LAS LAGUNAS DE VIEQUES ROBERT ARRINGTON

LOCATOR MAP

Isla de Vieques: • 8 miles off Puerto Rican coast • “Small Island” • 21 miles long • 5 miles wide • 52 sq miles • Population 10,000 • Bioluminescent Bay • Count Mirasol Fort • Tourist Haven • Towns:

• Isabel Segunda • Esperanza

PROJECT SITE

INVENTORY/ ANALYSIS

This section of the island is primarily covered by evergreen forest (Pine, Oaks, Palms, Etc.), small shrub/scrub cover (Laurels, Palms, Etc.), and barren land. With this land cover, numerous possibilities of development are possible on this section of the island. Consideration needs to be taken in order to protect as much natural vegetation as possible.

LAND COVER

TOPOGRAPHY This topographic map of Vieques has a contour interval that varies from 1 meter to 10 meters. It contains areas of steep slopes and smooth, rolling hills. When designing features on the site it is important to take the slope into account so as not to design something that won’t work on it.

ENDANGERED SPECIES

Under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the government protects endangered and threatened plants and animals (listed species) and the habitats upon which they depend. It is important not to destroy or disrupt their natural habitat in any way so as not to harm them.

GEOLOGY/SOILS

When designing for this section of the site, these five different types of soil make for distinct but unique challenges. Structures cannot be placed on the tidal swamp areas and loam is hard to build on unless excavated. So the only reasonable place to build is on the Descalabrado and Guayama soil, or the Descalabrado-Rock.

CONSTRAINTS

This section of Vieques is compounded by a few constraints. These three soil types on this section of the island are not suitable for structures. They are not stable and have slopes that would require a lot more grading than other sections of the island. Along the coastline there are also endangered/ threatened species of animals. The manatee, hawksbill, and leatherback habitats are delicate and need little to no disturbance so as to protect them.

POTENTIALS

This section of Vieques has many potential areas for establishment. These two soil types are both suitable to build on and contain between 2%-12% slopes. This amounts to less excavation and ultimately a lower cost to the builder. With the amenity of the roads already running through the site little will need to be done to connect this resort community to the rest of the island.

CONCEPT DIAGRAMS

CONCEPT 4/ HYBRID The purpose for concept four was to merge the ideas of concepts 2 and 3 into one cohesive graphic representation. The size of the resort and bungalows came from concept 2 while the idea of bisecting them came from concept 3. The resort and bungalows are provided their own amenity space along with the focal point from concept 3.

NATURE CENTER CONCEPT The nature center concept try to take into account the natural environment by trying to move everything close to the road. By doing this it allows for a savings in money because there is less infrastructure that has to be put in along with less grading. The gift/rental shop allows for the support of more tourists and making their visit and trip more enjoyable.

BUNGALOW CONCEPT The bungalow concept incorporates the building parking on the side to a more natural building façade. Doing this created a natural progression into further spaces. The arrangement of the pool and spa area created a flow through spaces that leads to the beach. The overlook and boardwalk are easily accessible to users.

RESORT CONCEPT The resort concept creates an arrangement of spaces that aid in making for a better experience. By eliminating part of the parking it allows for a more natural/secluded experience for the user. Swapping the tennis and basketball courts with the passive recreation creates a more seamless flow back to the natural area. The placement of the boardwalk gives users a natural experience.

ILLUSTRATIVE RENDERINGS

CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS

STAKING PLAN

GRADING PLAN

GRADING/ DRAIN DETAILS

PLANTING PLAN

PLANTING DETAILS

THE END