The approach to any international resort or residential project emphasises place making, creative thinking, innovative design, sound implementation and economic feasibility. Before construction began at some of the world’s most fascinating destinations, a program would have been derived from extensive site analysis and careful consideration of design alternatives. With respect for the past and anticipation for the future, it is necessary to embrace the opportunities and constraints of a project site in order to produce a design solution that is contextually appropriate, aesthetically pleasing, environmentally responsible and economically viable. Balancing these elements is what ensures uniqueness and sustainability for projects in every region.

To create lasting impressions and memorable experiences, developers, owners and operators rely on successful programming and a dynamic amenity package that is brought to life through intelligent design. International planning and landscape architecture firm, EDSA has a long history of creating environments that are rich in character and detail, while drawing inspiration from the local history, culture and heritage. Features that enhance a property often provide end-users with a uniquely different experience. From fountains, pools, courtyards and relaxation opportunities to points of entry, adventure excursions and security, landscape architects create people places that integrate design elements with the natural surroundings, with the three following examples drawing a deserved watchful eye.

Bahia Beach Resort & Golf Club
Bahia Beach Resort & Golf Club is a 500-acre existing coconut plantation in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico, which opened just last year. The vision for Bahia Beach was established from the design team’s first site visit. The property’s natural attributes exuded such resonance that they instantly identified the project. Development goals were set forth to create a one-of-a-kind resort community with nature as the protagonist. The strongest natural features are the extensive coastline, unique native vegetation and existing fresh water lakes, plus the phenomenal views of the El Yunque rainforest and mountain ranges.

Bahia Beach’s unique ecological corridor was thoroughly examined and several sustainability practices were implemented in order to limit environmental impact. Over 5,000 trees were transplanted and 65 percent of the property was designated as green areas, sanctuaries, and nature trails. Roadways were integrated into the natural landscape and planned around significant trees that could not be replaced. In addition, local materials and manufacturers were used in order to support the surrounding community and economy.

The tropical plantation style theme creates cohesiveness among buildings, outdoor spaces, and vegetation. Several design details have been used to interweave the tropical plantation theme throughout the property. Roof shingles, common to old style plantation homes, have been used instead of typical barrel tiling, authentic stone wrapping the ground level of main buildings, scattering the residences in a compound of smaller buildings and deep porches have also been implemented.

Design details in elements such as windows, doors, furniture, and signage contain a strong context to the theme and meld with nature, right down to the utility screens that also follow the same tone.

Nowhere else is the theme and ambiance more skillfully staged than in the arrival sequence immersed in the dense canopy of the El Yunque tropical rainforest. Guests are greeted with lush landscaping and dynamic views in all directions while a wooden bridge leads over the wetland areas. The bridge is detailed with unobtrusive lines that blend the railings with the natural surroundings, and the final destination is announced with a spectacular water feature at the Village town centre. A core component of the property, the Village gives the development a communal pulse. A cluster of cafes, boutiques, pools, sun-bathing piazzas, a fitness centre and the Bahia Beach Club is easily accessible from all areas of the property. Sensitive to the desire of today’s home buyer, for convenience, variety, and social opportunities, the Village offers a place of identity where friends and neighbours can gather.

Adding to the myriad of opportunities to escape and unwind, an 18-hole golf course personifies the natural beauty of the site with scenic lake and ocean views. A hotel component and four residential products complete the program. The St. Regis hotel with impeccable service and first class amenities is accompanied by the St. Regis branded residences and 25 estate homes located on an exclusive private island within the property. All residential products offer stunning views and close proximity to the Village and various amenities. Las Verandas is a collection of 90 exclusive residential units, ranging from one-bedroom units to 3,300sq ft penthouses, and Las Olas offers luxurious two-story beachfront town homes.

Crowne Plaza Sanya and Shopping Village
Nestled amongst waterfalls and lush flower gardens, the Crowne Plaza Sanya is an upscale sanctuary positioned slightly inland, along the Yalong Bay in China. Crowne Plaza opened in March, 2006, alongside with the incarnation of several other international resorts along the bay, taking advantage of Sanya’s tropical climate and growing reputation as “China’s Hawaii”. Located on the island of Hainan, the six-floor, 463-room hotel boasts an impressive amenity package on a property bustling with retail, meeting facilities and multiple residential offerings. As a global business hotel situated in the heart of Yalong Bay and a culturally fascinating resort, the Crowne Plaza Sanya is an ideal gathering place for discerning travellers, meeting participants and local residents.

The mixture of traditional Chinese architecture and modern resort-style buildings creates a dynamic atmosphere that enlivens the senses. This vibrant property is complemented by residential products, a spa and retail village with exterior plazas. A riverine lagoon was created to offer a completely unique and memorable amenity feature that would differentiate the Crowne Plaza Sanya from neighbouring resorts. The lagoons emanate a secluded tropical paradise providing a welcome retreat different from the wall of resorts lining the beach. The lagoon forms are replicated in the pool areas, each designed with free form edges and elegant detailing. Complete with a swim-up bar, ample deck space and oversized pool steps for leisurely lounging, the main pool serves the entire hotel. The private lots, townhouses and luxury apartments possess pools unique to their individual products and have been meticulously planned to have views of pool areas, lagoons and waterfalls or the magnificent Yalong Bay. The main pool has nodes of private swim-up access to select guest rooms and is adorned with lush planting. Each private area is secluded outside of the guest’s room with in-pool seating swirls and a discreet connection to the main pool.

The lagoon areas are strategically placed throughout the resort and intensive landscaping has been used to augment the ambience and provide privacy for the multitude of uses on site. Although space is limited, the site was designed to accommodate the varied components of the properties and balance the needs of both public and private spaces. In addition, circulation patterns were specifically addressed to ensure convenient pedestrian access in all areas and parking was strategically designed underground to free up additional space.

The overall vision of the project was to not only offer a world-class resort destination, but to also serve the surrounding tourism district with a leisure and entertainment facility and Sanya’s only international retail experience. The Shopping Village, where guests can experience a variety of famous designer boutiques and dine at renowned international restaurants, serves Crowne Plaza guests and residences, outside tourists and the local community. With separate access points for hotel guests and the general public, the Shopping Village easily caters to the entire tourism district. Rather than commute to downtown Sanya, the trendy Shopping Village is a more attractive and convenient retail opportunity and the international nature is reflected in the architecture, mixing both traditional eastern and western motifs. An elaborate fountain greets guests at the entrance to the Shopping Village, an easily recognisable signature feature; this stepped fountain forms the base of the amenity, creating the illusion of the building floating on the water, while a park connects to Yalong Bay Central Square where the landmark 26.8m stone totem pole honouring the island’s celebrated history is located.

Rosewood Mayakoba
The Rosewood Mayakoba is located in the heart of a 1,700-acre luxury resort enclave, situated on a protected stretch of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula along a mile long arc of white sand on the Riviera Maya. With its inspired setting and immersed natural splendor, the 48-acre project was designed for the region. Rosewood Mayakoba is unique in its approach to preserving the delicate environment and the fundamental design objective was to create an extraordinarily diverse, carefully preserved ecological environment with an emphasis on relaxation in an understated atmosphere. Inspiration was found in the historical character and uniqueness of the site. Mayakoba is derived from the Mayan phrase meaning “village of water” and the entire site is themed around a tribute to this natural amenity and through a modern and contemporary interpretation of local Mayan traditions, cultural ideals and natural themes were incorporated into the design.

The ecological system within which the site exists emulates a jungle character. Materials that originate in the jungle are found throughout the resort and arranged in a way that reflects the order of this fascinating environment. Native materials such as Yucatán limestone, renewable woods and water are fused in harmony with their natural surroundings to emphasise the stylish simplicity. Replanting and reusing existing landscape material such as nakas, kuka, and flor de mayo was commonplace as well as converting local building materials including crushed stone from site excavations for roadways, pathways and site walls. Guests of the Rosewood Mayakoba experience three distinct ecosystems in a pristine state; limestone ‘cenotes’ (freshwater caves), mangrove forests and virgin beach. The designs reveal an elegant and functional interpretation of each ecosystem from which the man-made structures are a microcosm.

The natural exclusivity of the resort is felt in the arrival sequence at a clearing in the jungle.  Exposed limestone forms the walking surface around an ornate fountain that creates a gateway. Water from a cenote leads guests along a tunnel, through the mangroves to arrive at an open-air lobby with views to the jungle and lagoon before guests are transported through resort canals on locally crafted mahogany gondolas called ‘lanchas’ to reach the rooms. The 128 suites are strikingly modern in design yet crafted from indigenous materials as to appear “born” of the jungle. All of the accommodations feature crisp, open spaces and sliding-glass doors with wooden lattices for natural airiness, and suites are complemented with rooftop sun decks, over-sized terraces, plunge pools and boat docks.

The resort encompasses many small islands surrounded by the mangrove jungle. The spa, on a private island, surrounds another cenote fed by subterranean springs while the beach offers Caribbean blue water and borders the second largest coral reef in the world. Guests have access to all features of the Mayakoba property, including the championship golf course, a spa and state-of-the-art fitness centre, tennis courts, recreational areas, three beautifully designed pools (a main pool, beachfront infinity pool and spa pool) and as well as educational lectures on Mayan culture, history and the Yucatán ecosystem.

With the development focused on environmental sustainability, the pioneering design called for low-rise structures, no more than two stories tall. While high-rise apartments have typically dominated the beach along the Mexico coastline, Rosewood Mayakoba reflects the environment in which it resides, a place that respects the ancient Mayans.  Instead of crowding with dense structures, the resort is situated well inland from a ridge of dunes and mile-long white-sand beach. The Rosewood Mayakoba is not only authentic but has set ecological standards for resort design around the globe.

Incorporating a sense of place through design with the use of authentic and indigenous materials while accommodating the need for social interaction are innovative practices by which landscape architects create memorable places for people. First impressions are lasting impressions and crafting contemplative environments that appeal to the senses with sounds, smells and colours is very important. It is a landscape architect’s job to fortify this perception by continuously looking for ways to improve the experience of guests, residents and visitors, while vacationers can just sit back and enjoy the view.