A tropical life in Suva

Located within 200m of the ocean, this development was designed for the humid climate of Fiji and to capture the epic views of Laucala Bay. The development comprises 8 premier grade townhouses with garden and pool facilities, nestled amongst the exclusive, tropical setting of Suva.

The distinct landscape setting amongst the palm trees, provides an ideal back drop for a building that is responsive to the environment. Deep shadow boxes adorn the facades, providing shading from the sun and glass louvres in combination with breeze blocks, naturally ventilate the townhouses from an extremely humid environment, minimising the requirements for air conditioning.

The site area is 1,100m2 and the townhouses are designed over 3 levels. There is Ground level parking, Level 1 living and dining spaces and Level 2 bedrooms. Both level 1 and 2 capture amazing views of the ocean, over palm tree canopies. The townhouses are a mixture of 2 and 3 bedroom dwellings, with construction due to commence by October 2019.

Another project working with Nuno Fernandes and Maurice Mandalinic – AURORA Design

japanese inspiration

The images below are select photographs of a trip I took to Japan in July this year. Tokyo was very clean, the food amazing and the people ultra friendly and polite and I will go back again……….but these are all cliches you’ve heard before, possibly from every person you know who has visited that part of the world. Do you know anyone who hasn’t liked Japan?

Hopefully though, you haven’t seen some of the amazing buildings I photographed on my travels and you get to view them in real life some day. Being the architectural nerd that I am, I researched before my trip as well as trawled the streets looking for inspirational architecture. I spent most of my time in Tokyo, but also took a day trip to an ominous Shogun temple in Nikko, followed by an Onsen in the middle of a green and wooded hillside. You would be happy to know there are no photographs of that wonderful experience.

Kenzo Tange – Yoyogi National Gymnasium

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Kisho Kurokawa – Nakagin Capsule Hotel

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Le Corbusier – National Museum of Modern Art

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Makato Watanabe – K Museum

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Makato Watanabe – Aoyama Technical College

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Tadao Ando – Omotesando Hills

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Toyo Ito – Todd’s Building

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SANAA – Dior

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160414_-422-kent-street-set-for-discussions-with-council_rev162  Yoshio Taniguchi – Museum of Horyuji Treasures160414_-422-kent-street-set-for-discussions-with-council_rev147 160414_-422-kent-street-set-for-discussions-with-council_rev150

Herzog and de Meuron – Prada

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Jean Nouvel – Mui Mui

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Unknown Architect

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Nikko Temple – Shogun Shrine

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Unknown Architect after an Onsen –  at peace and one with nature.

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Cliff House / Mackay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects | ArchDaily

Cliff House / Mackay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects | ArchDaily.

I could live here for a while. What about you?

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