Anantara Zanzibar Cyrchfan Wyliau a Phreswylfeydd by Karla Seliman

Anantara Zanzibar Cyrchfan Wyliau a Phreswylfeydd by Karla Seliman is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Gwobr Arian A' Design Award in Lletygarwch Competition Category.

ArianLletygarwch· 2026

Anantara Zanzibar Cyrchfan Wyliau a Phreswylfeydd

by Karla Seliman

Client: Infinity Design and Architecture

Gwobr Arian A' Design Award Winner in Lletygarwch Category

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Visit Site View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Anantara Zanzibar Cyrchfan Wyliau a Phreswylfeydd

Mae Anantara Zanzibar yn brosiect cyrchfan wyliau a phreswylfeydd ar lan y traeth yn Nungwi, ar arfordir Zanzibar, yn edrych dros Gefnfor India. Mae'r dyluniad yn cyfuno treftadaeth leol â chysur modern. Defnyddir waliau wedi'u calchwyngalchu, drysau pren cerfiedig, sgriniau dellt wedi'u gwehyddu â llaw, a cherrig cwrel o ffynonellau lleol drwy'r cyfan. Mae cwrtiau, pafiliynau a ferandâu yn cysylltu mannau dan do ac awyr agored. Mae'r filâu yn cynnwys pyllau nofio preifat, pydewau tân suddedig, a deciau lagŵn. Mae'r cynllun yn arwain gwesteion o fannau cymdeithasol agored i encilion tawel.

The Recognition

About the Gwobr Arian A' Design Award

Mae Anantara Zanzibar Cyrchfan Wyliau a Phreswylfeydd yn enillydd Gwobr Arian A' Design Award, cydnabyddiaeth hynod fawreddog a roddir i ddyluniadau o'r radd uchaf, hardd a thrawiadol. Mae enillwyr Arian yn weithiau tra disglair a hynod greadigol sydd yn darlunio arbenigedd, dawn a chraffter rhagorol eu dylunwyr. Disgwylir i Anantara Zanzibar Cyrchfan Wyliau a Phreswylfeydd fod yn waith gwych ac esiampl, yn nodedig o broffesiynol ac yn ddwfn arloesol. Mae'r dyluniad buddugol hwn o Wobr Arian A' Design Award yn ddyfais hynod nodedig a edmygir sydd yn elwa ac yn symud ymlaen ffiniau celf, gwyddoniaeth, dylunio a thechnoleg. Mae Anantara Zanzibar Cyrchfan Wyliau a Phreswylfeydd yn greadigaeth y cenfigennir wrthi yn eang, sydd yn deffro dyheadau, yn cyflwyno teimladau cadarnhaol ac yn cynnau rhyfeddod a syndod.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: The Anantara Zanzibar Resort & Residences is a five-star beachfront development blending contemporary elegance with Zanzibar’s heritage. Architectural details such as limewashed walls, carved doors, lattice screens, and coral stone are paired with modern comfort. Spacious villas with private pools, sunken firepits, and saltwater lagoons highlight cultural authenticity while setting a new benchmark for luxury design in East Africa.
Dimensions & Packaging: Hotel suites range from 57.5–62 sqm, one-bedroom villas at 240 sqm, two-bedroom villas at 360 sqm, and three-bedroom residences at 485 sqm across two levels. The penthouse spans 175 sqm, while royal suites measure 115 sqm. All layouts prioritize ergonomic flows, generous indoor–outdoor connections, and Anantara’s global spatial planning standards.
Tags: Zanzibar, Luxury Resort, Branded Residences, Beachfront Villas, Swahili Architecture, Coastal Design, Tropical Retreat, Contemporary Elegance, Anantara, East Africa
Production Technology: The design employs locally sourced coral stone, mangrove poles, carved timber doors, and handwoven lattice screens, paired with modern construction methods. Finishes include limewashed walls, fluted wood detailing, brushed metal, veined marble, and weathered stone, all selected for authenticity, durability, and timeless appeal.
Design Challenge: The main challenge was balancing local craftsmanship and heritage expression with international five-star hospitality standards. Constraints included sourcing authentic materials, ensuring environmental integration, and adapting vernacular motifs to modern construction techniques. Overcoming these created a design that is both culturally grounded and globally aspirational.
Research: Architectural research combined contextual analysis, vernacular studies, and market demand assessments. Objectives were to fuse Swahili heritage with modern hospitality. Methods included site surveys, material sourcing, and cultural consultations with local artisans. Insights revealed demand for authentic ultra-luxury resorts in Zanzibar, shaping a design that bridges heritage and contemporary global standards.
Inspiration: The project is inspired by Zanzibar’s raw natural beauty and cultural heritage, reinterpreted through a lens of modern luxury. As design director Karla Seliman explains, the vision was “born from standing alone on the island of Zanzibar, as if it were deserted, imagining how I would build an entire city from its raw, natural beauty.” Guided by this approach, the resort was crafted as an extension of nature itself, with open, flowing spaces that blur the boundaries between indoors and outdoors.
Project Duration: The project is located in Nungwi, on the northeastern coastline of Zanzibar, overlooking the Indian Ocean. Development commenced with design studies in Dubai and Zanzibar and continues toward phased realization, supported by Minor Hotels and Infinity Developments.
Operation Flow: Spaces are designed as a sequence of sensory journeys, moving from open social areas to quiet retreats. Courtyards, pavilions, and verandas create natural transitions, while water features and native flora encourage exploration. Villas offer private pools, firepits, and lagoon decks, ensuring immersive and intuitive guest experiences.
Patents: Copyrights belong to Infinity Design and Architecture, 2025
Team Members: Karla Seliman (Design Director), Osama Al-Hajjar (Principal Architect), Rohit Al Manzalji, Isa Ahmed Isa, Bisher Alatiah, Yazan Zaem, Ian Iglesias
Image Credits: Image #1: Infinity Design and Architecture, Anantara Zanzibar Master Plan, 2025.