This Ian Schrager-helmed Haitang Bay resort off the coast of Southern China was conceived as a “dream of aqua,” where sky and water converge. SWA’s competition-winning landscape design emulates a river delta and its convergence with the sea. Gently curved forms define the boundaries for 40 private villas, and are echoed throughout the terraced resort in swimming pools, aquatic life pools, and fountains—the most dramatic of which, in the lobby, pours through openings into basin pools below and opens the view to preserved sand dunes and the sea. Additional forms derived from creatures such as the abalone and octopus influenced plantings and pools. Careful site programming and planning helped to preserve the existing specimen trees, particularly in the beach zone and dune ecosystem. Re-vegetation of impacted dune areas will be done with naturalized plantings rather than ornamental species, complete with a management plan that allows for an environment that ensures the overall quality of the resort experience without having to be manicured. The 52-acre landscape for this luxurious 500+-key resort hosts an array of locally farmed native plant materials, as well as transplanted local specimens to protect and promote biodiversity.
Four Seasons Resort Tamarindo
Known for mountainous tropical landscapes where the Sierra Madre range meets the Pacific, the Jalisco coastline is one of Mexico’s preeminent ecotourism destinations, home to the UNESCO-designated Chamela-Cuixmala Biosphere Reserve and vast marine sanctuaries. Carefully sited for minimum ecological disturbance, the new Four Seasons Resort Tamarindo centers con...
JW Marriott Charlotte
The JW Marriott Charlotte, developed by White Lodging and designed by HKS, is a striking 21-story luxury hotel that redefines modern elegance in a prime downtown setting. This urban mixed-use hotel seamlessly integrates sophisticated design elements throughout every space. The 7,500-square-foot amenity deck is a true designer’s vision, featuring custom tile mo...
The Address Residence Dubai
The Address Residence is centrally located in Dubai’s Burj Opera District, adjacent to the Burj Khalifa and Lake, and along new waterfront retail development. In this fast-paced environment, the Address Dubai offers unparalleled luxury that inspires rest and relaxation. Whether you are a resident enjoying the pool with family, an art aficionado strolling in th...
Grand Mansion Hotel
The Grand Mansion Hotel sits atop a historical museum on the site of a former palace, the ruins of which have been preserved and are now an extension of the main museum exhibit, with parts that can be seen across the street. The overall design concept was to reinterpret a traditional leisure garden featuring Japanese cherry, bamboo, and maple trees, and the gr...