resort landscape design case study

Crimson Boracay Beach Resort

An innovative design solution that marries contemporary architecture, landscaping and interiors with Filipino culture, excitement and panache

Project Data

Boracay, Philippines Asia Pacific

30,000 square meter site 97 keys 72 suites 20 one-bedroom villas one presidential villa

Architecture, Landscape, Wimberly Interiors

Crimson Resort and Spa Boracay presented an exciting opportunity to create a luxurious beachfront destination that seamlessly combines modern architectural elements with local influences. The goal was to design an environment that maximizes the breathtaking ocean views, fosters a sense of tranquility, and provides a captivating seaside experience for guests.

Located along the pristine beaches of Station Zero, Crimson Resort & Spa Boracay was to set a new benchmark for an exclusive hideaway complemented by the warm ambience of Filipino island living. Bringing this vision to life, the WATG Singapore team created an innovative design that marries contemporary architecture, landscaping, and interiors with local culture.

The cascading architecture was designed to optimize the panoramic ocean views. Blocks and steps descending through the landscape ensured that guests could enjoy stunning sea-to-land views from every angle.

Architecture: The design concept involved incorporating geometric local patterns into the cladding of the jewel pavilions. This fusion of contemporary styling and traditional motifs created a modern yet distinctly local aesthetic, establishing a cohesive and dynamic language throughout the entire property.

The cascading architecture was designed to optimize the panoramic ocean views. The resort’s layout, with blocks and steps descending the landscape, created a collaborative synergy between architecture and landscaping, ensuring that guests could enjoy stunning sea-to-land views from every angle.

Landscape Design: The design provided guests with a water-centric experience. The arrival at the resort is through a deck in the bay, immersing guests in an all-over water experience from the moment they step foot on the property. This thoughtful design element enhanced accessibility and set the tone for a captivating seaside escape.

The landscape design collaborated seamlessly with the cascading architecture to maximize ocean views. By integrating the architecture and landscape, the resort achieved a harmonious and unconventional modern environment, ensuring that guests were constantly surrounded by the beauty of the ocean.

Contemporary guest rooms were carefully designed with sea-toned accent colors, adding vibrancy, and reflecting the natural beauty of the surroundings.

Interiors: The interior design concept embraced trendsetting by incorporating a cultural color palette. Contemporary guest rooms were carefully designed with sea-toned accent colors, adding vibrancy, and reflecting the natural beauty of the surroundings. This integration of cultural elements created inviting and inspiring interiors, promoting relaxation, and enhancing the overall guest experience.

Crimson Resort and Spa Boracay demonstrated how the integration of architecture, landscape design, and interiors can create a cohesive and immersive experience.

The resort’s geometric patterns in the cladding of the jewel pavilions created a modern and local character, establishing a unique identity. The cascading architecture, in collaboration with the landscape design, maximized the panoramic ocean views, creating a visually stunning atmosphere for guests. The water-focused experiences, such as the arrival deck in the bay, provided both access and an immersive connection to the surrounding water elements. The interiors, with their cultural color palette and sea-toned accent colors, achieved a perfect balance of vibrancy and relaxation, inviting guests to unwind and rejuvenate.

The resort has received multiple awards including:

• Time Inc. World’s Greatest Places 2022
• Condé Nast Johannsen’s Awards for Excellence 2023 – Best for Families
• Tripadvisor 2022 Travelers’ Choice

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How to Plan and Design a Resort

As one of the most popular vacation destinations, resorts are places where people can experience endless recreation opportunities, incredible dining experiences, and additional amenities that many hotels do not have. While often seen as luxury lodging establishments, resorts are located in premier destinations, such as ski areas, beaches, and remote destinations. 

When planning a resort, architects strive to create an unforgettable environment that is also welcoming and relaxing to ensure that visitors make memories of a lifetime. Extraordinary resort designs begin with exceptional architectural engineering that considers how the building will blend with its environment.

Research and Conceptualization

Understanding the resort’s target market and location.

The beginning stages of resort planning involve determining the guests who will frequent the resort and where the resort should be located. For example, is this resort a destination for families, or is it a place where only adults can relax? Understanding the resort’s target market will not only guide the initial design plans but also help pinpoint the ideal location for the resort.

Identifying Architectural Styles That Align with the Resort’s Theme

Whether the resort will be on the beach or in the mountains, research and conceptualization involve identifying various architectural styles that fit seamlessly with the resort’s theme. One example is a rustic mountain ski lodge in the snowy mountains of Utah.

Exploring Local Culture and History for Inspiration

Local culture and history should be considered when incorporating elements into the resort’s design. Because aesthetic appeal is critical to the success of a resort, architectural elements should include local building materials, and the buildings should blend effortlessly into the environment. Focusing on these elements will give visitors a memorable and unique experience that stands apart from the traditional hotel stay.

Sustainable Design Approach

Incorporating green building principles and eco-friendly materials.

Sustainability is one of the most increasingly important elements of resort design, primarily as resorts aim to decrease their environmental impact. By incorporating sustainable design strategies into the resort’s design, architects can plan destinations that are not only environmentally friendly they’re also economically efficient.

Utilizing Renewable Energy Sources and Energy-Efficient Systems

Because of increasing renewable energy design strategies, resorts can utilize renewable energy sources and energy-efficient systems in plans. Many resorts focus on water conservation systems, passive cooling systems, and utilizing local materials. These innovations provide guests with a comfortable environment while using fewer local resources.

Creating a Symbiotic Relationship with the Natural Surroundings

When planning a resort or hotel, architects aim to create a symbiotic relationship with the surroundings. This means that architects design a resort that balances mutualism, a process where the environment and the building interact to benefit one another. When planning a resort with this symbiotic relationship in mind, it becomes much more than a building.

Site Analysis and Master Planning

The design for a resort begins with a site analysis, which allows architects to create a plan that considers the unique challenges and opportunities of the surrounding environment. The site analysis includes climate, landscape, topography, and cultural context.

The site analysis also helps to determine an optimal layout for the resort by incorporating space utilization. Architects can determine where to put the resort so it provides the most stunning views. The site analysis aims to learn how to artfully integrate architecture with landscaping and outdoor spaces.

Architectural Elements and Aesthetics

Everyone knows that first impressions are essential. The resort’s entrance should be a striking element that welcomes guests and sets the right tone for the entire stay from the beginning of their experience. Well-designed entrances beckon patrons to enter and see what else is inside. It also allows the architect to use unique architectural details to emphasize the resort’s identity. Above all, the goal of resort designs should be to balance functionality and aesthetics in every detail of the space.

Accommodation Design

Choosing the right room types and layouts for guest comfort.

As one of the most critical decisions when designing a resort or hotel, architects must consider the layout of each room. Individual and communal spaces must be designed with functionality and comfort, giving patrons plenty of space for activities and relaxation.

Creating Private Retreats with Exceptional Resort Interior Design

The most successful resorts artfully join combined spaces with private retreats that give the guests experiences that don’t feel shared with all the other guests. Incorporating exceptional interior design should be paramount to creating an immersive and cohesive experience for guests and giving them a reason to return. You create a loyal customer base when you differentiate your property from competitors.

Incorporating Balconies, Terraces, or Verandas for a Connection to Nature

Every guest wants a view they can dream about after they leave the resort, such as stunning ocean sights they can enjoy throughout the day. Incorporate balconies, terraces, or verandas to provide an accessible way for guests to enjoy their surroundings without having to venture too far from their private rooms.

Signature Facilities and Amenities

Let’s talk about designing iconic facilities and amenities that stand out and define the resort.

Often, the amenities set one resort apart from the others, so it’s essential to focus on creating facilities that will define the resort. Surrounding architecture must merge seamlessly with the pool, dining, entertainment, and spa spaces to create an immersive experience. Incorporating innovative design throughout the resort, including recreational and wellness areas, creates a cohesive space for ultimate relaxation.

As one of the leading resorts in the Park City area, Stein Eriksen Lodge was created with unique amenities that residents can enjoy year-round. Guests can relax by two outdoor heated pools, experience the Champions Club Entertainment Center, and watch blockbusters in the Freestyle Theater.

Harmonious Integration with Nature

It’s become increasingly common to create a resort that brings local nature indoors in a beautiful way. This can be achieved by incorporating open-air suites, living green walls, and sustainable resort landscape architecture. By focusing on offering a harmonious integration with nature, hotels can center on maximizing natural light and ventilation, especially in indoor spaces. Incorporating local plants and vegetation into the design only increases this integration into nature and helps guests feel more immersed in the local environment.

Resort Sustainability and Resilience

Implementing disaster-resilient design strategies.

One of the first steps in hotel design is studying risk factors beyond the resort’s control, such as tsunamis, wildfires, or earthquakes. This risk assessment should also include things that resort owners can control, like ensuring adequate exit routes and emergency supplies. After determining what risks can pose a problem for the resort, guests, and staff, emergency strategies should be incorporated to minimize disasters.

Creating Adaptable and Flexible Buildings for Future Needs

Modern architecture has quickly adapted to integrating flexible buildings that can be transformed and used for multiple purposes. Many architecture firms have embraced this adjustable approach for sustainability and practicality. Resorts can use adaptive building design to create limitless opportunities for recreation and unique amenities throughout the decades.

Evaluating Long-Term Maintenance and Lifecycle Considerations

Resort and hotel architects should determine the long-term maintenance needs of establishing a destination space and its impact on the local environment. In years past, architects and developers had little consideration for sustainability and longevity, leading to ill-thought-out plans and endeavors that were not long-lasting. Wise resort planning considers the resort’s lifecycle considerations and designs to help the resort thrive in different cycles.

Technology and Smart Design

Incorporating technology into planning gives your resort a competitive edge over others. Guests are consistently drawn to more convenient operation systems, such as mobile check-in, contactless payments, artificial intelligence, upgraded internet options, and more.

Modern resorts give guests ultimate control of their environment with smart room systems that allow for greater personalization. Guests can easily control temperature, lighting, and security features in seconds, allowing them to place settings exactly where they want them. Smart room systems not only help to save energy, but they also allow for better automation of systems since everything is connected. When integrating technology, the key is maintaining the balance of the resort’s architectural aesthetics.

Local Regulations and Building Codes

Navigating local building codes and regulations.

Each locale has specific building codes and regulations that must be observed in the planning and building process. Because resort planning is complex, complying with these codes can be challenging. Nonetheless, a plan must be implemented to observe all building regulations for successful resort development.

Complying with Environmental and Cultural Preservation Requirements

Because of today’s focus on sustainability, architects are more responsible for complying with local environmental and cultural preservation requirements. When planning a resort, take into consideration ecological requirements. Not only is this wise for local environments, but it also helps your resort stand out.

Engaging with Local Architects and Professionals for Expertise

Calling upon the wisdom of local architects and professionals can make all the difference in the final design. These local professionals know the area well and can offer expertise in navigating building code complexities.

Collaboration and Project Management

Building a cohesive team of architects, designers, and contractors.

Developing an experienced team of architects, designers, and contractors who can work together toward a common goal is crucial to creating a thriving resort community. Cohesive teams have more effective communication, which results in solid project oversight. Having the same goals creates a unified project and increases the likelihood of a successful project that is finished on time.

Coordinating with landscape architects for a holistic approach

Involving landscape designers who focus on a holistic approach to design will allow guests to reconnect with surrounding outdoor spaces. Using design elements such as color, texture, line, and form, landscape architects create environments that emphasize the beauty of the surrounding environment while helping visitors enjoy the space.

Guest Experience and Architectural Impact

Guest expectations constantly evolve, requiring resorts to create a thoughtful design that can stand the test of time and enhance each guest’s experience. A well-planned resort is designed to be stunning, engage the senses, and evoke emotions. Creating immersive environments is not only critical to the success of the hotel, but it also encourages positive reviews and referrals from guests, which in turn establishes a more significant customer base.

Case Studies of Iconic Resort Architecture

Are you looking for some successful examples of iconic resort architecture? At Think Architecture, we’ve established many resorts that have stood the test of time. Browse through our resort and hotel architecture examples below:

• The Grand Lodge At Deer Valley Resort in Park City, UT
• La Chateaux at Deer Valley Resort in Park City, UT
• The Lodges At Deer Valley Resort in Park City, UT
• Stein Eriksen Lodge & Residences in Park City, UT
• Hotel Park City and Cottages
• Silver Strike Lodge in Park City, UT

Think Architecture: The Experts in World-Renowned Design

Think Architecture understands the importance of every element in resort planning. With over 90 years of combined practice in architecture, interior, and landscape design, we are at the forefront of innovative thinking. We understand the significance and task of getting it right, so we remain committed to creative design and innovative philosophy. See what our talented team can do for your project. Contact us today .

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SPOTLIGHT ON: The role of landscape architecture in ‘glamping’ resorts

• Hamish Kilburn

A Glamping resort is usually sited within a picturesque location whether forest, beach, lake, mountain, botanical or even an urban rooftop with a primary focus of ‘back to nature’ experience. Bushtec Safari Asia explores landscape architecture…

As a designer we have come across seven main landscape typologies (however there are probably more or even subsets):

• Traditional Resort compound with highly ornamental plantings, flexible lawns spaces, sculptures with drop-off, restaurant and lobby
• Natural Aesthetic to blend with or be part of the natural surrounds
• Animal reserves and Zoological parks providing the time past safari experience
• Themed Landscapes – most recently we have been developing a pet focused tented resort with agility course, dog pool, sand hill and even a cat climbing gym
• Botanical which typically focusses on organic farming practices, wellness lifestyle choices and communal gatherings
• Urban settings such as on rooftops with spectacular views
• Pop-up Glamping which responds to short term events and festivals where tents are stored and reused year on year.

Image credit: Bushtec Safari Asia

There is as much skill, if not more, to touch the ground lightly and create a landscape aesthetic which looks part of natural surrounds however even more important, landscape architecture critically allows the tents to sinuously bring the outdoors indoors through 4 of the senses

• sight-siting of tents to maximise vista’s and even lighting for nighttime effects,
• touch-directing natural breezes through the tents,
• smell-carefully selection of aromatic scents of flora and
• sound-bird attracting plants, flowing water elements and selecting rustling trees.

To enable a greater understanding of the role of landscape in glamping resorts a case study has been selected – Tiarasa Escape.

The site is located in Janda Baik, Mukim Bentong. Janda Baik (incidentally means good widow) is a small village about 50 km from Kuala Lumpur, capital of Malaysia.

The site included existing fruit trees (durian, rambutan, jackfruit and mangosteen), fish farm and located adjacent to a small river, Sungai Nerong and surrounded by vegetable gardens owned by the local villagers.

Our approach is to take advantage of its special qualities, not imposing on the setting but enhancing and directing attention to the features of the landscape. The path, tents & buildings are sculptured fit into the site with minimum disturbance and embrace the rocks and slopes and trees, not see them as obstacles. The beauty and integrity of the landscape and its special qualities shine through each tent location. We have created the design for Glamping and treehouse within as an integrated construction process, adjusting pathway design as we discovered each rock and preserve the beauty of the natural site.

Creating places

As more travelers explore the world so does the expectation to create unique local experience. Our approach to any site is to take advantage of its natural qualities, not imposing on the setting but enhancing and directing attention to the landscape features. The buildings fit into the site with minimum disturbance and embrace the rocks, slopes and trees, not see them as obstacles. The beauty and integrity of the land and its special qualities shine through each concept. Tiarasa Escape resort is intended to “touch the earth” lightly, “teach the stories of the forest” and “discover the life withing a traditional kampung setting” all within a modern luxury escape.

Integrated within the site

Each of our glamping resorts has a design vision.  We take the basic elements we know make resorts work and mix them with unique elements as well as specific client requests to create one overall feeling through the landscape and outdoor spaces. The landscape is designed at multiple scales so a guest will get a certain feeling upon arrival and continue discovering special features throughout their stay. Private spaces and large scale gathering areas both envelop the guest in the landscape which surrounds.

Immerse in nature

We subscribe to the belief that plants make the space. Our planting design is based on extensive understanding of the local environments and the desire to enhance native communities while inviting human inhabitation and enjoyment. Native fruit trees, productive planting and a focus on endangered species create places and enhance the environmental significance.

The planting design at Tiarasa Escapes glamping, pictured here, is based on the concept of the ‘Rainforest Orchard.’ Previously a kampung orchard, the site has mature Durian, Longan and Mangosteen trees which were all protected during construction. Further planting of native rainforest fruiting trees supports the enjoyment of the guests as well as ecological benefits for the other floral and fauna communities.

Landscape is a sensory element and critical to a glamping resort’s design aesthetic. It is about curating a holistic outdoor experience and landscape must always have a purpose. It’s more than just eye candy. It’s important that it looks beautiful but it must also convey a story, an underlining purpose and make a great contribution to physical environments by emphasising the protection of natural character and cultural identity.

Bushtec Creations  is one of the brands that has taken advantage of our Industry Support Package. To keep up to date with supplier news,  click here . And, if you are interested in also benefitting from this  three-month editorial package, please email Katy Phillips by  clicking here .

Main image credit: Bushtec Safari Asia

Hamish Kilburn / 22.06.2020

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Resorts World Sentosa Island Resort Master Plan Dazzling Waterfront Project Provides New Identity for Island Resort

Sentosa, Singapore

The Challenge

The current waterfront view of Sentosa Island offers a monotonous skyline with agglomerations of low-rise developments. Visitors are greeted by a barren, open plaza, and poorly oriented shopfronts at the entrance to the island. HKS designers seek to craft a new and appealing identity for the site with a master plan that includes two luxury hotels, a casino and entertainment district.

The Design Solution

Situated along the waterfront at the entrance to the island, the new resort development will be the branding of Sentosa. The hotel towers take inspiration from the Dragon’s teeth gate, a former seafaring granite landmark important to the history of Singapore’s maritime.

From across Harbourfront promenade, the hotel towers’ faceted façades and polygonal outlines formed by the floor slabs hint resemblance to the seafaring landmark, while the lush greenscape on tower balconies, podium and waterfront reinforces the image of a tropical island.

Three key factors guided the development’s masterplan:

• A sweeping shoreline to provide direct access to Resort World Sentosa and dynamic perspective of the waterfront upon entry while establishing connections with new and existing landmarks.
• The existing Merlion Axis which cuts north-south across the site, terminating at the night club. The radial axis of the forum is extended into the site creating another corridor along a tangent with the sweeping shoreline.
• Activating entertainment and dining establishments placed along the waterfront and Merlion axis. Lower-energy programs, such as retail and hospitality are placed in the core of the site. Additional cuts in the massing provide reposed, landscaped plazas.

The current coastal edge along the island’s entrance creates a disjoint with the otherwise continuous soft edge of the entire island. The new landscape proposal respects the existing coastal edge by introducing an ecologically rich edge along the shoreline. The new soft edge consists of the extension of the existing boardwalk to the entire waterfront, zoned by a sequence of unique landscape and water features.

The Design Impact

The design impact of the Sentosa Island Resort Master Plan ranges from ecological to financial – with design iteration and selection tracked on several different performance metrics.

The resort adopts an ecosystem strategy that creates a microclimate by recycling rainwater. Rainwater runoff from the podium is collected and filtered by tree pits before further treatment. The treated rainwater is eventually redistributed for the irrigation of landscape vegetation and water feature. Sectional studies helped appropriate the scale and quantity of trees based on the street widths to minimize solar heat gain.

With the use of solar analysis, the tower massing was oriented north-south to reduce direct sunlight into the guestrooms. This allows guests to leave the curtains open without feeling uncomfortable, reducing the demands for artificial lighting during the day. Heat gain is also minimized, reducing the cooling load.

Currently, Resorts World Sentosa provides limited dining options, most of which are high-end restaurants. The proposed Asian food street and waterfront dining will provide alternate dining options for visitors. In addition, the prime waterfront location at the entrance of Sentosa will provide high traffic volume for the entertainment district.

Project Features

• 176,515 square meter (1.9 million square feet) Masterplan
• 2 Luxury Hotels with a total of 1000 keys
• Floating Gardens & Integrated Marine Ecology
• Waterfront Entertainment District
• 11,000 square meter (118,000 square feet) Casino
• 55,600 square meter (598,473 square foot) Luxury Retail Mall
• Amphitheatre

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Kovalam Beach Resort by Charles Correa: Open to sky space Approach

Being recognized as a virtuoso is an understatement when Charles Correa is described. This master architect indulges in every design he has crafted meticulously, a level of detail that is revered and has inspired architects all over India, and even abroad. As Kenneth Frampton described Correa’s work while writing the foreword for his book, “Thus one may find in Correa’s work subtle level changes having a certain oriental character that simultaneously serves to articulate different living zones in a particularly vivacious way”. Frampton recognized the genius of Correa’s design and planning and regarded him as having an extraordinary portfolio of work. Initiated by the Government of India as a project to increase the influx of tourists to Kovalam Beach in Kerala , the to-be-built resort had a magnificent view of the sea and lush verdure all around.

Though the assigned area was much larger, Correa grouped the activities of the resort, to increase future growth options. The resulting concept was a large mass, sloping towards the sea , ensuring each room had a frame to the breathtaking view that lay in front of each room and a frame to the breathtaking view that lay in front. 

Exploiting the limitations of the site, Correa designed 3 room configurations- the kudils , at the edge of the beach, which was designed for longer stays and featured its own cooking space. The main hotel is layered above, around 100 guest rooms overlooking the sea, while detached units are placed between the kudils , at higher densities.

Though at first glance the unit may be very simple, its brilliance is seen in the section of the entire structure. Here, each unit below is countersunk with the unit on top, creating privacy for the inner part of the room, while the sundeck is flushed into the massive sloped surface- giving a view of the beach. With this pragmatic technique, Correa can provide all 100 rooms with a stunning view and an abundance of natural light and ventilation.

Utilizing the contours to his advantage, Correa’s resourcefulness doesn’t end here. The master plan is a plan worth studying for the dexterity shown in effectively zoning circulation, activities, and spaces without compromising on the view or overall aesthetic borrowed from Kerala’s vernacular architecture. From the driveway and entry is the central buffer that is the restaurant’s foyer, which leads to the lounge and rooms. The lounge extends into the restaurant and kitchen on the East, whereas the West has a covered verandah and pool. In overview, these 4 spaces are united by an undivided floor plate that once again exploits the view of the sea.

Building into the slopes, Correa not only utilizes the view and flush into the natural slope but manages to blend into the thick green that has been retained on site. The simple element of a framed view being a constant feature gave rise to an underappreciated structure, one that can be regarded as one of the best in Correa’s attempt to link the built and unbuilt. Chosen by many architects as a concept relying on the natural topography and contextual gravitas, a certain mastery has been observed in this massive structure.

As the structure serves to be a tourist magnet, activities such as Ayurveda, water sports, and handicrafts of the region are highlighted and act as incentives. Using the locally available materials to retain character in the region, white plastered walls reflect light into spaces, red-tiled roofs imitate the other built structures of the region, and pavilions made of bamboo chhatris and coir mats on the floor enhance the aesthetic of the region.

This region required a magnet that increased tourists in the region and exposed a beautiful beach to the outside world, a melting pot of cultures and arts and craft s of Kerala. Using an elegant site to create a picturesque view and utilizing locally sourced materials, Kovalam Beach Resort utilizes Correa’s classic design approach and craftsmanship to adapt to the need and experiment with volume every time. Though it may not seem like a new and fresh concept now, Correa‘s method for making the volume a malleable entity and exploiting it for new designs and techniques. As the natural beauty of the site is emphasized, the architecture remains unique and famous for how well it adapts to the setting, without compromising the quality of the spaces provided.

Nishant Verma is a designated college nerd and has been writing ever since you could define the term “bullying”, first to vent out feelings and eventually to an amateur writer. Pastimes include productive activities- reading, writing, movies, the history of music and architecture, with whom he enjoys a love-hate relationship.

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EXPLORING PRINCIPLES OF REGENERATIVE ARCHTECTURE IN ECO- RESORT DESIGN OF FALGORE GAME RESERVE

ABSTRACT The aim of this study is to explore principles of Regenerative Architecture in Eco-resort design, such that the built environment acts as a medium to enhance the natural environment. Resorts destroy the ambiance of natural settings because they are poorly sited and poorly designed to cope with the climatic conditions of their regions, while efforts are spent on style, features, frills and extras without any understanding of the actual design requirement. Regenerative Architecture (RA) identifies and merges the significance of environment, people and economy. By applying RA principles, Eco-resorts are boosted to a more active and positive paradigm. These principles include: integration to landscape; bold ecology; intelligent construction; intelligent limit; culture and place. A case study approach is applied; in a qualitative research, however using quantitative means of assessment. This is achieved by applying a ‘regenerative based checklist for design and construction of Eco-resort’ based on the principles of regenerative architecture, to evaluate cases studied. Consequently, a strategy for Eco-resort design is developed. This research establishes contributions that include: the existence of a relationship between RA principles and Eco-resort design considerations (that include: waste, water and pollution management, impact of building materials and construction technology; energy management, water management, and relationship between tourist and site); proposal of ‘regenerative based checklist for design and construction of Eco-resort’ as a method for evaluating the level of RA exhibited by Eco-resorts; a strategy to approach Eco-resort design through RA principles need to consider two aspects of RA principles (regenerative and degenerative); the proposed Falgore Eco-resort design exhibits potentials of achieving RA principles in Eco-resort design.

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Civil Engineering and Architecture

Horizon Research Publishing(HRPUB) Kevin Nelson

The Province of Central Sulawesi has an interestingly attractive potency of tourism beaches for tourists, such as white-sand beach, sunset spots, tropical beach forest, and the beauty of an underwater landscape, mainly coral reefs located in Tanjung Karang, the Regency of Donggala. The typographic preservation of this tourism destination is mostly still well-maintained, but some abandoned areas are also found due to tourists’ or inhabitants’ exploitation. It can be seen from buildings’ layout exceeding the beach border, garbage stacking in the coastal area up to the sea, careless clear-water consumption, and unmanaged and uncontrolled waste management system. Based on these circumstances, a strategy to maintain existing natural preservation is highly required by the utilization of environmentally friendly energy. The sustainable strategy integrates hotel resort areas with its surroundings, viewed from biomimetic architecture, and contains climate, biology, architecture, and technology, collectively. The research, then, discusses how to respond to the natural condition of Tanjung Karang beach, by considering its surroundings in terms of adaptation to nature and evolution [1], and also utilizes regional climate-supported energy, optimally, such as the solar energy and heat, wind, and surroundings-sourced water. Further, the adaptation of a coastal-traditional architecture was also performed by duplicating (mimetic), a transformation was relevantly conducted. In this research, a biomimetic approach was not comprehensively done, but it was limited to a simple simulation process, consisting of site management, site analysis via environment interaction, the concept of the hotel resorts design considering traditional principles such as building style, the mass form of buildings, and a schematic and simulated management of partly renewable energy.

The International Journal of Environmental, Cultural, Economic, and Social Sustainability: Annual Review

Ceridwen Owen

Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to argue that it is possible to identify a number of physical design properties of plots that are associated with coastal alteration and to develop a predictive model or metric to evaluate the potential alteration caused by that resort. Investors may have economic plot size concerns not considered by planners, tourists may prefer close proximity to deep waters, and urban planners may have failed to realize the importance of certain plot ratios or minimum dimensions etc.Design/methodology/approachA combination of geographical information system and statistical tools is used to identify and model these properties. The research uses data from three different resorts in two countries along the Red Sea coast (Hurghada and Safaga in Egypt and Jeddah in Saudi Arabia). Landsat TM7 images are obtained for each location and analysed to detect regions with the largest alteration along the coast using the post‐classification change technique. Physical propert...

Ruth Mwangi

International Journal for Research in Applied Science and Engineering Technology

mr olakanmi john

eprints.utm.my

Muhammad Ali

Ghostwriter Academy

Hospitality industry development is the core facilities in the tourism industry. The issues sustainability and green are discussed when looking at the effort by the resorts operators at practicing green approaches. The objective of this study was to find out the best practice and the factors influence the best practice of the resort operators. The research method employed was structured observation, documents analysis and in depth interview. The findings show that, green initiatives help to cut down the running cost and each resorts adopts different best practice that suit their operation and environment.

Ashraf M. Salama

Salama, A. M. (Ed.) (2007). Ecotourism and Ecolodges: Sustainable Planning and Design for Environmentally Friendly Tourism Facilities. Open House International 32(4), 1-118. Increasingly, people are abandoning traditional vacation for a new type of tourism that gives them the sense of nature. Trekking in mountains, bird watching, archaeological digs, desert and photo safaris, scuba diving are some new types of vacations that attract tourists to travel to relatively remote and unspoiled areas. This type of travel is referred to as nature-based travel, ecotourism, or environmentally sustainable tourism. These terms are used interchangeably to reflect this trend in the travel industry. While many studies continuously attempt to differentiate between the terms used to reflect this type of travel, the general concern is to address the dialectic relationships between the natural and the man made, the visitors and tourists and the local population, and tradition and modernity. The generic concept of environmentally sustainable tourism has emerged in parallel to the realization of the potential benefits in combining people interest in nature with their concern for the environment. It is a responsible way of travel; an alternative to traditional travel, but it is not for everyone. It appeals to people who love nature and indigenous cultures. It allows those people to enjoy an attraction or a locality and ensures that local cultures and environments are unimpaired. As the environmentally sustainable tourism industry expands world-wide, well planned, ecologically sensitive facilities are in high demand that can be met with ecolodges: small scale facilities that provide tourists with the opportunity of being in close contact with nature and local culture. In response to this theme, research papers in this issue of Open House International attempt to answer the primary question: How much change in or alternations of natural and cultural environments will be acceptable? They explore sustainable planning and design for tourism by debating, analyzing, and visioning a wide spectrum of issues, with a focus on the developments taking place in biologically sensitive areas, whether desert, forest, tropical coasts, or rural environments. Interestingly, they cover the planet Earth from Australia through the Arab World and Turkey to Argentina and Chile. An important shared aspect in these papers is that emphasis is placed upon integrating people, nature, and local economy into responsive development processes while offering lessons on how such integration may take place. See Editorial: Salama, A. M. (2007). Whatever the Name is, the Concern is for People and Environments. Open House International, 32, 4, pp.4-8

Ghayth Tintawi (William Ghayth Tintawi)

As most coastal areas are home to over 50% of the world population, the additional millions of tourists visiting these areas add to the growing environmental concern. The rapidly growing population in coastal areas and the increasing number of visitors deserves further attention than it currently receives. Coastal environments are under increasing pressure and their problems can no longer be avoided or deferred. In Syria, with increasing population (especially during the current Syrian conflicts), visitors and economic activities the coastal zone is facing serious problems caused by the congested uses and conflicting usage demand which are often damaging the environment and scenery, in addition, the coastline is threatened in some parts by coastal erosion resulting from development projects and engineering works. This research aims to study wide range of complex and related issues that affect the level of human activity a particular environment can sustain. The key issues discussed include land, energy, materials, water and waste treatment. For the purpose of this Study, environment refers to all aspects of the environment, excluding people to state a conceptual guideline for achieving sustainable tourism development by environmental design strategies in the course of project life cycle. It could be a first stage in the process of developing environmentally friendly management of resources, and could also highlight the challenges of sustainable tourism in Syrian coast. In this research analytical analysis and comparative analysis between several tourism projects were conducted to conclude conceptual guidelines to achieve sustainable development of tourism projects in coastal zone. Applied studies were conducted by using these guidelines to observe the vulnerability and exposure of the Syrian Coast projects (Porto Tartous and Rotana Afamia) to the negative impacts of tourism. The research had also conducted a questionnaire in order to examine the preferences sub-actions regarding the proposed design guidelines that both designers and developers show towards each environmental element. The negative impacts of tourism development can gradually destroy environmental resources on which it depends. However, the relationship of tourism with the environment is complex but by efficient environmental management of tourism facilities (e.g. water and energy saving measures, waste minimization, and use of environmentally friendly material) and by planning sustainable tourism development strategy at an early stage prevents damages and decrease the environmental impact of tourism.

Sustainable tourism as a factor of local …

Manuela Danio

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Gir Vihar - Eco Resort: d6thD Design Studio built triangular cottages among old mango trees in India

On the edge of Gir lion sanctuary, lies the Gir Vihar - home to 20 cottages; designed by village-based architect Himanshu Patel from “d6thD” design studio with overt principle of vernacular architecture in mind.

Design Philosophy:

The concern for climate as well as economic and cultural sustainability has been looked to incorporate into design without which sustainability may not work in the Indian context. Rather spending millions on the best technology to create the greenest of green building when very few Indians can associate with them and even fewer can afford, architect have come up with simple, established and honest practice offered by vernacular architecture.

The old construction techniques like rubble stone packed foundation, load bearing walls, arches, dome and pitched roofs have been used. Locally available materials like sand stones, bricks and terracotta tiles are not only serve to be economical but also attempt to someday instill a feeling of pride and belongingness among the visitors.

Design Explanation Text:

The site was actually mango farm having trees at 30 feet interval in grid. Considering the huge foliage of mango trees, it was very challenging to build cottages without chopping out the trees and this constraint of the site became the source of creativity and ingenuity. Architect came up with the triangular shaped cottages which took the place around mango trees effortlessly and beautifies the scheme. Also looking at an earthquake prone zone of the site location, using stable triangular form is wiser choice especially when the entire structure is built with load bearing walls out of locally found sand stone in order to minimize the use of cement concrete.

As one enters the site, one is welcomed with a distant eye pleasing view of various plays of geometries and volumes but ambiguity and uncertainty hold one’s hand until one walks to a more distinguished reception area which is covered with dome and vibrantly glows with the rays of light from the skylight above.

All cottages are north south oriented in order to take in the diffused north light in balconies from where the couple spends most of time enjoying the panoramic view of adjoined forest. What acts as a foyer space for the ground floor turns to be the balcony for upper floor when the triangles are stacked systematically. A certain flavor of awe and possibility takes birth when one views the vastness of life from the converging triangular balconies. Moreover, L shaped staircases leading to the upper floors add play and offers various perspectives to enjoy the beauty of solid stone mass created due to bathroom walls in south.

Centrally placed restaurant block on the site is designed to be the most flexible and comfortable to all. The central spiral stone pillar supporting the hexagonal roof acts as a pivot for the entire site wherein all activities smoothly flow around the block. The large brick arches of the dining hall interestingly frame the scenes of the exteriors and the extended outdoor seating sensitively blurs the boundaries of open and built.

Surroundings-

The free-flowing spaces and the uninterrupted movements all minutely add up to create a drama wherein visitors’ inquisitiveness urges them to experience something unique and unexplored step by step.

The undisturbed, uncut mango trees proudly stand between the buildings which become an inseparable and important part of the architectural vocabulary. Inbuilt sit outs from sand stone below mango tree allow for an intimate interface with the outdoors where you actually wouldn’t need a book.

Stone walls using locally available sand stone in its naked form gives the entire resort a very natural feel. Clay roofing tile and exposed stone surfaces will gradually get covered with radiant moss; nature will fight its way back. Living in a forest is all about witnessing this war.

When such simplicity and human craftsmanship is given the highest value, it is then that the architect’s idea of design comes to life and a resort like Gir Vihar starts to blossom to its ultimate potential.

By Naser Nader Ibrahim

• Hospitality Architecture
• Hospitality
• Indian Architect
• Inclined Studio
• Gir Vihar - Eco Resort
• d6thD Design Studio
• Himanshu Patel
• Bhojde Village
• Gir lion Sanctuary
• Triangular Cottages

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Reimagining Design with Nature: ecological urbanism in Moscow

• Reflective Essay
• Published: 10 September 2019
• Volume 1 , pages 233–247, ( 2019 )

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The twenty-first century is the era when populations of cities will exceed rural communities for the first time in human history. The population growth of cities in many countries, including those in transition from planned to market economies, is putting considerable strain on ecological and natural resources. This paper examines four central issues: (a) the challenges and opportunities presented through working in jurisdictions where there are no official or established methods in place to guide regional, ecological and landscape planning and design; (b) the experience of the author’s practice—Gillespies LLP—in addressing these challenges using techniques and methods inspired by McHarg in Design with Nature in the Russian Federation in the first decade of the twenty-first century; (c) the augmentation of methods derived from Design with Nature in reference to innovations in technology since its publication and the contribution that the art of landscape painters can make to landscape analysis and interpretation; and (d) the application of this experience to the international competition and colloquium for the expansion of Moscow. The text concludes with a comment on how the application of this learning and methodological development to landscape and ecological planning and design was judged to be a central tenant of the winning design. Finally, a concluding section reflects on lessons learned and conclusions drawn.

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Acknowledgements

The landscape team from Gillespies Glasgow Studio (Steve Nelson, Graeme Pert, Joanne Walker, Rory Wilson and Chris Swan) led by the author and all our collaborators in the Capital Cities Planning Group.

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Evans, B.M. Reimagining Design with Nature: ecological urbanism in Moscow. Socio Ecol Pract Res 1 , 233–247 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42532-019-00031-5

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Issue Date : October 2019

DOI : https://doi.org/10.1007/s42532-019-00031-5

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Landscaper + An All-Inclusive Tropical Resort: Video Marketing Case Study

I was borderline giddy when Ryan Empey, owner of Tropical Gardens Landscape in Sarasota, FL decided to partner with Landscape Leadership to transform their marketing. This sunny Florida market is packed full of affluent homeowners with gorgeous homes.

Plus, a client in the Sunshine State means this Pennsylvania boy may get to wiggle his cold, winter toes in the white sands of Siesta Key beach in the middle of February. Nothing wrong with that!

When we laid out Tropical Garden’s marketing strategy, one of the critical elements I included was professional photos and videos for their new website we were developing. And it should come as no surprise (for those of you who follow our video production work), that I had a fun concept for his three videos. 

Nothing amps me up more than anticipating a trip to the tropics: palm trees, warm breeze, good cocktails, and not a care in the world. Ahhhh....that’s money well spent and I’d do it every week if I could.

“We create backyard resorts,” is a common phrase I’ve heard many times in my past 20+ years in the green industry. We would love it if homeowners would take just some of the money they spend on vacation memories and invest it into something they can enjoy every day. Then they really could have a vacation anytime they wanted.

Cue the puns and metaphors…I couldn’t help myself. There was no way Ryan was getting Just Another Landscaper marketing video. 

Behind-the-Scenes Video

Okay, in full transparency, Mike (videographer) and I are doing a little bit of play-acting in this video. I didn’t wait until we got to Sarasota to come up with this idea. Each caption and shot was laid out months in advance. But…it does make for better video storytelling. Enjoy!

Landscape Design Marketing Video

There were so many tropical vacation puns and metaphors to utilize. I just kept thinking of those Corona Beer commercials where it opens on a tight shot of someone sitting in a chair on the beach. Then, it slowly zooms out to reveal more of the big picture and makes you grin when you realize what’s going on. 

Then there are those all-inclusive beach resort videos. It’s like non-stop fun and everyone is so darn happy. A thoughtfully-designed landscape can accomplish the same goals. Check it out. 

Landscape Maintenance Marketing Video

Tropical Gardens limits the capacity for their maintenance accounts. They want to manage residential estates, performing their full array of services for a worry-free property. 

RELATED READING:  How the Perception of Exclusivity Can Make You More Money

I was flooded with memories of what it’s like to go to an “all-inclusive” resort. Order anything you want. Everyone waits on you with a smile. You don’t have to lift a finger unless it’s to shove that gourmet dessert in your mouth. Get a massage. Catch that evening’s entertainment act. Nothing but fun times ahead. Enjoy the puns. 

Lawn Care Marketing Video

For the final video, Ryan wanted to focus on one of their maintenance services, lawn care programs. 

On one of the tropical vacations we’ve taken, my wife and I felt like pampered VIPs on exclusive excursions and seated at the best tables. I saw the puzzled look on others’ faces as we were escorted like we owned the island. 

It was like the red carpet was rolled out for us. Hmm…what about the “green” carpet…

What Ryan Had to Say

One of the main reasons this shoot turned out to be such an epic success is because of Ryan’s dedication to the process. I always do my best to make this as easy as possible on our clients, but they do have to be involved.

Ryan needed to line up locations, customers, team members, and get a few props I requested. To say that he and his team took that seriously would have been an understatement. 

RELATED READING: 3 Ingredients for a Successful Landscaping Photography Shoot

From the full array of charcuterie boards, smores paraphernalia, a customized piece of artificial turf, to the Adirondack chairs actually in his brand colors (an extra touch he thought of), each step of the two-day experience was a lot of fun for all of us. 

"Chad and his video team at Landscape Leadership were incredible to work with! Based on prior experiences, we were not expecting the forethought that goes into making these videos. Chad was highly organized and had every single shot and scene well thought out beforehand. Extremely professional and they have a unique ability to make videos fun!" - Ryan Empey, Owner

Landscaping Videos Don't Have to Be So Predictable

I know we’re all landscaping nerds but it doesn’t mean our prospective customers are. They really need your help to get excited about their backyard possibilities. Finding themes like these could be just what your company needs to be memorable and to land your ideal clients. 

Videos can be a powerful addition to your website and other aspects of your landscaping marketing strategy. To see how we utilized the professional photos and videos, check out the Tropical Gardens Landscape website . 

If you’re ready to invest in a comprehensive marketing strategy that doesn’t make you look like Just Another Landscaper, request a consultation. To read more case studies like this and read in-depth insights about marketing and sales, be sure to subscribe to our blog . 

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About Chad Diller

Chad is the President of Landscape Leadership. Prior to joining our team he served as a marketing manager for one of the Top 150 Companies in the Green Industry. In addition to his vast marketing experience, he also has held certifications such as an ISA Certified Arborist and Landscape Industry Certified Technician. He currently resides in beautiful Lancaster County, PA.

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8 Projects that Exemplify Moscow's Urban Movement

• Written by Marie Chatel
• Published on July 27, 2016

When it comes to urbanism these days, people’s attention is increasingly turning to Moscow . The city clearly intends to become one of the world’s leading megacities in the near future and is employing all necessary means to achieve its goal, with the city government showing itself to be very willing to invest in important urban developments (though not without some criticism ).

A key player in this plan has been the Moscow Urban Forum . Although the forum’s stated goal is to find adequate designs for future megacities, a major positive side-effect is that it enables the city to organize the best competitions, select the best designers, and build the best urban spaces to promote the city of Moscow. The Forum also publishes research and academic documents to inform Moscow’s future endeavors; for example, Archaeology of the Periphery , a publication inspired by the 2013 forum and released in 2014, notably influenced the urban development on the outskirts of Moscow, but also highlighted the importance of combining urban development with the existing landscape.

Concluding earlier this month, the 2016 edition of the Moscow Urban Forum focused on smart cities and the impact of technology on the ways we interact with people and use public infrastructure and civic spaces. The 2016 Forum invited city officials, urbanists, and architectural practitioners – including Yuri Grigoryan from Project MEGANOM ; Pei Zhu from Studio Pei Zhu ; Hani Rashid from Asymptote ; Reinier de Graaf from OMA ; Yosuke Hayano from MAD Architects ; and Kengo Kuma from Kengo Kuma Architects – to share about their knowledge and experiences in urban design. With the city looking forward to the built results of the latest Forum, we take a look back at some of the major developments in Moscow that have emerged in the past five years.

1) Gorky Park and Garage Museum

In 2010 the city government decided to improve Muscovites’ urban environment and create public spaces, and Gorky Park was the first project of note. The Russian equivalent of Central Park, it used to attract masses of tourists to its amusement park, but no residents would spend time there. Its reconstruction began in 2011 and featured infrastructure for strolling, sport, work, culture and leisure.

Inside the park lies the Garage Museum of Contemporary Art , a landmark building from the Brezhnev communist era which was renovated and transformed by OMA in 2015. The Dutch firm kept the original structure “as found,” only repairing elements from its prefabricated concrete walls – often clad with brick and decorative green tiles. Instead, the redesign focused on a double-skin facade of polycarbonate plastic that enclosed the original structure and preserved it from decay.

2) Zaryadye Park, Diller Scofidio + Renfro

Due to open in 2018, Zaryadye Park designed by Diller Scofidio + Renfro is probably one of Moscow ’s most cutting-edge projects. Located next to the Kremlin, the Red Square, and St Basil’s Cathedral, the project embodies what the architects calls “Wild Urbanism.” The project notably includes four artificial microclimates that mimic Russian landscape typologies: the steppe, the forest, the wetland and tundra. “It is a park for Russia made from Russia,” as Charles Renfro explains , in that “it samples the natures of Russia and merges them with the city, to become a design that could only happen here. It embodies a wild urbanism, a place where architecture and landscape are one.”

3) Moscow Riverfront, Project Meganom

Russian firm Project Meganom has also designed an ambitious project for Moscow ’s riverfront. Their masterplan also aims for a dialogue between the built and natural environment. A series of linear green spaces follow the river, and lines for pedestrians, cyclists, cars, and public transport are clearly delineated, improving the use of the public squares. River embankments are also transformed to function as areas for activities, communication, education and creativity nodes for public gathering.

4) Krymskaya Embankment, Wowhaus Architecture Bureau

Wowhaus Architecture Bureau recently transformed the 4-lane road at Krymskaya Embankment into a landscape park that connects Gorky Park with Krymsky bridge. The area used to be deserted, but is now reactivated with distinct transit and sport zones, as well as pavilions for artists’ exhibitions. Wave-shaped bicycle ramps, paths, and benches feature on the artificial landscape, which is also used for sledding, skiing, and skating in the winter.

5) Hermitage Museum and ZiL Tower in Moscow, Asymptote Architecture

New York architectural firm Asymptote Architecture are currently building two projects, a 150-meter residential tower and a satellite facility for St Petersburg’s well-known Hermitage Museum , where modern and contemporary art collections will be displayed. Situated in one of Moscow ’s oldest industrial areas, Asymptote’s buildings will lie in place of a Constructivist factory – which explains why the museum was reportedly inspired by El Lissitzky's "Proun" painting, as the terrace interior clearly shows.

6) “My Street”

“My Street” is the largest-scale program led by Moscow ’s government. The project aims to create about 50 kilometers of new pedestrian zones within the city center and periphery. The extensive program aims to solve parking issues, renovate street facades, and repair sidewalks and walkways with delimited areas for public transports, cars, cyclists, and pedestrians. “My Street” also requires a strong governance strategy and coordination; led by the Strelka Institute’s consultation arm KB Strelka , the project also involves 17 Russian and foreign architecture practices that were all individually in charge of one street, square or group of streets. Notable architects include the German firm Topotek 1 , the Dutch group West 8 , and the Russian firm Tsimailo , Lyashenko and Partners.

7) Moscow Metro

Moscow Metro is an architectural masterpiece that has been elaborated on since the 1920s. Its stations from the Stalin era are known for their unique designs with high ceilings, elaborate chandeliers and fine granite and marble cladding. To ensure that Moscow Metro remains an emblem of the city’s urban culture and powerful transportation system, the city’s government organized various competitions for the renovation of some Metro stations. Russian-based practice Nefa Architects was chosen to redesign Moscow’s Solntsevo Metro Station, while Latvian firm U-R-A will transform Novoperedelkino Subway Station . New stations are also being built, including two stations by Russian firms Timur Bashkayev Architectural Bureau and Buromoscow which should be completed by the end of 2018.

8) Luzhniki Stadium

Luzhniki Stadium is Moscow ’s main venue for sporting and cultural events. With Russia hosting the 2018 FIFA World Cup , the stadium should reflect Moscow’s intent to become a leading megacity, which is why $540 million has been spent on construction works. Its renovation mainly focuses on the roof and seating areas, and the capacity is planned to increase up to 81,000 seats. Works will be completed by 2017.

Find out more information and talks on Moscow’s urban development and the future of megacities on Moscow Urban Forum’s YouTube channel .

• Sustainability

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