KAI Diani | Resort Style Apartments

KAI Diani | Resort Style Apartments — IADA 2026 award

KAI Diani | Resort Style Apartments received Silver Winner recognition at the International Architecture & Design Awards 2026 in Household & Residential Building Design. Project status, design team and credits are listed alongside the presentation.

About the project

The KAI Diani project is a thoughtfully designed residential development consisting of 99 apartment units spread across four floors, with a full basement level allocated for parking and essential building services. The client’s vision centers on delivering a modern and comfortable living environment that appeals to a broad spectrum of residents, from singles and couples to small families.

The unit configuration has been carefully curated to reflect this diversity of needs: there are 24 studio apartments, 55 one bedroom units, 16 two bedroom units and 8 two bedroom plus units, resulting in a total gross floor area of 11,650 square meters.

Each residence is conceived with an emphasis on indoor-outdoor connection and flexible living. A key design element is the inclusion of a generous, shaded private loggia that extends the living area and fosters a stronger relationship with the surrounding environment. Inside, open plan layouts seamlessly integrate kitchen and living functions while offering adaptable spaces that can serve as home offices, study areas or guest accommodation. A distinctive signature feature is the placement of a bathtub in each unit, strategically positioned between the bedroom and the loggia to capture uninterrupted ocean views without compromising privacy. This is achieved through deliberate facade orientation and integrated screening.

Beyond the individual residences, the project fosters a sense of community and wellbeing through a rooftop amenity level. This includes landscaped gardens with walking paths, a shaded terrace, a fully equipped gym and a swimming pool. The basement supports daily convenience and operations with secure resident parking, designated visitor and delivery spaces and the necessary technical and storage rooms to ensure the smooth functioning of the building.

studio OMT architects

Studio OMT Architects began as a digital-native practice operating between New York and Berlin, focused on projects in Zanzibar. Today, the studio has evolved into a three office operation across two continents, with locations in Berlin, Poznan and Nairobi, delivering work across Germany, Kenya, Poland and Tanzania.

The practice is defined by a commitment to sustainable, context-sensitive design that reconciles modern aesthetics with regional traditions. With a particular specialization in timber construction, Studio OMT integrates local materials, vernacular craftsmanship, and contemporary technology to create adaptive, community centered spaces. Each project is approached with an emphasis on longevity, occupant wellbeing and environmental responsibility.