Gheralta Lodge

Gheralta Lodge
© Nicole Cieri

GHERALTA LODGE

Giuseppe Tommasi + Nicole Cieri Architects

CLIENTS
Nature & Culture Plc

LEAD ARCHITECT
Arch. Giuseppe Tommasi, Verona, It, Contributor Arch. Damiano Zerman, Verona, It

CONTRACTOR
Elmi Olindo Contractors Plc, Addis Ababa, Et

MANUFACTURERS
Autodesk, Adobe, Renzo Serafini

LANDSCAPE DESIGN
Alberto Ballestriero

LIGHTING DESIGN
Gianandrea Gazzola

FURNITURE DESIGN
Giuseppe Tommasi, Nicole Cieri, Paola Viesi

LOCAL ARCHITECTS
Raas Architect, Addis Ababa, Et

ELECTRICAL DESIGN WORKS
Fastek Consult Plc, Addis Ababa, Et

SANITARY & MECHANICAL DESIGN WORKS
Sanmech Consult Plc, Addis Ababa, Et

PLASTERWORK
Guido De Luigi

PHOTOGRAPHS
Nicole Cieri, Paola Viesi

AREA
2000m²

YEAR
2014

LOCATION
Hawzen, Ethiopia

CATEGORY
Cabins & Lodeges

Text description provided by architect.

The project is born through the client’s desire to build a lodge completely disconnected from the frantic city life, where the guests could be surrounded by nature and enjoy the view of the spectacular Mountains, punctuated with rocky churches, of the Gheralta massif, in northern Ethiopia.

Gheralta Lodge
© Nicole Cieri
Gheralta Lodge
© Nicole Cieri

The lodge is designed bearing in mind the all-Italian concept of the “albergo diffuso”, which means literally “widespread hotel”.

Rather than being a single large structure, this receptive form consists of multiple smaller buildings, which are dislocated along the paths and lanes that become open-air horizontal connections.

Gheralta Lodge
© Nicole Cieri
Gheralta Lodge
© Nicole Cieri

Thus, allowing the total enjoyment of the surroundings, nature and architecture merge, offering breath-taking views.

The constructions take on the concept of the central courtyard, used in traditional local architecture.

Gheralta Lodge
© Nicole Cieri
Gheralta Lodge
© Paola Viesi

In a hostile environment burned by the sun and beaten by the wind, man seeks shelter.

Home is an enclosed space and the void on the inside is its fulcrum; the traditional patio is looking up to the sky.

Gheralta Lodge
© Nicole Cieri
Gheralta Lodge
© Nicole Cieri

To achieve a synthesis between modernity and tradition, as well as pursue a strategy of durability and cost reduction, it was decided to rely on local materials, the same ones used for centuries by the Tigrinya farmers:

dry-stone walls, wooden ceilings and green roofs.

Thanks to the exclusive use of this native technology, tailored for the semi-arid climate, comfort is guaranteed inside the buildings.

Gheralta Lodge
© Paola Viesi
Gheralta Lodge
© Nicole Cieri


Gheralta Lodge
© Nicole Cieri
Gheralta Lodge
© Nicole Cieri
Gheralta Lodge
© Nicole Cieri
Gheralta Lodge
© Nicole Cieri
Gheralta Lodge
© Nicole Cieri
Gheralta Lodge
© Paola Viesi


Gheralta Lodge
© Nicole Cieri
Gheralta Lodge
© Paola Viesi


Gheralta Lodge
Circular Plan
Gheralta Lodge
Reception Plan


Gheralta Lodge
Villa Section
Gheralta Lodge
Section


Gheralta Lodge
Site Plan
Gheralta Lodge
Villa Plan