Architecture Thesis Book

Serenity

an eco-resort

An approach for nature and humanity to co-exist

Mariyah Salem Aljneibi

Serenity

An approach for nature and humanity to co-exist

A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Department of Architecture in partial fullfillment of the requirements for the Bachelor’s Degree of Architecture Abu Dhabi University Mariyah Salem Aljneibi 1060858 Under the supervision of Dr. Nilufer Ozak November 2020

TA B L E O F 01. THESIS DESCRIPTION • • • • • • • •

Project Identification Project Background and Description The Rationale Behind Selecting the Project Building Typology History and Future Visions Problem Statement The Coastal Ecosystem in Abu Dhabi Project Work Plan

02. PRECEDENT STUDIES • • • • • •

31-51

Precedents Overview The Mangrove The Mangrove Panwa Resort Votu Hotel Cuna Cozumel Hotel Comparative Charts and Tables

03. SITE ANALYSIS • • • • • • • • • • • •

9-27

55-71

Site Selection Site Selection Criteria Topography and Contour Natural Features Environmental Analysis Zoning, Plot Regulations and Codes Historical Development of the Site Site Accessibility and Street Network Visual Documentation Sound Documentation Services and Infrastructure Conclusion

04. USER ANALYSIS • User Overview • User Group Identification • User Experience

75-81

CONTENT 05. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS • • • •

Functions Overview Space Standards Local & International Design Codes and Regulations Design Objectives & Considerations

06. PROGRAMMING • • • •

85-125

129-143

Program Description Program Functions Detailed Program Tables Proximity Matrix and Diagrams

07. CONCEPTUAL DESIGN

147- 155

• Design Concept Summary • Site Response • Design Rationale

08. THE FINAL DESIGN

• • • • • •

159-171

Design Concept Master Plan Floor Plans Villa Types Section Prespectives

09. BIBLIOGRAPHY

173-175

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Thesis Description

Thesis Description

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01 Thesis Description • Project Identification • Project Background and Description • The Rationale Behind Selecting the Project • Building Typology • History and Future Visions • Problem Statement • The Coastal Ecosystem in Abu Dhabi • Project Work Plan

Thesis Description

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1.1 Project Identification Eco-tourism is the type of tourism that promotes sustainability through the preservation of natural and cultural heritage. It focuses on environmental protection, eco-friendliness, and environmental sustainability. ‘Serenity’ is an eco-resort that aims to emphasize the concept of eco-tourism in the UAE through co-existing and building a resort that resembles nature and blends beautifully with it. ‘Serenity’s main function serves as an accommodation and a recreational space. The proposed project will include different types of accommodations for different groups of people. Moreover, it will have recreational and educational facilities that promote eco-tourism and give visitors an opportunity to interact with nature in the most subtle ways and with the least negative environmental impact.

TO CONNECT HUMANITY WITH NATURE IN THE MOST SUBTLE WAY.

GOALS & OBJECTIVES The comfort of both people and the unique eco-system of Abu Dhabi are of importance in this project. In line with current efforts to improve implementation of in-situ conservation and to lead ex-situ conservation efforts to maintain sustainable populations of key flora and fauna, the main goals of Serenity eco-resort are:

TO PROTECT AND ENHANCE THE NATURAL RESOURCES AND CULTURAL HERITAGE OF ABU DHABI.

TO ACHIEVE THE ABU DHABI 2030 VISION OF BECOMING A WORLDCLASS DESTINATION.

Serenity eco-resort aims to achieve all of this by: • Exploring the relationship between ecology, tourism, and architecture.

• Studying the different strategies of eco-friendly architectural designs.

• Identifying sustainable design guidelines for this type of buildings.

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Thesis Description

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1.2Project Background and Description Ecotourism is a branch of tourism aimed at visitors who want to explore the untouched, natural environment without destroying it or disrupting its ecosystems. It is a form of tourism intended as a low impact, involving visiting delicate, pristine, and relatively undisturbed natural areas. It implies responsible travel to natural areas, protecting the environment, and enhancing the well-being of the local community. Its purpose is to ed-

over 20 percent of total tourism activities worldwide. Ecotourism’s significance lies in its environmental benefits, as it focuses on environmental protection, eco-friendliness, and environmental sustainability. Besides, it helps preserve biodiversity, accelerates the transition to a green economy, minimizes desertification and pollution, and contributes to the national GDP. Responsible ecotourism programs include those that reduce negative

ucate tourists, providing funds for environmental conservation, and directly supporting the economic growth and political empowerment of local communities. Over the past two decades, the concept of ecotourism has grown significantly, targeting tourists looking for tours with the least negative impact on the environment. According to international studies, ecotourism currently accounts for

environmental aspects of traditional tourism and improve the cultural integrity of local communities. Therefore, in addition to determining environmental and cultural factors, the promotion of recycling, energy efficiency, water conservation, and the development of economic opportunities for local communities are also important parts of ecotourism.

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1.3Rationale Behind Selecting the Project According to the vision of UAE 2030, the country has consolidated its position on the world tourism map, with the number of inbound tourists reaching 16 million in 2017.

Although the country boasts significant environmental assets, the concept of ecotourism is still not fully exploited. Moreover, due to the rapid development of Abu Dhabi and UAE in general, Abu Dhabi is expected to become a world-class destination, in line

ate to be an all-in-one destination, ecotourism must take a spot in this transformation.

Abu Dhabi, generally, does not hold many eco-friendly destinations. So, integrating both nature and humanity in a space where both are comfortably co-existing would mark a symbolic revolution for the emirate.

with the commitment to conserving, promoting, and leveraging the emirate’s heritage, culture and tourism assets. Along with the current efforts in transforming the emir-

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1.4Building Typology Serenity Eco-Resort is an environmentally conscious resort. Resorts are typically self-contained commercial establishments that try to provide most of a vacationers’ needs such as food, beverages, accommodation, sports, entertainment, and shopping on the premises. The word resort may be used for a hotel property with a range of facilities, including entertainment and leisure activities.

An accommodation unit is also the core feature of a resort. Beyond basic property type,

and fitness megatrends. Resort programming, site layout, and hotel design are all vitally influenced by such cultural and market trends.

It is not just vacationers who seek out resorts.

location is a prime influence on resort development. In established resort regions such as Cancun or Phuket, resort amenities—spas, sports and recreation facilities, and related retail—are provided in virtually all hotels, for required market flexibility and because of the continued growth of health consciousness

RESORT MILESTONE

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14

500 BC

1300s

Clubhous

First resorts at min-

The English country

to British

eral and hot springs

inn developed; some

veloped in

in Greece

inns in London

Biblical times

1100s

1500s

Boarding houses

The Three Kings

European spas

existed

Inn opened in Basel,

revived in Carlsbad,

Switzerland

Marienbad

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1.5History and Future Visions The first resorts were seaside spas in ancient Greece and Rome, a concept which soon advanced throughout the Roman Empire. After their decline in the middle Ages, spas were revived along with the flourishing of the arts and sciences during the Renaissance and returned to prominence throughout Europe. For example the most famous of ancient spa destinations, Germany’s Baden-Baden, has over fifty hotels to cater to the thousands of visitors who come each year to enjoy the town’s

ularity as a national social center in the 1850s.

During the early years of the industrial revolution, resorts remained the province of the well-to-do. Fashionable hotels, such as Mohonk Mountain House in upstate New York and the Hotel del Coronado in San Diego, California, prospered in diverse scenic mountain and seaside settings. But the twentieth century saw the resort become increasingly accessible to the middle class through steadily rising disposable income and paid vacations,

natural mineral springs, a draw since the time of Roman emperor Aurelius Severus. Following similar origins, the earliest North American resorts were spas, starting in the 1750s in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, and in the resort community of Saratoga Springs, New York, which reached the height of its pop-

particularly following World War II. This included dramatic increases in leisure travel

by Europeans and Asians. Resorts experienced a sustained growth boom, eventually evolving into highly customized categories serving many different types of vacationers.

00s

2000s

ses similar

1940s

Hotel chains

h clubs de-

San Souci in Miami

introduced the

n America

was first post-war

lobby “great room”

resort

concept

1900s

1980s

2010s

The Ritz founded in

Electronic key-card

Hotels introduced

London. Taj Mahal

for hotel rooms was

smartphone applica-

Hotel opened in

introduced by Ving

tions for check-in/out

Mumbai

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1.5History and Future Visions The twenty-first century began with aggressive expansion of hotel development into hundreds of new markets worldwide. This rapid growth has demonstrated that the commonplace is no longer acceptable: new hotels in urban and luxury resort areas need to be dramatic, timeless, and unique, while more humble properties still need to reflect high style and current technological advances to meet the ever-higher expectations of travelers. Massive mixed-use projects that combine hotels with residential, office, retail and entertainment continue to be a factor in major city-center development, but innovative approaches to urban hotel design are rapidly gaining favor and visionary architects are exploring new ways to create exciting, sustainable leisure and business hotel concepts that may transform the industry.

I N N OVAT I V E T R E N D S Here are the dominant hotel development and design trends that are likely to become more prevalent in the next decades.

• Increased Emphasis on Technology • Experience Customization • Increased Sustainability • Increased Security

Increased Emphasis on Technology Technology will need to be applied when and where it is most appropriate. Guests will still need and desire human interaction when technological solutions do not meet their needs or when they crave contact with a real person after hours of dehumanizing travel. Hotels that have tried to move toward kiosk-only check-in have found that having personal service by well-trained employees is important to guest satisfaction. New construction techniques, materials, and systems

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will speed the development and process and greatly reduce hotel carbon footprints. This will include further advances in HVAC and lighting controls, water reduction and reuse systems, naturally occurring power and heat sources, and accelerated composting.

Centralized construction of building components or entire rooms will continue to develop, encouraging the creation of transportable hotels that can follow hotel demand while minimizing environmental impact on the site.

Increased Sustainability Ecotourism is geared towards sustainable development and in the same light, comes sustainable accommodation. Tourists are increasingly choosing sustainable accommodation so that they can help reduce the negative impacts on the environment.

It also favors better interactions with the local communities and brings about a better ecological choice altogether.

Sustainable Volunteering Modern travelers tend to volunteer when on their trips to make the world a better place, a trend that is gradually being embraced by many eco-travelers.

Some of the things that travelers choose to volunteer in include activities and programs that make the world a better place. Examples include doctoral and nursing assistance, and teaching that empowers the people socially, culturally, behaviourally, and economically.

Increased Security Unfortunately, in recent years some hotels have become targets for terrorist activity. Guests routinely rate security as a growing concern when they travel.

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1.6Problem Statement UAE has one of the highest ecological footprints per capita in the world. Despite improved conservation programs introduced in the last decade, a pattern of continued habitat degradation and biological diversity loss remains. Some progress has been made in protecting biodiversity components, promoting sustainable use, and addressing biodiversity threats in Abu Dhabi. The reasons for this problem are numerous, but tourism

eco-tourism. The lack of eco-tourism in the emirate highlights a key cause for choosing this project to be studied and explored.

Although there are many good resorts in Abu Dhabi that enrich the Emirate’s tourism, ecological and eco-resorts are still not fully exploited. Desert is not the only source of an ecological habitat. Abu Dhabi is also rich in coastal and marine ecosystems. The UAE has approximately 4,000 ha of mangrove, and 2,500 ha

contributes to a huge part of it. Tourism contributes to environmental pollution in many ways, like the construction of facilities, visitors’ lack of knowledge of the importance of protecting the environment, and how badly some of their actions affect many biodiversity components. Moreover, tourism is being viewed as a path to lessening its historical reliance on hydrocarbons, making up 30 percent of its GDP. The need for tourism rises as the country is trying to depend on it as a primary pillar of the economy. Thus, comes the need for more sustainable measures and

are centered in Abu Dhabi alone. Mangroves are one of the most important ecosystems in the Emirate. They occur in the intertidal region between the land and the sea, specifically in the tropical and subtropical latitudes. The mangroves ecosystem provides goods and services for the local community as it helps to stabilize the shorelines and decrease the natural hazards caused by increased sea levels.

Moreover, the mangroves ecosystem keeps coastal zones healthy. Mangroves provide essential habitat for thousands of species.

“CLEARLY THE PROBLEM OF MAN AND NATURE IS NOT ONE OF PROVIDING A DECORATIVE BACKGROUND FOR THE HUMAN PLAY, OR EVEN AMELIORATING THE GRIM CITY; IT IS THE NECESSITY OF SUSTAINING NATURE AS SOURCE OF LIFE, MILIEU, TEACHER, SANCTUM, CHALLENGE AND, MOST OF ALL, OF REDISCOVERING NATURE’S COROLLARY OF THE UNKNOWN IN THE SELF, THE SOURCE OF MEANING.” – IAN MCHARG

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NARROWING DOWN THE PROBLEM The importance of mangroves is not known by most tourists and visitors. Thus, comes the importance of such a project. Serenity aims to preserve and protect the environment and, at the same time, educate visitors on the importance of such an ecosystem.

RESEARCH QUESTION HOW CAN A RESORT BE DESIGNED IN A WAY THAT PRESERVES AND PROTECTS THE ENVIRONMENT WHILE EDUCATES VISITORS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF ITS ECOSYSTEM SIMULTANEOUSLY?

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1.7The Coastal Ecosystem in Abu Dhabi With some 37,000 square kilometres of the territorial seas of the United Arab Emirates and 2,390 kilometres of coastline along the mainland and islands of the southern Arabian Gulf, a variety of habitats occur in the marine and coastal environment of Abu Dhabi.

These include sand dunes, beaches, islands, coral reefs, seagrass beds, mangrove stands and tidal inlets. In addition to their intrinsic value and role in maintaining biodiversity, they provide goods and services to society

An escalation in the extent and variety of activities in the coastal zone has led to a host of critical management issues including resource depletion, conflicting uses, habitat loss, pollution, and environmental degradation. Because of the multifaceted nature of resource use, connectivity of the biota and dynamic interactions in the coastal zone, it is widely recognized that management objectives can only be achieved if the assessment, planning and decision making processes adopt a holistic

through biological productivity, recreational use, and protection against coastal erosion.

Furthermore, the marine and coastal environment forms the basis of the natural and cultural heritage of the indigenous population.

and integrated approach. Moreover, an intimate understanding of the natural resources, anthropogenic activities and deleterious impacts is required if mitigating strategies are to be developed. Due to the diversity and scope of information needed to achieve common

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sustainable use and conservation goals, a culture native plant species, including the national of data sharing among stakeholders is imperative. tree of the UAE, the Ghaf, as well as the Dwarf Plants play a critical role in the natural ecosys- Palm and the White Saxaul, among others. tem, and their abundant presence is an indication of a well-functioning and habitable environment.

On land, plants and their root systems are essential to purify and oxygenate environments, combat desertification and soil erosion, sequester carbon emissions, control rainfall and weather patterns, and to provide several functions as sources of shelter, sustenance, and tertiary products.

In marine environments, plants such as seagrasses are an important source of sustenance while providing shelter to small vertebrates and invertebrates. Abu Dhabi is home to 436

Marine and Coastal Habitats in Abu Dhabi SEAGRASS BEDS

CORAL REEFS

Seagrass beds are the most productive coastal ecosystems and cover large areas of shallow water habitats (<10 m water depth) throughout Abu Dhabi Emirate. There are more than 50 species of seagrasses in the world’s oceans and three of them occur in the Arabian Gulf.

Halodule uninervis is the most abundant species of seagrass observed in the waters off Abu Dhabi.

Coral reef are Abu Dhabi’s most diverse marine ecosystem. The shallow coastal waters of Abu Dhabi Emirate are generally considered unsuitable for most corals although there are numerous fringing and patch reefs with Acropora, Porites, Platygyra and many other smaller faviids.

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1.7The Coastal Ecosystem in Abu Dhabi Marine and Coastal Habitats in Abu Dhabi SANDY BEACHES

DREDGED CHANNELS

Many of the sediment beaches in the western and central regions of Abu Dhabi and on both offshore and barrier islands consist of carbonate sand, largely of biological origin. Immediately above the high water mark these beaches are utilized by a range of organisms for nesting including marine turtles, marine birds and other species such as ghost crab (Ocypode rotundata) which build distinctive sand towers near the entrance to their burrows during the breeding season.

Dredged navigation channels have connected shallow coastal habitats with deeper marine waters allowing for more frequent flushing therefore reducing the salinity and temperature of coastal waters particularly in back lagoon habitats. This has assisted with an increase in natural mangrove vegetation and has also provided year-round habitat for some fish species (e.g. hamoor).

LAGOONS AND CREEKS

COASTAL SABKHA

A major feature of Abu Dhabi’s shallow coastline is a network of inshore barrier islands. The barrier complex of islands and submerged reefs result in a breakwater effect that provides quiet backwaters consisting of shallow flats and lagoons with fine sediments. Despite these areas having restricted water exchange, mangroves, and sea grasses flourish, as do other biologically productive benthic habitats.

Coastal Sabkhas are costal flat at or just above the level of normal high tide. Its sediments consist of sand, silt or clay and its surface is often covered with a salt crust formed by the evaporation of water drawn to the surface by capillary action or from occasional marine inundations. The coastal sabkha is characterized by the presence of algal mats and the occurrence of gypsum and anhydrite within its sediment. It is subject to deflation down to the water table.

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MANGROVES Only one species of Mangrove, Avicennia marina, occurs in the Gulf region although it seems likely that a second species of Rhizophora disappeared from the area in historical times. The mangroves of the UAE are generally of a small size, with an average height of around 5m. Of all the species in nature, the mangrove is among the most fascinating and beneficial to humanity. This hardy tree acts as a natural windbreak, protecting us against tidal surges and purifying the surrounding water. It is also highly effective in storing Carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, thus contributing to the fight against climate change.

Mangroves also provide a safe, sheltered home for hundreds of bird and marine species, which aids biodiversity and helps to increase fish stocks. Abu Dhabi’s coastal areas are richly lined with mangrove forests. There are already an estimated 70 square km of mangrove forest across the Emirate. The Mangrove National Park has more than 19 square km of forest. Found within the city of Abu Dhabi, this park is a dense, luxuriant concentration of mangrove trees, protected by law.

MANGROVE ROOTS TYPES CABLE ROOTS: Cable roots grow horizontally from the main trunk of the mangrove tree.

They can extend up to several meters in length.

ANCHOR ROOTS: Mangrove trees also have roots that grow vertically. They can grow downwards up to 1 mater in depth. Together they serve as an anchor for the trees.

AERIAL ROOTS: Mangrove trees have pneumatophores roots that grow upwards into the air. Known as breathing root, they transport air. They also store oxygen for use during high tides. Giving structural support in the soft mud is yet another function of these knee’ roots.

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1.7The Coastal Ecosystem in Abu Dhabi MANGROVES BENEFITS OF MANGROVES WATER FILTRATION Mangroves along with seagrass act as water filters protecting and improving the sea water quality.

COASTAL PROTECTION Mangroves help to stabilize the coastal zones preventing mud and sand from being washed away.

FISHERIES More than 3000 fish species ore found in mangrove ecosystems around the world.

TOURISM There are 13 important mangrove sites in the UAE, of which 8 are in Abu Dhabi.

CLIMATE REGULATION Mangroves store 3 to 5 times more carbon than tropical forests as carbon is stored in both the sediment below mangroves and within the mangrove trees. Removal of mangrove habitats removes important carbon sinks.

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SPECIAL ADAPTABILITY Mangroves have a unique root system that helps the trees grow where other terrestrial plants cannot because of high temperature, high salinity, low oxygen levels and unstable soils. The roots help trap sediment and thus enhance water quality and prevent over-sedimentation getting into adjacent habitats such as seagrass/corals.

EROSION PROTECTION Mangroves function as natural barriers against strong ocean waves, tidal currents and winds preventing erosion and destruction. The structure of the mangrove canopy and roots absorbs and dissipates strong wave energy. While the complex root structure of mangroves stabilizes the sediments, water currents saves ecosystems from sediment smothering.

HABITAT BEHAVIOR As mangroves thrive at the interface between land and sea, they are well adapted to natural stressors, Including temperature, salinity, anoxia and solar radiation. They are also sensitive to disturbances particularly caused by man-made activities. Tides determine zonation of plants and animals in the mangroves. Tidal duration influences salinity, exchange of mass, distribution of organisms. and the root system of mangroves

HABITAT CONSERVATION Localized activities, alteration of shorelines and water flow patterns as well as public awareness and conservation efforts in recent decades have contributed to the expansion of mangrove areas in the UAE.

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1.8Project Work Plan The project starts with doing research about the problem statement and attempting to find solutions for it. Then, analyzing and studying related case studies and doing a profound site analysis. Later, comes setting the design program and identifying the different users and functions of the project as well as the standards of the assigned facilities. Lastly, producing a conceptual design proposal.

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Thesis Description

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02

Precedent Studies

Precedent Studies

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02 Precedent Studies • Precedents Overview • The Mangrove • The Mangrove Panwa Resort • Votu Hotel • Cuna Cozumel Hotel • Comparative Charts and Tables

Precedent Studies

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2.1 Precedents Overview

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01.

THE MANGROVE

02.

THE MANGROVE PANWA RESORT

03.

VOTU HOTEL

04.

CUNA COZUMEL HOTEL

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C’arch Architecture + Design Langkawi, Malaysia 2015

ONGSA Architects Phuket, Thailand 2017

GCP Arquitetura e Urbanismo Algodões Beach / BA, Brazil 2016

Sierra + Ramirez de Aguilar Arquitectos Cozumel, Quintana Roo, México 2019

Precedent Studies

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2.2The Mangrove Architect: C’arch Architecture + Design Project Type: Hospitality – Resort Location: Langkawi, Malaysia Site Area: 89,000 m² Area: Year: 2015-Present

REASONS FOR SELECTING THE CASE STUDY This project has a similar site to the proposed project, it also practices a couple of eco-conscious practices that help reduce the negative environmental impact as well as protecting the native wildlife that lives there. This project was designed in a way that blends beautifully with the surrounding environment causing as little negative environmental impact as possible. Moreover, this project consists of many functions that are similar to the proposed project such as accommodations, activities by nature, recreational and educational facilities, etc.

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SITE OVERVIEW The project is located on a quiet river estuary next to Kampung Temoyong jetty, which encompasses a unique combination of geographical and natural features. Entering from the west, the land rises to a natural saddle point overlooking the sea at some 12m above sea-level. This viewing point is at the center of 4 distinct habitats found on the site: the river estuary, hilltop forests, ocean view slopes and the mangrove forest. These distinct habitats offer opportunities to create distinct and beautiful spaces for a sustainable resort.

DESIGN CONCEPT The concept behind this project was to give back to nature by building a sustainable, eco-friendly resort that is also a fun experience to have. Since the project is surrounded by beautiful distinct habitats, the architects’

main goal was to build something that mimics nature and blend with it beautifully by using materials that are existing in the surroundings.

SPACE AND FUNCTIONS This distinct site offers opportunities to create distinct and beautiful spaces for a sustainable resort that offers the traveler unique experiences of rest, rejuvenation, recreation, learning and giving back to nature. The project consists of a lobby, different types of accommodations such as tree house suites, paddy suites, mangrove suites, ocean view villas, and boathouse. It also has a tent platform, beach lounge, restaurant, gym, saltwater pool, wellness spa, mangrove ecoschool, amphitheater, bird watching hide-out.

Precedent Studies

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2.2The Mangrove FURTHER INFORMATION

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CONCLUSION To conclude, the mangrove adventure resort is an ongoing resort project in Langkawi, Malaysia. It has a similar site and functions as the proposed project thus studying it was a successful trial to research further for the proposed project. The project falls upon an interesting site that it in the center of 4 distinct habitats: the river estuary, hilltop forests, ocean view slopes and the mangrove forest. These distinct habitats offer opportunities to create distinct and beautiful spaces for a sustainable resort that offers the traveler unique experiences of rest, rejuvenation, recreation, learning and giving back to nature.

Precedent Studies

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2.3The Mangrove Panwa Resort Architect: ONGSA Architects Project Type: Hospitality – Resort Location: Phuket, Thailand Site Area: 35,000 m² Area: Year: 2017

REASONS FOR SELECTING THE CASE STUDY This project has a similar site to the proposed project, it is also designed in a way that helps the native species co-exist with humans as it looks like the surrounding environment. Moreover, this project consists of many functions that are similar to the proposed project such as accommodations, activities by nature, recreational facilities, etc.

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DESIGN CONCEPT The concept behind this project was to build a luxurious resort that is also sustainable and has less negative environmental impact, alongside with designing a resort that will blend nicely with its surroundings, ONGSA also aimed to use natural, local materials for the construction of this resort.

SITE OVERVIEW The Mangrove Panwa Phuket Resort is located Tambon Wichit, Aumpore Muang, Phuket, Thailand. This wonderful site makes up rare spot where the beautiful mangrove forests and the sea meet, making it a unique site with astonishing ecosystems. The project is also surrounded by a private natural tropical garden in front of the sea with a view of Chalong Bay.

SPACE AND FUNCTIONS This resort is a part of a bigger project that compromises of a resort, adventure park, fisherman village and a boxing camp. The resort project offers a 24-Hour front desk/lobby, cafe & bistro, spa, office, parking onsite and accommodations that consists of 32 spacious and airy rooms comprising of: studio deluxe, studio villa garden, studio villa ocean, and studio deluxe – connecting – 2 bedrooms. All tropical rooms are the same size and feature a balcony.

Precedent Studies

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2.3The Mangrove Panwa Resort FURTHER INFORMATION

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CONCLUSION To conclude, The Mangrove Panwa Phuket Resort is a luxurious resort in Phuket, Thailand. It has a similar site and functions as the proposed project thus studying it was a successful trial to research further for the proposed project. The project is in an interesting site where the beautiful mangrove forests and the sea meet, making it a unique site with astonishing ecosystems. The project is also surrounded by a private natural tropical garden. The resort is a part of a bigger project that compromises of a resort, adventure park, fisherman village and a boxing camp. The resort project offers a 24-Hour front desk/lobby, cafe & bistro, spa, office, parking onsite and accommodations.

Precedent Studies

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2.4Votu Hotel Architect: GCP Arquitetura e Urbanismo Project Type: Hospitality – Hotel Location: Algodões Beach / BA, Brazil Site Area: 6,250 m² Area: 1,603 m² Year: 2016

REASONS FOR SELECTING THE CASE STUDY This project uses the science of biomimetics, which is a discipline that is processed in several segments and aims to learn and develop techniques based on the study and analysis of solutions that nature has developed. In architecture it can be applied to bring new concepts and strategies aimed at the efficiency of buildings, innovative and multifunctional materials, besides being a unique opportunity of identity in the creation of projects. Biomimicry

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represents great opportunities for further developing the proposed project as its main goal is to design a resort that will blend with nature and allow humans and the native flora and fauna to co-exist. This project also compromises of many functions that are similar to the proposed project as well as using many innovative strategies to make the hotel more sustainable.

SITE OVERVIEW The project Votu Hotel is a project located in Praia dos Algodões – Maraú Peninsula, Bahia.

A region very rich in biodiversity due to the environmental systems it has sea, coral bench, Atlantic forest, natural lagoons, and mangrove.

In addition to all this beauty, this location also offers some challenges due to high temperatures, good rainfall, and salinity. Considering the quality of this place, its challenges and fragility we seek the solutions of thermal comfort and energy efficiency applying biomimetics.

takes an unusual approach to that challenge: biomimicry––sustainable innovation inspired by nature’s proven wisdom. GCP’s approach to conservation and tourism may seem unusual, but biomimicry has been growing in popularity among architects for a long time.

SPACE AND FUNCTIONS This hotel has 8 suites with individual construction, a nautical support building with spa space and changing rooms, swimming pool, restaurant and living area.

DESIGN CONCEPT The concept behind this project was the use of Biomimetics; a science that translates the technology that living beings own to deal with environmental and organizational challenges. Nature constantly faces various climatic or ecosystem-related challenges for its survival and reproduction, such as strong solar irradiation, excess water, temperature fluctuations. It deals with them through mechanisms and strategies developed over billions of years of evolution that have become the source of inspiration for this project. GCP Arquitectura and Urbanismo’s Votu Hotel

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2.4Votu Hotel FURTHER INFORMATION The biologist and biomimetics specialist, Alessandra Araujo, trained the team of Architects of GCP for this project. The solutions with biomimetics led the architectural party to the suites, closures of all buildings and efficient roofs. The organism that inspired natural and constant ventilation, ensuring thermal comfort even when the space is closed, is the Prairie Dog, which in a brief explanation, makes its burrows buried in the ground with air inlets and vents. The closure of these buildings was inspired by the self-shading capacity of some cacti. In the main building the

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kitchen roof is also a garden slab but acts as a large heat exchanger inspired by the toucan nozzles. These innovative strategies allow spaces to be more pleasant avoiding excessive use of energy with air conditioners.

CONCLUSION To conclude, Votu Hotel is a proposal hotel in Algodões Beach / BA, Brazil. It has a similar site and functions as the proposed project thus studying it was a successful trial to research further for the proposed project. The project is in a region that is very rich in biodiversity due to the environmental systems it has sea, coral bench, Atlantic forest, natural lagoons, and mangrove. The project’s main approach is the use of biomimicry, a science that translates the technology that living beings own to deal with environmental and organizational challenges.

Moreover, this project uses innovative strategies to allow spaces to be more pleasant avoiding excessive use of energy with air conditioners.

Precedent Studies

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2.5Cuna Cozumel Hotel Architect: Sierra + Ramirez de Aguilar Arquitectos Project Type: Hospitality – Societal, Hotel Location: Cozumel, Quintana Roo, México Site Area: 9,530 m² Area: 3,337 m² Year: 2019

REASONS FOR SELECTING THE CASE STUDY This project has a similar site to the proposed project, it also has a design that mimics the surrounding nature which helps in reducing the negative environmental impact as well as protecting the native species that live there. More-

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over, this project consists of many functions that are similar to the proposed project such as accommodations, and activities by nature.

SITE OVERVIEW Immersed in the dense jungle of Cozumel, Cuna Hotel is hidden on the medium forest and on the mangrove next to the Caribbean.

The project is located in Cozumel, Quintana Roo, México in a site where mangrove forests meet the sea making it an exotic location that combines two unique ecosystems.

the views of the sunset and the turquoise sea.

As arteries to the main axis, the two-level rooms that conceal the pool and the circle under the ground which opens its view to the sky to practice meditation, then the central bridge lifts us towards the stilts which, like birds perch over the mangrove.

DESIGN CONCEPT “Cuna Cozumel provokes the connection between the being and its soil, between the natural and the built to give rise to new atmospheres that commune with the site.” - Sierra + Ramirez Architects The concept behind this project was to design a hotel that connects one with nature with the least negative environmental impact. The plan had many alterations, but all have one thing in common, which is the architects’ main goal, is to create a hidden hotel in the middle of forest. The design recycles the archetypes of the Mayan palapas to give rise to various spaces that are discovered through the central axis that governs the distribution of the program.

SPACE AND FUNCTIONS The hotel consists of a set of 26 rooms that rest on the medium forest and 8 that float on the mangrove next to the Caribbean. The main access is revealed through two discrete walls that open the way to the cloistered prism that serves as a reception and lobbies the route to the white beach where the club and restaurant is located, which with its long front captures

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2.5Cuna Cozumel Hotel FURTHER INFORMATION

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CONCLUSION To conclude, Cuna Cozumel is a hidden hotel in the middle of the mangrove forests in Cozumel, Quintana Roo, México. It has a similar site and functions as the proposed project thus studying it was a successful trial to research further for the proposed project. The master plan had many iterations, but all versions had the concept in common, which is to immerse and blend the building within the forest it falls upon. The hotel is also next to the sea which makes up a great site that combines two distinct ecosystems. The hotel has a set of 34 two-level rooms in total with a restaurant, club, reception, lobbies, and a spa for meditations.

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2.6Comparative Charts and Tables

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03

Site Analysis

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03 Site Analysis • Site Selection • Site Selection Criteria • Topography and Contour • Natural Features • Environmental Analysis • Zoning, Plot Regulations and Codes • Historical Development of the Site • Site Accessibility and Street Network • Visual Documentation • Sound Documentation • Services and Infrastructure • Conclusion

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3.1Site Selection The location of Serenity Eco-resort is in Jubail Island, Abu Dhabi. Jubail Island is a natural environment located just outside the capital of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, between Yas Island and Saadiyat Island. Its unique location allows it to connect between a wide variety of business, cultural and entertainment destinations. Jubail island offers an experience unparalleled anywhere else in the UAE. The island’s unique intertidal marine setting provides a welcome habitat for a diversity of wildlife, greenery, and beautiful scenery. It is surrounded by thousands of mangrove forests and a sparkling waterfront.

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3.2Site Selection Criteria

Site selection is the process of examining multiple options and assessing their relative advantages and disadvantages.

The site selection process involves the following interrelated tasks: identifying a site, and devising a plan for the project.

There are multiple factors that affect the selection of the site. These factors could be environmental and natural, or social and cultural. These factors should be related to the location, to the land, and to the building.

The main criteria have to do with the history of the site, the topography, the climate and orientation, the land use, and accessibility.

Serenity eco-resort aims to have the least negative impact. Thus, choosing a location where most of Abu Dhabi’s ecosystem features naturally exist was ideal. It is an excellent natural habitat for a variety of native Flora and Fauna. Al Jubail also falls on an important migratory route, making it a prime location for exotic birds. Moreover, Serenity Eco-resort aims to offer an experience in the unspoiled nature of Abu Dhabi without having the hustle to travel long distances to reach it. Jubail Island’s unique location helped in this aspect as it is just minutes away from the different and important destinations of Abu Dhabi.

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3.3Topography and Contours The selected site is elevated from sea level by different levels ranging from 1 to 4 meters but mostly 2 meters. Sea levels at the site are shallow, starting with 40 cm, which is their lowest level when there are low tides. Further analysis of the topography and contour lines of the site was done and are illustrated in this chapter.

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3.4Natural Features Jubail island is rich in natural features, as it is a natural habitat for various types of Flora and Fauna. After some careful research about the environment in Jubail Island, this chapter introduces some of the key natural features that exist in the site. Like the high salinity water, gray mangroves and the abundant wildlife that includes: mangroves and seagrass, water and land birds, various gastropods, fish and crab species. This chapter show further details of each specie.

HIGH SALINITY WATER The Arabian Gulf is a 1000-km-long basin with a maximum width of 350 km, an average depth of 40 m, and a maximum depth of 120 m. It has a surface area of about 239,000 km’ with a total volume of almost 8,780 km. And it experiences one of the world’s harshest environmental conditions, including temperature and salinity extremes Though the salinity of seawater in the open ocean is constant at about 35 parts per thousand (ppt), the salinity of the Arabian Gulf exceeds 43 ppt and can reach up to 70 ppt. This is attributed to extensive shallow regions compounded by high evaporation rates and low freshwater inputs.

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3.4Natural Features THE GRAY MANGROVES Avicennia marina, the gray mangrove, is the only mangrove species found in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. This is due to its ability to survive in high salinity areas. Gray Mangroves are considered a pioneer species as they can colonize newly formed habitats. This species also can quickly regenerate after sustaining physical damage.

SALT TOLERANCE Mangroves are salt-tolerant trees well adapted to marine environments. They have a complex salt filtration and root system to cope with seawater. At the root level itself, they can exclude some salt. Further on, they can accumulate and excrete salt in their roots and leaves. And they can tolerate more salt in their tissues than normal plants.

MANGROVES AND SEAGRASS Both mangroves and seagrass play an important role in holding down the ground. The roots of mangroves help absorb the action from waves and help prevent shoreline erosion.

Mangroves jointly with seagrass communities, protect and improve (as natural water filters) the quality of coastal and nearshore waters an important coastal resource for the country and the region. Underwater, they are aided by a huge number of filter-feeders (e.g. barnacles, sponges and shellfish) which are found on the tangle of roots, in filtering out nutrients and silt resulting in clear water, allowing the coral reef ecosystem to the flourish.

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Mangroves are important to biodiversity. They provide habitat for Arabian gazelles, a wide variety of both migratory and breeding birds, fish, and invertebrates, including insects, crabs and snails.

WATER BIRDS

Spotted Eagle is the only threatened land bird found habitat loss. Most common birds found here are Greater Flamingo, Western Reef Heron, Grey Heron, Marsh Harrier, Crab Plover, Grey Plover, Lesser Sand Plover, Dunlin, Curlew Sandpiper, and Whimbrel on the island.

More than 55 species of water birds inhabit the mangroves of Jubail Island. They include migratory birds like sandpipers, gulls, and plovers.

LAND BIRDS At least 33 species of land birds can be spotted on Jubail Island. Migratory species such as Pied Wheatear are the dominant group. Mangroves of Jubail Island are home to over 88 bird species of which 7 are threatened due to among them. Breeding species like Purple Sunbird are also freely foraging in the area. The Greater

KEY WATER BIRDS FOUND ON SITE

KEY LAND BIRDS FOUND ON SITE

VARIOUS GASTROPODS

CRAB SPECIES

Gastropods such as Mangrove Periwinkle, Snails and the Mud Creeper are a common sight on Jubail Island.

Mangroves in Abu Dhabi are home to several species of invertebrates you can spot in the entangled roots Ghost/Sand Crabs, Mottled Crabs and Blue Swimmer Crabs.

Various fishes, both ecologically and economically important are found here. Most common are Mangrove Snapper, Silver Biddy, FourLined Terapon, Silver Mullets, and Milkfish.

Also found are numerous juvenile fishes including Trevallies, Scads, Rabbit Fish and Snappers.

KEY SPECIES FOUND ON SITE

FISH SPECIES

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3.5Environmental Analysis This chapter covers the environmental aspects of the site to analyze it further and implement the results of these findings into the project’s design. This chapter includes the various environmental features that affect the site, including sun orientation, wind path and speeds, tides, temperatures, and rain.

SUN ORIENTATION, SHADE AND SHADOW The selected site lies in a somewhat isolated area; this leads to no shade and shadow existence across the site. Also, there are no surrounding buildings to help shade the site

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or have a significant shadow. Since mangroves surround the site, it still does not offer efficient shadow as mangroves in the UAE can not grow longer than 5 meters. Making them poor in providing shade and shadow.

This map illustrates the sun path and where it is at its peak and wind rose and path.

TIDAL FLUCTUATIONS Tides are the rise and fall of sea levels influenced by the gravitational forces of the moon, the sun and the earth’s orbit. Wind and water density differences also affect seawater movement. Tidal fluctuations maintain the natural functions of the marine and coastal ecosystems through constant nutrient supply and oxygen inflow. Ebbing tides help with the removal of waste, tides also serve as carriers of mangrove seedlings to other coastal habitats where they can colonize Mangroves thrive in a stressful tidal zone using a special adaptation mechanism. The graphs show the tidal fluctuations found on site on average according to the forecast records.

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3.6Zoning, Plot Regulations and Codes This chapter covers zoning, plot regulations as well as codes. The maps will show the only current landmark on the island that is Jubail Mangrove Walk and the ongoing mixed-use mega-project that includes 6 Residential Eco-Villages.

There is also infrastructure work to enhance the island’s overall utility infrastructure development including utilities, telecoms, gas networks and street lighting.

PLOT REGULATIONS AND CODES According to Abu Dhabi Planning Council, Al Jubail Island is a city buffer island. Which indicates that only ecologically sustainable uses are favorable on site, approximately 60% open space with limited and design regulated development of construction.

The council also mentions that the main

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means of transportation on the island are to be of low-impact such as ferry and boat access or, in several cases, bridge access for cars.

It is also required for all construction to have low-impact, low density, prioritizing the natural qualities the island has.

The island also encourages low-rise structures, and the height of buildings is strictly controlled, with no buildings higher than 15 meters.

2030 PLANS According to the UAE vision of 2030 which was issued a few years back, no plans of developing the island were mentioned. However, current efforts are to vitalize the island more and to develop it sustainably, and the first step to achieve that is by improving the overall infrastructure and the megaproject that will include sustainable living.

3.7Historical Development of the Site This chapter illustrates a milestone of the historical development of Jubail Island, oldest picture is from 1985, to the most recent one taken in 2020. Jubail Island generally has not changed over the years. However, the natural environment of it has been changing due to various factors, but the rising sea levels and tides are the most prominent reasons of these changes in the overall picture of Jubail Island.

1985 1995 2005 2015 2020 Site Analysis

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3.8Site Accessibility and Street Network This chapter covers the primary and secondary roads to the site. It will also include existing access points, potential access points, parking areas, and bus stops. Since the site is still underdeveloped, there is currently only one access point. However, the site has potential for new access points, a parking area outside the site since the project aims to be a low emission zone, and a bus stop to encourage public transportation and reduce the need for personal cars.

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3.9Visual Documentation

This chapter covers the visuals found around the site. The site has unique and beautiful scenery. This chapter also studies the elevations, the architectural language, style, materials and colors found on the site.

ARCHITECTURAL LANGUAGE

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3.9Visual Documentation

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3.10Sound Documentation The given map shows the main sources of noise on the site with variable noise levels. There is a highway nearby; thus, the noise of cars can be heard, also there is currently an ongoing infrastructure project taking place, resulting in being another source of noise. Lastly, the least noisy source is the mangrove walk; very little noise can be heard from the site caused by the place.

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3.11Services & Infrastructure Most service and infrastructure utilities can be found on the spot indicated on the map; as the site is still underdeveloped, few utilities were found on site.

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3.12Conclusion To conclude, the site is located just minutes away from Abu Dhabi city and is close to many of its most important destinations. The site is mostly flat, with elevation levels varying from 1 to 4 meters above ground. The site has many swamps (wetlands), and the water levels are very shallow, which can reach 40 cm at low tides but can go up to 170 cm. It is also rich in natural features and is home to many key species in the emirate; it falls in an important migratory route making it a prime location for exotic birds. Being close to the sea makes it important to consider the tidal fluctuations for future design decisions. Moreover, the site is rich in mangroves tree, but they cannot grow more than 5 meters; thus, they do not provide shade and shadow to the selected plot. Moreover, the site does not have any surrounding buildings that can provide shade or shadow; this makes another important design consideration. Jubail island is a city buffer island; only ecologically sustainable uses are favorable on-site, approximately 60% open space with limited and design regulated development of construction. The island also encourages low-rise structures, and the height of buildings is strictly controlled, with no buildings higher than 15 meters. In this analysis, a set of potential locations for bus stops and a parking area was suggested to develop the project and encourage a more sustainable environment within the project. Moreover, the site is usually quiet; the main sources of noise are Shaikh Khalifa Highway, the ongoing infrastructure project on the island, and the mangrove walk. Lastly, most utilities and services on-site can be found around one place. Not many utilities are scattered around the site.

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User Analysis

User Identification

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04User Analysis • User Overview • User Group Identification • User Experience

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4.1User Overview Serenity eco-resort is expected to be a tourist destination; therefore, different groups of people are expected to visit. Since the project has different facilities like accommodation, recreational, and educational, the targeted users range between tourists (families, couples, singles), business (employees and researchers) and cultural visitors (artists, scientists), and many more.

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4.2User Group Identification This chapter covers the different user groups of Serenity eco-resort, and it identifies their characteristics, privacy level, the time they are active. It also discusses the purpose of their visit and the specialized design factors of each group.

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4.3User Experience This chapter covers activities, operations carried out in the project and the overall user experience. This will include:

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User Identification

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Data Collection and Analysis

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05 Data Collection and Analysis • Functions Overview • Space Standards • Local & International Design Codes and Regulations • Design Objectives & Considerations

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5.1 Functions Overview Data Selection Criteria

Serenity Eco-Resort is an environmentally conscious resort. Resorts are typically self-contained commercial establishments that try to provide most of a vacationers’ needs such as accommodation, sports, entertainment, and leisure activities. An accommodation unit is the core feature of a resort. The main components of the project are accommodation units, recreational facilities, communal areas, administration, and back-of-house areas.

This chapter will focus and cover the design standards and guidelines of each function and space, as well as the regulations and area requirements based on the studied design standards reference books such as Neufert, Time Saver, Metric Handbook, and Hotel Design, Planning and Development.

This chapter is divided into categories based on the different functions inside the proposed program.

The main categories are:

1. ACCOMMODATION - Guestroom Layout & Plans - Accessible Guestroom Plans

2. COMMUNAL - Reception - Restaurants and Cafes - Exhibitions, Galleries and Theaters - Parking Area

3. RECREATIONAL - Swimming Pool - Fitness Facilities - Sports Facilities

4. ADMINISTRATION - Administrative Offices

5. BACK-OF-HOUSE - Kitchens - Loading Dock - Trash Holding Area - Employee Area - Laundry and Housekeeping Area - Engineering and Mechanical Areas

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Accommodation Accommodation Accommodation

Space Standards 5.2 Space Standards Space Standards 5.2 5.2

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Data Collection andand Analysis 87 Data Collection andAnalysis Analysis87 87 Data Collection

5.2Space Standards Accommodation

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Accommodation

5.2 Space Standards

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5.2Space Standards Accommodation

Accessible guestrooms have design features and floor plans that provide the maneuvering clearances for guests with limited mobility. Figures b to 9 show sample plans of guestrooms and bathrooms with the required: • Widths and clearances at the entry, connecting closet, and bathroom doors.

• Maneuvering space in front of the closet, in the sleeping area, and within the bathroom • Clearances to use and transfer to fixtures in the bathroom • Clearances to open dresser drawers, to maneuver into kneespace at the desk, and to access the bed, bedside table, windows, blinds. and thermostat

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Clearances may depend on the design of specific furnishings. The width of the access aisle at the bed is determined by the design of the bedside table. Access to dressers determined by the width of the drawer. The maneuvering space to turn into the desk is determined by the width of the kneespace.

Accommodation

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5.2Space Standards

Communal — Reception The reception desk should be visible to the guest immediately on entry, and it should be on the route to the lifts and stairs. Sometimes clients will require it to be visible from the street, alternatively they may decide that privacy for guests may be more important. This will influence the type of glazing and curtains. Occasionally a hotel is located above another street-level use. If the reception itself is on an upper floor, the stairs and lifts must be exclusive to the hotel. In any re-

• House telephone, for visitors to speak to guests in their rooms.

• Call boxes: if there are phones in rooms only a few will be needed. They must be visible to reception staff but have some privacy.

• Space for timetables, tourist leaflets, brochures, etc.

• Postbox, stamp machines, etc.

• Telephone meters for recording the cost of calls from guests’ rooms

ception, the following facilities are required: • Counter, suitable for writing, with a ‘bag shelf’.

• Space for receptionist.

• Keyracks, often associated with letter racks behind counter.

• Cashier and accounting equipment, computer, etc. Foreign currency service may affect storage requirements.

• Clocks and calendars visible to staff and guests • Stationery and records store • Strongroom or safe • Parcel or baggage storage • Room call system, and • CCTV monitors

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Communal — Reception

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5.2Space Standards

Communal — Restaurants & Cafes To be able to eat in comfort, one person requires a table area around 60 cm wide and 30-40 cm deep. This provides sufficient distance between adjacent diners. Although an additional 20 cm space in the center for dishes and large bowls is sometimes desirable, an overall width of 80-85 cm is suitable for a dining table. If the food is served on plates, then 70 cm is sufficient, and for fast food 60 cm table depth. Distance between table and wall is >75 cm, because the chair alone requires a space of 50 cm. If the space between table and wall is also used for access, the distance should be >100 cm. Round tables need a little more space, a difference of up to 50 cm.

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5.2 Space Standards

Communal — Restaurants & Cafes

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Communal — Exhibitions, Galleries & Theaters The third principal category of public space includes the meeting, banquet, reception, and exhibit spaces, which form a major core in many medium and large hotels and in conference centers. Variously referred to as “function space,” “meeting and banquet area,” or “convention complex,” the cluster of individual spaces generally includes a large ballroom, intermediate-size banquet rooms, and smaller meeting and breakout rooms. In fact, the principal distinctions among types of hotels often focus on the size and mix of the function space.

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5.2 Space Standards

Communal — Exhibitions, Galleries & Theaters

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5.2Space Standards

Communal — Parking Area The provision of sufficient parking can be a crucial element in both the budgeting and conceptual planning. The design of the parking often influences the guest’s first and last impressions of the property. Pedestrian and vehicular access to the hotel needs to be determined and agreed at an early stage. Access for guests and hotel servicing must be clearly separate. Provision must be made for: • Guests: arriving by private car, taxi, public buses, coaches or on foot • Staff: arriving by car or public transport • Goods deliveries: food, laundry, furniture may need to be separate.

• Refuse: separate from food supplies.

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Roads must have curvatures related to the size of vehicle, space must be available for waiting, and approaches should be visible from inside the building.

Communal — Parking Area

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5.2Space Standards

Recreational — Swimming Pool Nearly all hotel management companies require the developer to include a swimming pool, although minimum sizes vary. The pool area should be separated from other public spaces, so that guests dressed in bathing suits need not pass through the hotel lobby. A second major component of hotel recreational facilities is the spa or, in smaller properties, the health club, a feature that for many types of hotel has become more central than the pool. The focus of the spa is on the guest’s experience, and introduces unique images, sounds (flowing water or music), scents (aromatherapy), and more to soothe

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and relax the individual. At a destination resort, there might be as many as one treatment room for every five guestrooms, dropping to one to every 50 or 100 in urban locations.

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5.2Space Standards

Recreational — Fitness Facilities

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5.2Space Standards

Recreational — Sports Facilities The third principal category of public space includes the meeting, banquet, reception, and exhibit spaces, which form a major core in many medium and large hotels and in conference centers. Variously referred to as “function space,” “meeting and banquet area,” or “convention complex,” the cluster of individual spaces generally includes a large ballroom, intermediate-size banquet rooms, and smaller meeting and breakout rooms. In fact, the principal distinctions among types of hotels often focus on the size and mix of the function space.

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5.2Space Standards

Administration — Administrative Offices The effective layout of the front desk and administration offices influences the guest’s impression of the hotel. While many guests will have contact only with the front desk, others may need to meet with the sales and catering staff or with assistant managers. Therefore, the proper planning, design, and equipping of the hotel’s office space deserves no less attention than that given to the guestrooms and public areas. The planning and interior design of the workplace and its equipment are essential, not only to the morale and productivity of the staff, but also to the public’s perception of the quality of the hotel.

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Administrative office areas generally are divided into five clusters: • Front desk and front office • Executive office • Sales and catering office • Accounting office • Information technology offices

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5.2Space Standards Back-of-House Areas

Back of the House, also known as BOH keeps things to run efficiently behind-thescenes. They have minimal guest contact and personnel that often invisible to guests, mostly found in the kitchen area, employee area, storage room, business offices, laundry room etc. the extent of individual provision for kitchen, laundry, maintenance

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and plant areas is usually large because of the lack or remoteness of outside services.

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5.2Space Standards

Detailed Hotel Area Program

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Detailed Hotel Area Program

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Detailed Hotel Area Program

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5.2 Space Standards

Detailed Hotel Area Program

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5.3Local & International Design Codes This chapter will cover the local and international design codes and regulations. This will include Estidama Pearl Rating System, LEED Construction Checklist, IFC Fire Codes, and Barrier Free Access Checklists.

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5.3Local & International Design Codes

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5.4Design Objectives & Considerations Developing the Project Site Plan In establishing the concept for the site development, it is critical that the owner prioritize the program and goals. The site plan offers one of the greatest opportunities to influence the project, its functional design, budget, customer reaction, and eventual success.

In addition to the character of the design feel, the architect and others need to integrate a range of practical functional objectives. The best designs accommodate these functional and operational aspects while they also create a special ambience, appropriate to the site and market. That balance is essential.

ACCESSIBILITY AND CIRCULATION Two key issues that are important to the guests’ arrival at the site are visibility of the entrances and appropriate signage.

VIEWS Dealing with guestroom views is crucial in selecting the site, orienting the buildings, developing the building form, and designing the pattern of windows.

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UTILITIES Although not a particularly glamorous aspect of project development, the impact of such utilities as electrical power, telephone, water, and sewerage must be understood early on.

NATURAL LANDSCAPE Understanding how to use the natural landscape to benefit the site and building designs is important in increasing guest appreciation of the project and reducing construction and operating costs. The topographic plan identifies areas where excessive slope might mandate expensive grading and the construction of retaining walls. But, also, these areas may offer among the best for views and, with proper landscaping, can be among the memorable areas at a property.

SECURITY Security threats to the hotel industry come in two basic forms: the casual petty criminal/intruder, and the more serious professional intruder, or terrorist.

5.4Design Objectives & Considerations Communal & Recreational Spaces These areas usually need long-span construction and vary greatly from one hotel to another.

They are usually located at ground level for convenience. Roof-top restaurants are only built to take advantage of quite exceptional views.

ENTRANCE The impression created by the main entrance is important and defines the type of hotel. It must always be obvious and lead directly to reception. Something more than a canopy is desirable to provide protection from wind and rain. A porte-cochère should be wide enough to allow two cars to pass and possibly high enough for coaches. Special lighting may be needed to accentuate the entrance.

• Provide doors wide enough for a porter with bags.

• With revolving doors, side-hung escape doors will also be required.

• All public entrances must be accessible to ambulant disabled people, and at least one to those in wheelchairs.

• A transition area of flooring is required at the entrance before fine floor finishes are approached.

• Queuing space • Assistant manager’s desk • Bellman station • Luggage storage • Telephones • Furniture and fixtures FUNCTION SPACES The hotel feasibility study recommends a mix of function space that is based on an analysis of the demand for different types of business and social uses. Some key design objectives to function spaces are to: • Group all function areas together • Provide a separate function entrance from the street or parking • Locate the function space close to and easily accessible from the hotel lobby.

• Include adjacent public support areas: toilets, coatrooms, telephones, and a convention-services office.

• Provide direct food-service access to the spaces and all banquet rooms.

• Include essential meeting and banquet storage adjacent to the function spaces.

RECEPTION DESIGN The written design objectives for the lobby should provide a detailed description of the front desk, seating area, circulation, and secondary functions. The design of the front desk and related activities, just one aspect of the lobby, requires making conscious decisions on each of the following features: • Size of desk Data Collection and Analysis 119

5.4Design Objectives & Considerations Communal & Recreational Spaces RESTAURANTS Design objectives follow directly from a clear and well-researched operational and marketing concept. Based on the menu and operational aspects as the type of service, method of beverage service, check handling, and use of entertainment, designers create the desired mood, function, layout, finishes, lighting, furnishings.

Each restaurant outlet, depending on its type and quality must have a very different design treatment. The design of a three-meal restaurant should include the following considerations: • Cashier/hostess station • Separate sections • Flexible arrangement of tables • Buffet/display areas • service stations • Adaptable lighting • Background music • Uniforms, tabletop, graphics, and signage SWIMMING POOL AREAS The pool area should be separated from other public spaces, so that guests dressed in bathing suits need not pass through the hotel lobby. Other key planning considerations include: • Location: Place the pool so that guests can reach it from guestrooms • Orientation: Position the pool so that it receives unobstructed sunlight from midmorning to late afternoon.

• Size: Provide a pool of sufficient size to accommodate the swimming and sunbathing needs of the guests.

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• Support functions: Provide toilets and lockers where required, towel-issue area, snack bar or vending, equipment room, and furniture storage.

• Safety: Do not provide a diving board; include slip-free deck surface, depth markings, underwater lighting, safety or “pool rules” signage.

• Indoor pool: Design either operable roof or glass walls to provide direct sunlight and ventilation.

SPA AND WELLNESS FACILITIES A second major component of hotel recreational facilities is the spa. Key spa planning considerations include: • Location: Plan the spa so that guests can reach it directly from guestrooms • Program: Include the following, depending on the market: - Reception area with attendant - Retail sales area - Salon - Lockers, showers, and toilets - Exercise room - Sauna, steam room, and whirlpool - Treatment rooms - Relaxation lounges - Spa café and support areas • Adjacencies: Plan the complex with the control area and lounge most visible, and with the private functions either shared (exercise room) or back-to-back (saunas and restrooms).

5.4Design Objectives & Considerations

Administrative Offices

The effective layout of the front desk and administration offices influences the guest’s impression of the hotel. While many guests will have contact only with the front desk, others may need to meet with the sales and catering staff or with assistant managers.

The key design objectives and considerations of the administration offices are to: • Locate the desk so that it is easily visible from the entrance.

• Locate the desk in sight of the guest elevators.

• Locate self-service kiosks in sight of the desk.

• Allow sufficient queuing space to accommodate high-volume periods.

• Position the luggage storage and bellman nearby, or with good visual connection with the desk.

• Provide a fire control room near the front desk or hotel main entrance.

• Position the front desk where it is not constrained by structural columns.

• Plan the front office so that both reservations and telephone operators are near the guest registration area.

• Place the safe-deposit room so that a cashier can handle guest requests. Consider placement of luggage carts before and during service.

Design the front desk so that the cashier and registration functions can be staffed flexibly.

• Screen guests’ views into office work areas.

• Recognize requirements for support functions: brochure display, house telephones, concierge or assistant manager, and bell station close to front desk.

• Provide decorative focus at the desk: counter material, lighting, treatment of back wall, and signage.

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5.4Design Objectives & Considerations Back-of-House Areas MAIN KITCHEN DESIGN OBJECTIVES • Select multi-functional equipment with locking casters • Use indirect wastes wherever possible • Provide for security in all storage areas and at the kitchen service bar • Depress floor slabs for refrigerated storage so that the refrigerator and freezer floors are level with the kitchen floor • Place floor drains in front of tilting equipment and in wet areas • Consider sanitation and employee safety in the selection of all equipment and materials • Plan aisles on the cooking lines to be about 3 ft6 inches (1.05 m) wide or 4 ft (1.20 m) where employees must pass

RECEIVING & TRASH AREA • Receiving provide an elevated loading dock large enough to accommodate two trucks at one time (three trucks if 400 or more rooms); screen area from public view; provide roof overhead; confirm size of trucks and height clearance.

• Provide enclosed receiving area for inspection and temporary holding of incoming goods.

• Include windows between the loading dock, receiving area, and receiving office.

• Arrange access to the area to avoid crosstraffic between incoming goods and outgoing items.

•

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TRASH, GARBAGE, AND HOLDING AREA • Separate the trash/garbage holding area from receiving, and provide space for one vehicle.

• Provide refrigerated area for garbage and a space for can washing, if needed.

• Enclose compactor area, yet allow staff accessibility at all times. Provide adequate space for storage and recycling of paper, cardboard, glass, and other items.

• Provide additional space for temporary holding of soiled and clean linen if the hotel uses an outside laundry service.

EMPLOYEE AREAS HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICE • Provide office suite for HR director, assistant director, and administrative support, with sufficient space for job applicants.

• Include additional private office for interviewing and counseling employees.

• Provide a training room for staff meetings and education.

• Provide small first-aid room.

EMPLOYEE ENTRANCE, TIMEKEEPER, AND SECURITY • Provide employee entrance separate from receiving area.

• Locate timekeeper and security office immediately inside the employee entrance, with visual control of the main service corridor.

• Employee lockers and toilets

5.4Design Objectives & Considerations Back-of-House Areas • Provide separate facilities, sized according to the staff program and shift schedules; estimate staffing at 60 percent male, 40 percent female unless local experience differs.

• Consider separate lockers for banquet staff.

• Plan separate access to toilets without passing through locker areas.

EMPLOYEE DINING/BREAK ROOM • Plan cafeteria near kitchen or, if on different floor, near employee locker rooms.

• Design cafeteria to contain service line, seating, and soiled-dish holding area; include vending machines.

• Provide sufficient capacity for peak periods; consider numbers at shift change.

EMPLOYEE HOUSING • Provide manager’s apartment as part of guestroom program.

• Where necessary, include two-bedroom apartments for senior management and one-bedroom apartments for junior staff; plan dormitory units for other employees.

• Provide appropriate commons areas such as recreation room, self-service laundry, pool, and lounges.

• Provide religious facilities in international locations where local custom dictates

LAUNDRY AND HOUSEKEEPING AREA LAUNDRY • Provide a linen chute, including provisions for smoke control, venting, and locked access.

• Plan continuous flow of linen and uniforms through the laundry cycle. Consider energy conservation approaches such as heat recovery for all equipment.

• Provide dry-cleaning services in upscale and luxury hotels.

• Provide locked storage for laundry chemicals.

HOUSEKEEPING • Locate offices with visual control of the laundry and housekeeping areas.

• Locate uniform issue area off main service corridor, convenient to locker rooms.

• Establish separate locked linen storage for particular departments, such as food and beverage or spa/health club.

• Provide locked room for guestroom amenities; provide lost-and-found storage room.

• Create separate area for night shift to access cleaning equipment and supplies.

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5.4Design Objectives & Considerations Back-of-House Areas

ENGINEERING AND MECHANICAL AREAS ENGINEERING OFFICES • Locate the secretarial area to control all access to the shops and mechanical areas.

• Group engineer, assistants’ offices, and record and drawing storage around central work area.

• Provide energy management computer room as required.

MAINTENANCE SHOPS • Position the carpentry, upholstery, and paint shops adjacent to each other.

• Provide exhaust system from paint shop (fumes) and carpentry shop (airborne sawdust). Provide additional electrical service to all shops.

• Locate grounds maintenance space convenient to the outdoors.

MECHANICAL, ELECTRICAL, AND PLUMBING EQUIPMENT AREAS • Locate mechanical areas in high-ceiling space (16 ft or 5 m) where noise and vibration will not disturb guests or public activities.

• Provide secure rooms for telephone switch, and for television antenna system and associated video/movie functions.

• Locate rooms where large equipment can be replaced reasonably easily.

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Programming

Programming 127

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06Programming • Program Description • Program Functions • Detailed Program Tables • Proximity Matrix and Diagrams

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6.1Program Description This chapter covers the project goals to emphasize the concept of ecotourism in the UAE. The programming of Serenity Eco-resort will include will be an eco-tourism destination whose main function serves as an accommodation, recreational and educational. Serenity Eco-resort will also include different types of accommodations for different groups of people. Moreover, it will have recreational and educational facilities that promote eco-tourism and give visitors an opportunity to interact with nature in the most subtle ways and

THE ACCOMMODATION PROGRAM

with the least negative environmental impact.

THE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM

This section will include the different types of accommodations units that host different groups of people such as tourists, business people, and artists, etc.

THE RECREATIONAL PROGRAM This program is responsible for all the entertainment facilities, which attract more tourists and have small to no negative environmental impact.

This program is responsible for raising awareness and educating visitors about Abu Dhabi’s unique ecosystem and environment and encouraging people to engage in environmental activities.

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6.2Program Functions

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6.3Detailed Program Tables

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6.3Detailed Program Tables (Revised) After various considerations, and numerous revisions of the program, it was decided to reduce the program and reduce the accommodations units specifically to achieve the main objective, that is to create a sustainable eco resort, here is the revised chart and table of the new program to meet the targeted objective.

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6.4Proximity Matrix & Diagrams

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Primary Adjacency Secondary Adjacency Undesired Adjacency Programming 139

6.4Proximity Matrix & Diagrams

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6.4Proximity Matrix & Diagrams Bird-watching Hideout Conference Room Equestrian Club/Stables Library Local Art Club Lounges Restaurant Retail Space Seasalt Water Pools Sports Courts Walkway Paths Workshops Employee Changing and Toilet Areas Engineering Offices Loading/Unloading Dock Main and Subsidiary Kitchen Areas Observatory Deck Storages Accomodations Employee Areas 24-Hour Front Desk Cafés Changing Rooms Communal Space Exhibition Space Floating Platform/Outdoor Cinema Health Center Housekeeping IT Department Prayer Rooms Reception Hall Wellness Spa Amphitheatre Gym Offices Public Toilets 144 SERENITY

Public

Private Semi-Public

100 150 250 700 60 1000 300 200 600 30 45 12050 2000 120 160 360 500

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Conceptual Design

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07Conceptual Design • Design Concept Summary • Site Response • Design Rationale

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7.1 Design Concept Summary The design concept of Serenity Eco-resort had many approaches at first. Considering the rich environment, this project will fall upon, designing a smart, rich in sustainability project was the goal. The site and the project will be a single living ecosystem. In order to achieve that, the concept of ecological protection occupied the first spot on the queue. Ecological protection emphasizes that buildings must always be built on the land parts that are in the worst conditions and leave the scenic parts of the land without

and some parts of the land are also slightly elevated from the sea. Another approach to the design concept was biomimetics, a science that translates the technology that living beings own to deal with environmental and organizational challenges. This will be achieved by studying the natural coping mechanisms the natural elements around the site use to survive. One approach to this was the use of artificial mangroves. They are structures that can withstand harsh environments and live underwater; they have the same charac-

construction intervention. This approach will be implemented in Serenity Eco-resort by studying the land’s natural conditions using a contour map. The site has many swamps,

teristics as the mangrove trees. This strategy will help reduce the damage construction might cause to the natural settings of the site.

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KEY POINTS MIMICKING NATURE Exterior facades will mimic nature using colors that are found in nature, structures that blend well with nature as so the project and the site look like they belong together.

ENHANCING THE WATERSCAPE The project will add more water channels to enhance the waterscape and to allow for more water activities.

EMBRACING THE WETLAND CHARACTERISTIC The project will use stilts to elevate buildings where there are swamps, allowing for more buildings on the site while protecting the species living in wetlands.

RE-ESTABLISHING THE ISLAND EXPERIENCE Underdeveloped Jubail Island will be a new tourist destination where it will allow humanity to co-exist with nature.

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7.2Site Response The site response directly relates to the approach of ecological protection, which emphasizes that buildings must always be built on the land parts that are in the worst conditions and leave the scenic parts of the land without construction intervention. The site response was made in 3 main stages, which are shown in the given diagram. The final layout was formed to ensure the buildings have the least negative impact on the ecosystem.

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7.3Design Rationale

The zoning of the project was decided according to the level of privacy of each program. The accommodation units will be on the wetland, which is the furthest from public noise. Moreover, a floating system using stilts was considered for the units. The accommodation units will be elevated from ground by pillars to allow mangroves to grow

around the area. Tidal sea levels were also considered, where the height of the pillars must not be less than 170 cm (which is the highest sea level on the island). A conceptual section is provided to illustrate the concept further. This method will help in maintaining a sustainable project as per the proposal.

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7.3 Design Rationale The zoning of the project was decided according to the level of privacy of each program. The accommodation units will be on the wetland, which is the furthest from public noise. Moreover, a floating system using stilts was considered for the units. The accommodation units will be elevated from ground by pillars to allow mangroves to grow

FLOATING SYSTEM USING STILTS

around the area. Tidal sea levels were also considered, where the height of the pillars must not be less than 170 cm (which is the highest sea level on the island). A conceptual section is provided to illustrate the concept further. This method will help in maintaining a sustainable project as per the proposal.

7.3Design Rationale

CONCEPTUAL SECTION

Thesis Description 155

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The Final Design

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08The Final Design • Design Concept • Master Plan • Floor Plans • Villa Types • Section • Pespectives

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08 The Final Design “Th e a r c h i te c tu r al im ag in ar y is collective, not individual. W e have t o cr e at e a l e v e l g rou n d , cr e at e h or iz ontality within cities and landscapes, cr ea te c o nne c ti v i ty f or spe cie s an d h u mans to f low.” – Biennale Architecttura 2021

The main design concept of Serenity eco-resort was to separate each function into different buildings so lightweight structures can be implemented. A 10x10 grid was first used to create all masses to finally end up with all buildings surrounding a central pathway that leads to all functions to allow for more interaction between people and the ecology. The main goal of the common path is to slow down movement and make the path itself a means of experiencing the surroundings by stimulating the awareness of the sensitive landscape in Jubail island.

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To reach a sustainable solution to a project of this scale, we must solve the problem on three levels: ENVIRONMENTALLY • Adapting the resort with the surrounding environment.

• Use of local materials (timber, palm-leaf thatch, ceramic tiles, stone, and concrete) • Lightweight structural systems • Envelope design: the roof is the most important part of the envelope requiring all • • • •

climatic defenses.

Careful orientation Energy management Water management Waste management

SOCIALLY • Functions that have the potential to be crowded are designed/scattered around the project in a way to let people communicate among them and create an atmosphere of friendship and family, while preserving each unit’s privacy.

ECONOMICALLY • Commercial activities will be adapted to the areas suitable for this like the level differences. Also, the electricity generators from wind, water, and sun to achieve the lowest operation costs during the project lifetime.

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08 The Final Design

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08 The Final Design

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08 The Final Design

Serenity

an eco-resort

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09

Bibliography

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• Neufert, E., Neufert, P., Kister, J., Sturge, D., & Luhman, N. J. (2019). Architects' data. Chichester, West Sussex: John Wiley & Sons.

• Penner, R., Adams, L., & Robson, S. (2001). Hotel Design. Planning and Development. New York, NY: Walter A. Rutes.

• LAWSON, F. (1995). HOTELS & RESORTS Planning, Design and Refurbishment. Burlington, MA: Elsevier.

• Department of Urban Planning and Municipalities. (2011). Plan Abu Dhabi 2030. Retrieved from https://faculty.uaeu.ac.ae/abintouq/GEO440_Spring2014/Capital-2030-en.pdf • Abu Dhabi Environment Agency. (2018). Marine and Coastal Environments of Abu Dhabi Emirate. Retrieved from https://wedocs.unep.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.11822/9096/-Marine%20and%20Coastal%20environment%20-%20of%20Abu%20Dhabi%20Emirate,%20 United%20Arab%20EmiratesAbu%20Dhabi%20Emirate_United%20Arab%20Emirates_ • • • •

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Marine&amp;Coastal_Environment.pdf?sequence=2&amp%3BisAllowed= The UAE Government Portal. (n.d.). UAE Future Vision. Retrieved December 06, 2020, from https://u.ae/en/more/uae-future/2021-2030 Littlefield, D. (2012). Metric handbook: Planning and design data. Oxford: Architectural.

Time-saver standards: A manual of essential architectural data for architects, engineers, designers, builders, draftsmen, and other technicians. (1954). New York: McGraw-Hill.

Rinkesh, A. (2020, July 07). Challenges, Solutions and Future Trends in Ecotourism. Retrieved December 06, 2020, from https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/challenges-solutions-future-trends-ecotourism.php Ramadan Al-Azab, Mahmoud. (2019). Re: What is/ are difference(s) between Sustainable Tourism and Eco-tourism?. Research Gate. Retrieved from: https://www.researchgate.net/post/What_is_ are_differences_between_Sustainable_Tourism_and_Eco-tourism/5c9a1cbb979fdca41d12a646/ citation/download.

“Top Ecotourism Trends In 2019 – The Future Of Tourism”. (2020). Clean Travel. Retrieved from https://connect.cleantravel.org/ethical-travel/top-ecotourism-trends-in-2019-the-future-oftourism/ Whitman, M. & Whitman, M. (2019). 6 Ecotourism Trends To Follow In 2020. Institute of Ecolonomics. Retrieved from https://ecolonomics.org/6-ecotourism-trends-to-follow-in-2020/

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