Reimagining a Tropical Resort Landscape through Planting, Materials, and Guest Experience

Amanyara Villas

Landscape Architecture | Hospitality | Turks & Caicos

2018-2021 Selected contribution during early design development

LANDSCAPE DESIGN · MATERIAL RESEARCH & DESIGN DEVELOPMENT · SOURCING · EXPERIENCE DESIGN

Role

I developed layered existing-conditions diagrams documenting hardscape, water, planting, trees, and other site conditions, and contributed to proposed landscape studies and circulation diagrams. I researched planting appropriate to the Turks & Caicos climate, developed client-facing vegetation proposals, and explored how planting could define arrival sequences, garden rooms, and transitions between indoor and outdoor spaces.

I also researched and contacted furnishing and fabrication vendors, including custom planters for key landscape moments, and coordinated with plant suppliers to investigate availability, pricing, and shipping. Rhino studies explored views and sightlines around the villas, including privacy from boats offshore.

Overview

Set within the Northwest Point Marine National Park on Providenciales, Amanyara is a secluded resort shaped by its relationship to the surrounding landscape. The villa landscape project sought to move beyond the resort's existing architectural geometry through a more immersive approach to planting, circulation, water, paving, and garden spaces.

I contributed during early design development, working across existing-conditions analysis, planting research, material and furnishing sourcing, circulation studies, and client presentation. My work focused on how planting, materials, and landscape elements could shape the arrival sequence, guest experience, and relationship between the villas and their surrounding environment.

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Outcome

The early design work established a more connected relationship between the villas, gardens, and surrounding landscape, with planting, circulation, water, and material elements considered as part of a unified guest experience. The project subsequently developed through the studio's continued work with local craftspeople, contractors, and plant suppliers.

My contribution gave me direct experience working at the intersection of landscape design, material research, product sourcing, vendor relationships, and hospitality experience—particularly within a highly considered luxury environment.

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Existing Conditions

The existing landscape was shaped by strong architectural geometry, with lawns, clipped planting, and defined circulation patterns organizing the villa grounds. Layered studies of hardscape, water, planting, trees, and views helped identify opportunities to soften these boundaries and reconnect the villas with their surrounding landscape.
The proposed approach introduced denser planting, more intuitive circulation, and shaded garden spaces, creating greater privacy, comfort, and continuity across the site.

Design Approach

Arrival

The landscape was designed as a gradual transition from the open island ecology into the more intimate spaces of the villas. Winding paths, native planting, shade structures, water, and garden rooms create a sequence of arrival and movement, allowing the landscape to shape how guests experience the property from the moment they enter.