The Sofitel Park is a 16-hectare subtropical park in Cotonou, where the prestigious new Sofitel Hotel and Leisure Center has been constructed and the Centre International de Conférences (CIC) has been renovated. Central to the design is the iconic canopy—a sculptural structure designed by LOOS van VLIET—that gracefully stretches from the hotel towards the CIC. This canopy not only provides shade and orientation but also acts as a unifying element, weaving through the park and visually connecting its diverse outdoor spaces.

The park is organized into distinct zones, each responding to the character of its adjacent building: the entrance area, the conference garden, the art park, and the hotel garden. Together, they form an integrated landscape that enhances both the natural environment and the visitor experience.

The entrance area welcomes guests with a formal, tree-lined avenue and ornamental plantings leading to the hotel. Beneath the canopy lies a grand drop-off area, where a reflective water mirror introduces a sense of luxury and calm. This water feature extends the visual connection to the hotel garden at the rear, where a second mirror reflects the surrounding landscape and links both areas through the hotel’s entrance lobby.

Wherever possible, existing vegetation was preserved and incorporated into the design. To increase biodiversity and seasonal interest, new tropical species were introduced. A recurring element is the use of red-flowering trees, which bring rhythm, identity, and shade throughout the park. Beneath their canopies, grasses and low shrubs form a dynamic pattern of open and enclosed spaces.

To the east, the conference garden connects the hotel and CIC via a covered walkway under the canopy. This area features four themed gardens, inspired by traditional West African wax patterns—reflected in meandering paths and organically shaped planting beds. The Succulent Garden displays sculptural rows of resilient plants; the Grass Garden evokes the savannah; the Paradise Garden bursts with vibrant Strelitzias and Heliconias; and the Palm Garden offers a tranquil grove of palms. Between these gardens lie sunken meeting places that echo the African tradition of gathering beneath large trees. Each of these spots centres around an ‘Umbrella Tree’, with seating integrated into the landscape to support informal interaction.

On the west side lies the art park, where gentle hills and winding paths echo the organic forms of the conference garden. In areas with fewer existing trees, the terrain has been sculpted to create height variations. Some slopes are sharply finished with vertical walls, forming striking backdrops for artworks. The art collection is designed to evolve over time, creating a dynamic cultural environment.

A refined material palette ensures cohesion throughout the park. Sand-coloured concrete reinforces its elegant character, while high-quality finishes in paving, lighting, and detailing contribute to a sense of understated luxury.

The design also includes several roof gardens—among the first to be realized in Benin. Adjacent hotel rooms open onto private planted terraces. Beneath the substrate layer, a retention system captures rainwater during the wet season for use in dry periods—a sustainable solution tailored to Cotonou’s subtropical climate.

With the canopy as its defining feature, Sofitel Park embodies LOOS van VLIET’s vision of an integrated, context-sensitive landscape. By weaving together architecture, nature, and culture, the park transforms its surroundings into a luxurious, sustainable, and memorable destination—a true green oasis for visitors and the city alike.

• Other landscape architecture offices involved in the design of the landscape:
LOOSvanVLIET

• Architecture offices involved in the design:
MOKE Architecten

• Other credits:
contractor: Summa
commissioner: government of Benin

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