where guests can sample fresh, homegrown organic food.
Perhaps because both managers themselves are from Zimbabwe, which borders Mozambique, Sussurro has a more local flavor than a regular hotel. It is like an ode to African material culture, with melodious tunes that blend sea breezes and Mozambican wisdom. Sussurro's building materials are all native to Africa, and the red sand from the coastal cliffs is made into the walls of the building, and the warm colors contrast with the handmade clay pots. The interior design is full of details but not cumbersome, the furniture and decoration are made of local workshops, and the guests can follow these enthusiastic residents to learn the weaving process and experience the most authentic local customs.
02
KisawaSanctuary
Nina Flohr
Wilderness or paradise, Nina Flohr-led Kisawa Sanctuary depicts a picturesque and poetic world. Kisawa is a 300-hectare nature reserve located on the island of Benguela on the eastern coast of Africa, as part of the Bazaruto Islands, close to the WWF National Marine Park, facing the turquoise Indian Ocean.
The combination of innovation and tradition is evident in KisawaSanctuary, the world's first eco-resort built using 3D printed materials, where a mixture of sand and seawater is transformed into wall finishes, floors and masonry through a 3D printer for use in various parts of the building. At the same time, the 3D printing technology pioneered by Kisawa will also be used to create coral reefs and restore marine habitats. In addition to modern technology, the designers have infused the hotel with the vernacular soul of Benguela Island, from carpentry and traditional Mozambican textiles to thatched roofs, where every detail at your fingertips is a reflection of tradition, hand-made and folklore.
Staying in Kisawa Sanctuary is a special experience, with a private infinity pool in each room and an undisturbed secluded coast, where guests can picnic on the golden sand dunes while admiring the sea views, or hop on a traditional Mozambican dhow to wait for sunset and nightfall.
Flohr's vision is to ensure that the entire resort is culturally and environmentally integrated into Mozambique, making this wilderness a haven on Benguela Island.
03
Away
Vianca Sun
What is it like to live on a small island that has been left behind? Filipino interior designer Vianca Soleil built a private home close to nature on the island of Pro in The Province of Romblon and proved through two years of life on the island that this minimalist and pure life can equally make people feel happy.
In order to conform to the original landscape of the site, the overall layout of the residence is relatively free, and the living room, kitchen, dining room and bedroom are cut into several different cottages, interlaced in coconut groves. The openings in each building are large, a way to visually make the scattered cabins more holistic, while maximizing the view of the surrounding sea. The materials for building the houses are also taken from The island, and natural materials such as white grass, marble, and coconut tree wood are made and used by Vianca little by little, outlining the simple and natural atmosphere of the space.
Unlike the convenient and entertaining urban environment, the environment of Pro island will make people slow down, Vianca is accustomed to putting movies on the walls of the room, or collecting palm tree leaves to weave into straw hats, this "empty" life can make people resonate with the boundless world.
Vianca believes that this does not mean that people have to abandon the past, and that life on the island is not a siege, but an independent choice. In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, people should simplify their lives and meet the challenges of the future.