Hemmingways Hotel

In the African paradise of Kenya an escape from the hot midday sun is essential, so owners of the Hemmingways Hotel in Watamu approached Architen Landrell to design and manufacture a Hyperbolic Tensile Canopy to give shading at the poolside bar.

The design and engineering was carried out entirely by Architen Landrell taking into account the extreme weathers that Kenya can experience. Not only blistering sun but also a powerful monsoon season plague the country and had to be integrated into the design of the poolside canopy. PVC coated polyester was chosen as a reasonably priced material, within the clients budget, and as a tough material capable of surviving the African weather.

The hyperbolic shape was chosen to provide maximum shade and a sense of enclosed space without actually creating a room. The pool and its beautiful surroundings can be viewed from the bar, so parents can watch their children and holiday makers can enjoy the sunset over the Kenyan skyline.

Not all aspects of this canopy were quite so idyllic, however. Architen Landrell had to be careful to design the canopy to be installed by local labour without the assistance of any plant such as cranage.