Villa complex

Mimar Sinan University of Fine Arts, Faculty of Architecture, Istanbul

Project idea

The main goal of Studio Desgn 2 was to create a beach villa complex in Ulcinj,Montenegro for health tourism.The idea was an architecture connecting to the surrounding landscape and nature. Due to Ulcinj's extraordinary factors, the clean and clear sea, the curing sandy beaches, the sulfur mineral water, the curing mud, the sea salt and its stem alkalis, the mild stimulative coastal climate, Ulcinj is a natural spa with perfect qualities, well known all over the world. Ulcinj was claimed to be „a spa and climatic resort“ by the decree of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia. The advantages of the Ulcinj climate are most significant for its living conditions, and the sea temperature ensures the possibility for sunbathing during 6 months, from May till October. In summer the sea transparency reaches 38 m and on the open sea in front of Ulcinj it measured even 56 m which was the highest level on the Adriatic Sea.The sand on the beaches is actually providing these long healing effects since it is so clean, so fine and it contains no impurities like soil, mud, organic materials or others due to the fact that Ulcinj is surrounded by an unpolluted environment, with no industry at all. From the chemical composition the Ulcinj sand has about 30 mineral ingredients which are biologically very active. It is slightly radioactive which makes it suitable for medical use, especially when it comes to diseases with organs used for movement as well as spine problems, rheumatism, discopathy, sciatica and all the consquences if these organs get hurt.

Project description

This project serves as the main catering service point on the boardwalk line, which is located on a steep cliff, overlooking the Adriatic sea. The plan of the project is a long cross form, to fit and emphasize the shape and orientation of the cliff.The project will be used for long stay guest and the tourist that will use the main centers only for a day(spa and wellness center,restaurants ,pools and the beach).The structure of the villas is made from the containers and the structure of the main centers are made of concrete columns and beams.The projects idea was to create a project in combination with nature.In the beginning I had two options one was flying villas and the other was following the wild topography of the cliffs.As the first option would be in a very contrast with the castle and the architecture of the city I decided to create a piece that will give to the city a continuing part to the empty forest.First I created rooms modules and then started to put them in different leves.When you have a look at the project you can easily realise which are the main mutual centers and which are the rooms modules.The Main ax help all the people get to the main centers and the mixed streets help the complex guest reach the villas.There are mutual areas of all villas that gives to the mix project the possibility to breathe .

Technical information

In the conception of this project, considering the use of environmentally friendly materials, saving natural resources, shorter construction time and preserving the natural profile of the land, it was decided to use containers as the main element of the project. In addition, reducing construction resources such as water, sand, gravel, cement, brick, and iron means saving natural resources, leaving the construction site clean and not causing rubbish and material leftovers.The architecture of the projecs is timeless and contemporary. Based on the typical design used in Ulcinjs areas, it focuses on maintaining a low environmental impact and at the same time remaining sensitive to the local culture, climate and landscape. Traditional materials such as earth, sand, stone, brick and wood join the possibilities of other industrial materials, such as cement and steel, creating an environment that is more adapted to contemporary and local characteristics.