If the ideal island Thomas More called utopia had an earthly equivalent, it would undoubtedly be North Malé Atoll in the Maldives – home to Hotel Patina Maldives. In the words of the hotel’s designers – Marcio Kogan and Renata Furlanetto of Studio MK27 – it’s a place “where hospitality provides romance and deep contact with nature but still boosts social encounter”, and one that is intended “to lead people to really share with one another the extreme experience of one of the remotest places on the planet”. In short, the perfect match for the Greek word ‘utopia’, with its double meaning of ‘eutopia’ (good place) and ‘outopia’ (no place).
Intended to provide a radical living experience in an unspoiled natural environment, this 34,500-square-metre hotel in the Maldives comprises a series of trails and elegant villas, hovering above the exuberant infinite blue waters or perfectly blending with the dense vegetation and white sandy beaches. An immersive and kaleidoscopic experience, with atmospheres that range from vitality to complete isolation, and powered by the ability of the rigorous yet delicate architecture to blend with the surrounding environment.
This sophistication and connection with nature could hardly be achieved without the smooth operability and the uncompromising aesthetics of panoramah! minimalist windows. The floor-to-ceiling sliding glass walls, ah!38 birail and trirail solutions, form three sides of each villa, capturing and amplifying the landscape, while also rendering the transition between inside and the generous decks outside virtually unnoticed.
The powder-coated RAL1035 aluminium frames blend in with the colours of the Maldivan nature, matching the textures and tactile qualities of the cross-laminated timber elements and organic fabrics used in the construction and interior of the hotel. Alongside, the low-e toughened glass, IGU was engineered to provide an overall thermal performance of 1.1 w/m2k and to withstand a wind load of 1380Pa. Providing plenty of open space to commune with nature and to find a phenomenological presence in the world, the complex pushes the boundaries of hospitality architecture, while promoting the purest form of luxury.
