A master plan for a 129-hectare resort along Tamuda Bay on Morocco’s Mediterranean coast has just gained planning consent by royal approval. The development is set to become a Ritz-Carlton Reserve.The site is adjacent to significant wetlands that are home to many species of migrating birds, including flamingos, and is naturally punctuated with numerous water channels. These features were the starting point for the designer’s scheme. “It was key that we worked carefully to conserve and preserve the existing ecological qualities of the site in order to develop a sensitive master plan,” says Phil Jaffa, director of Scape Design Associates. “The challenge for us was to fit quite a lot of elements onto the site in way that they all harnessed the wet areas and the sloping gradient as well as the views in one direction of the Mediterranean and in the other of the Rif mountains.”
The result is an evolution of a tranquil wetland environment into a resort that flows around water and which provides a logical series of experiences for guests and ease of operations for staff. The 100- bedroom hotel is located at one of the higher points of the site on a bi-polar axis providing views of both the wetlands and the 18-hole golf course that meanders around much of the site. Water channels are used to create space between small clusters of villas and all 200 villas and apartments have views of either the mountains, the bird sanctuary or the water. A small dam is to be introduced, achieving a fresh water lake, and there will be a waterfront village with retail, restaurants, bars and cafés. In addition, there will be a large conference facility, spa, health club, kids club, young adults club and tennis courts.
Scape developed the master plan in collaboration with architects WATG and Jack Nicklaus who are responsible for the building and golf course design respectively.
The interior designers have now commenced work on the technical master plan. Site preparation works are scheduled to begin towards the end of this year with completion slated for 2012.
