Elements Of Byron: A Unique Five-Star Beach Resort In Australia
Location and Amenities of Elements of Byron
The tourism and hospitality industry has seen a tremendous growth over the last five years in Australia due to the increased successful globalization complemented by technological advancements This has resulted to tourist from all over the world especially Asia, China to be specific, in boosting the country’s economy and motivating constructions of ingenious hospitality venues to remain relevant in a growing competitive market such as the Elements of Byron . Established in 2016 the resort has already made its mark not only in Australia but overseas due to its unique designs that complement and blends beautifully with the environment.
Figure 1: Ariel view of Elements of Bryson beach resort (Picken ,2018).
Home to over 15 rare and threaten species, the facility is strategically located on the outskirts of Bryon town extending across 20 hectares of rainforest and interconnected creeks, lakes, and ponds. Inspired by and encompassed within nature. Intended for both domestic and international tourists the facility focuses on offering a unique experience where backpackers and surfers they can enjoy the 2km stretch of beach owned by the facility. Moreover, clients are offered the luxury of choosing where to conduct the conference meetings or events in a state of the art spacious indoor conference hall housed under three separate pavilions or outdoors (de Manincor, Jones, and Nock,2017).
The five-star facility has a unique and modern design complementing and blending with the surroundings that have seen it achieve several awards thanks to the creative nature of the Shane Thompson architect firm based in Brisbane who initiated and effectively supervised the project over a 50-acre piece of land complimented with a two kilometer stretch of beachfront. International architects and environmentalists have commended the project designs which pays homage to landscape and critically ensuring the preservations of the rare endangered species. Additionally, the over 200 one and two bedroomed villas centrally placed in the facility for accommodation were inspired by the naturally occurring forms in the district such as ocean and lakes, sand dunes and native trees. Surrounded by the rainforest these ‘beach shacks’ are intended to provide a home away from home while providing privacy for families while offering a sense of escape and nature inspiration .
The sand dunes that bound the facilities are represented by three separate pavilions that house the leisure and conference facilities. However, the iconic surroundings are additionally represented by the conspicuous unique curved shape through an architectural perspective of an organic form in the long run which unifies the whole resort. The facility additionally was inspired by the towns traditional culture and rural activities where they were depicted through the color schemes, texture, patterns, and finishes of the overall facility creating a powerful connection to the landscape, site, and environmental and cultural sensitivities of the area. Meanwhile, an infinity lagoon pool weaves through the resort, alongside a communal fire pit and sun beds (Jones,2017).
Unique Design and Accommodation Options
In support and the core purpose of ensuring the surrounding merges well with the facility, a ten percent minimum building footprint has been incorporated in the architectural designs that have played a major role in the last resort. All buildings in the facility are not more than one story buildings which lead to fears of occupying more space that intend but it was later solved with the beach shacks which proved to be perfect for accommodations and compliments t the overall design leading to the addition of 99 villas to the initial 94 late last year (North Byron, 2017)
The architectural design additionally focusses on cost saving by the reestablishment of the original dunal and wallum landscape which would be helpful in the future maintenance of the natural surrounding environment and irrigation demands which could be hiked due to the increase in global warming in the long run thus the 10 %minimum building footprint also initiated the planting of over 60,000 new native plants and trees.
The ingenious and creativity used by the Shane Thompson Architectures has really created a strong footing on their quality results through complementing and conserving the environment through their natural approach designs which offers clients luxuries services through the numerous choices of activities available in the facilities. Nevertheless, conventional structure and finishes were used alongside rectilinear and cost-effective plan forms in response to site and budgets constraints throughout the project. The end result created a sense of belonging to the overall community as well as a place of luxuries retreat while portraying the distinctive and iconic Australian character to tourists and the wider Byron Bay community.
The tourism industry is increasingly becoming an important industry in the country with an average annual revenue of 130 billion dollars. From 1976-2018 July, the arrivals of tourist to Australia averaged at 321110.16 which is an all-time high of 1015000 by the end of the 2017 fiscal year, however, there was a significant decrease in August to 741700 from 774400 but a significant increase is expected as the festive season approaches in several weeks’ time
Figure 2: Australian tourist arrivals (source Australian bureau of statistics)
Figure 3: Tourist arrival by country (source Australian bureau of statistics)
Asia seems to have a strong appetite for Australian tourism which has been given full support by the government and the private sector as it’s a circular gem to the GDP of the country and development of the surrounding communities. China and New Zealand are the highest exporters of tourist but the increasing development of China as a global economic power is set to have a strong impact on the increase in living standards of its citizens, therefore it’s expected that there would be a significant increase in the number
Architectural Design and Environmental Sensitivity
A boost to the tourism and hospitality industry is the family vacations where it is estimated they spend 34.2 billion dollars annually all over the country while a single family spends an average of 4,280 per single vacations each year which is rough 13 days in general. Relaxing in beach resorts followed b by a citify experiences is the main trend in the country. Therefore, hospitality venues with access to beaches and inner city tend to benefit more on the market share This trend is expected to increase towards 2022.
Capital works are characterized as architect designing and engineering works that develop an asset, and in addition, construction or installing facilities related with, and shaping an indispensable piece of those works. This definition centers around capital undertakings where development activities are required with the end goal to make an advantage Capital works tasks would ordinarily incorporate building either structures, streets, and extensions, structures or mechanical establishments, updating or expanding existing structure. In this case, The elements of Byron have occasionally developed over a six-year period over a 50-acre piece of land complemented with a 2 kilometer stretch of beachfront
Renew or replace- this is where the development or improvement of existing assets is done. Through this context, the element of Byron which was once a previous le owned site by the KTQ development was acquired at 18.5 million dollars and the journeys to develop a unique beach result was initiated. It had dilapidated buildings and landscaped gardens
New- this is the construction of assets that were not in existence. The construction of the overall facility such as the infinity pool the villas and the three separate pavilions that house conferences and leisure facilities under a constraint budget that yielded exceptional results due to the creativity and ingenuity of the Shane Thompson Architectural firm
Growth or enhancement- this is the increase in assessing that currently exists beyond their state, design or potential. The additions of the 99 two bedroomed villa late last year to the existing 94 one bedroom and two bedroom beach shacks was a far cry for the need of an increased accommodation as tourist flock the facilities from time to time where accommodation is fully booked (Picken, 2018). Moreover, the architectural design additionally focusses on cost saving by the reestablishment of the original dunal and wallum landscape which would be helpful in the future maintenance of the natural surrounding environment and irrigation demands which could be hiked due to the increase in global warming in the long run thus the 10 %minimum building footprint also initiated the planting of over 60,000 new native plants and trees.
Tourism Industry in Australia
The project team had ranking systems that were essential in prioritizing the capital works which as essentials in meeting the scheduled timetable on time. Therefore, the following are the criteria used in prioritizing the different aspect of the project
Design and building standards- The facility was inspired by the towns traditional culture and rural activities where they were depicted through the color schemes, texture, patterns, and finishes of the overall facility creating a powerful connection to the landscape, site, and environmental and cultural sensitivities of the area. additionally, it has to meet the international standards of a five-star hotel through use moreover building methods that would ensure long-lasting structures
Environment-the end goal of the projects was to provide a beach resort that blend with the environment, therefore the initiation of the 10% building footprint on the 50-acre pieces of land where buildings constructed did not surpass a one-story building where it allowed the native trees and the rainforest to blossom over the overall facility (Sierra-Huelsz and Kainer, 2018).
Functionality- each assessor each facility we grouped according to their functionality and overall importance. The construction of the infinity adult pool which a complimentary bar was an added luxury advantage to the clients and each result in general. Additional conference halls and door grounds for holding meetings or events was a crucial functional priority in streamlining the type of guest intended to use the facilities in the long run
Lately, the energy saving method and environmental issues have turned out to be progressively critical towards tourism and hospitality industry. energy consumption in hotels relies upon different factors, for example, size and geographical location. According to, Michailidou, Vlachokostas, and Moussiopoulos, (2016). they are considered to be amongst the intensive energy facilities which result in high energy costs in the long run, However energy efficiency implemented in hotels is estimated to save the facility an overall of 20% since every single working expense, those of vitality utilities are the ones of the most controllable Thus, there is an unavoidable connection between the hotel and hospitality industry advancement and the environmental and energy efficiency impacts. tourist regularly relinquish tourism destinations in poor ecological conditions and look for accommodations with ecolabel and an authentication for vitality proficiency. They are completely mindful of various natural concerns the tourism improvement is confronting, so they have moved their settlement inclinations towards eco-accommodating hotel foundations by favoring green surroundings (Darnall and Milstein, 2015).
Capital Works and Refurbishment at Elements of Byron
The element of Byron has focused on the international required standards of preserving the environment through efficiency in antimanagement and energy consumptions. First and foremost, 75 % of the facility is powered by clean energy which is solar energies adhere the facility is connected to its own grid. Additionally, the architectural designs allow close to 90% of the naturals light into the building through the incorporations of glass walls and increased indoor openings. Additionally, each villa has a state of the art management systems here they are able to see their level of energy consumption through their iPad tv screens. This system plays a vital role in educating guest on how to control their energy consumptions by alerting them in cases where they have exceeded the average consumption of energy (Martek, Hosseini and Seaton, 2018).
Moreover, the beach resort is located in an ecological and environmental hotspot where it has 19 endangered species and four different ecologies rainforest, dunal, wetland and eucalypt where it has no choice but to adapt and ensure the safety and development of a conducive environment through ensuring no or limited controlled pollution.The resorts have gone a step further by educating the guest through the nature walk sessions through trained tour guide who illustrate the impotence of each species in the 50-acre piece of land and the importance of how to effectively interact and coexists in the long run. iPads in every villa share data with respect to the distinctive ecologies and clarify how these are translated through the manor insides, scene species and wayfinding (Pace, 2016). The shading palettes, textures, and configuration mirror the biology in which every specific villa sits, associating visitors to the land. Finally, owners of the element of Byron through the Byron Bay railway company have initiated the reinstatement of the local railway stations and are converting it to a solar powered railway which will be the first of its kind which will reduce car emissions within the area their conserving the environment (Spiegel, 2017).
Conclusion
The growth of tourism and hospitality industry in Australian has resulted in the growth of the economy and strengthening the currency. Consequently, it has also led to the development of infrastructure to cater to the needs of the over 8 million arrivals that have contributed to the 130billiond dollars generated annually by the industry. This has led to the rise of many hospitality venues and facilities such as the Element Byron beach resort located in Byron Bay on a 50-acre piece of land complemented with a 2 kilometer stretch of beachfront. The reported has discussed the architectural designs which are intended to preserve the 19 endangered species within the four ecologies depicting its importance. The paper has also discussed the target market where they can be summaries as domestic and foreign tourist where families have played a major lore in the tourist industry growth and development. A rerun of the capital works program has been illustrated through the project design and implementation perspective.Finally, the in-depth discussion of the energy and environmental sustainability has been done in this paper showing the extra mile the hospitality venue has gone to maintaining its award-winning reputation in both designs and environmental conservations.
References
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