Costa Smeralda Resort DevelopmentSardinia, Italy
Sasaki Associates was engaged to lead a multidisciplinary team to define a long-range resort master plan for a 3,000 hectare region of north-east Sardinia, and to provide a phased program for its implementation. In addition to a comprehensive master plan, design controls were created, and a review and approval procedure was established to process applicant designs. This resulted in the establishment of a permanent planning office within the Consortizio.
The master plan is based on a series of dispersed village centers. Generous open spaces were set aside, and environmental controls established for the preservation of the rugged shoreline and mountain landscape. The development of infrastructure, including roads and utilities, proceeded according to a phased hierarchy, to help balance investment and return. Amenities include a 700-boat yacht club, and shipyard. There is an 18-hole championship golf course with planned expansion for 54 additional holes. The village of Porto Cervo has been completed, and includes more than 300,000 square meters of commercial space. Surface parking in this central harbor village has been minimized by the provision of underground parking to preserve visual quality.
Sasaki Associates has played a continuing role in the planning of Costa Smeralda until its sale in 1995 to Starwood. Services have included urban design, site design, and landscape architecture, in support of the Consortizio Planning Office. Sasaki’s representation on the architectural review committee has also helped to provide design continuity over the years. Costa Smeralda remains an important model of resort planning and design throughout the Mediterranean and beyond.
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