NANAO RESORT

Eco resort inspired by the birthing rock legend

To minimize environmental impact, development density is carved around a man-made lake to create a strong landscape focus and centralized program organization. Like an “inverted” island, the masterplan becomes a figural environmental etching, a distinctive aborigine tattoo on the vast lush land in homage to the native Atayal culture. The buildings, of traditional aboriginal stone construction, perch on the water’s edge like sculptural rock formations to articulate the edges of the lake.

The main building traces the hilly topography with its sinewy undulating form to become the eastern contours of the lake. The Water Villa is designed as an entire island, with spaces sculpted from within the landmass and overhanging stone eaves that grow into the island’s edge. The Eco-pod, scattered throughout the indigenous eucalyptus forest, is a unique camping structure with an upward spiraling plan that pivots around a central fireplace.