EDSA Honored by ARDA

FT. LAUDERDALE, FL

Coral stone was used repeatedly in the Westin Casuarina Resort design as paving, wall caps and column gladings. Coral rock is a common native material in the Caribbean Islands, and it was used throughout to achieve a clean and consistent look, and to give the project a distinct identity. Photo provided courtesy of E D S A.

E D S A (Edward D. Stone Jr. And Associates), headquartered in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, has won three prestigious awards for its resort design work from the American Resort Development Association (ARDA). The firm won Gold and Silver Awards for the Westin Casuarina Resort in Grand Cayman, Bahamas, and a Silver Award for Las Casitas in Fajardo, Puerto Rico.

Joe Lalli, Managing Principal of E D S A, noted, "Resort design comprises a significant portion of our firm's work. Over the years, E D S A has been privileged to contribute the design for land planning, landscape architecture services and hardscape designs for several major resorts world-wide; and the firm has been a part of the renaissance of the time-share industry."

The Westin Casuarina Resort in Grand Cayman is located along a beautiful seven-mile beach fronting the Caribbean Sea. E D S A assisted with site planning and provided design services for the resort's site amenities, including the 5,000 square foot swimming pool, pool bar, recreational amenities, entry features and landscape planting. Emphasis was placed on details, including proportion, color, material and shapes of project elements, such as the symmetrical pool area and the repeated use of native coral stone in the paving. The clean, consistent look is appealing to guests and provides an easy transition from one space to the other.

Las Casitas, a cluster of vacation homes on a hilltop overlooking the Caribbean Sea in Fajardo, Puerto Rico, is known for its old world charm, great use of color and resemblance to a Mediterranean hill town. A boutique 4-Star "hotel" within a larger hotel resort property, Las Casitas offers a contrasting design to other villages on the same property, providing visitors with a selection of environments. The design is unique to Puerto Rico and the entire Caribbean. Las Casitas capitalizes on dramatic views to the sea and mountains, while separating vehicles from its intimate pedestrian streets and courtyards. Colorful buildings at varied elevations cascade down the slope. The different levels are connected by intricate passageways and stairs, and punctuated with private entrances to each unit. E D S A was responsible for site planning and thematic architectural design, and worked closely with the architect and interior designer to coordinate the interior and exterior spaces. The unique character of this village contributed to its immediate sales success.

ARDA is a Washington, D.C.-based organization with members throughout the United States and the world. The annual ARDA awards recognize innovative and effective achievements that contribute to the growth of the resort industry. This year's program attracted more than 500 entries in five major categories.