A Design Glimpse of The Ritz-Carlton Maldives Opening in Q2 2021


Maldives
Travel
PUBLISHED December 29, 2020

The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, a 100-villa resort on the beautiful beaches of the North Malé Atoll, will be welcoming guests in the second quarter of 2021. Every aspect of the resort’s philosophy and design centres around the notion of totality and the true spirit of the Maldives. The resort’s minimalist circular architecture and its holistic philosophy beautifully harmonises with the Maldives’ natural environment and culture.

The vision behind the resort’s iconic design, led by Kerry Hill Architects, is inspired by the raw natural landscape of turquoise lagoons and swirling ocean breezes embracing the circle of island life, where modern architecture meets the Maldives. Interior and exterior design is humble, minimalist, and visually lightweight, leaving little impact on its environment and maximizing views to the horizon and the connection with the elements.

Kerry Hill Architects noted: “The masterplan is directly shaped by ocean forces, the wind and waves. The circular villas sit comfortably in the bright Maldives sunlight, shadows are soft and breezes flow freely between buildings. The design is inspired by the dual personality of the site, embracing contrasts between open ocean and calm lagoon, daytime shade and the expansive night sky, contemplative and active spaces.”

Each villa’s design also allows for total privacy, cocooned by the clean sweeping curves and lines of the architecture, with the water, landscape and breeze flowing around and between the spaces. All bedrooms look out to the horizon through panoramic sliding doors that dissolve the barrier between inside and out, with a curved deck and a private pool that seems to merge with the ocean beyond. The interior villa design continues the simple approach to detailing with a limited palette of natural materials and colour hues. Furniture, rugs and fabrics have been custom designed by Kerry Hill Architects, drawing influence from local craft traditions in collaboration with Maldivian and international artists.

Minimising the impact on the fragile reef ecosystem was paramount in the design of the resort. By using pioneering pre-fabricated design methods and materials, KHA has ensured that no cutting was necessary on the island, reducing heavy operations and, crucially, generating zero waste or pollution. Where possible, natural breezes will be harnessed to cool the public spaces, and highly sophisticated glazing has been used elsewhere to limit the use of air-conditioning. This, alongside the widespread use of solar panels, the intrinsic sustainability of the design materials used and the low‐maintenance natural weathered finish, enables the architecture to achieve a low carbon footprint.

The Ritz Carlton Maldives is located at Fari Islands, a 45- minute journey by speedboat or a 10-minute seaplane flight from Velana International Airport. Fari Islands is an archipelago that features three world-class hospitality brands inclusive of The Ritz-Carlton. Guests are expected to have access to a picturesque Fari Marina – the archipelago’s communal beating heart. Built around a vibrant Beach Club, Fari Marina will be home to charming boutiques and a handpicked selection of dining options.

 

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