Project philosophy
Our goal was to design a romantic eco-hotel for couples on a challenging site with rugged topography and lush tropical vegetation.
The project is based on the philosophy of the five elements. Each villa and interior element reflects one of the elements: Earth, Water, Air, Fire and Love. The architecture is inspired by the image of nomadic tribes — these are light, "bamboo" structures, organically integrated into nature.
The site has a significant slope with no ocean view, but it offers a panorama of the opposite green slope. We turned this challenge into a key advantage:
- Upper terrace: Houses the administrative building and the apartment block.
- Middle and lower levels: Secluded villas for couples cascade down the slope.
- The lower public area features an artificial waterfall, an amphitheater, and a covered event space.
There is a parking area in the northeast of the site, which is part of the entrance group. From here, the route begins, passing through a landscaped portal leading to the administrative block and the apartment block. The latter consists of 12 modular units. The functional zoning has a pronounced gallery structure.
The site's significant elevation changes necessitated the separation of guest and service staff traffic.
To achieve this, a network of pathways was designed across the property. The solution routes service staff on paths beneath the villas, while guests move along paths *between* them. As a result, these two flows are completely separated. This was quite challenging to organize, but we succeeded.
Despite the dense buildings, each villa has a unique orientation. The elevation of the villas onto platforms ("legs") and the proper landscaping of the terraces made it possible to create isolated courtyards with optimal views of the jungle.
We focused not only on the architecture but also on crafting the guest experience:
- Romantic activities: Dedicated areas for massage, creative date nights, and a pop-up restaurant (private chef at the villa).
- Communal areas: An amphitheater by the waterfall for film screenings, a "silent" disco area with headphones, a park with art installations, and a sauna.
- Tactile experiences: Workshops like couples massage and other activities designed to foster connection and new shared sensations.
