MASK Architects built Africa’s first eco-tourism resort, which generates green energy and water for the community. BAOBAB Luxury Safari Resort is envisioned as a cluster of beechwood lodges with Air to Water technology powered by transparent solar device-covered curtain glass, inspired by the typology of a community settlement and the shape of an old baobab tree. The resort enables tourists to reconnect with the rich environment and interact with the wildlife that freely roams about the village, creating a quiet getaway anchored in nature.
The resort’s concept revolves around airy, design-savvy treehouse cottages nestled in the lush South African woodland. But that’s not all: These treehouses are meant to generate green energy and water for your stay, making it a first-of-its-kind resort. They will also provide water to surrounding towns as part of the company’s objective to improve infrastructure, agriculture, and industry on the world’s second-largest continent. The opulent treehouses will offer an upgraded vacation experience with a distinctively eco-conscious mentality, making them ideal for couples or families looking to reconnect with nature and wildlife.
The cone-shaped lodges, modeled after the prehistoric Baobab tree, appear to float in mid-air, despite being only 3.5 meters (11 and a half feet) above ground. You’ll enter the space through the condensation area, also known as the base of the shelters. Taking a spiral staircase one step up, you’ll find a living room with natural beachwood furnishings and floor-to-ceiling windows that flood the space with light. This level also has the primary bedroom and a balcony with views of the lovely surroundings. A sundeck two stories up is surrounded by your private panoramic pool.
The water-producing system will not only hydrate you during your stay but also help those in Africa who struggle to access water. When enough purified water is collected over time, it will be delivered to local communities via a distribution network, according to Mask Architects.
“With this project, our goal is to make the most basic need of water accessible rather than a luxury experience and to prevent hunger, thirst, and the diseases and deaths it causes,” the firm writes on its website. That’s a goal everyone can get behind.