Nom-Wane

Collaborative safari resort concept, Studio 5

A musician performs against illuminated shell-like forms in a lounge with a sculpted ceiling. — The entertainment lounge and performance areaInterior render

A collaborative safari resort proposal in Mtubatuba, KwaZulu-Natal. Our concept draws on rain, ancestral heritage and the surrounding landscape, using flowing roofs, arches, natural materials and water-inspired elements to connect arrival, shared spaces and private suites.

Design · Studio 5 · Collaborative project by Stephanie Waugh, Madison Falcke, Kerese Nair, Micah Muzzell and Mbusiwethu Mzulwini

A language of arches and flowing form

The concept explores a sequence of earth-toned spaces rather than a single enclosed room. Curving paths, arched openings and a sky-lit entrance carry that idea into the arrival experience.

Nom-Wane concept atmosphere image exploring a curved route through a sequence of earth-toned arches. — An early exploration of the arched interior sequenceConcept atmosphere

Nom-Wane entrance concept render with sculptural walls and a circular roof opening framing the sky. — The entrance and circular roof openingConcept render

Objects, craft and the boutique

The boutique combines a rounded central display with stepped shelves and a perforated screen. The two views show how the display furniture, ceiling and objects sit together.

Nom-Wane boutique concept render with a rounded display table, perforated screen and concentric ceiling forms. — The boutique and central displayConcept render

Nom-Wane boutique concept render showing stepped shelving and displays of ceramics and craft objects. — Ceramics and craft objects on stepped shelvingConcept render

Places to arrive and gather

The waiting lounge creates a more intimate pause before the larger shared spaces. Curved seating, suspended forms and warm surfaces continue into the restaurant proposal.

Nom-Wane reception waiting lounge concept render with curved seating and suspended sculptural pendants. — Reception waiting loungeConcept render

Nom-Wane restaurant outside concept render with curved furniture, screens and layered ceiling lights. — The outside restaurant proposalConcept render

The restaurant

Layers of woven forms, earth-toned columns and lighting give the dining space its character. Read this view alongside the outside restaurant and the main floor plan to follow the shared hospitality areas.

Nom-Wane restaurant concept render with earth-toned columns, dining tables and suspended woven forms. — The restaurant interiorConcept render

The couples suite

A lantern-lit route through trees leads towards the private accommodation. Inside the suite, rounded enclosures and a circular skylight carry the project’s formal language into the bedroom.

Nom-Wane couples suite concept render showing a lantern-lit bridge through trees at dusk. — The approach to the couples suite at duskConcept render

Nom-Wane couples suite concept render with a rounded bed enclosure, textured surfaces and a circular skylight. — The couples suite interiorConcept render

Research and setting

The research board brings together cultural and architectural references with guest profiles. The site analysis considers the Mtubatuba location, landscape, access and environmental conditions.

Nom-Wane research board combining a cultural and architectural timeline with guest profiles and experience themes. — Cultural references, guest profiles and experience themesResearch board

Nom-Wane site analysis board showing the Mtubatuba location, landscape, access, vegetation, sun, wind and noise. — Location, landscape and environmental studiesSite analysis

Developing the form

The concept sketches test flowing rooflines, arched openings, porous screens and paths. They show the visual thinking behind the more resolved spaces in the renders.

Nom-Wane concept sketches exploring flowing roofs, arches, porous screens, paths and arrival. — Roof forms, thresholds, screens and arrival routesConcept sketches

The shared spaces, drawn

The main building plan locates the arrival spaces, boutique, lounge and restaurant. The sections describe the changing ceiling heights and the relationship between rooms and roof forms.