Djibouti Special Promotion Complex

Located in the old port of Djibouti, the project is one of the most iconic local landmarks. The complex is composed of a double-storey exhibition & entrepreneurship center and a four-storey serviced apartment & hotel building. The exhibition & entrepreneurship center is 9 meters high with a gross floor area of 4,945.67 sqm, and the serviced apartment & hotel building is 14.8 meters high, occupying a gross floor area of 8,625.66 sqm.



The design was inspired by "oasis" and fully respected local religious culture. The exhibition & entrepreneurship center draws on the elements of Islamic architecture, and adopts prefabricated framework structures to assemble the tree branches-shaped modules, which are combined with large overhangs and the setback on the second floor to integrate three functional volumes. Meanwhile, a corridor full of local characteristics and a sense of ritualism is formed at the central area, which effectively responds to the local hot climate to provide ventilation and cooling, making users feel like in a forest. Moreover, the architecture is low on four sides and high in the middle, shaping a roof system with distinct layers. Supported by prefabricated structures, the roofs create an iconic image for the architecture, which looks like floating above a forest. The exhibition & entrepreneurship center mainly accommodates exhibition space, commercial facilities, and workspace for young entrepreneurs.



Mainly serving accommodation and leisure activities, the serviced apartment & hotel building adopts container-style modular design. Its facades are clad in wood-colored U-shaped aluminum profiles and corrugated plates. Coordinating with the leisure spaces set on each floor, the external facades constructed by two kinds of aluminum panels in different modular sizes form a rhythmic architectural image. In this way, the facades realize the combination of form and functionality.



Djibouti Special Promotion Complex has provided a place for regional and international conferences, trade and innovation activities. Its opening ceremony was attended by more than 200 guests including the President of Djibouti Mr. Ismaïl Omar Guelleh and his wife.