Do you want to develop an average, good or great resort? Your choice of architect inevitably impacts how visitors experience the resort. The importance of choosing the right resort architect goes without saying.
In this post we go beyond the professional and technical aspects of selecting an architect. Instead we bring to your attention qualitative considerations that’s perhaps even more important in any resort development process.
Beyond Functional
At a fundamental level your architect can simply ensure that the resort design is functional. Everything about the resort works. Yet something is missing. Something that’s not easily put in words yet when you experience the resort you know ‘it’. That ‘it’ can mean the difference between a good resort and a great one. ‘It’ can mean repeat visits, word-of-mouth endorsement and media recognition. Isn’t that what you’re seeking!
Qualitative Considerations
So what are some of these qualitative aspects that should manifest in your resort?
Architecture & Planning
How well does your architect handle - topography, entry spaces, building massing, spatial proportions, flow of spaces, proportion of architectural elements, harnessing views, building materials, natural lighting, or harmonizing with the local architecture? In other words is the experience coherent?
Environment
How well does your architect take into consideration the impact of local weather on the overall design? Is the design sympathetic to local conditions or fighting against it?
Engineering
How well does your architect interface with the engineers to seamlessly integrate building structure, mechanical & electrical systems and spaces? Does the design work well the technical aspects or does there appear to be needless clashes?
Landscape
How well does your architect work with the landscape architect to integrate interior and exterior spaces? Do the interior/exterior spaces interface well or is there a sudden transition that’s awkward?
Interior
How well does your architect interface with interior designer in selection of interior materials and fixtures? Does the interior design enhance the resort experience or is it a misplaced effort?
Servicing
How well does your architect work with the hotel management company to integrate the back-of-house (BOH) and front-of-house? Is the BOH unobstrusive yet serving its function?
The Whole
Lastly, don’t look at these qualitative aspects in isolation. Have a look at the architects completed projects. Experience how the resort has been integrated as a whole. Its not unlike listening to a piece of music. You listen in entirety.
Downloads:
1. The Modern Thai Resort Context
The thesis Design Guidelines for Modern Thai Architecture in Resort Context by Khiensak Seangklieng further elaborate on these principles.
2. Resort Architecture in South East Asia
(Re) Presenting the Vernacular / (Re) Inventing Authenticity : Resort Architecture in South East Asia by Tan Hock Beng
Photos: Jaime Perez, Bill McIntyre
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In resorts we know the total integration of the experience from landscape to building and interior are all critical and need to be orchestrated to make the whole experience. In the old days, the Architect was the one responsible for the whole project and hired all the consultants or in some cased did the key design work themself. I think the best approach is to have and Architect you believe in and they then appoint or or at least direct all the design work so there is the one common vision.
There are still Architects around willing to take that responsibility and capable to deliver.
check out the download ‘Design Guidelines for Modern Thai Architecture in Resort Context’ by Khiensak Seangklieng at this bottom of this post.