CREJ

March 2022 / BUILDING DIALOGUE / 61 We Build: FOR COLORADO ROCK CREEK CURLING CENTER Lafayette, CO Englewood | Steamboat Springs calconci.com | Our design-build team is leading the landscape design industry in a growing trend of experimental resort land- scape design that focuses on connecting guests in a more meaningful way to the environment. King’s PondHualālai is a perfect example of this, and our team is paving the way by developing an approach that weaves landscape design into the natural landscape of Hawaii. Rather than disturbing the natural ecosystem with construction, we enhanced the natural landscape with new additions that fully immerse the hotel guests into the environment and culture. Carved out of natural lava rock, this aquarium is home to more than 4,000 tropical fish from 98 different species. The team worked to integrate swimming, marine life education, and respect for the beauty of Hawaii’s nat- ural habitat into one cohesive design scheme. Plans to upgrade King’s Pond were born from a growing focus on marine preservation and education. BrightView worked together with a team of six on-site marine biologists to weave the landscape design into the natural ecosystem of the pond. Perched above King’s Pond is an infinity-edge pool with twowhirlpools, two new spas, and an additional ipe wood deck for lounge seating with a full-service bar. Guest can relax on the deck and look out into the ocean or can swim in the new infinity pool and get the feeling they are in the pond itself. The pool was designed fairly close to the edge of the pond, so guests will be able to swim up to the edge and look down into it. The goal was for guests to theoretically swim next to a great diversity of marine life. The pool follows the same shape as the pond and fea- tures two submerged sculptures at the bottom developed by local artist Alex Gupton. The sculptures depict the two most cherished marine animals in Hualālai-Kainalu, the spotted eagle ray that has lived in the pond for 20 years, and the honu sea turtle, which guests can find resting along the sand of the resort. In addition to respecting the natural elements at play, the renovation at King’s Pond brings education to the forefront, with a touch tank, digital education displays, and programs like the Junior Marine Biologist Experience and tide pool tours. The 1.8 million-gallon swimmable aquarium acts as an educational playground for small children. Kids can feed the inhabitants and help the center’s experts identify the vibrant marine life. Young guests will also have the chance to meet and say hi to Ka- inalu, the resident spotted eagle ray that can be hand-fed. Kids 12 and up can even serve as junior marine biologists and assist the center with collecting and recording data. The renovation of the King’s Pond pool at Hualālai Re- sort represents a successful design-build landscape reno- vation project in the hospitality industry.\\