Sahel’s Shell House Nominated for Intl Design & Architecture Awards

Shell House, designed by Alchemy’s chief designer Mohamed Fares and located at Seashell North Coast, has been shortlisted for the Beach House Award in The International Design and Architecture Awards for 2022, hosted by design et al.

The coastal residence epitomizes the spirit of summer through interiors that blend with its environment- both in terms of space and time. In an exploration of colour, Fares paired interesting opposites in lively combinations that set a balmy tone to the design. “It is a bright and bold approach that defines the house as ‘fun and comfortable’,” Fares tells SceneHome.

When you step inside there’s no question that you’re vacationing in Sahel. A certainty that’s compounded by the materials used throughout Shell House. By layering different natural materials and textures, the building gains a sense of depth that pulls you into its vibe. “Coloured geometry contrasts the natural wood grain paneled archway,” Fares adds. “As a whole, the space is harmonious, organic and grounded in the present.”

But it’s not just about looking like you’re in Sahel. You also need to feel it. Fares incorporates the passing of the day into its design; natural lighting is deliberately spaced out to shift the atmosphere of Shell House depending on what time it is. The lighting shifts dynamically throughout the day and intensifies the warmth of the interior as the sun sets. “The visual elements are not compromised,” Fares explains. “Rather, they have facets that reveal themselves as time flows on.”

Fares caps off the atmosphere of Shell House through his furnishing, adding elements that inspire feelings of generosity and fun. “The outdoor space orbits around the signature plunge pool, abstracted as a dinner plate, with a submerged bench for bathers to remain connected with the rest of the house and its guests,” Fares says.

Along with a welcoming dining table, an open kitchen and an outdoor bar, the designer characterized the holistic habitat with a sense of playfulness by adding tropical flora and fauna to the ceiling and shaping the pool after a dinner plate.