Above photography by Christopher Frederick Jones.

Brisbane architecture firm Shane Thompson Architects has designed the new Elements of Byron resort on the beach of Byron Bay, Australia – a project that is respectful of its unique and special 50 acre site, with almost two kilometres of beach frontage.

The design pays homage to the resort’s landscape, including the critically-endangered Littoral Rainforest, natural lakes, ponds and diverse wildlife. Shane Thompson Architects’ design of the central facilities and accommodation (94 villas) is inspired by local naturally-occuring forms: sand dunes, native trees, ocean and lakes.

Photo by Dallas Nock.

The leisure and conference facilities are housed under three separate pavilions, which represent the sand dunes bounding the resort. The signature curved shape of these central facilities is an organic form, which unifies the resort and links it to its iconic surroundings.

Colour schemes, patterns, textures and finishes were drawn from traditional and rural activities, creating a powerful connection to the landscape, site, and environmental and cultural sensitivities of the area. Meanwhile, an infinity lagoon pool weaves through the resort, alongside a communal fire pit and sun beds.

Photo by Christopher Frederick Jones.

The Elements of Byron resort is an exemplar of sustainable design, with a minimal 10% building footprint. Shane Thompson Architects proposed the reestablishment of the original dunal and wallum landscape to minimise future maintenance and irrigation demands. The nature-first approach saw the introduction of over 65,000 new native trees and plants, and single-storey buildings to showcase the surroundings.

Photo by Christopher Frederick Jones.

Cost-effective rectilinear-plan forms were used, alongside conventional structures and finishes, to respond to site and budget constraints. Through this project, Shane Thompson Architects has consciously created a sense of community and place of luxurious retreat, resulting in a resort that projects an iconic and distinctly Australian character to travellers and the wider Byron Bay community.

http://shanethompson.com.au