An Alternative Vacation Stay in Orlando06-21-24 | Feature
An Alternative Vacation Stay in Orlando
Orlando, FL by Staff
An endeavor to provide short-term rentals to visitors of the popular destination of Orlando, Florida brought about the vacation home project named Windsor Island Resort. The developer, Pulte Group, Central Florida Division, entrusted the design of the outdoor amenities to Foster Conant & Associates, with Richard Conant, PLA, FASLA, as the principal on the project. With the help of a team of architects, MEPs, structural, fountain and pool engineers, they designed elements for the main entrance, clubhouse, and pool amenities. This overall aerial rendering of the development's amenity site at night illustrates the planners' concept of bringing definition to the pool area's landscape after dark with area lights, pool deck fixtures, and the ambiance of the underwater pool lighting.
The main pool has a guttered return system with a 12" shelf. The exposed, 6" backsplash of the pool gutter is overlaid with 1"x2" tile in a blend of blue tones from local distributor Luv Tile Supply. The wide expanse of the pool at the top center in this photo is a zero entry platform. This access point goes from zero to three feet of depth, providing a transition to the water color intended to resemble a sandy beach edge. Semi-circular shapes protrude into the pool to look like islands. Specimen palm trees complete the effect. Between the islands are coves with steps or in-pool seating lounge shelves. The pool also includes a sun shelf where the pool floor is lowered 9" from the flow line to allow lounge chairs to sit comfortably in the water.
The outdoor bar is an island surrounded by bar stools, each with views of the pool amenities. Located adjacent to the outdoor pool bar is an artificial turf area used for corn hole competitions. A formed and poured concrete, gas fire pit was added to expand nighttime activity. The columns are veneered with a coral stone finish. A softer, beige-colored paver in a "Catalina Grande" pattern surfaces the upper terrace. Furniture was selected to give guests a variety of seating opportunities. Royal blue colors were introduced into the chairs and trash cans.
The palette of materials for the entry sign and the guard house were specified to create a cohesive architectural appearance and mimic the look of the resort and clubhouse. The column and monument signage are clad in coral stone and cultured stone veneers. Smaller columns in between are veneered with 1"x1" blue-toned tile. All the caps are single precast concrete pieces. Lap siding and a 'Royal Pacific Blue' standing seam metal roof were used for the tower. These materials are replicated on the guardhouse (left) and the clubhouse inside the grounds. Barely visible walls and fences secure the perimeter.
The client wanted arriving guests to have the most expansive view of the water amenities possible from the central Grand Hall. The pool deck encompasses 23,600 sq. ft. To the far bottom left, one of the two fire pits was sited to take advantage of Disney's nightly fireworks. Bismarck Palms (Bismarckia nobilis), triple and single Ribbon Palms (Livistona decora), Silver Date Palms (Phoenix sylvestris), and multi-trunk Foxtail Palms (Wodyetia bifurcata) contributed to the landscape design.
A bridge is the only way to access a planted island that contains a double slide and is encircled by the lazy river. The bridge height had to be a minimum of four feet from the water surface. The bridge is constructed of heavy timber beams with composite decking used on the surface. Pool decking is Portland white concrete pool deck and 4"x8" pavers in a simple herringbone pattern with a course of soldiers.
A children's interactive play feature sits in a 50-foot diameter shallow pool. With a continuous Australian grate drain surrounding the pool, depths range from zero to 18 inches. Working closely with AquaWorx, the manufacturer of the equipment, multiple spray nozzles and water jets animate the play feature.
The winding, 8-foot-wide, 760-foot-long lazy river flows through palm trees and tropical plantings. It is heated with geothermal pool heaters. Plant material was held off the edges due to the splash zone that is created by the users of this water attraction.
To capture the essence of the island theme, water was an important element. The long, stone-clad wall which emerges from the tower has two water wall fountains that flank the center panel. To give the water some action, black Mexican pebbles were used. Each pebble is cut in half and mounted to expose the rounded edge. With most arrivals to Windsor Island Resort in the evenings, lighting of the main entrance feature was important. Backlit channel letters and uplights on the columns, tower, and water wall fountains are intended to draw attention to this architectural statement. Large Silver Date Palms (Phoenix sylvestris) were specified to provide a striking backdrop.
The overall master plan is designed for 517 Villa-style homes mixed on 40' and 50' lots, and 217 townhomes. The property has a 100-foot grade change, so the housing sites are terraced. Each living unit has a screened pool as part of the resort experience. The entry and grand hall in the arrival building is on axis with the freestanding pool bar.
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An endeavor to provide short-term rentals to visitors of the popular destination of Orlando, Florida brought about the vacation home project named Windsor Island Resort. The developer, Pulte Group, Central Florida Division, entrusted the design of the outdoor amenities to Foster Conant & Associates, with Richard Conant, PLA, FASLA, as the principal on the project. With the help of a team of architects, MEPs, structural, fountain and pool engineers, they designed elements for the main entrance, clubhouse, and pool amenities. This overall aerial rendering of the development's amenity site at night illustrates the planners' concept of bringing definition to the pool area's landscape after dark with area lights, pool deck fixtures, and the ambiance of the underwater pool lighting.
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The main pool has a guttered return system with a 12" shelf. The exposed, 6" backsplash of the pool gutter is overlaid with 1"x2" tile in a blend of blue tones from local distributor Luv Tile Supply. The wide expanse of the pool at the top center in this photo is a zero entry platform. This access point goes from zero to three feet of depth, providing a transition to the water color intended to resemble a sandy beach edge. Semi-circular shapes protrude into the pool to look like islands. Specimen palm trees complete the effect. Between the islands are coves with steps or in-pool seating lounge shelves. The pool also includes a sun shelf where the pool floor is lowered 9" from the flow line to allow lounge chairs to sit comfortably in the water.
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The outdoor bar is an island surrounded by bar stools, each with views of the pool amenities. Located adjacent to the outdoor pool bar is an artificial turf area used for corn hole competitions. A formed and poured concrete, gas fire pit was added to expand nighttime activity. The columns are veneered with a coral stone finish. A softer, beige-colored paver in a "Catalina Grande" pattern surfaces the upper terrace. Furniture was selected to give guests a variety of seating opportunities. Royal blue colors were introduced into the chairs and trash cans.
4 / 10
The palette of materials for the entry sign and the guard house were specified to create a cohesive architectural appearance and mimic the look of the resort and clubhouse. The column and monument signage are clad in coral stone and cultured stone veneers. Smaller columns in between are veneered with 1"x1" blue-toned tile. All the caps are single precast concrete pieces. Lap siding and a 'Royal Pacific Blue' standing seam metal roof were used for the tower. These materials are replicated on the guardhouse (left) and the clubhouse inside the grounds. Barely visible walls and fences secure the perimeter.
5 / 10
The client wanted arriving guests to have the most expansive view of the water amenities possible from the central Grand Hall. The pool deck encompasses 23,600 sq. ft. To the far bottom left, one of the two fire pits was sited to take advantage of Disney's nightly fireworks. Bismarck Palms (Bismarckia nobilis), triple and single Ribbon Palms (Livistona decora), Silver Date Palms (Phoenix sylvestris), and multi-trunk Foxtail Palms (Wodyetia bifurcata) contributed to the landscape design.
6 / 10
A bridge is the only way to access a planted island that contains a double slide and is encircled by the lazy river. The bridge height had to be a minimum of four feet from the water surface. The bridge is constructed of heavy timber beams with composite decking used on the surface. Pool decking is Portland white concrete pool deck and 4"x8" pavers in a simple herringbone pattern with a course of soldiers.
7 / 10
A children's interactive play feature sits in a 50-foot diameter shallow pool. With a continuous Australian grate drain surrounding the pool, depths range from zero to 18 inches. Working closely with AquaWorx, the manufacturer of the equipment, multiple spray nozzles and water jets animate the play feature.
8 / 10
The winding, 8-foot-wide, 760-foot-long lazy river flows through palm trees and tropical plantings. It is heated with geothermal pool heaters. Plant material was held off the edges due to the splash zone that is created by the users of this water attraction.
9 / 10
To capture the essence of the island theme, water was an important element. The long, stone-clad wall which emerges from the tower has two water wall fountains that flank the center panel. To give the water some action, black Mexican pebbles were used. Each pebble is cut in half and mounted to expose the rounded edge. With most arrivals to Windsor Island Resort in the evenings, lighting of the main entrance feature was important. Backlit channel letters and uplights on the columns, tower, and water wall fountains are intended to draw attention to this architectural statement. Large Silver Date Palms (Phoenix sylvestris) were specified to provide a striking backdrop.
10 / 10
The overall master plan is designed for 517 Villa-style homes mixed on 40' and 50' lots, and 217 townhomes. The property has a 100-foot grade change, so the housing sites are terraced. Each living unit has a screened pool as part of the resort experience. The entry and grand hall in the arrival building is on axis with the freestanding pool bar.
Orlando, Florida is the most visited destination in the United States, hosting over 74 million visitors each year. Developers are seeking different solutions to satisfy this steady flow of vacationers. Typically, visitors stay in conventional hotels, but a growing trend is short-term rentals of privately-owned homes.
Windsor Island Resort is a destination vacation home project in the rolling hills of Davenport, Florida. Located on the Florida Ridge, this site has a unique geographical feature for Florida - elevation, with 100 feet of grade change across the site. Housing became terraced to handle the grades.
Only a short drive from Walt Disney World and surrounding entertainment areas, this vacation stay option is ideal for large families looking for the comfort of a home with an abundance of resort-style
site amenities.
The Team
The project was developed by Pulte Homes, Central Florida Division. They selected the talents of the Orlando-based Landscape Architecture firm, Foster Conant and Associates (FCA) led by Richard Conant, PLA, FASLA, as the prime design consultant to create the area development and site amenities. Architects, MEP, and structural, fountain and pool engineers designed elements for the main entrance, clubhouse, and pool amenities.
The planning process included conceptual master planning, schematic design through construction documentation, and construction phase services. The client's vision for the project was to make the hardscape and landscape feel like a Caribbean Island resort. FCA took the vision and designed architecture and landscape architecture into a cohesive project that captures the spirit of the islands.
The Layout
This gated community with a 24-hour manned guardhouse encompasses 517 single family villas and 272 townhomes. The front entrance sets the tone for arriving guests. The double-sided entrance sign incorporates two water walls backed with half round Mexican beach pebbles for texture and a 20-foot-tall tower.
The base and panel of the sign are clad in coral stone veneer. The tower is finished with lap siding and topped off with a 'Royal Pacific Blue' standing seam metal roof. These materials are repeated on the guardhouse and follow through to the clubhouse. The landscape is a mix of formal and informal palm trees and other tropical plants.
The Pool Amenity Site
Located on the main street is a 14,000-sq.-ft. clubhouse, 7,000-sq.-ft. main pool, a children's interactive playground pool, a 760-linear-feet lazy river, dual water slides, spa, private cabanas, and a freestanding poolside drink bar, all on 23,600 sq. ft. of pool deck.
A sand volleyball court, a 9-hole mini golf course, and a multi-use basketball/tennis court provide active sport activities. The clubhouse offers a fitness center, video arcade, grill service with outdoor dining, and outdoor bar with adjacent artificial turf play area and fire pit. A second fire pit takes advantage of the views of Disney's nightly fireworks.
To create a Caribbean Island feeling, FCA designed for function and form using materials and color to influence the theme's goal. Portland white concrete pool deck 4"x8" pavers by Belgard in a simple herringbone pattern, brought the feel of white sand beaches to the surrounding deck surfaces.
Crystal-clear blue water adds to the island flavor. Under the main clubhouse roof is a large open-air bar and dining area. The concrete pavers on the upper deck bring the outside into the breezy open-air food and beverage area.
An adjacent artificial turf area is set up for a corn hole court and anchored at the pool end with a gas fire pit. With only 11 inches of grade difference between the upper terrace and pool deck, FCA designed an 18-inch wall on the pool side to create the illusion that the grade on the pool deck was lower. A required 42-inch aluminum picket fence sits on the upper terrace.
The main pool is 7,000 sq. ft. of surface area. This gutter edge pool has a wide zero depth entry on one side fronting ample lounging, a 9-inch-deep sun shelf for in-pool lounges, and multiple coves with stairs. The main pool, as well as the lazy river and spa, are heated using geothermal pool heaters, keeping the average water temperature at 80 degrees.
The Lazy River runs 760 linear feet and carries inner tubing guests in its eight-foot-wide stream. Winding along a palm-lined route, the water encircles an island which features a double AquaWorx super slide.
Featured along the back side of the river is an artificial rock outcropping with a waterfall flowing into the river. The man-made rock was structurally framed, carved with cast stone concrete panels and seamed together with
hand-carved concrete.
Barrier Island Construction
Five private, 10'x10', rentable, custom-designed cabanas line one edge of the lazy river. Each cabana features an all-weather sofa, TV, refrigerator, storage, overhead fans, and umbrella table with chairs. The back has an open view of the river and island.
The interactive children's water feature includes a large bucket drop, slides, multiple spray nozzles, and floor jets. Surrounding one side of the water feature are five private custom-designed family cabanas. Also included in this area is a large shade structure by Shade Systems. Under this is an artificial turf play area.
Adjacent to the pool complex, guests can play a nine-hole miniature golf course for free. Cast aluminum characters in a nautical theme are woven throughout the course. Crushed shell, river rock, and mulch help handle pedestrian traffic and add visual interest.
The Landscaping
To complete the island's aesthetics, sustainable landscaping was used to enhance and reinforce the theme. A drought-tolerant planting palette was used throughout the site. A mix of impressive Palm trees, including Foxtail (Wodyetia bifurcata), multi-trunk Chinese Fan (Livistona chinensis), Reclinata (Phoenix reclinata), and Sabal (Sabal palmetto) help create the dappled shade patterns on the deck and water.
All palms were selected and tagged prior to installation to ensure quality and size. A mix of native and non-native plants were selected. Ornamental grasses included Muhly (Muhlenbergia capillaris), Cordgrass (Spartina bakeri), and
Fakahatchee (Tripsacum floridanum).
Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens) and Coontie (Zamia pumila/floridana) add texture. Firebush (Hamelia patens), Dwarf Oleander (Nerium oleander), Crotons (Codiaeum variegatum), and Hawaiian Ti (Cordyline fruticosa) provide color.
The landscape contracting was handled by Ground Preserve Construction.
During the construction phase, FCA was heavily involved in both construction management and site observation, including shop drawing reviews, material selection, requests for information/clarification, and weekly on-site construction meetings.
Working very closely with the general contractor, JK2 Construction, minor issues were resolved quickly and efficiently. Being heavily involved in the construction process allowed for occasional field changes that brought better solutions to the final product.
Since Windsor Island Resort opened in 2021, it has sold out all villas and townhomes. The pool amenity has become the most popular feature in the community and is heavily used by guests, regularly reaching capacity during summer months.
"There is no better place to get carried away," commented a guest. "With prevailing winds, lots of water, and a cool drink in hand, I feel like I'm in
the islands."
TEAM LIST
Landscape Architects: Foster Conant & Associates - Richard Conant, PLA, FASLA
Developer: Pulte Group-Central Florida Division
Architecture: Slocum Platts Architects
Civil Engineer: Osceola Engineering
MEP Engineer for the Amenity:
Joseph Lawrence & Co.
MEP Engineer for the Entrance:
Ingenuity Engineers
Interior Design: Micamy Design Studio
General Contractor: JK2 Construction
Landscape Contractor: Ground Preserve
Slide/Playground Manufacturer/Installation: AquaWorx
Pool Installation: Village Pools of Central Florida
