Arboris Umsebenzi Oyinhloko: Ihhotela by Dimitris Potiropoulos is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Umklomelo Webhulonzi we-A' Design Award in Okuzenzakalelayo Competition Category.
IbhulonziOkuzenzakalelayo· 2026
Arboris Umsebenzi Oyinhloko: Ihhotela
Client: Undisclosed
Umklomelo Webhulonzi we-A' Design Award Winner in Okuzenzakalelayo Category
Verified Award Winner
Verify Award Status for #180089The Design
About Arboris Umsebenzi Oyinhloko: Ihhotela
Umbhalo Wencwadi: Imisele phezu kwendawo ephakeme yaseZlatibor, phakathi kwamagquma agingqikayo kancane, amahlathi, kanye nezindawo ezivulekile, umbutho weHhotela i-Arboris uhloswe njengendawo eyisikhungo esiyingxenye yenethiwekhi eneminqamula yobudlelwano bezwe kanye nezixhumanisi. Amavolumu ayo amathathu ayisiyingi athola ugqozi eStopica Cave, lapho izitsha ze-limestone ezingaphansi komhlaba zabunjwa zaba yizakhiwo eziyisiyingi ezenzeka ngokwemvelo. Le geometry ivumela ukuvuleka okuqhubekayo kwendawo ebonakalayo kuzo zonke izindawo, kwakha ingxoxo evuselelwe phakathi kwesimo esakhiwe kanye nendawo ezungezile.
The Recognition
About the Umklomelo Webhulonzi we-A' Design Award
Arboris Umsebenzi Oyinhloko: Ihhotela iwinile uMklomelo Webhulonzi we-A' Design Award, ukwaziswa okuhloniphekile kakhulu okunikezwa imiklamo ephawulekayo eyehlukaniswa ukudala, ubuhlakani nobukhali bengqondo. Abawinile beBhulonzi yimisebenzi enobuchule obukhulu nedala ngokumangalisayo eqinisekisa isipiliyoni esibanzi, umcabango nobuhlakani babaklami babo. Arboris Umsebenzi Oyinhloko: Ihhotela ilindeleke ukuba ibe yinto exatshwa kakhulu, edunyiswayo nethandwayo, enobungcweti obuphawulekayo nezinto ezintsha. Lo mklamo owinile uMklomelo Webhulonzi we-A' Design Award uhlanganisa izindlela ezinhle kakhulu ebuciko, esayensi, ekuklameni nasebuchwepheshe futhi uhamba phambili ngenxa yokunaka kwawo imininingwane. Arboris Umsebenzi Oyinhloko: Ihhotela iyanelisa izidingo ngokumangalisayo, ithinta izifiso, iheha imizwa futhi ikhanga ukufuna ukwazi.
Behind the Design
Press Kit
Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.
- Unique Properties
- The building geometry allows for uniform, panoramic openings in all directions, redefining the relationships between architecture and landscape. The three ring shaped formations develop around a central outdoor core, creating a kind of protected hollow. The circular courtyards function as vertical light wells while simultaneously extending the landscape into the interior of the buildings.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- The surrounding landscape is defined by a large water surface and extensive planting. The lake acts as the primary reference point, offering a calm, natural backdrop to the overall experience, while simultaneously contributing, together with the greenery, to a microclimatic regulation. The hard surfaces of the outdoor areas, composed of natural and recycled materials, allow for water infiltration, have a low energy footprint, long lifespan, and minimal maintenance requirements.
- Tags
- architecture, hospitality, hotel, Serbia, design
- Production Technology
- The extensive wooded landscape of Zlatibor directly informed the materiality of the project. The timber louvers of the facade imply the rhythm of the surrounding forest while providing solar shading and enhancing the energy performance of the building envelope. Integrated with glazed surfaces, the shading elements reflect the environment, allowing the building volumes to visually transform and acquire an almost landscape quality.
- Design Challenge
- The dialogue between ARBORIS Hotel and the natural landscape of Zlatibor emerges as a primary experiential element, defining the way the complex is conceptualised and takes form.
- Research
- The narrative is deeply embedded in a continuous process of hiding, revealing, and engaging between the user and nature. Within this interactive and creative approach, architecture functions as a mechanism of integration between modes of inhabitation determined by the landscape, movement patterns and views, constructing a coherent experience deeply connected to its natural surroundings.
- Inspiration
- On the elevated plateau of Zlatibor, among mildly sloping hills, forests, and open flat areas, the ARBORIS Hotel tourist complex is conceived as a node within a complex network of landscape conditions. The three circular volumes draw their inspiration from Stopica Cave, a system of underground limestone basins formed in natural circular geometries. The rationale of these concave forms served as an influence on the overall scheme geometry, distinct circular units organized around an internal courtyard, shaping a clear spatial character.
- Project Duration
- Design 2025
Location Zlatibor, Serbia - Operation Flow
- Τhe green roofs of the buildings, providing outdoor lounging areas and viewing points, contribute both to the environmental performance of the complex and to the perception of a continuity across the landscape and the built forms. Although distinct in presence, the three buildings are integrated into the plateau s ecosystem, interact with the landscape and emphasize the natural character of the terrain.
- Team Members
- Architectural Design Potiropoulos+Partners
3D Visualization Potiropoulos+Partners - Image Credits
- Architectural Design Potiropoulos+Partners
3D Visualization Potiropoulos+Partners
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