Design Categories.
Entrants had the opportunity to focus on one or more of the following categories which had been identified as the key areas for development on the island:
A strategy for sustainability should be included in all of the categories – for example this could include ideas on wind and solar power; rainwater harvesting and how agriculture could be incorporated onto the island.
Category A
Beach Club Concept.
The guest experience will be modelled on that of globally recognized iconic beach clubs as found in Tulum, Mykonos and St. Tropez, like Club 55. The look and feel of the club should appeal to a wide audience and evoke a sense of laidback luxe. It should neither be too rustic, nor should it be too refined, but elegant with a strong sense of place taking advantage of this beautiful setting for soaking up island life. The club will have a huge cache and it will be highly appealing to the high net worth yachting community and international celebrities.
The mood will transcend from daytime DJ vibes to evenings with sunset gazing. The unified development will be aesthetically pleasing, completely functional and at the same time demonstrate fundamental care for the immediate environment preserving the surrounding natural beauty of the island. Eco-friendly sustainability is paramount.
The Beach Club area should incorporate a Restaurant & Bar which should be an iconic multi-tiered structure to accommodate a kitchen & restaurant and a satellite beach bar promoting high quality locally sourced produce from the region. This should be designed to enable security and resistance to the harsh environment and tropical storms. Open air restaurant seating should be provided for 80-120 guests.
Beach cabanas will need to be designed in keeping with the overall concept and could either be bookable by guests or host services such as massages.
Category B
Marina Concept.
The current Marina on the south side of the island needs to be remodelled to create a docking platform for day visitors to board ferry boats from Nassau.
This area will also provide a reception for customers staying in the bookable accommodation and will host a variety of activities (non-motorised activities only) in contrast to the more relaxed and chilled vibe of the beach club.
Category C
Accommodation Concept.
The bookable accommodation should be fully equipped and include a range of one and two bedrooms with modern interiors and state of the art bathrooms. Each will have outdoor terraces & private beach cabanas with sight lines maximizing sea-viewing, all carefully crafted to work in harmony with the surrounding environment. Options to explore a range of offers for different visitor needs from adjacent accommodation to more secluded and private accommodation benefitting from more generous terrace and garden areas. Orientation should not only maximise views but be designed to allow natural lighting and fresh air to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Without sacrificing style or beauty the accommodation should consider ease of construction, materiality and sustainability. Thoughts on MMC and modular construction would be welcomed, for example the accommodation could be designed off site using modular units that can be dropped into place & camouflaged to blend in with the landscape using natural materials. Consideration should also be given to minimising the footprint of the accommodation on the island – for example could a platform be used to build them off the ground.
Sustainability and amenities applicable to all categories.
As there is currently no power or water supply available on the island an outline strategy will need to be included to maximise the available natural energy sources and therefore provide the necessary amenities in a highly sustainable way respecting the local environment. Natural low-tech solutions should be considered alongside how technology can be used to reduce carbon emission, use of materials to reduce embodied carbon and how water can be captured, conserved and reused. Efforts should be made to illustrate how the proposals will meet NZC targets moving beyond sustainable development to restorative design.
Additional things to consider in terms of sustainability:
- It’s a low lying island in an area prone to natural disasters: Entrants should consider how the development can be adapted to extreme weather events (hurricanes, flooding, heat stress) and long term climate change (sea level rises).
- Whole life carbon consideration – Consider how low embodied carbon construction materials and renewable energy could be energy positive and generate more energy than it needs. Use of passive design principles to reduce energy should be promoted.
- Water – this is a big issue and proposals need to net zero water.
- Biodiveristy and ecology – how will the development maintain the fragile island ecosystem and its native flora and fauna, eliminating non-native species that need to be eradicated.
- Health and well being – use of natural materials, biophilic design etc.
- Design for accessibility – being inclusive so everyone can visit and use the facilities.
- Operation and maintenance – a smart design solution to support facilities management e.g. self-cleaning materials. Low maintenance materials and equipment.
- Use of third party verification schemes to be considered – such as EarthCheck Building Planning and Design Standard certification or ILFI’s living building challenge etc.
- Construction processes – will need temporary energy generation, ideally solar powered rather than diesel generators etc. design for deconstruction.
- Supply chain school set up as a legacy to help with sustainable construction in other local islands.