DALLAS, TX - Highly acclaimed Dallas-based architecture firm, Three, has been commissioned by HPC Costa Carmel Limitada and Rosewood Hotels to generate the architectural design for the Rosewood Costa Carmel in Costa Rica. Set to open its doors in 2010, the site's 112-acres of pristine seascape provides an ideal setting for the world-class resort. The "hacienda village by the sea" will boast a stunning backdrop featuring the lush tropical jungle and volcanic mountains on the Pacific Coast of the Guanacasta region.
"Three was chosen by Rosewood for their experience and creativity in unique luxury resorts that are the trademark of Rosewood's A Sense of PlaceTM vision and philosophy," said George Fong, senior VP of architecture and design for Rosewood Hotels and Resorts.
Inspired by the simple but gracious local haciendas in northwest Costa Rica, the resort will feature sustainable architecture and green design. Eighty luxury suites and 31 one- to four- bedroom casitas and villas will use native materials with exteriors of plaster, local stone, barrel clay tile, and native wood beams and columns. Each hacienda's wrap-around veranda and clay-tile roof, supported by tree trunk columns on stone plinths, create a cool shaded outdoor living room connecting the indoors to the spectacular natural setting.
Inside, the white plaster walls and cool tile floors contrast with the warm wood open casement windows to create a refreshing interior perfectly situated to enjoy nature. The rooms are designed to allow guests to be revitalized by the cool ocean breezes without the need for air conditioning. Natural elements such as woven abaca, sculpted wicker, and lava stone are incorporated into the design, uniting the resort and surrounding landscape.
"These beautifully simple structures display a brilliant marriage of architecture and nature. The rooms will be steeped in luxury, yet completely connected to nature," said Carl Ede, Three principal and director of design. "We are among the first resorts to be developed in this area, so it is crucial that we remain true to the local motto ‘Pura Vida.' By utilizing natural, indigenous materials and striving to design a modern day hacienda, we hope to only improve the beauty of the surrounding landscape."
The primary hacienda residing over the ranch will welcome guests into a magnificent courtyard shaded with two Guanacasta trees. Depending on their location on the property, the resort buildings feel like haciendas on the flatter grassland portion of the site, or the buildings grouped on the steeper portions of the site resemble a Latin American hill town built up on stone retaining walls.
"While the site's variation of slopes and elevations proved to be a challenge, it also provided the benefit of offering every guest their own unique experience," Ede said. "The hilly topography of the Costa Rican jungle provides each room a spectacular, unobstructed view of the water." Each villa features a private plunge pool, and meandering pathways lead to the beach club offering poolside and seaside activities in a relaxed and generously proportioned hacienda setting. In addition to the active zero-edge pool for families and younger guests, adult guests have the luxury of an additional terraced reflecting pool, complete with sunset bar and palapitas restaurant. Perhaps the resort's ultimate hidden treasure lies deep within the forest glade at the edge of a stream that connects to the sea and a private beach. Here lies the one-of-a-kind Sense, A Rosewood SpaTM. The 12,000-square-foot haven for relaxation will include 15 spa treatment rooms offering state-of-the-art services for guests to experience the ultimate in mind, body and spirit journeys.
