Accra Hotel, Ghana

Located near the airport in Accra, the Accra Hotel will be among the first five star hotels in Ghana. The program includes several conference rooms, a banquet hall, two restaurants, rooftop pool, fitness center and spa. In order to maximize exposure and accommodate the substantial program on a relatively small site, the building form is arrived at by taking the most efficient hotel layout (a rectangle) and folding it into a z-like form. It is oriented so that each surface is at a 45 degree angle relative to the path of the sun, reducing solar gain. Strategies for reducing solar gain are major drivers in the design due to the tropical climate in Ghana. The building has a one meter thick skin that houses structure, mechanical elements, and provides a deep recess for the windows which allows for passive shading of almost all direct sun while admitting ample daylight and views. The project is currently in the Schematic Design phase and construction is scheduled to begin in 2013.