Special Art of the Day #187: Meet the Heat in Sahara Square



Sahara Square Poster by Matthias Lechner
Source [1]

Sahara Square; Zootopia’s Desert District home to The Palm, the city’s most fashionable hotel, and the Mystic Springs Oasis Naturalist Club. Here was where Judy Hopps caught her first glimpse of the City of Zootopia.

And now fill up your canteen, cinch up your pith helmet and lace up your desert boots. We’re off on an excursion into Zootopia’s hottest neighborhood.

Get your art after the break!

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Arriving in Sahara Square on the Bunnyburrow Express.  (Concept Art)



Sahara Square Arrival by Matthais Lechner
Source [2]

Passing by a local resident as he leaves for work; note the dune-buggy in the foreground.  (More concept art.)



Off To Work by Matthias Lechner
Source [3]
Architectural Study, Downtown Sahara Square.  (Still more concept art.)


Structural Studies, Sahara Square by Armand Serrano
Source [4]

Same idea, different artist.  (More concept art )


 
 
Sahraa Square Dwellings by Scott Watanabe by Scott Watanabe
Source [5]
More structural studies; now we’re getting out into the ‘burbs.



Sahara Square Concept by Armand Serrano
Source [6]
Concept art of the climate wall.  According to Zootopia directors Byron Howard and Rich Moore, it basically functions like a giant air conditioner.  (If you’ve ever stood behind an A/C unit, you know that it puts out cool air on one side and warm air on the other.) If you are looking to install an air conditioner for your home or office, choose quality and efficient products like samsung ducted air conditioning that will promote and healthier and cleaner home or office environment.


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Climate Wall Concept, Sahara Side by Armand Serrano
Source [7]

Concept art of the Palm Hotel, crown jewel of Sahara Square, along with some nearby buildings



Palm Hotel Grounds by scottwatanabe
Source [8]
The Palm Hotel lobby.  This is actually not a concept drawing but an art study based on a concept piece. Note the ramp on the left, to allow access to the bell desk for rodents and other smaller species .



Hotel Lobby by Ying Ding by Ying Ding
Source [9]
The Palm went through a number of name changes from its first conception to the final version.  First it was the Oasis, then the Golden Palm, and finally just the Palm Hotel.  Here we see a concept drawing of Nick inside one of the luxury suite.  What do you expect to find under there, fox?



Hotel Suit by Matthias Lechner by [Matthias Lechner
Source [10]
The Palm Hotel at night.  This place must have been intended to play a very large role in the ‘tame collar’ version of Zootopia.  There’s more concept art dedicated to the Palm than just about any other location in the city.

Palm Hotel Concept by scottwatanabe
Source [11]

Concept drawing of another Sahara Square landmark, The Mystic Springs Oasis, originally known as simply The Naturalist Club.



Naturalist Club by Scott Watanabe
Source [12]

Concept art, Mystic Springs, interior.



Naturalist Club Lobby by Scott Watanabe
Source [13]

Presiding over the front desk at Mystic Springs is everybody’s favorite laid-back dude, Yax.  As you can see from this concept drawing, he was originally intended for a slightly different role in the film

  Yax by Shiyoon Kim
Nick and Judy meeting Yax for the first time


mystic_springs_oasis_by_monoflax by MonoFlax
Source [14]
Yax’s room inside the club.  Whoa, nice crash pad, dood.



Yax’s Bedroom by imorolfe
Source [15]

Another familiar figure at Mystic Springs Oasis is Nangi the elephant, Mystic Springs’ resident yoga instructor.  (Concept art)



Nangi Concept by Cory Loftis
Source [16]
Sahara Square is also home to Nick Wilde’s sometime partner Finnick, the little fox with the big voice.  Here we see him riding out a Khamsin.



Sandstorm by Adrian Berjillos Lopez by Corgi
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“Go ahead, make my day.”



Make My Day by greennightingale
Source [18]

Nick and Judy hanging out in Sahara Square.  On either a dare or a bet, they’ve agreed to sample each other’s cuisine.  He’s scarfing down a chocolate-covered carrot, while she’s munching some grilled insects.  (She seems to be handing it a lot better than him.)



date_in_sahara_square_by_Ziegelzeig by Ziegelzeig
Source [19]

Of course, not every trip to Sahara Square is a pleasure excursion.



Sahara Square by SyuKka by SyuKka
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Boy, is it not a pleasure excursion!  Next time, guys, you might want to wear something a little more suited to the desert than blue serge.



sahara_square_by_odajima by odajima
Source [21]

There, that’s better.



outfits___sahara_square_by_frava8-db86thq by Frava8
Source [22]

And so, as the sun sinks slowly in the West, we bid a fond farewell to Sahara Square and the landmark Palm Hotel.  (Concept art)



Palm Hotel atTwilight, by Matthias Lechner
Source [23]

Nest stop, Tundratown!



Looking North, Towards Tundratown by Disney Infinity Codes
Source [24]