African Influences Meet Australian Landscape in Monarto Safari Resort by Studio Gram.

There’s something compelling about a design that doesn’t just occupy space, but tells a story of convergence. Studio Gram‘s design for Monarto Safari Resort achieves exactly this, creating a luxury hospitality experience that bridges African and Australian landscapes within South Australia’s Monarto Safari Park.

The 5,000-square-metre resort represents a thoughtful exploration of cultural intersection. Rather than falling into predictable safari-themed pastiche, the Adelaide-based practice has woven African influences into the rugged Australian terrain with genuine respect and authenticity. The result feels contemporary while remaining deeply connected to place.

The design team, led by Graham Charbonneau, Olivier Martin, and Tess Sporn, has drawn inspiration from the patterns, crafts, and colours of both continents without appropriation. Instead, they’ve created what they describe as “a creative amalgamation of two continents in an eclectic curation.”

The material palette reflects this thoughtful approach. Transitions between different elements mirror the cultural convergence at the heart of the concept, while handcrafted details from both African and Australian traditions add layers of richness and depth. It’s innovation expressed through restraint and clarity rather than spectacle—an approach that feels refreshingly mature.

Local connection runs deep through the project. Artwork and furniture from South Australian makers embed the resort firmly in its regional context, showcasing both emerging and established creatives. This commitment to local craft culture grounds the project in the Australian mallee landscape, preventing it from feeling like a transplanted African lodge.

Spaces feel authentic to their setting while maintaining the luxury standards expected of contemporary hospitality design. There’s a sense that guests are experiencing something genuinely unique—a place where two distinct design cultures meet and enrich each other.

Studio Gram describes the resort as signalling “a new direction for luxury hospitality—where design fosters emotional connection, cultural respect, and a powerful sense of place.” It’s an ambitious claim, but one that the finished interiors supports beautifully. It’s hospitality design with substance—focused on craft, context, and story rather than just surface appeal.

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[Images courtesy of Studio Gram. Photography by Timothy Kaye.]