Singita Kwitonda Lodge, Rwanda

The landscape design included key elements such as:

• A water management strategy that uses a system of culverts, fjords, weirs and wetlands to direct and slow water movement in an environment prone to extreme storm events
• An elevated central walkway connecting the individual guest rooms, which allows the natural hydrological functions to occur below while also serving as an interpretation walk for the reforestation program
• An endemic plant palette to reforest the agricultural land, with key species used as ornamental plantings around guest areas, all grown in a permanent nursery to support ongoing reforestation
• Dramatic feature stone walls that mimic the volcanic backdrop and control sightlines between guest rooms
• A suite of design elements that maximise locally available materials and draw on the skill-set of the local workforce
• Green roofs to around 70% of the buildings to minimise visual impact and create rooftop habitat.