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WADA 2019 Landscape Design

Ritz-Carlton Residences by Landscape Design Workshop

Mirror-like water surfaces merge with breathtaking ocean views to set the tone for this luxury seaside resort.

The project was developed on a 3.5 Hectare (9-acre) ocean front site located in Singer Island, Florida. A podium level connects two 27-story towers built over a parking garage.  This podium level accommodates the porte cochere arrival area, a 4,500 square meters (50,000 square feet) resort amenity deck and a restaurant.  The site also includes five ocean-side bungalows and a beach access walkway meandering through restored coastal dunes.

World Architecture & Design Awards 2019
Third Award | Category: Landscape Design
Architects: Erez Bar-Nur
Studio: Landscape Design Workshop
Team Members: Erez Bar-Nur, Principal; Michiyo Fujita
Country: United States
Website: www.landscapedesignworkshop.com

The landscape architect used water surfaces and lush seaside planting to connect the resort with the surrounding coastal environment.  A terraced pool deck design abstracts the notion of an island surrounded by ocean.

Entering the site, the visitor drives up the entry ramp ascending to the podium level.  The entry ramp is lined with stepped planters, creating pleasant rhythm as the driver approaches the arrival area.  Once at the porte cochere, the visitor is greeted with the sound and sight of cascading water.  The entry fountain is composed of softly curved lines, recalling the form of a gentle stream.

The resort deck is made up of terraced levels, stepping down towards the ocean.  The upper level islocated over a parking garage and is divided into two primary zones, the restaurant palm court and the rectangular pool deck.  These 2 spaces are connected with a walkway, forming a long axis of sight lines. Extensive planting of Coconut Palms underline the tropical island character of the podium level.

The restaurant palm court is organized around low square planters planted with date palms.  Intimate seating areas can be found in between and around the planters and the sound of moving water is ever present, emanating from the surrounding fountains.  The walkway connecting the palm court with the pool deck is edged on both sides with a long linear fountain with aerating jets.  This walkway reveals the pool deck with shade cabanas, lush seaside planting and panoramic ocean views.  The rectangular pool features a deck-level gutter system, creating a water surface that appears to be floating over the pool deck and visually connects the upper level with the ocean.

The lower terrace features a second pool.  Contrasting with the upper level pool and influenced by the proximity to the ocean, this pool is free formed with an infinity edge.  The terrace is graded in such a way to conceal the perimeter security fence and to provide uninterrupted views of the ocean.  This lower terrace provides a connection to the beach and the beach-side bungalows.  The restored dunes provide a buffer between the lower terrace, the bungalows and the shore.

In this project the landscape architect used water, lush planting and a terraced amenity deck to create a seaside resort with a tropical island character.  Restoring the coastal dunes was paramount in blurring the lines between the new development and the beach.

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