Entebbe Hotel and Convention Center will be located between Entebbe City and Kampala City in Uganda. The project takes its inspiration in the Uganda National Logo: Power of Sun, Nature and Sun.
The Sun is the centre of our solar system and what gives life to our planet. It generates the rhythm of people's, animals and nature life. Season and weather follow the Sun as a child follows his mother's steps. The generating force of Sun invade our project through Nature, and it follows the shape of the landscape, which flourishing grows around the project structure, within the Hotel and the Convention Centre.
The Nature is represented in its symbol through the crested crane, with its colours all present in Uganda national flag, the Ugandan knob, the green mount which represents the fertile land where the Nile river flows and finally the lake Victoria's waves, one of the most astonishing lakes in the world. The strong meaning of the national symbols also become project elements, as the hill is divided into natural terraces that flow like the waves of lake Victoria, and give shape to the entire project and the individual buildings.
The shield and the spears are the symbols of the willingness of Ugandan people to defend their land while the drums refer to the traditional ceremonies and dances that gather people together.
The drums are the main instruments of traditional African rituals, calling from distance and bringing people next to each other.
In the same way, the conference centre, which brings together culture, science education and politics from all around the world, rise like a tree from the hill and it's protected outside from a shell that symbolically resembles the drum, giving to this part of the project the most importance. This building becomes the heart of the project, like a giant pulsating drum, gathering people together from all over the African world.
The plot area is located on a natural sloped land with a difference of 40mt. This difference becomes itself a project element which identifies and characterize forms and functions. The colour palettes are inspired by local Nature, creating a strong synergy between the natural and artificial environment, a connection that utilizes Nature and respects it at the same time.
The natural slopes of the terrain have been levelled using terraces to create three main landscape areas: the main parking area adjacent to the southern bypass highway, the convention centre drop-off and the hotel facilities outdoor area.
The relationship of the project with lake Victoria is highlighted through the design with the introduction of water elements creating a visual continuity in the landscape from the top of the hotel area to the lake.
All the hotel buildings are not more than 2 floors high and they are placed into the landscape at different levels in order to create multiple viewing angles from the rooms to the lake, and to blend into the landscape. This configuration also creates a "wave" pattern similar to the symbol of Victoria Lake in the Uganda crest.
The Convention Centre becomes the heart of the project because it embraces all the significant aspects of this territory and Uganda symbol. Its round shape recalls the Sun, source of life and nutrition; Its particular interior form resemble the great trunk of a baobab tree, a symbol of strength and possece, while its outside shell reminds of the patterns of the drum symbol and the traditional decorations Uganda's people.
In front of the entrance of the Convention Centre and in front of the boutique hotel complex was created a frame with a traditional pattern as a filter between the inside and the outside. These elements recall the intrinsic culture and craftsmanship present the territory, giving to the project a strong connection with the real essence of the place.
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