Acqua is a Radisson Blu hotel in Aruba that began in 2016 as the conversion of an unfinished apartment complex. The building is a concrete tunnel construction typology. Enlace Arquitectura helped the client redesign the building into a hotel and was the LEED consultant during the process of its accreditation. It includes energy efficient Air Conditioning systems, LED lighting, AC condensed water collection and reuse for irrigation, low water consuming bathroom fixtures and landscaping that favors indigenous species. Acqua will be the first LEED certified building in Aruba.

Enlace Arquitectura also designed the landscaping, exterior lighting and the structures surrounding the pool  area, which include several pergolas for yoga practice, lounge chairs and an exterior café. The shape of the pool had already been determined by the previous apartment project. Subtle modifications were introduced to increase accessibility.

Area: 20,000 m2 | Client: Kuaimare Investments | Team: Elisa Silva, Sergio Dos Santos, Valentina Caradonna Engineers – Isaac Tuati, LEED commissioning agent. Vepica LEED consultant. Elisa Silva | Photography: Enlace Arquitectura, C.A