Anantara Zanzibar Chaw So Siab thiab Vaj Tsev Nyob by Karla Seliman

Anantara Zanzibar Chaw So Siab thiab Vaj Tsev Nyob by Karla Seliman is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award Nyiaj in Tsim Kev Txais Tos, Kev Lom Zem, Kev Mus Ncig thiab Kev Ncig Teb Chaws Competition Category.

NyiajKev Txais Tos· 2026

Anantara Zanzibar Chaw So Siab thiab Vaj Tsev Nyob

by Karla Seliman

Client: Infinity Design and Architecture

A' Design Award Nyiaj Winner in Kev Txais Tos Category

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Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #177335

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The Design

About Anantara Zanzibar Chaw So Siab thiab Vaj Tsev Nyob

Anantara Zanzibar yog ib qhov chaw so siab thiab vaj tsev nyob ntawm ntug hiavtxwv nyob hauv Nungwi, ntawm ntug dej hiavtxwv Zanzibar, saib pom Hiavtxwv Indian. Qhov kev tsim qauv no muab kev coj noj coj ua hauv zos los sib xyaw nrog kev nyob yooj yim niaj hnub no. Cov phab ntsa pleev hmoov zeb sib, cov qhov rooj ntoo txaug, cov phab ntsa txaij xaws tes, thiab cov pob zeb coral nrhiav tau hauv zos raug siv thoob plaws. Cov tshav puam hauv nruab nrab, cov tsev pheeb suab, thiab cov qab khav txuas cov chaw sab hauv thiab sab nraud ua ke. Cov tsev villa muaj pas dej da dej ntiag tug, qhov cub hluav taws tob hauv av, thiab lawj ntawm ntug pas dej lagoon. Txoj kev npaj qhov chaw coj cov qhua mus ntawm cov chaw sib txoos qhib mus rau cov chaw so ntsiag to.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award Nyiaj

Anantara Zanzibar Chaw So Siab thiab Vaj Tsev Nyob yog tus yeej ntawm A' Design Award Nyiaj, ib qho kev lees paub muaj meej mom heev tshaj li qub uas muab rau cov qauv tsim qib siab, zoo nkauj thiab ua rau neeg xav tsis thoob. Cov neeg yeej Nyiaj yog cov haujlwm ci ntsa iab heev thiab tsim tshiab heev uas qhia txog kev paub, kev txawj ntse thiab kev ntse ntawm cov kws tsim qauv. Anantara Zanzibar Chaw So Siab thiab Vaj Tsev Nyob xav tias yuav yog ib qho haujlwm zoo kawg nkaus uas tsim rau qhia, tshaj lij heev thiab tsim tshiab tob. Cov qauv tsim yeej A' Design Award Nyiaj no yog ib qho khoom tsim uas pom tseeb heev thiab neeg qhuas uas pab tau thiab nthuav dav ciam teb ntawm kev kos duab, kev tshawb fawb, kev tsim qauv thiab thev naus laus zis. Anantara Zanzibar Chaw So Siab thiab Vaj Tsev Nyob yog ib qho khoom tsim uas neeg coob xav tau, uas ua rau xav, coj kev xav zoo thiab ua rau xav tsis thoob thiab xav paub.

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.