GREEN = Society/Culture + Economy + Environment
A planned new resort is designed to employ sophisticated sustainable elements throughout the site and its facilities.
The Sinan Orchid Tower is part of a larger resort development intended to economically revitalize and promote the culture and traditions of a remote and ecologically sensitive area of Korea. The design parti of this project is based on the native orchids that grow on the islands. Cuningham Group’s design for the resort’s tower and village, like the orchid, sit very delicately on the land. Development was concentrated in certain areas, leaving most of the islands in their natural state. Neighboring resort villages and towers are sympodial for as they grow, they share resources through a connecting “tuber.” Through the “tuber” connection, these resort villages are linked with an efficient mass transit system, rather than more environmentally destructive transportation systems. This connection was also designed to share service utilities so that power, water, waste systems and other support systems and services can be centrally located in developed areas, close to employee housing and where it has the least environmental impact. The elegant tower of skygardens, draws sustenance from its environment – light from the sun and energy from the sun and wind. The tower and the village collect and store water that falls during rainy periods to feed it through periods of drier weather.
Cuningham Group was selected to prepare a master plan for a new resort complex on the island of Jaeun. Inspired by the world-famous orchid gardens located on the island of Hong-Do, the Blue Orchid will be a truly innovative approach to resort development.
The tower of this mixed-use development includes a 4-star 350-room hotel, a 5-star 250-room hotel, a luxury resort-condominium level, a 15,000-square-foot luxury spa specializing in water-based treatments, a terminal lookout point, and a private club. Located at the base of the tower are the harbor, monorail terminal, and performing arts center. Guests can access arrival and check-in areas as well as miscellaneous retail and restaurant options through the glass-enclosed atrium lobby that also serves as the entrance to the Tower’s casino and conference center.
The Orchid Tower complex leaves most of the surrounding terrain unspoiled, which significantly adds to its uniqueness and value.