El Gouna in Egypt is a world-class kiteboarding destination, and we were approached submit a proposal for a kiteboarding centre on the shores of the Red Sea, adjacent to the Casa Cook El Gouna resort hotel.

We wanted the language of the design to be in keeping with the context of the adjoining hotel and natural surrounds – the colours of the desert and the beach, the profile of the flat structure punctuated by the organic shapes of palm trees behind it.

The interiors focused on comfort and an informal beach atmosphere – a place where a bit of sand on the floor or droplets of seawater would not be frowned upon. Casual seating, lazy hammocks and dappled light, with raw concrete, natural fibres and timber. A place for people to relax before and after an action-packed session on the water.