The Resort Design

Preliminary Perspective (still under preparation)

Introduction

Billandian Inc., a Filipino corporation, is developing a small premium beach resort & small residential community amongst the Cashew trees and coconut palms of Panaluwan Beach in the Barangay of Cheey, Busuanga, Palawan.

The resort will work with and integrate the local community as much as possible and take an active role in the conservation of the surrounding waters.

The resort will be developed in two phases, with the first comprising seven single story cottages, two two-story cottages, two residential houses, a restaurant and bar complex, swimming pool.  There will be a number of sports activities available for guests, which will include snorkelling, mountain biking and kayaking.

During the second phase of development, the resort will be expanded with a further five single and three two story cottages and a four room multi-occupancy unit to accommodate up to 16 guests.  Additional sports facilities will be added to include a fully equipped diving school staffed by qualified instructors.

Project Concepts

Design of the resort is such as to provide a sustainable tourist environment on a 16,341 square metre site facing the South China Sea.

The land has some mature cashew-nut trees and a few coconut palms, together with some other established indigenous trees, which will be preserved and aided to flourish; additional trees will also be planted as well as other non-invasive shrubs, plants and grass.  There are no mangrove trees on or near the site.

Detailed field and environmental impact studies are being undertaken together with discussions with the local Barangay Captain, local people and officials of the Municipality of Busuanga.

The local landscape, environment, ecology, employment and training prospects for local people have all been considered in detail in order to create a resort sympathetic to all these factors, whilst appealing to guests who appreciate such a unique and ecologically diverse environment.

In the immediate vicinity of the proposed resort is a heterogeneous reef with good diversity of corals, fish, and fauna, but many areas show degradation possibly due to dynamite and cyanide fishing as well as recent signs of fishing for turtles and shark fins. There are some areas remaining with little damage to the coral and signs of recent regeneration, all of which we would hope to help in it’s preservation by working closely with the local Barangay Captain and Coast Guard.

Resort accommodation is to be Filipino inspired utilising predominantly local natural materials such as bamboo and legally sourced and supplied timber, designed to blend in with the local environment. Water will be sourced from borehole within our site and local barangay provided source, quantities from which to be agreed with the Barangay Captain. Sewage will be treated in a manner acceptable to the local authorities and ensuring no pollution of sea or adjacent land.

Electricity is to be generated on-site by a combination of solar, wind and diesel generators.

It is intended that a stay at our resort is to be an enriching experience for the tourist as well providing the local community employment, whilst preserving the environment.

Location

Baragay of Cheey, Busuanga, Northern Palawan.               Co-ordinate’s: 12°14'3.73"N, 120° 2'9.79"E

Resort Accommodation

The resort will be developed in two phases and comprise the following:

• The central restaurant and bar complex (Ph 1)
• Cashew shaped swimming pool with shower area (Ph 1)
• Facilities block for shop, library and spa (Ph 1)
• Twelve single story bungalows ( Seven in Ph 1 & five in Ph 2)
• Five two story bungalows (Two in Ph 1 & 3 in Ph 2)
• One four roomed multi-occupancy unit (Ph 2)
• Landscaping with roads, footpaths and additional tree planting (Ph 1)
• Staff accommodation, workshop and facilities (Ph 1)
• Two residential houses (Ph 1)

The buildings will generally be based on the same theme, with each being based on the ‘octagon’ with the prime materials being local timber, bamboo and thatch for the roofs.

Master-Plan

Below is an extract of the master-plan showing the restaurant complex in the centre facing the sea and individual bungalows spaced along the sea front.  The trees indicated are existing cashew and coconut trees, further coconut trees will be planted along the beach frontage.

Restaurant / Bar / Pool complex

The central restaurant and bar complex covering approximately 170 m2 will contain a beach front restaurant, elevated bar, reception area, kitchen facilities, a loft lounge with views over the ocean and a sunken bar serving the swimming pool. There will also be a separate “dirty kitchen” for meat preparation.
 
The main structural elements of the building will be of concrete with the exposed areas clad in timber, with an emphasis on bamboo.  The roof trusses will be of bamboo with the roof being a combination of steel sheet and reed thatch.  The restaurant and bar areas will be largely open plan to allow the free flow of air, with the kitchen and back of house areas being of concrete and masonry construction.

A cashew shaped swimming pool is adjacent to the building and has its own covered bar area.  There will be a separate toilet & shower block near the pool to serve both restaurant and pool areas.

Facilities Block (Shops)

The building containing gift shop, library, spa and clinic will be built in the same techniques as the other buildings, with bamboo frame, double skin woven bamboo walls, bamboo trussed roof and thatch covering to roof.

Guest Bungalows

There are three types of bungalows for guest accommodation:

Double story units covering approximately of 60 m2, each floor suitable for double or triple occupancy.  It lower level will be constructed from concrete and masonry blocks with the upper level being of timber / bamboo frame, double skin woven bamboo walls, bamboo trussed roof and thatch covering to roof.




The single story units covering approx 30 m2 suitable for single or double occupancy will be of timber construction raised approx 90 cm from the ground, with the exception of the bathroom which will have a concrete slab.  The walls will be double skin woven bamboo (sawali), hardwood floors bamboo trusses roof with kugan grass thatch.



A four roomed multi-occupancy unit to accommodate large groups will be built in the same techniques as the other buildings, with bamboo frame, double skin woven bamboo walls, bamboo trussed roof and thatch covering to roof.


Landscaping and gardens
The resort will be constructed between the existing cashew-nut trees and other indigenous to give a shaded environment with additional coconut trees being planted along the sea front.  Freeform footpaths will meander through the gardens where additional flowering shrubs and bushes will be planted.

Staff Accommodation
There will be two types of staff accommodation; an octagonal shaped building built near the main restaurant / bar complex for the managerial staff and another building set back from the resort for the staff that do not live locally.  Both buildings will be of timber / bamboo structure with thatch or nipa roofing.

Other Buildings / Facilities
A soundproof generator room and a water storage tank will be provided close to the road on the southern boundary.



Shareholder's  Accommodation

The resort will be the home of Bill and Ian; areas at each end of the beach are reserved for their own houses, which will also follow the same basic criteria.

Shareholder's House A

Comments and Suggestions

The team would welcome any comments or suggestions on the design, so please feel free to send an e-mail to Ian at ian@cashewgrove.com