Anantara Zanzibar Deversorium et Domicilia by Karla Seliman

Anantara Zanzibar Deversorium et Domicilia by Karla Seliman is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Praemium A' Design Award Argenteum in Hospitalitas Competition Category.

ArgentumHospitalitas· 2026

Anantara Zanzibar Deversorium et Domicilia

by Karla Seliman

Client: Infinity Design and Architecture

Praemium A' Design Award Argenteum Winner in Hospitalitas Category

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Verified Award Winner

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The Design

About Anantara Zanzibar Deversorium et Domicilia

Anantara Zanzibar est deversorium cum domiciliis in litore situm, apud Nungwi, in ora Zanzibaris, Oceanum Indicum prospiciens. Consilium operis patrimonium locale cum commoditate moderna coniungit. Parietes calce dealbati, fores ligneae caelatae, transennae manu textae, et lapis coralinus e regione petitus ubique adhibentur. Atria, pavilliones, et porticus spatia interiora cum exterioribus coniungunt. Villae piscinas privatas, focos depressos, et tabulata ad lacunam continent. Dispositio hospites ab apertis locis socialibus ad quieta secessus ducit.

The Recognition

About the Praemium A' Design Award Argenteum

Anantara Zanzibar Deversorium et Domicilia victor est Praemii A' Design Award Argenteum, honoris eximie amplissimi formis summi generis, pulchris et conspicuis dati. Victores Argenti opera valde splendida et creandi ingenio praedita sunt, quae praestantem peritiam, talentum et acumen auctorum suorum ostendunt. Exspectatur Anantara Zanzibar Deversorium et Domicilia opus mirabile, exemplare, valde professionale et penitus novum fore. Haec forma Argento victa inventum notabile et admiratum est, quod ad fines artis, scientiae, formandi rationis et technologiae promovendos confert. Anantara Zanzibar Deversorium et Domicilia creatio est, quam multi invident, quae cupiditates excitat, sensus bonos affert et admirationem miraculumque movet.

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.