INN AT THE BLUE HORIZON
VIEQUES, PUERTO RICO
PAGE UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Site planning, schematic design, and design development of a 16-acre beachfront resort that included a small guest house, a restaurant, conference facilities, and 43 residential units arranged in clusters. The owner wanted the main buildings and site plan to recall a sugar plantation. We worked closely with De Haas Architects to decrease the development density they had originally proposed and modified their building form to a more open and flexible “casitas” layout that could be shifted to ensure views and privacy and be surrounded by lush landscape. Stormwater was collected by swales and recycled to irrigate the plants, as well as to feed a series of water gardens that would be visible from an elevated terrace upon arrival from the long, ceremonial drive marked by royal palms. Parking lots were hidden at a lower grade obtained by raising the water garden terrace, providing also some interest in an otherwise flat site. The casitas design concept consisted of three cottages per rental unit connected by decks to integrate indoor and outdoor use over small gardens. Outdoor showers were provided, and very small rooms were designed to accommodate built-in furniture to save space, as most of the living would take place in the dedicated gardens and porch areas.