Paisajistas ING.indd - PORCELANOSA Interiorismo

DE LUXE EXTERIORS
GREEN
HEART
Exterior architecture and landscaping are gaining
followers in the world of hotel design. PORCELANOSA
GROUP is contributing with its products.
Text: SUKEINA AALI-TALEB
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Photos: BENJAMÍN ALCÁZAR, DAVID MONFIL AND DR.
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HOTEL BARCELÓ ASIA GARDENS & THAI SPA
A bit of the East in the Mediterranean
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Asian reminiscences are present in the lavish
vegetation and millenary bonsai trees
of this architecture and landscaping project
Located in an extraordinary spot among the
surrounding mountains of Sierra Cortina in the
Mediterranean coast, this hotel stands over a
huge pine wood. Asian reminiscences are present
in the architecture and in the landscaping project.
The lavish vegetation has been chosen so that the
guests have the feeling of being in the tropics.
And the team of architects and landscapers have
successfully achieved their objective, creating an
idyllic Asian atmosphere. A total of 312 rooms
surrounded by sumptuous gardens with more than
300 different botanic species, with water as a
central element.
From the first moment, the team of professionals
– architects Rodolfo Nonini and Cristian Larrain, and
agricultural engineer and landscaper Miguel Ángel Vico – were intent in leaving clear, non-built up
spaces. “This way, the swimming pools, gardens, fountains, springs, pergolas and paths are perfectly
integrated and in tune with the architecture”, they claim. The building draws its inspiration from Asian
design. The same can be said about the type of gardening and, of course, the presence of water,
a pervading element in the East. The studio approached the landscape design including tropical
botanic species, with a range of exotic plants and millenary bonsai trees. The delicate balance
between water and plants is visible in the swimming pools, of which there are seven, totalling an
area of 3,500 m2. The goal was to achieve pleasant but also functional spaces. And the result
is the creation of different atmospheres that make guests feel that they are walking through a
unique place that has been conceived for the well-being of body and mind. The main materials
used for this project are aged marble in a cream tone and wood in the most luxurious communal
areas. For exteriors, marble has been combined with
slate and black granite, and wood has also
been used. The swimming pools
are made in ceramic tiles in
different formats, colours
and finishes.
ABOVE Hydra, from Systempool, a mini-swimming pool that operates at 38ºC,
with a water-jet and bubbles, expressly developed for public use.
ABOVE Team of architects
(from left to right):
Rodolfo Nonini,
Cristian Larrain and
Miguel Angel Vico.
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HOTEL OCEAN CORAL & TURQUESA
The Caribbean’s wild flora
AVOBE Thermal deck chair
Salus from Systempool affords
the ideal temperature for
relaxing. It reaches 36-37ºC
(depending on the temperature
outside), providing a pleasant
feeling of warmth.
OPPOSITE PAGE The Merbau
Wengé model 18 x 65.9 cm,
from Porcelanosa, can be found
all throughout the hotel.
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The Hotel Ocean Coral
& Turquesa, belonging to
the Catalonian hotel chain
H10, is located right in
front of the sea in Puerto
Morelos, a fishing village in
the Mayan Riviera, Mexico.
It is outstanding for its
extraordinary location,
as an ample green area
whose biodiversity has
been respected to the
maximum surrounds it,
and the architecture has
been fully integrated into
the natural environment.
Specifically, this project was conceived to preserve the indigenous
flora, since it decisively contributes to the general beauty of this marvellous landscape. For this
reason, most of the plants chosen for this landscaping project are Mexican: species that outstand
for their high resistance and are genuine survivors, as they are able to withstand the weather
conditions of the area, characterised for their extremeness and variability.
The landscaping project consists of a union of its distinct spaces in a single concept: harmony,
since it combines architecture and beach in such a way that the green spaces configure an area
devoted to rest and relaxation, as well as to the enjoyment of the wide range of vegetation typical
of the Caribbean. Mercedes de Rada, head of landscaping in this project, points out: “The jungle
has been recreated in the large spaces, leaving the smaller ones for the kind of details that make
for a very special landscape”.
Concerning materials, those that respect the architectural style while also the natural
environment have been chosen. Outstanding is the tropical wood, and specifically palm wood.
Additional highlights are materials that masterly recreated stone, and also the flowerpot holders
and urban furniture expressly designed for the hotel. Another quality of the hotel can be found in
the views from its rooms, for they are arranged in front of an impressive white sand beach and
look over the second largest coral reef barrier in the world. Just as indigenous vegetation has
been chosen for the landscaping project, the rooms have been decorated combining Mexican
tradition with a modern interior design. Teak furniture, colourful patterns and a big wooden flower
feature in every room in the hotel.
Architecture and beach have been united in such
a way that green spaces are devoted to rest and to the
enjoyment of the Caribbean vegetation.
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HOTEL EL CONVENT DE BEGUR
Once a convent, now a retreat
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ABOVE Bench-deck chair, from Teklassic. ABOVE RIGHT In the hotel exterior and common areas, the model Manual Musgo Protegido,
from L’Antic Colonial, has been used; in the rooms, Venice Ivory 31.6 x 59.2 cm, from Porcelanosa and White Almeria Protegido and Beige Travertino Protegido,
from L’Antic Colonial, in common toilets and in some rooms.
The idea was to preserve the original structure of the
terraces, on which the founding friars would grow
different kinds of produce for their own consumption.
This hotel is located in the charming Begur,
the heart of the region of Bajo Ampurdán, in
Girona, between luxuriant mountains and the
seacoast. More specifically, it stands on Sa
Riera Creek, one of the privileged corners
of the Costa Brava. In the streets of this
Catalonian location we can find buildings
that evoke a rich historical past – like the
imposing medieval castle that dominates
the village, or the building of this hotel,
that originally housed among its walls the austere rooms of a
convent. A wonderful place perfectly integrated into the natural
environment, and in which peace and quiet preside. The building,
located on an exceptional spot, is surrounded by a Mediterranean
wood of holm-oaks and pines.
The construction was built as a convent in the year 1730 by the
Order of the Minim friars, and the restoration and adaptation works
to convert it into a hotel with today’s commodities began in 2001
and were completed in 2005. It has a total of 25 rooms plus the
restaurant Refectori, which offers refined and imaginative dishes.
The principal idea of the landscaping project, carried out by Joseph
M. Serra, was to preserve the original structure of the terraces, in
which the friars who founded the convent would grow different
kinds of produce for their own consumption. The old orchids are
now natural terraces in which guests can enjoy reading under the
shade of the cypresses. The materials include the stone typical of
the region that reinforces the terrace faces, and train sleepers that
have been used to make trellises. The garden lighting contributes to
create a quiet and nice atmosphere thanks to low-consumption light
columns made out of oxidized iron. As regards vegetation, native
species have been chosen: black pines, olive trees, cypresses, fruit
trees and ivy. The reason for this choice is they easily integrate and
perfectly adapt to the climate of this region. All the construction
elements are in harmony with the landscaping project and with this
the natural character of the whole, preserving the essential concept
of the monks who founded the convent. /
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