04/03/2024
Speke Resort Convention Centre was commissioned out of the urgent need for an international convention center in the country, to primarily host the upcoming Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) summit and G77 summit scheduled for January 2024. It was noted that there was a need to have halls that could host upwards of 3,000 persons comfortably with close by accommodation and dining amenities.
The proposed conference center is a 5000-seater facility designed with a hybrid of both heavy and light-weight architecture. The building is positioned onto its site with direct respect to its immediate context, allowing it to directly coexist with the existing flora (palm trees) with direct connection to other adjacent exiting blocks i.e., Victoria ball room block in the west and Speke ballroom block in the east in a bid to tap into shared amenities.
Boosting a total gross area of 20,060sqm, the building is configured with four levels, i.e.; the lower ground floor with key areas for meeting rooms, VIP lounge and general services; the upper ground floor level with key areas for executive drop-off and arrival, pre-function, conference main hall and main kitchen; the mezzanine floor level with areas for, translation booths, offices and general services; and the first floor level with areas for conference gallery, pre-function, 1450-seater floating buffet restaurant, and a multipurpose hall.
The design intent was to draw precedence from the site’s immediate structures within the resort in terms of form and materiality. The building is finished in natural stone, exposed timber, and natural-theme shades of textured paint for longevity and timelessness.