The Sofitel Tamuda Bay has recently undergone a transformation with GM Architects reinterpreting Moroccan architecture for this resort project. Tamuda Bay, just 20kms east of Tangier, offers a genuine experience in French art de vivre combined with the refinement of an authentic Moroccan style.
The Sofitel Tamuda Bay is situated amongst the beautiful Moroccan beaches of the Mediterranean with stunning backdrops of the Rif Mountains. The local town of M’diq, 20 kms east of Tangier, is where the luxury five-star hotel was opened in June 2016. Spanning 38,128 square metres of total floor area, the Sofitel Tamuda Bay boasts 104 bedrooms and suites, five villas, and eight bungalows.
French-Lebanese Architect, Galal Mahmoud from GM Architects, drew inspiration from the Northern Morocco region, reinterpreted them for a modern luxury hotel, and integrated these references in his final design. Respectful of the local identity and culture, the shapes, textures, and colours of the hotels are reflective of its environs.
Tangier is famous for it’s Mediterranean palette of beautiful blue skies and stunning white sands. The blurring of lines in the landscape can be seen in the design and decor of the Sofitel Tamuda Bay. This colour fusion has been used in a dynamic pairing of contemporary art and glamour from the French Riviera and the charming traditional crafts and authentic lifestyle of Morocco.
The spirit of Tangier is found in the shapes, contours, colours, and even fabrics of the Sofitel Tamuda Bay. Open spaces and clean lines blend with the spectacularly arid landscape and blue horizons.
Resolutely contemporary in his approach, Galal Mahmoud drew inspiration from twentieth century artists whose paintings were highly in uenced by their stays in Morocco.
The hotel’s internal spaces pay tribute to the in uence of these artists in the choice of pigments, the rounded shapes reminiscent of Moroccan crafted objects, and even the blue birds of the Mediterranean Sea. In the hotel’s various spaces vivid colours contrast sharply with the bright white used in the marble chosen by GM Architects’ team.
“I design my architectural spaces, both interiors and exteriors, to be experienced as pathways to well-being, at one with their surrounding environment and the natural world.”
Galal Mahmoud
At the Sofitel Tamuda Bay guests indulge in a unique atmosphere of award-winning and dynamic decor. The blend of local colours imbues an enchanting setting while nearby marinas offer a festive and chic local experience.
Living out the good life, which is characteristic of the Mediterranean region, is at the root of Galal Mahmoud’s philosophy. Born to Egyptian parents, having lived in France, and with Lebanese citizenship, Gala Mahmoud’s approach and philosophy is well-being and multiculturalism.
With a deep interest in the history and culture of different countries, Galal Mahmoud says being chosen to work on the Sofitel Tamuda Bay was an easy ‘yes’. He says,
Having made the choice of a resolutely contemporary approach, I decided to draw inspiration from twentieth century artists whose paintings were highly in uenced by their stays in Morocco, in particular the rounded shapes, pigments, colours and, of course, local objects.
Whilst drawing on history for inspiration, Galal Mahmoud also used innovative materials and methods in order for his vision to be revealed. An example is the Plexiglas used to create the moucharaby screens implicit in the architecture. GM Architects designed the architecture and interiors to affect a smooth transition between indoors and outdoors for the greater enjoyment of guests.
More Information on Sofitel Tamuda Bay and GM Architects
GM Architects –www.gm-architects.com
Lebanon – gm-arch@gm-architects.com or hodal@gm-architects.com
Abu Dhabi – gmad-arch@gm-architets.com
SofitelTamuda Bay
Route de Ceuta, M’Diq 93200 – Morocco
+ 212 5397 16200 | Visit the website
Images courtesy of Sofitel Tamuda Bat taken by Luc Boegly and Christopher Gay.
About Galal Mahmoud and GM Architects
Galal Mahmoud graduated from the Ecole d’Architecture de Versailles in 1986, opening his first architectural firm in Paris in 1987. In 1996 he founded GM Architects in Beirut, specializing in the luxury hotel and upscale seaside resort markets.
The company employs 40 professionals including architects and interior designers and is managed by Galal Mahmoud in partnership with Randa Chahine, Anwar Hajj and Elie Waked.
GM Architects initially specialized in interiors for the luxury and residential markets. It has since branched out and its expertise now encompasses interior design, landscape architecture and site evaluation and analysis in seafront locations. The practice is currently working on a So tel in Morocco, a Sheraton Resort in Dakar and three hotels in Mykonos.
GM Architects is the only architecture and design company in the Middle East to work regularly with Accor, Rotana, Starwood, Jumeirah and Rezidor.
The ‘Museum of Civilizations’ project designed by GM Architects and presented at the 2014 Venice Biennale was selected for the ‘Future project of the year’ category at the World Architecture Festival, Singapore in 2014. In March 2015, it scooped the ‘Cultural Regeneration’ category at the 26th MIPIM Architectural Review Future Projects awards, before winning an ‘International Architecture Award’ in 2015.
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