Location:

Mombasa, Kenya

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Baca Architects has designed a cocoa pod-shaped treehouse for an eco hotel located on a secluded Panama island, which is accessible only by boat. The practice was asked to design the treehouse as well as a larger residence for the Bíku Treehouse Retreat on the Bocas del Toro archipelago.

The chain of islands in the Caribbean Sea are known for their scenic natural parks, made up from forests and mangroves that provide a habitat for hundreds of species. The treehouse’s design aims to take advantage of the idyllic setting through a broad panoramic opening at one side of its bulbous form, splitting it in two like a cocoa pod.

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A bold sightseeing tower rises from the horizon line which is formed by a park’s palm trees signalling the position of the Tourism Activation Centre at Yanbu’s coast. As visitors weave through the park, the centre begins to reveal itself through its landscape design, sculptural seating and architecture lead visitors to the tower and the nearby building entrance. 

The sightseeing tower, 40m in height, features a lift and spiral staircase that elevates visitors to viewing platforms which afford panoramic views over the site and out to the Red Sea beyond.

Visitors can then enter the main buildings, containing the Visitor Centre Exhibition Spaces, Marina Area and Dive Centre.

The main building’s faceted façade sweeps forward and extends to demark different thresholds. Visitors are greeted by a welcoming reception desk which then leads into the map room - a part-physical/part-digital interactive map of the local region which will showcase regional attractions, both on land and water.

The sumptuous, soft, sweeps of the interior contrast the rugged and protective exterior. The brightness of the unforgiving sun slowly dissipates as the cooler colours and temperature of the interior blend into a digital and immersive environment.

From the map room, visitors can choose to go directly to the café, gift shop and/ or visit the temporary / permanent exhibitions.

The three elements of the building wrap around a west facing courtyard – designed to capture the Red Sea’s enigmatic sunset. A deep canopy, which frames the sun setting over the horizon,  shelters outdoor seating and links the exhibition area to the dive centre.

The Dive Centre is a Padi training academy and launch pad for more experienced divers. At the entrance, guests are greeted within a cylindrical space housing a reception and library. Beyond, are the rental equipment and fitting areas. At the upper level are teaching classrooms and offices.

Once provided with diving equipment, divers can enter a training pool like no other. The triple height space contains a fully compliant Padi-certified pool with depths at different plateaus catering for all levels of diver. The pool features a panoramic opening which forms a cinematic backdrop looking out to the Red Sea.  These spaces are directly linked to outdoor shower area, the marina promenade and to diving boats. Popular sites include Seven Sisters, best-known for its hammerhead sharks- though tiger sharks and tuna are often seen around the walls of coral too - Abu Galawa, a paradise island surrounded by coral grottoes, sharks and schools of barracuda and the wreck of the SS Iona, now a beautiful living reef.

At the heart of the development is courtyard complete with it’s own ‘Red Sea Pearl’ centrepiece.  The large sculpture refracts and reflects views around the site and acts as a great social media anchor. The landscape design ripples from the pearl to generate an informal amphitheatre.

At night, the sighting tower can act as a light beacon, casting projections onto the main building. Projections can cater for events ranging from cinema screenings to corporate branding; allowing the centre to promote, adapt and engage with its visitors.

A bold sightseeing tower rises from the horizon line which is formed by a park’s palm trees signalling the position of the Tourism Activation Centre at Yanbu’s coast. As visitors weave through the park, the centre begins to reveal itself through its landscape design, sculptural seating and architecture lead visitors to the tower and the nearby building entrance.

The sightseeing tower, 40m in height, features a lift and spiral staircase that elevates visitors to viewing platforms which afford panoramic views over the site and out to the Red Sea beyond.

Visitors can then enter the main buildings, containing the Visitor Centre Exhibition Spaces, Marina Area and Dive Centre.

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