BIM Consulting Services, Autodesk ACC, Revit, Enscape
Designing a Malawian Oasis
A Vision Rooted in Place
The Protea Hotel Lilongwe Ryalls redefines urban hospitality, and the architecture draws inspiration from the surrounding landscape. Pavilion-style buildings, generous verandas and expansive glazing blur the boundaries between inside and out. Muted tones and natural finishes provide a timeless backdrop for the rich textures that celebrate Malawian artistry, from locally sourced timber to hand-woven finishes, while the landscaping weaves intimate “green rooms” that echo the textures of Malawi’s natural scenery.
Boogertman + Partners' Design Vision
Guided by their contextually sensitive design philosophy, Boogertman + Partners conceived of the development as a place where global standards of hospitality meet local craft and heritage.
The centrepiece of the development is a public building housing restaurants and conferencing spaces. Pavilion-style hotel accommodation wings, a tranquil spa and back-of-house facilities are interwoven with lush landscaping, ensuring the architecture respects and enhances its setting.
The Protea Hotel Lilongwe Ryalls provides an immersive experience of Malawi’s charm and elegance where every detail is designed to make guests feel as if they have found their own private oasis. By supporting local craftsmanship, not only does the hotel’s design and development deliver authentic local luxury, but it also contributes to the preservation of skills and the upliftment of the local community.
Beyond its architectural elegance lies another story of how digital tools like BIM and Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC) transformed a decade-long vision into a coordinated, buildable reality.
Complexity beyond borders
Delivering the vision required overcoming significant challenges:
- Multi-discipline coordination: Over 14 disciplines – from structure and services to interiors and landscaping – were required to work seamlessly together.
- Timeline and history: With early concepts stretching back nearly 10 years, the project required revisiting and refining briefs multiple times.
- Cross-border collaboration: While the site is in Malawi, most consultants were based in South Africa working with local Malawian partners, which created communication and data-sharing challenges.
- Technical intricacies: Complex landscaping levels, the preservation of mature trees demanded precision.
Digital delivery partnership with Modena AEC
To turn its vision into a buildable reality, Boogertman + Partners partnered with digital delivery specialists Modena AEC. Together, they moved the project into a Common Data Environment (CDE) using ACC, which ensured that every consultant worked from the same coordinated information.
- BIM execution plan: Clear workflows for all 14 disciplines.
- Coordination meetings: Weekly (later bi-weekly) sessions, with design leads making fast, visual decisions.
- Clash reduction: More than 2,000 initial clashes across models reduced to fewer than 10 before construction began.
- Integration of tools: Revit, Civil 3D and Enscape visualisations combined for full transparency.
Design meets delivery
Modena’s collaboration consistently converted risk into results:
- Landscape–civil alignment: Proactive BIM coordination harmonised levels early, enabling metre-accurate earthworks and a smooth design to site handoff.
- On site ducting clarity: The federated BIM model provided instant validation, keeping the programme intact, costs contained and accountability transparent.
- Early interior integration: Upfront modelling of lighting, chandeliers and furniture elevated the architectural vision and reduced late-stage changes.
- Decisions at the speed of clarity: The BIM model in ACC allowed stakeholders to virtually walk through the hotel before construction, compressing half-day debates into rapid, confident approvals.
Sustainability in focus
- Mature trees were preserved or relocated rather than felled.
- Energy modelling informed responsible design and material use.
A benchmark for African hospitality projects
The Protea Hotel Lilongwe Ryalls showcases Boogertman + Partners’ leadership in design excellence, guided by Heleen Grimsehl’s attention to detail, supported by a professional team of engineering and project partners.
Conclusion
Project:
Client:
Project Start:
Jan 2023
Completion:
Professional Team:
Architect:
Boogertman + Partners
Team lead:
Heleen Grimsehl.
Project Manager:
Bovell Ross Project Management
Services Engineer:
CKR Consulting
Structural & Civil Engineers:
HBS Consulting
Quantity Surveyor:
Rider Levett Bucknall
Interior Design:
Boogertman + Partners
Landscape Architect:
Boogertman + Partners
Contractor:
S.R. Nicholas Building & Civil Contractors
BIM Manager & Coordinators:
Modena AEC & Infrastructure