Sanjiao Eco Island: A Pioneering Paradigm of Sustainable Maritime Tourism

NDA Group's Innovative Resort Masterplanning for China's First Uninhabited Island

The project's inspiration came from the challenge of integrating 100,000 sqm of built area within the island's pristine environment while providing a strong identity for China's first uninhabited island meant for tourism. The design team deployed various sustainable architectural strategies to create a series of compelling designs revolving around an underlying ecological theme.

Sanjiao Eco Island is unique in its approach to sustainable tourism development. The island's untamed natural resources offer a unique opportunity to position it as an ultimate marine educament venue. The entertainment and leisure elements, such as a four-season water park, sailing school, and nature preserve, aim to transform the island into an all-year-round tourism destination.

The realization of this project is planned over a period of five to ten years. The development will see a balanced mix of accommodation, retail, and public service facilities. The design team has planned a variety of activities and sports across 8 themed areas, providing a 3km stretch of uninterrupted immersive experience around the island.

The technical specifications of the project include a total island area of 90 ha and a total building area of 100,000 sqm. The design team, led by Design Director Emmanuel Delarue, has been working on the strategic planning, conceptual planning, and regulatory detailed planning of the island since 2014.

The design team faced several challenges in creating a stimulating journey for the visitors. The master plan creates 8 distinct zones with their own separate character, activities, and experiences. The challenge was to define an architecture that provides a strong identity for the island while highlighting the ecological theme. The team focused on creating unique accommodation experiences to increase the average stay period and the customer return rate.

Sanjiao Eco Island has been recognized for its innovative and pioneering approach to sustainable tourism development. It was awarded Silver in A' City Planning and Urban Design Award in 2021, a testament to its outstanding expertise and innovation.