Gapi: A Sensual and Dynamic Food and Beverage Villa

An Architectural Masterpiece by Lotfi Sidirahal

Gapi is not your ordinary food and beverage establishment. It is a three-story villa that houses a large catering kitchen in the basement, a pastry shop and tea room on the ground floor, and a gourmet restaurant on the first floor. Lotfi Sidirahal, the creative director behind this project, wanted to create a design that would stand out and captivate visitors.

The main highlight of Gapi is its double skin facade, which is made possible with the use of Krion, a thermoformable synthetic marble. The facade, in an intense white color, is both light and see-through, giving the interior spaces a sense of protection from direct sunlight. The horizontal blades that envelop the three main facades can rotate at 90 degrees, depending on the desired level of intimacy and the sun's orientation.

Lotfi Sidirahal's design for Gapi required meticulous attention to detail and innovative technology. The double skin facade is made up of Krion blades, each measuring 250 mm in height. Two modules of Krion were used: one straight and one twisted, both measuring 1200mm x 250mm. These modules were later welded together using Krion Glue. To fix the double skin to the structure, unique Inox compasses were designed.

The first skin of the facade is designed using glass and bronze Alucobon, adding a touch of elegance and sophistication to the overall design. The result is a visually stunning and dynamic facade that has never been seen before.

Gapi is not only a feast for the eyes during the day but also a spectacle at night. The facade comes alive with a dynamic lighting system composed of about a hundred LED ribbons, creating mesmerizing color-changing scenarios.

The construction of Gapi began in January 2014 and was completed in February 2015. Located in Casablanca, this architectural masterpiece has garnered recognition and acclaim. In 2015, Gapi was awarded the prestigious Silver A' Design Award in the Architecture, Building, and Structure Design category. This award is a testament to the exceptional creativity, technical expertise, and innovation demonstrated by Lotfi Sidirahal in the design of Gapi.

Gapi is a true testament to the power of design to create unique and captivating spaces. Lotfi Sidirahal's vision and attention to detail have resulted in a food and beverage villa that is not only functional but also a work of art.