Set in sweeping crescent beach on the edge of the deep-watered Cam Ranh Bay, a brisk 30 minutes from Nha Trang, the resort sprawls out over 300,000 square metres of jaw-dropping coast, sea and lush greens.
The underlying concept was to showcase the resort’s spectacular setting. However, the sheer enormity of the project and the challenging terrain required a careful negotiation between form and function.
The architectural team responded to the pitch of the site by inserting a double-volume podium beneath Alma’s rear block. Three identical 13-storey block massings were folded in to create three distinctive V-shaped buildings. In one fell swoop, the unexpected form elevates the perspective and allows panoramic views to be optimized.
A sequence of verandahs, deep overhangs, louver screens and manicured green roofs blur the line between built environment and the natural green of the natural landscape. Here again, form is cleverly balanced against function – the green roofs serve as a community space for guests while also providing insulation and improved energy efficiency, and regulating internal temperatures.