Architecture—02 / 24

Playa

North Coast, Egypt/Hotel & residences/2021 — 2024/Alchemy Design Studio (for The G Developments)

Massing, solid-to-void and façade articulation set as rules first — so that scale, privacy and the beach view survived every unit type.

Playa — A common language of arches and shaded terraces holds the beachfront homes together. — 01A common language of arches and shaded terraces holds the beachfront homes together.

Location: North Coast, Egypt
Year: 2021 — 2024
Sector: Residential / Hospitality
Scope: Concept design — RIBA Stages 1–2
Status: Handed over

My contribution

My role: Senior Design Architect
Responsibility: Concept design — RIBA Stages 1–2

Key contributions

Led the concept design phase (RIBA 1–2)
Managed the master coordination file across unit types
Defined the design framework
Oversaw unit layout development
Guided façade and material studies

The project

On a masterplan of this size, coherence is a system, not a style. The design framework fixed the terms — massing, solid-to-void relationships, façade articulation, shading devices, arches, textured finishes — and unit layouts were then developed inside it, balancing area efficiency, privacy, orientation and beach-facing views.

Multiple designers worked to that framework through a single coordination file. The project has been handed over.

Playa — Repetition establishes the row; changes in solid and open bays give each unit its own threshold. — 02Repetition establishes the row; changes in solid and open bays give each unit its own threshold.

Playa — On site, the timber screens and deep reveals bring the façade framework into built detail. — 03On site, the timber screens and deep reveals bring the façade framework into built detail.

03On site, the timber screens and deep reveals bring the façade framework into built detail.

Playa — The completed arcade makes the passage along the homes a sheltered part of daily life. — 04The completed arcade makes the passage along the homes a sheltered part of daily life.

Playa — The built row follows the lagoon edge, keeping the ground-floor terraces close to the beach. — 05The built row follows the lagoon edge, keeping the ground-floor terraces close to the beach.

05The built row follows the lagoon edge, keeping the ground-floor terraces close to the beach.

Playa — Across the completed lagoon, the repeated bays read as one continuous waterfront. — 06Across the completed lagoon, the repeated bays read as one continuous waterfront.

Playa — The arch makes a small outdoor room within the depth of each ground-floor façade. — 07The arch makes a small outdoor room within the depth of each ground-floor façade.

07The arch makes a small outdoor room within the depth of each ground-floor façade.

Playa — Planting occupies the threshold between private terraces and the common lawn. — 08Planting occupies the threshold between private terraces and the common lawn.

“Coherence is a system, not a style.”

Playa — A low building line leaves the lagoon and the sky dominant in the shared landscape. — 09A low building line leaves the lagoon and the sky dominant in the shared landscape.

09A low building line leaves the lagoon and the sky dominant in the shared landscape.

Playa — A band of sand separates the homes from the water while keeping access direct. — 10A band of sand separates the homes from the water while keeping access direct.

Playa — The corner turns the same façade rules towards two stretches of waterfront. — 11The corner turns the same façade rules towards two stretches of waterfront.

11The corner turns the same façade rules towards two stretches of waterfront.

Playa — The lagoon creates shared frontage for homes beyond the outer beach edge. — 12The lagoon creates shared frontage for homes beyond the outer beach edge.

Process

A framework for the beachfront: the masterplan, lagoon clusters, sections and enlarged landscape details set clear rules for massing, solid-to-void relationships and façade articulation across every unit type.

DWG 01Masterplan — the lagoon network brings a water edge into the depth of the residential site.
DWG 02Cluster plan — the selected neighbourhood wraps around its own shared lagoon.
DWG 03Landscape plan — activity areas punctuate the continuous route around the water.
DWG 04Beach plan — dining, planting and shaded seating mediate between the residences and the shore.
DWG 05Beach section — dining, walking, running and cycling are given distinct bands along the coast.
DWG 06Landscape section — planting and changes in level define the spaces beside the lagoon.
DWG 07Enlarged study — the lagoon's end becomes a gathering place with shade, seating and planted edges.

Colophon

Location: North Coast, Egypt
Year: 2021 — 2024
Sector: Residential / Hospitality
Typology: Hotel & residences
Scope: Concept design — RIBA Stages 1–2
Status: Handed over
Role: Senior Design Architect
Client: The G Developments
Storeys: G+1 / Masterplan
Software: AutoCAD, Revit, Adobe CC