Perception is Reality
Architecture has two primary and equally important relationships, its association with its environment, and its association with the people it serves. The most basic function of architecture is to define space. Structures separate the interior from the exterior. They are an avenue of communication between the indoor and the outdoor, and by extension they are a connection between people and places. For many resort destinations, the natural environment and the desire to commune with nature is the experience that guests seek. Particularly at these resorts, the architecture must act as an effective conduit between the guests and their surroundings. In order to function effectively, it must convey a feeling of belonging, a sense of place. Without this “grounding in locality”, the architecture will be in a state of conflict with its surroundings, and this deception will be sensed by the guests. In order to be believed, the architecture must convey a feeling of oneness with the site. For a destination resort situated in a natural setting, the architecture must not overpower the environment. It should play a subordinate role to the site, acting to preserve and enhance the natural site features. The buildings should be designed to conform to the existing site conditions and topography. In order to maintain a state of harmony, buildings should accommodate the requirements of the site and work within its constraints. The use of natural, local materials instills a sense of authenticity and honesty in the construction. Through their use, the building takes on the appearance of a natural extension of the site. It looks less man-made and more as an outgrowth of nature. The natural materials convey a history of their own existence, a story of their life and eventual incorporation into human use and the construction of the building. To be believed, the architectural design must be responsive to all aspects of local environmental conditions, such as variations in heat, humidity, and rainfall. It must convey a sense of understanding of the place that it occupies. The architecture must also express a cultural honesty in form and adornment, in structure and detail. The evolution of a people and a society are also a natural reaction to the environments they occupy. A local architectural style evolved through history as a response to its environment. Its design and detailing tells a story of man's relationship to his particular environment over the centuries. It embodies the culture and history of a region from a human perspective. The architect must create buildings that convey, and pay homage to, this rich history and cultural evolution, not only in detail, but also in spirit.