Noom Hotel, a new landmark in Abidjan
Commissioned by Teyliom Hospitality to bring its vision of high-end African hospitality to life, South African architecture firm SAOTA has completed the Noom Hotel Abidjan Plateau in Côte d’Ivoire, a high-rise building whose layered façade is a contemporary extension of the city’s modernist heritage. The designers referenced local motifs in clean, streamlined forms, blending modernism with advances in regional identity in design and architecture.
In the vibrant heart of Abidjan, in the Plateau region, a striking silhouette has recently emerged from the skyline. The Noom Hotel Abidjan Plateau, designed by SAOTA, is more than a luxurious new arrival on the city’s hotel scene; it perpetuates, by reinterpreting it, the capital’s modernist heritage. Nicknamed the Paris of West Africa, Abidjan has always been an ideal canvas for architectural ambition. This tradition, rooted in the optimistic post-independence period, has seen the emergence of bold, expressive forms, symbols of progress and rediscovered identity. With its 179-room, 22-storey tower, the building is a contemporary extension of this lineage, responding to the urban and cultural context with a thoughtful, forward-looking design. With its asymmetrical articulation of windows and layered use of contemporary finishes, the tower’s façade is inspired by the rich tapestry of local craftsmanship – textiles, ceramics and other skills emblematic of the region. However, these elements are woven into a modern language that echoes the clean lines and rational forms of mid-twentieth-century modernism, creating a dialogue between past and present, between local identity and global aspirations. The Plateau is dense and dynamic, where space is precious and every square meter counts, so the challenge for the designers was to translate the open, expansive feel of previous low-rise Noom establishments into a vertical format, without losing the sense of connection with the environment. Concentrating social functions on the 7th floor, where guests can enjoy unobstructed views of the lagoon, was the right solution. This floor houses the main dining and entertainment areas, including a terrace and pool suspended above the city, offering a moment’s respite from the urban intensity below. The verticality of this 5-star gem is underscored by the dramatic three-volume entrance, which serves as a gateway to the mixed-use facilities inside – a generous conference podium, entertainment spaces and, of course, the accommodation itself. Clearly, the Noom Hotel Abidjan Plateau is more than just a project; it’s a statement of intent, a signal to the world that West Africa is ready to redefine the parameters of luxury and design in the hotel industry.
