Canopy of Sofitel Hotel in Cotonou under construction

LOOS van Vliet designed the park around the prestigious Sofitel Marina Hotel and the conference centre CIC (Centre International de Conférences) in Cotonou, Benin. MOKE Architects designed the buildings. From the CIC, a pathway accompanied by organically shaped canopies leads to the entrance of the hotel. The canopy is designed to allow people to walk from one building to the next in dry conditions, without being obstructed by the tropical rains that are so common in Cotonou. The hotel and the canopy are under construction. Construction of the park will start in a month. The idea of the canopy comes from original green canopies such as palms and other tropical plants that serve as a shelter from rain or bright sunshine. The edges of the concrete canopies are tapered to improve their elegance. Rainwater is collected by the roofs and drained via the columns. Various heights and overlaps create a changing illumination. At the entrance of the hotel, the canopies are taller to create a majestic image and to provide access for larger vehicles. The construction of the canopies was completed last month. Now the white stucco follows. 11-03-2022

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