above
The
contemporary
look of the
interiors is
balanced with
soothing
colours inspired
by the ocean.
right
The Manta
Ray Treehouse
designed by
artist Porky
Hefer.
below
Accommodation
at the resort
includes one- to
four-bedroom
villas.
I
n the Maldives’ Raa Atoll,
Joali is more than just a
dream hotel for sun seekers,
surrounded by white sand
beaches and pristine blue
waters. It is also the ideal
spot for contemporary art
aficionados hoping to catch a
glimpse of some spectacular
artworks while on holiday.
Featuring a series of
experiential art pieces that refer
to the island of Muravandhoo’s
surrounding nature, Joali
Maldives – located on the island
- aims to sensitise travellers
to its fragile ecosystem,
which consists of rich marine
life, coral reefs, exotic birds
and tropical vegetation.
Designed by architect
Cuneyt Bukulmez of Istanbul-
based Atolye4n, together with
design studio Autoban and
Tokyo-based interior design
firm Glitt, Joali was built around
trees – to save as many as
possible – and created around
the concept of joy of living.
The hotel provides guests
with an art map to explore
a collection created by 13
artists selected by art curators
Zeynep Ercan and Asliala Onur
of Istanbul-based company,
No Lab. The sculptures and
experiential pieces showcased
throughout the exterior and
interior spaces of the hotel are a
true ode to nature.
Passionate about wildlife
and saving endangered species
in general, and particularly
inspired by the manta rays
present all over the Maldives,
South African architect and
designer Porky Hefer created
a steel structure clad with
wood and local palm above the
ground, accessible through a
suspended walkway.
Inside this Manta Ray
Treehouse, up to 10 guests can
dine, while admiring the sublime
sunset. “My job is always to try
to get people more interested in
nature,” says Porky.
To view his underwater coral
sculptures, American designer
Misha Kahn invites guests to
dive down and swim in between
the pieces created with vibrant-
and pale-coloured mosaic tiles,
goodto
know
Joali is one of the
first art resorts in
the Maldives, and
features 73 private
beach and water
villas, as well as
residences.
which reflect the coral bleaching
occurring in the ocean.
“I have drawn the inspiration
from the waters around us,”
he says. “Coral is a delicate
symbiotic system, just like art is
with colour and form.”
South African art collective
Ardmore drew inspiration from
the grey heron of the Maldives,
creating several sculptures and
patterns designed for the hotel.
Thanks to all these pieces,
Joali is a place to experience art
in a different way, and to realise
the beauty of nature through
the eyes and imaginations of
talented artists and designers.
Visit http://www.joali.com to find
more about the hotel.
text Karine Monie photos Joali Maldives^41
