Verse Collective
"I don't believe Architecture has to speak to much. It should remain silent and let nature speak in the guise of sunlight and wind" Tadao Ando
Client:
Verse Collective
Description:
Before the current property of Verse Hotel was attained, the client investigated a new build on a different property within Hiriketiya Bay. For legal reasons the property was deemed unsuited for investment but a design had been developed.
Verse 2
Verse 1
Site & Context:
The site is situated in a sparsely populated village among dense tropical vegetation. The village consists of free standing dwellings on plots between trees, loosely connected by dirt roads, jeep tracks and footpaths.
Dropping onto the coastal plain, the vegetation gives way to coconut palms, which, together with other species of tropical trees, keep the cove beyond well hidden. This makes for a breathtaking discovery when filtering through and arriving on the beach.
Existing dwellings on the site meant that a sub-division was negotiated the result being a site made up of two adjoining squares, the smaller of which faces onto the street.
Concept:
The decision to place the building on the street edge meant that the public activities could be used to activate the edge and begin to define a more cohesive village structure. The private activities are drawn deeper into the site with a covered, double height courtyard connecting the two realms.
Space & Materiality:
In response to the natural and undefined makeup of the context, an architecture of strong definition was developed, setting up a distinct internal nature. To achieve the sense of mass and definition, and to celebrate local materials and techniques, locally sourced brickwork would be used, covered in a dark coloured plaster in a local stucco tradition.
