I worked on this competition with a coworker of mine, Joelle Brahim.

Our design for the Bahamas Design Challenge aims to create open and airy spaces to utilize every inch of the views that span in almost 180 degrees. The geometry of the master plan creates a sequence of spaces that presents the ocean to visitors with dramatic terraces and proportions. The selected furniture compliments and balances the architectural proportions. The simple and classy pieces remain in an earth tone palette with slight accents of muted colors in order to not compete with the natural hues which are visible from any point in the building.

Following the description and guidelines of the design challenge, the living and sleeping quarters are elevated while the kitchen and dining rooms remain on ground level. All spaces are loft-like leaving only hurricane proof bi-folding terrace doors to separate the interior from the exterior. Building masses blend into the background utilizing board and batten ipe and pop out with white painted stucco.

Concrete and CMU construction makes these structures standard buildings, but the design and composition demand attention. Solar panels, natural lighting and ventilation will save energy over the lifetime of the property and are key elements of our proposal. Efficient land use leaves space for future development by clustering the structures toward the rocky promontory. The employee apartments were designed for the owners to potentially use as guest apartments.