UNIVERSITY EXPERIENCE IN BRAZIL

This project was carried out during my university exchange year in Brazil, specifically in the city of Natal, the capital of Rio Grande Do Norte.

The task in hand – to which we were granted design freedom – was a large luxury resort in an exceptionally located area near the sea, with an abundance of surrounding nature and considerably uneven terrain. The idea was not to touch nor modify the existing terrain or vegetation, forcing us to work around what was already there – incorporating a wide programme of uses and needs to the land but without modifying it. The project would include a series of communal areas such as large restaurants, a gym and indoor swimming pool, a large recreational area with an outdoor swimming pool, and other facilities such as a large convention centre and a theatre. On the other hand, the project also required a number of independent villas to host the tourists – having everything that they might need inside. We designed an ecological resort which did not permit the use of vehicles and which aimed to be respectful of its surroundings and environment.