10/30/2014

Ecological Resort in Dominica / BURO II | ArchDaily

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Ecological Resort in Dominica / BURO II

12

This is a sustainable design for a

AUG

2009

future development that possibly will

by Sebastian Jordana

be built. BURO II already built a

Hotels and Restaurants BURO II

Dominica

project of this amplitude in

Guangzhou (China) and won with
this Baiyun International Convention
Centre an international prize at the
World Architecture Festival in
Barcelona in 2008.
The design of this hotel beach resort is a concept whereby a sustainable relationship with

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the local economy, culture and natural heritage is central. The hotel assimilates with the
natural habitat of the island. The development of this exclusive residential resort of
22.000m is situated along Mero Beach on the west coast of the Commonwealth of
Dominica.

SELECTED
BUILDINGS

More images and architects description after the break.

Mero Beach is one of the most important beaches on the island and has specific and
relevant social and ecological values. Both those social and ecological characteristics are
related to the fragile cultural, economical and natural balance whose protection is
paramount.The design of this resort intends to protect that balance and promote a
sustainable development approach. The design reflects a concept whereby a sustainable
relationship with the local economy, culture and natural heritage is central. The hotel
assimilates with the natural habitat of the island. This means that:

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Privacy and security could be combined with the possibility for authentic local

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experiences;
Natural bio-diversity could be enriched rather than destroyed by human activities;
Tourism could be a lever of a sustainable cultural, social and economical development;
Resilience and flexibility in design and construction processes could assure economical,
social and financial sustainability with a temporal horizon of more than 100 years;
The impact of the new buildings and activities regarding energy use, water
management, waste production and climate could be strongly limited.

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Mero Village and the Resort will together form a hub of social and economic activity,
drawing in visitors who wish to experience Dominicas unique natural and cultural
heritage, local food production, crafts and skills. The Resort will benefit from, protect and
enhance the nations world renowned rainforest, coastal and wetland habitats and
indigenous species. As far as practicable, food, goods and services will be sourced
locally. As a new cultural and business model for hospitality and regeneration, Mero
Beach Resort will inspire and inform future developments towards sustainability.
Clients, operators, designers and contractors are engaged during the design,
construction and management processes in the conception and enforcement of an
appraisal framework which will aim towards a LEED certification.
Architecture and nature
The goal of the project is to create a dialogue with the existing context: the nature and the
village. The main characteristics of the site are: the presence of the beach, the thick

http://www.archdaily.com/31987/ecological-resort-in-dominica-buro-ii/

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10/30/2014

Ecological Resort in Dominica / BURO II | ArchDaily

foliage all along the long and thin beachfront plot, the topography from flat to steep, the

26 Oct 2014

river and ravine and the proximity of Mero village.

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The concept is to create a linear path as the central spine of the project. This promenade
will connect several functions creating a smooth transition from public to private. The
beach will become in this manner equipped, featuring different grades of openness for
guests and visitors. The local public road integrated in the project and transformed into a
village boulevard, marina, shops, ecopark, reception, congress hall, parking, fitness,
spa, restaurant and beach club among others.

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Fondation Louis Vuitton

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A Priori, the high density of the program has to be distributed in a way that minimizes the
impact of the development within this sensitive location. The program has been divided
into several integrated volumes creating an equated rhythm of sound (building) and
silence (mountain). The developmental strategy is governed by a system that mediates

28 Oct 2014

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volumetric form with local topography.

The project contains a mixture of uses including: villas, bungalows and apartments, retail,
entertainment, hotel, conference facilities and parking.
The use of sustainable materials and techniques and the predominance of natural
vegetation strengthen the concept of architectural integration within a natural
environment. Always framed by the local vegetation and sea views, the new development
will become a new landmark for the coastline of Dominica without overshadowing its
existential essence: the Nature.

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Cite:
Jordana, Sebastian. "Ecological Resort in Dominica / BURO II" 12 Aug 2009. ArchDaily. Accessed 30 Oct
2014. <http://www.archdaily.com/?p=31987>

15 Comments

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Randy Delyuzir

4 years ago

Ecological Resort in Dominica / BURO II | ArchDaily

http://t.co/3PXR752 via @archdaily

Kris

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5 years ago

It's to repetitive.

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DESIGN*aRt::archive

5 years ago

architecture: Ecological Resort in Dominica / BURO II (15 pictures)

http://bit.ly/1SarXF (archdaily)

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helix

5 years ago

so what is a perfect / good example of green/ecological architecture??

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10/30/2014

Ecological Resort in Dominica / BURO II | ArchDaily

so what is a perfect / good example of green/ecological architecture??

kasko

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5 years ago

Totally agree with james. thats not the perfect example of ecological.
maybe with another diferent aproach or standing of the object over the
terrain.
but in this cases I prefer to keep the place virgin

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PanamArq

5 years ago

i actually meant to say "where is the project, I can't see it with such
great camouflage"

Diego

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5 years ago

ecological or mimetical?

mik

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5 years ago

hahha
and all those people just sit in hotel thats why beach is clean
i just love those renderings lyes

james

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5 years ago

Trees growing on the sides and a couple of sunlight diagrams doesnt

make it green.
I'm sure if ecology was a genuine concern then the landscape would
remain untouched.

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manuel martin

5 years ago

Ecological Resort in Dominica / BURO II http://bit.ly/g9z7K

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Eric Borzino

5 years ago

sustainable buildings made to assimilate into the natural habitat

creates dialog with the existing context. saweet http://bit.ly/3En3tq

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PanamArq

5 years ago

where is it?? :-)

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GTO > PanamArq

5 years ago

Dominica

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a.chang.ing design > GTO

5 years ago

an island in the Caribbean, north of Martinique and

south of Guadeloupe

CultureFeast.com

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5 years ago

reading: Ecological Resort in Dominica / BURO II http://bit.ly/11EKQ4

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10/30/2014

Ecological Resort in Dominica / BURO II | ArchDaily

Magorzata I like ceilings in the

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