Maya Espinosa: Architecture Practicum
Project: Elemental Resort
A client has asked me to design a resort that allows the guest to feel connected to the four classical elements: Fire, Water, Earth, and Air. I was tasked to create villas (at least four to represent the four elements), a garden, and follies with qualities of the four elements. I was given the freedom to chose a location where the resort would take place however it had to fit the theme of the elements.
Phase 1: Research
Before the I start the design process or look for locations, I researched information about the four elements. I researched physical qualities of the different elements as well as buildings that resembled them. I also studied how they interact with one another and how they fit together. I put all my research on a document and made a poster based off my research.
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Phase 2: Location
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After studying the elements, I surveyed random locations on the globe to find a suitable place to host my resort. However, I could not find any that I believed would fit the resort best so I reached to google for inspiration. I came across a list of beautiful locations around the world where I saw possibilities to place my resort such as the Moher cliffs, Wulingyuan mountains, and Zermatt Ireland. All three locations were good choices however I decided to look around some more for something similar. Finally, I came across a hidden gem on the southern coast of the United Kingdom. With close inspection, I concluded that the topography of Durdle door and it's neighbor gulf, Man O'War Cove was perfect.
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Phase 3: Master Plan
I came up with three different Master Plans that I thought could fit my location:
Master Plan 1:
In the first master plan, everything is space out to give people a sense of privacy. I have separated the different locations at my site where there are prominent features that set it different from the other locations and have determined the best element that would suit it. At each different location, there will be four villas that encompass the specific element. Because everything is so spaced out, I have set up a boardwalk type of pathway to connect everything where residents can use bikes, or golf carts to get around quicker. I have determined that there will be a commons where residents can get together and where there will be space for different activities to be along with the garden close by.
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Master Plan 2:
I used the Man O'War gulf on my site to make a sort of perimeter where I would have the element’s villas surround this gulf each in a location that would best represent the element. This would create a private open space in the center which would give me space to make an artificial Island or place something on stilts which would hover just above the water. This center space would host my garden. Because the villas are surrounding the garden, each villa would have a nice view of the garden. To get around, I plan to put a boardwalk on the inside part (closest to the garden) where to get from each villa and the garden the residents could either walk, ride a bike or use golf carts.
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Master Plan 3:
This master plan will fit all the elements into one single building. The building will be located at the top of the cliff feature of my site right next to the sea arch. The building will have a step-like structure where the elements will have their own floor. At the bottom floor will be the earth element which will take up only one floor but the villa will have different rooms at different heights. Next, the water villas will also have a single story but they will have a taller ceiling. Following will be the fire villas which will have two stories each with a more standard height ceiling. Lastly, Air will have two stories with a taller than average ceiling. Because of the step-like structure, the floors will progressively get smaller as well restricting space. On the flat side of the building will be many windows and balconies where residents can enjoy the view of the ocean.
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Phase 4: Garden
I wanted to explore how the garden would interact with my three different master plans so I designed possible gardens that I believe could fit in their respective resort.
Garden Plan 1:
This garden will be a typical garden, I have designed different layouts for this garden in which the different elements are being represented in different ways. One of which I have the elements to have their own space to symbolize their own uniqueness. In another I have a sort of winding pattern where someone can walk through the garden and see everything in different perspectives. Lastly, I have the elements blended together where there is something representing the different elements throughout the garden. For example, there will be exposed rock, torches, ponds, and follies to symbolize the elements.
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Garden Plan 2:
This garden will be located at the center of the gulf, It will either be an artificial Island, or will be suspended with stilts. The garden can be any shape, and will essentially serve to show the connectedness of the elements and how they react together. This will be shown by the location (in the middle of all the elements) and how the garden will combine the characteristics of the elements, there will be benches and open spaces for different activities for visitors to relax. The garden will grow many native plants in a manner that look natural. In the center of the island garden will be a fire pit which will be placed just over the water level. The floor will be made out of glass where anybody relaxing by the fire can see and enjoy the water just under their feet.
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Garden Plan 3:
This Garden will be placed on top of the building, because of the step-like structure, the garden will follow it ultimately have a terrace style look. The Garden will incorporate all the elements throughout it with torches for light. There will be many benches throughout the garden and open spaces for meditating and relaxing. There will be a river either flowing down the side starting from the very top and ending at the bottom or the river will take up an entire “step” of the garden. There will be vegetation growing everywhere with paths to walk around the garden. At the top of the garden will be an atrium so there will be an enclosed space to overlook both the garden and the ocean.
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Final Decision:
I decided to forward the design of the Plan 2 because I believed it highlighted the features of the gulf and it took advantage of the unique topography. Compared to the other plans, I liked how it still provided privacy yet it was organized in a strategic way where the garden stands out and can be appreciated from wherever. The villas were placed specifically for the topography in that area. The earth villas were placed there for my intention to design them half in the cliff and half poking out on the beach. The water villas were placed there to hover on top of the water (and have water surrounding it) and use the rocks under to provide a solid structure. The air villas would be suspended on the side of the cliff so it had an aerial view of the entire resort and have the feeling of being in the air. Lastly, the fire villas took the last available spot of being right on the beach and having easy access to the garden.
For my garden, I was not truly happy with my original designs so I continued my design process with it and came up with an alternate version where instead of the chaos, it would be more organized. I set up the garden so the follies would line up with their respective villas. However they would be placed close together to symbolize how the four elements are constantly working together and come hand-in-hand.
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Phase 5: Follies
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Starting with my fire folly, I decided to make it mimic fire as much as possible so I designed pieces of flame that would be place close to each other and form a circle this could casue a disorienting feeling which is a quality of fire. This would also give the illusion that it is complete yet, someone could still walk through the maze of pieces to reach the inside where a campfire would be placed and serve as a gathering place.
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Next, I designed my earth folly. For this folly I wanted to have a sturdy looking structure and involve rocks, dirt, and plants. I came up with a building block like structure, where I would have different sized blocks randomly organized on top of each other to make a small mountain, the blocks would be made out of stone and have holes throughout them where I would have small plants grow. I wanted to give it the effect of overgrown rocks. Later, I decided to add an entrance to the mountain so people can walk inside which would essentially look the same as the outside.
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For my water folly, I designed a fountain that someone can walk in. For this I set up an umbrella like structure where the top would be made of glass and the pole would have a reflective exterior. The glass top will hold a shallow pool so when the sun shines it will reflect the water on the ground and give it a ripple effect. On the edges of the pool, water will flow off the sides onto a grate on the floor to recycle back into the fountain. Anybody can walk into the inside of the fountain to appreciate being surrounded by water without getting wet.
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Lastly, the air folly will be an aviary. It will be a tower covered in mesh to allow air to flow freely. It will rise thirty feet into the air and have perches for birds to fly about. The inside of the aviary will have a spiraling staircase made of glass reaching to the top. At the top of the stairs will be a small landing to stand and feel the air flow and see the aviary from a high vantage point.
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Phase 6: Villas
The exterior of my fire villa was inspired by the general shape of fire but simplified to give it a modern and non-literal feel to it. I started with a pyramid and push/pulled certain parts of it give it more dimension. I then thought about the living space and decided to have a separate living space on the inside to symbolize that fire needs a source of energy- that source of energy comes from the materials of the house. This allows the “flame” to exist which mirrors the source of energy, so I decided to use glass for the pyramid to represent it.
The floor plan was created in mind of how can I mimic the industrial style while keeping it practical. I decided to go with a small living space designed for just two people that can easily move around without feeling confined. To get to the second floor, I decided that a spiraling staircase would have the biggest impact which can make someone dizzy, or disoriented, similar to fire. On the second floor, it is packed with healing activities such as a hot tub, chimney, and sauna.
The floor plan was created in mind of how can I mimic the industrial style while keeping it practical. I decided to go with a small living space designed for just two people that can easily move around without feeling confined. To get to the second floor, I decided that a spiraling staircase would have the biggest impact which can make someone dizzy, or disoriented, similar to fire. On the second floor, it is packed with healing activities such as a hot tub, chimney, and sauna.
For my earth villa, I researched the topography of my site and decided that having located inside of a mountain would be a unique feature. I wanted to keep the basic shapes pattern, so I started with a cube to make my villa. I then decided to play around with levels and placement. To have natural light come in, it would have to be placed not to far in the mountain, but if I wanted to keep the feel of being inside the mountain. I decided to do a simple half-and -half but then added different floors to create the illusion that someone is going further and deeper inside the cliff.
For the floor plan, because I was going to have different layers to it, it was going to make someone feel claustrophobic, which adds a little bit to the element of earth of how it is sturdy and compact to create landforms. For my healing spaces I created a separate floor to use as a meditation spot or to do yoga in. On the outside of the villa, I also added a small greenhouse where different flowers, vegetables, and even fruits can grow. For the materials, I stumbled across the earthship style houses that use a combination of wood and recycled materials. This really reflects on the cycle of earth.
For the floor plan, because I was going to have different layers to it, it was going to make someone feel claustrophobic, which adds a little bit to the element of earth of how it is sturdy and compact to create landforms. For my healing spaces I created a separate floor to use as a meditation spot or to do yoga in. On the outside of the villa, I also added a small greenhouse where different flowers, vegetables, and even fruits can grow. For the materials, I stumbled across the earthship style houses that use a combination of wood and recycled materials. This really reflects on the cycle of earth.
The water villas are sitting on top of the water with the gulf on one side and the ocean on the other. I knew I wanted to add a lot of glass so the guests can see the water on all four sides of the villa. I wanted to subtly add feature of a wave so I added exterior walls that almost make a tube like shape that represent a wave that is crashing. Because my villa is on the ocean I had the opportunity to make part of it underwater so I made almost a reverse tank where the guests can sleep underwater.
The water villa will have three different floors all of which will be spacious to show how the ocean is big and deep. Starting from the top floor, it will have the living room where the guest can relax and admire the ocean. The next floor will be the kitchen and have easy access to the private lap pool and spa that will be just right around the corner so guests can exercise and relax. The last floor will have the bedroom and bathroom and really feel immersed in the water due to it being underwater.
The water villa will have three different floors all of which will be spacious to show how the ocean is big and deep. Starting from the top floor, it will have the living room where the guest can relax and admire the ocean. The next floor will be the kitchen and have easy access to the private lap pool and spa that will be just right around the corner so guests can exercise and relax. The last floor will have the bedroom and bathroom and really feel immersed in the water due to it being underwater.
My air villa was designed with a spherical shape in mind to mimic the formation of bubbles and how they capture air inside of them. However I wanted to add more space inside my pod like bubbles so I stretched it put to create an ellipsoid. I also wanted to add lots of windows and a very opened front because that’s where it would look out onto the rest of the resort.
For the interior I wanted to create it with the minimalist style because air is clear and simple. I also tried to keep an opened floor plan with as little wales as possible, just some to have some privacy. I added circular curtain walls to the front of it to allow the movement of air to flow easier an uniquely through the villa. I also used this separate the room without using walls.
On the far left would be the bedroom where it will have the best view over the resort. The middle will be a kitchen and small dining space, on the far right will be a spiraling staircase to mimic the one in the folly. The second floor will be a big opened room to do yoga and meditate which allows the guest to relax after the hard workout of climbing all the steps to reach the villa.
For the interior I wanted to create it with the minimalist style because air is clear and simple. I also tried to keep an opened floor plan with as little wales as possible, just some to have some privacy. I added circular curtain walls to the front of it to allow the movement of air to flow easier an uniquely through the villa. I also used this separate the room without using walls.
On the far left would be the bedroom where it will have the best view over the resort. The middle will be a kitchen and small dining space, on the far right will be a spiraling staircase to mimic the one in the folly. The second floor will be a big opened room to do yoga and meditate which allows the guest to relax after the hard workout of climbing all the steps to reach the villa.