Kisawa Sanctuary: the world’s first luxury hotel made with 3D-printed sand

Luxury accommodation is becoming more and more focused on sustainability and integration with the culture and environment of the country where the hotel is located. A perfect example is Kisawa Sanctuary, an innovative resort that will open in summer 2020 on the white sandy beaches of the island of Benguerra, in Mozambique. It is a unique building, inspired by the local straw-roofed houses and built with 3D-printed sand. The process is relatively simple: a computer-generated project is sent to a 3D printer, where it is divided into levels. The printer jet then extracts the required material, this time sand and seawater mortar, and pipes it out to create the structure from the bottom up.

"My mission for Kisawa is to create a level of hospitality and design that – to my knowledge – does not exist today, a place that inspires feelings of freedom and luxury born from nature, space and true privacy. We have used design as a tool, not as a style, to ensure Kisawa is integrated both culturally and environmentally into Mozambique."

Nina Flohr, responsible for the creative direction of the estate, explains how Kisawa redefines the concept of luxury with its conscious design approach that employs local craftsmen and materials to preserve the island's environment and culture. She also says she plans to implement 3D technology at the Bazaruto Center for Scientific Studies, printing supports for coral reefs and marine habitats.

Kisawa Sanctuary is a combination of twelve bungalows, located in 750 acres of forest, beach and sand dunes. Each of them can have one, two or three bedrooms and is uniquely furnished thanks to the works of carpentry and textile craftsmen of Benguerra. It also has a private one-hectare plot of land which guarantees maximum privacy, its own beach, private swimming pool, shaded living area with an outdoor kitchen, a massage cabin and a pantry provided according to guests' preferences. Other services include multiple snack bars throughout the hotel, two bathing areas, a lagoon-style swimming pool, a beach bar, a library and a lounge on the main terrace. For those who want to relax there is also an independent spa specializing in traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurveda.

Prices start at $5,500 per night for one-bedroom bungalows. Included is also a 24-hour staff, private chef, spa, diving, a marine safari, and access to your own electric vehicle and e-bike.