Samphire Rottnest Hotel Landscape
Samphire Rottnest Hotel Landscape is a lush coastal landscape in an iconic A-Class reserve. Located next to the Heritage listed former Govenors residence, now the Rottnest Hotel on Thomson Bay, Samphire Rottnest is the first luxury resort on Wadjemup (Rottnest Island).
A total of 80 hotel rooms over two levels have been sited carefully within sensitive coastal landscape that includes two courtyard pools, multiple external lounging and dining areas and sheltered private decks.
The site planning and external areas have been designed to accommodate the new buildings and courtyards within the existing landscape and to retain numerous existing characteristic trees and the dune edge.
The landscape design includes beachfront bars, shade structures and extensive decking linking to the existing pub. Close collaboration between Landscape Architect and Architect has resulted in a series of interconnected internal and external spaces that respond to the character and pace of the island.
The leafy hotel landscape also includes two central swimming pools, flanked by plenty of spots to lounge under shade shelters that have been designed to find the balance between offering respite from the sun without completely obstructing the sky.
With its extensive canopy, endemic plantings and carefully selected materials, the result is a layered landscape that celebrates the casual holiday character of the island within the context of a luxury hotel.
Undertaken by Woodward Design (since acquired by UDLA), this project demonstrates Pete Woodward’s sensitive approach to reconciling intrinsic heritage and place values with specific programmatic and operational requirements – an approach that Pete continues to bring to numerous projects including The Oval at SubiEast and Fremantle Prison.
Details:
The hotel landscape was designed by Pete Woodward (Woodward Design), who has been a Project Director at UDLA since 2020.
Client: Prendiville Group
Aboriginal Country: Whadjuk Noongar Country
Location: Wadjemup (Rottnest Island), WA
Dates: 2017-20
Landscape Architect: UDLA
Collaborators: Christou Design Group
Photography: Yvonne Doherty
