The organic curves of this resort are among the most memorable architectural images to emerge in the past year.
The structure is designed to blend in with the surrounding environment, the shapes reminiscent of the nearby mountain ranges, sand dunes and waves – the complex shapes achieved with the help of pre-fabricated structural timber.
From within the main structure, spectacular views are now famously framed by large checkerboard- frame windows.
IN BRIEF
Create a structure with a seaside theme in harmony with its surrounding environment, choosing materials and colours that will help emphasise and reinforce this relationship.
The new resort should be innovative, spectacular, and unique enough to become a tourist destination in its own right, while opening up the Tasmanian coastline to upscale travellers and helping to usher in a new era of tourism for the island state.
ARCHITECT’S WORDS
The site is located at Coles Bay on the east coast of Tasmania and overlooks Great Oyster Bay, the Hazards and the Freycinet Peninsula.
The resort is organic in its relationship to the site and is intentionally evocative of coastal forms. However, the form also works with the programmatic requirements of the brief. Essentially the program is divided into two main parts - the main reception building (or Sanctuary) and the guest suites.
The guest arrives at the Sanctuary which is entered through a long jetty-like walkway to a viewing platform that provides a sweeping view of the Hazards and Great Oyster Bay. The reception (also on this level) is a more intimate lounge space in which guests are greeted.
From this upper level, you descend towards the view to the main dining / lounge level which also affords panoramic views of the whole site. From the lowest level of the Sanctuary guests journey under covered walkways to one of 20 suites. These are located along a serpentine walkway, each carefully sited to capture views of The Hazards and provide privacy for the guests.
There are three suite types: Deluxe, Premium and Executive (with the later located to the west of the site - furthest from the public areas). Each suite has a deck located towards the view and a private courtyard located towards the north which acts as a mediator between the walkway and the suite.
One of the main challenges of the design was to reconcile the client (and market’s) perception of luxury and still capture elements of the unique Tasmanian context.
The original brief was for a much larger development of 150 rooms, but this was rethought and eventually became a far smaller scale, more intimate resort, of 20 private suites.
This was a decision with which we were in total agreement as it was fundamental to the creation of an intimate and personal connection to the site. The way the view is treated is a critical element of creating this connection, however, materials, colours, scale and form also contribute strongly.
Materials were selected to work on many levels - pragmatic reasons (such as built form, availability and remote construction), their aesthetic associations (vernacular style, natural context, or luxury expectations) and to extenuate spaces or volume.
This was reinforced by a colour pallet that was sampled from a close examination of the surrounding landscape.
Furthermore, the grandness of the main resort building, which response to the larger context, is counteracted by a more personal and intimate scale in the suites.
A major consideration for the project was water usage in what is typically a drought affected area. New rain water collection and storage infrastructure were built (off-site) as part of the project for use by the development and the nearby township as well as sewage treatment facilities. Rainwater from roofs is also collected and re-used in the reflection pools, as well as water efficient devices being specified.
Another important factor due to the predominately cool climate and south facing site, was heating the resort. All buildings are well insulated and high performance glazing was installed.
Energy efficient water heating and air conditioning systems were used.” In collaboration with a landscape architectural firm (Inspiring Place), all buildings were precisely located so as to not disturb or displace existing plant or tree life.
Because of the relatively cool climate and the predominantly southern orientation of the resort, providing sufficient heat proved a challenge. In order to keep power demand down, significant amounts of insulation, high performance glazing, and an energy efficient water heating system were all put in place.
The Saffire was constructed in an area frequently plagued by drought. Inspired by this reality, a sophisticated rainwater recycling and storage facility was built off-site, while rainwater from the hotel roof is also being continuously collected for reuse in the resort’s reflecting pools.
FURTHER HIGHLIGHTS
In collaboration with a landscape architectural firm (Inspiring Place), all buildings were precisely located so as to not disturb or displace existing plant or tree life.
Because of the relatively cool climate and the predominantly southern orientation of the resort, providing sufficient heat proved a challenge. In order to keep power demand down, significant amounts of insulation, high performance glazing, and an energy efficient water heating system were all put in place.
The Saffire was constructed in an area frequently plagued by drought. Inspired by this reality, a sophisticated rainwater recycling and storage facility was built off-site, while rainwater from the hotel roof is also being continuously collected for reuse in the resort\\'s reflecting pools.
ACCOLADES
• 2011 World Architecture News Awards: Hotel of the Year
• 2011 Colin Philip Award for Commercial Architecture, RAIA Tasmanian Chapter Awards
• 2011 Colorbound Award for Steel Architecture, RAIA Tasmanian Chapter Awards
• 2011 Intergrain Timber Vision Award
• 2011 Australian Timber Design Award
• Nominated at the World Architectural Festival
PRODUCTS
SOLID TIMBER AND TIMBER VENEER FINISHES
ORICA
AUSTRALIAN ARCHITECTURAL HARDWOODS
NEW AGE VENEERS
STONE FINISHES
APOLLO MARBLE AND GRANITE
APAISER BATHWARE
EXTERNAL WALL FINISHES
ROCKCOTE ENTERPRISES
CARPET FINISHES
ULSTER CARPETS
ROOFING
SIKA AUSTRALIA
STEVE WALKER SAILS
