Architect Rankin Takes into Account Climate Change
While most well-appointed homes and apartments on the waterfront have breathtaking views and endless ocean breeze, ensuring safety and security during unfavorable weather conditions can be a challenge. With the cyclone season now on us, architect and designer for the $21 million Uduya Point Apartments, architect Peter Rankin, director of AAPi Design talks about his journey in creating this unique masterpiece.
Uduya Point Apartments is now a distinguished part of Suva’s ocean front landscape, in relation to safety, sustainability and climate change.
Projects
Mr Rankin has successfully completed a multitude of hospitality and residential projects showcasing his unique tropical architectural flair including:
■Lauca●a Island Resort,
■Pear● Resort
■Liku●iku Island Resort and
■The new Albert Park Pavilion which stands as a proud landmark in the capital city of Suva.
While designing the Uduya Point Apartments, Mr Rankin and his design team took into account the necessary measures to ensure the effects of climate change and sea-level rise did not become issues now or in the future for the owners and residents.
“Because of this, the final floor level for the apartments was placed quite high with the ground level raised – relative to the ocean,” Mr Rankin said.
“Similar to my other projects around Suva, my team applied sustainable architecture as we sought to minimise the impact of construction on the environment and the potentially adverse effects to the building structure itself, once complete, caused by the ecosystem and weather elements at large.” He said the Uduya Point project was unique specifically because of its location which boasts a 270 degree, panoramic view of Suva harbour - a location such as this required special solution in terms of design, architecture and engineering.
“I’m glad the developers afforded us the creative freedom to merge a modern, tropical exterior with a light, minimalist interior.”
Cyclone certificate
Upon completion, the apartment was issued with the Cyclone Certificate from Vijay Krishnan, director of Engineered Designs, the project civil and structural engineer.
The cyclone certificate recognises the fact it was built to meet the national building code and engineering standards designed to withstand cyclones.
Such a certificate is also used by owners wishing to obtain cyclone insurance for their properties.
The foreshore apartment building has unobstructed views of the Suva harbour and comprises of 26 luxurious residential apartments.
It has spacious living rooms, entertainment areas, a resort style pool and a seawall with boat ramp ready for residents to enjoy boating, kayaking, surfing, kiteboarding and jet skiing.
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