Design concept: Puku Ridge, Zambia

For our latest TOPHOTELDESIGN exclusive, we take a closer look at the sustainable redesign of the Puku Ridge bush lodge in South Luangwa National Park.

Design concept: Puku Ridge, Zambia

by | 26 Nov 2021 | Design

Puku Ridge (imagery: © Scott Ramsay)

For our latest TOPHOTELDESIGN exclusive, we take a closer look at the sustainable redesign of the Puku Ridge bush lodge in South Luangwa National Park.

Luxury Frontiers oversaw the revamp of this remote getaway, with particular attention paid to using eco-friendly solutions.

A light-on-earth design concept

In 2020, Puku Ridge’s owner Chichele Safaris and operator Chiawa Safaris revealed a new look for the rebuilt South Luangwa National Park lodge, which was overhauled by Luxury Frontiers, the lead consultant, project manager, architect and interior designer for the scheme. The specialist in light-on-earth building concepts set about reinvigorating this already highly regarded lodge, which had fallen into disrepair after 15 years of exposure to the elements, creating a development that employs innovative solutions while also maintaining an intimate bush experience.

Following a 14-month renovation process, the main lodge and eight tented suites leading off it now pair luxury amenities with sustainable features designed to appeal to both new and returning guests.

Aiming to rebuild this lodge with a lighter footprint, Luxury Frontiers first removed the original site’s cement slabs and set about repurposing its other materials. The structure utilises lightweight timber and features carbon-neutral composite bamboo flooring, as well as a custom-built system for interior cooling.

A reflection of its setting

The lodge draws inspiration from the geographical contours of the land, with observation towers in each suite providing uninterrupted views over the surrounding wilderness and ‘star beds’ for guests who want to sleep under the stars. These towers are wrapped in woven canvas, mimicking the clay grain stores found throughout the African bush.

Each suite comes with a multilevel outdoor deck following the land’s undulations, with partial covering, an outdoor shower and a plunge pool creating the illusion of swimming in the floodplains. Blond timbers and a neutral colour palette reflect the surrounding landscape.

Eye-catching details within the interiors include a laser-cut map of Puku Ridge on the beds’ feature walls, sand-blasted oak furniture, solid wood pendant lights, knitted blankets and handmade brass door handles, as well as copper fixtures.

From the basket lights to artifacts and black-and-white imagery, local artisanship and design is celebrated in the main thatch and canvas building, which is distinguished by leafy patterns and shades of blue, and features a coffee bar as well as dining area. The space beneath this deck has been repurposed as the Puku Hide, providing the ideal spot for photographers.

For more info about this scheme, and to view an extensive gallery of hi-res images, check out Puku Ridge’s project page on the TOPHOTELDESIGN website.

Many TOPHOTELNEWS articles draw on exclusive information from the TOPHOTELPROJECTS construction database. This subscription-based product includes details of thousands of hotel projects around the world, along with the key decision-makers behind them. Please note, our data may differ from records held by other organisations. Generally, the database focuses on four- and five-star schemes of significant scale; tracks projects in either the vision, pre-planning, planning, under-construction, pre-opening or newly opened phase; and covers newbuilds, extensions, refurbishments and conversions.

Learn more

Related Articles

Hyatt Regency Cambridge new renovation by Campbell House

Hyatt Regency Cambridge new renovation by Campbell House

The design takes cues from the traditional, scholarly atmosphere of the nearby universities and combines this aesthetic with industrial details and eclectic furniture to create a playful environment for students, business travelers, and families alike.   Situated on...

Virgin Hotels previews second UK site

Virgin Hotels previews second UK site

Imagery courtesy of Virgin Hotels. Virgin Hotels has given a sneak peek at its upcoming Glasgow development ahead of its opening in December this year. Virgin Hotels Glasgow is the second site for the brand in the UK and will feature 240 Chambers spanning across 15...

Six Senses to open highly anticipated Swiss resort this December

Six Senses to open highly anticipated Swiss resort this December

Imagery © Six Senses. Six Senses Crans-Montana is on track for making its debut, just in time for the 2022-23 winter season, at the end of the year. The year-round slope-side property promises to combine vitality, serenity and adventure in a space featuring luxury...

Design concept: Shiroiya Hotel

Design concept: Shiroiya Hotel

Imagery © Katsumasa Tanaka. This week’s TOPHOTELDESIGN exclusive places the focus on industrial-chic Shiroiya Hotel featuring a man-made grassy hill. The 2020-completed hotel in Japan is the result of a collaborative design effort between several architecture and...

Boutique brand rebuilds historic houses for Japanese luxury resort

Boutique brand rebuilds historic houses for Japanese luxury resort

Imagery courtesy of The Pavilions Hotels & Resorts. The Pavilions Hotels & Resorts is relocating 19th century traditional kominka Japanese houses for a new luxury resort in Hokkaido. The Pavilions Niseko Resort will launch in Q4 2024, and the build includes...

Design showcase: Top 5 corridor designs

Design showcase: Top 5 corridor designs

This week’s collaboration with TOPHOTELDESIGN highlights the hotel hallways which make moving from one area to the next a fascinating exploration. We have chosen five properties which focus on the journey as well as the destination. These corridors not only lead to...

RELATED ARTICLES