Project Description
Behind every successful architectural design is a manifestation of the story of a vision in the client’s mind that through listening, communication, design workshops, energy and passion, becomes reality. The clients of Nevaeh envisioned a calm and relaxing atmosphere nestled humbly into the tropical paradise of Long Bay, Anguilla. Set on a private lot that stretches down to a half-mile of golden sand on Anguilla’s Long Bay, Nevaeh is an open, welcoming, vacation home among the lush, tropical setting. By design it resembles a luxurious breezy retreat that will serve the client’s family in its 5 bedrooms and guest house for generations to come. Early in the design process, OBMI identified the key to realizing the client’s vision was a modern interpretation of Balinese architecture featuring the spatial organisation that encourages an abundance of open space and integration of interior and exterior common areas and courtyards. This created an environment of ample, well-coordinated space allowing for free movement around the property and its luxurious offerings. Nature is brought to life in Nevaeh by seamlessly transitioning the interior living environment into the natural surroundings. To further respond to the client’s needs, OBMI capitalised on the traditional Balinese open style to integrate accessibility for the aging-in-place family. The result is a luxurious modern home that is accessible as the family ages, including access to the beach, the pool and the outdoor courtyards which seamlessly fold into the home’s style. Incorporating additional philosophies of Balinese architecture, the Nevaeh island oasis combines aesthetic appeal, natural materials, and craftsmanship into the most intricate details of the home. In understanding of the Tri Hita Karana philosophy, Nevaeh was designed to create a cacophony of harmony, integrating the human perspective (atma), the natural environment (angga), and the gods (Kyaha), by balancing the spectacular vistas of Long Bay throughout the property with the intimate interior courtyards allowing for human reflection and interaction. The outdoor environment features a fantastically designed, state-of-the-art, heated, salt water pool with a vanishing edge dropping into the crystal blue waters of the Caribbean Sea, and house side perimeter overflow. Stunning hand-crafted aqua-blue glass tiles were installed to create reflections that glistened with the sun to perfectly mirror the ocean vistas and serve as a reflecting pool during the day mimicking the aesthetics of the tropical garden landscaping. Nestled into the pool feature is a large space accommodating 12 people with remote-controlled jet. This jetted relaxation tub is completely accessible by a ‘wet ramp’ for wheelchairs accommodating the client’s special needs in elegant and graceful manner. A hidden grotto behind a waterfall and a separate small pool area are attached from the deck of the master bedroom, these unique details are designed to spoil the owners into their own private terrace when entertaining guests. Adorning the spa and grotto are two larger swimming areas, a formal pool for relaxation and a deep pool suitable for diving. Other key design features in keeping with a modern Balinese home include utilising natural ventilation through perfectly place openings to the outside environment to utilise the site’s idyllic trade breezes. With traditional Balinese design elements highlighted throughout the property featuring plants, flowers, and natural vegetation, Nevaeh is keeping in the styling of a Balinese home as the perfect way to unwind, contemplate, and truly enjoy mother nature and the idyllic setting of Long Bay. Surrounding the pool environment are stone carved panels featuring intricate patterns of leaves and palms, natural garden landscaping and specifically-designed open areas make the pool and its surrounding areas the cornerstone of the property and an aquatic reflection of the distinctive island home. The project started with conceptual sketches in 2010 and proceeded from renderings, 3D renderings to design drawings for construction. Nevaeh was completed in 2015 through a well-coordinated effort between neighbouring British Virgin Island experts in construction. The details in Nevaeh further remain true to Balinese architecture incorporating natural materials when possible including ornately detailed wooden pergolas and courtyard posts, and intricately patterned stone carvings of leaves and palms feature throughout the property. These structural elements add an additional level of authenticity to the Balinese architecture while providing elegant design details. Design details reflecting the natural environment inside the built environment flowed inside the home naturally with one of the most exclusive pieces of furniture is the main dining table, made from organic wood displaying the intricate design of the inside of a tree in its ‘live edge’ form, meaning it was cut in its natural state and smoothed down, creating a unique shape. The breathtaking property was initially designed for the private use of the family, but the owners have such a passion for the home and its harmonious integration into its Long Bay environment they now share their beautiful home with other multigenerational families when they are not enjoying it themselves.