The spectacular, other-worldly beauty of the Joali Maldives resort is brought to life on Muravandohoo Island, in Northern Maldives.

Joali, a project by Gürallar, is endowed with a perfect environment with a legendary bright blue sea and white sand beaches. Autoban, a multidisciplinary design studio based in Istanbul, realized select components and the interior design of Joali. The firm took on a multi-layered design approach that integrated the beautiful natural surroundings. Through this approach, they were able to transform the limited island life by the unnatural flora by delivering a dynamic experience and unique story.

Joali consists of 73 luxury land and over-the-water villas, each designed with a unique story and promising the guests a fairytale journey, restaurants that bring together the most delicious tastes from world cuisines and present them as if they were a natural part of the island environment, communal spaces that compliment this whole experience, and personalized spa and fitness facilities.

It takes inspiration from Her, the spirit of the brand. Her is a feminine spirit that has intellect and a delicate maturity. Her is sophisticated and multi-faceted, she likes to constantly travel, create a story from the whole of her experiences and collect this story through artworks that she acquires, all a reflection of her lively and free spirited character. Joali carries the spirit of Her successfully in every meaning of the word; it converges art, architecture and craft, and presents the most successful forms of meeting of nature and design in terms of practicality and aesthetics. To merge “Maldivian Shed”, a classic Maldivian structure typology, with the life philosophy of Her, and to create a unique perception of space is the main principle of the whole design approach.

A typical Maldivian roof structure is the first landmark to welcomes guests. Autoban presents guests with abstract and unique forms in the Maldivian spirit by abstracting and energizing this typical roof structure, taking an experimental and forward-looking design approach. The fact that all forms in the island have an outer layer compatible with the natural flora, and that the spaces created inside this layer are both unique and have an integrated interior design, is noteworthy as one of the most significant features of this project. The materials in the structures, as well as production techniques, carry the spirit of the Maldives.

A “jetty” with a sculpture-like layer welcomes the guests at the entrance of the island. The whole roof system has been planned as a podium twirls like a wave and is a wooden structure that has been laminated with a wooden layer. The classic Maldivian roof is merged with the waveform to highlight the sculptural look.

Autoban’s multi-layer approach is showcased in the exterior spaces of Joali. Ana Restaurant features distinct spaces separated by glass, with “Her Kitchen”, “Vinery” and “Cold Kitchen” rooms. Wooden abacuses, part of the Maldivian spirit, are used to separate the spaces as well.

Bamboo beams in the roof structure layer, created through a diagonal cut of classic Maldivian roof, give reference to the island spirit. Hand-carved wooden panel and abacus separators used in the space distinguish between spaces and create private areas for the guests. The Bellini bar, located in a section of the restaurant, has been designed completely as an Italian restaurant. Therefore light green tones can be seen here, distinct from Ana Restaurant. Wooden separators are used to create the backdrop of the space and mosaic and panels used for the flooring follow the same tones.

THE SPA

Joali’s Spa presents unique and personalized experiences for guests, beginning with its inviting circular entrance, unfurling the steps to a relaxing journey ahead with its spiral design forms.

The circular forms are echoed both with the wood paneling surrounding the waiting area and the design integrated into the roof.

THE VILLAS

Autoban’s multi-layered structurer system starts from the entrance to the villas. Artisanal wood featuring designed carvings carries a luxurious and rich but humble look, interwoven with concrete columns. The wooden columns, inspired by the works of Brancusi, also reinforced this look.

Consistent with the feminine brand identity of the project, the smooth transitions start from the side of the structure and continue with rounded corners, softening the character of the structure.

A natural braiding technique is used on the roof to illustrate a beautiful downwards flow from the top of the structure. Different colour palettes mixed with different surfaces showcase various tones of coconut, on eof the features of the island. The brand’s devotion to nature is portrayed through the natural colours in the structure, with an abundance of light beige and the softest tones of browns as accents.

Terazzo material is used in all of the flooring to seamlessly integrate the interior and exterior spaces. The consistent flooring utilizing a single material provides a backdrop for the layered design system and the hand-carved wooden panels used in the interiors.

The interior is thought of as ‘clothing’ that enhances the richness and depth in the multi-layered system of the structure. From the terrazzo flooring to the hand-carved panels and the braided roof design, each unique materials adds to the layered system. The hand-carved wooden panels separate the different spaces to create a visual richness with the unique designs referencing the Maldivian spirit and island culture.

Autoban also focused on the details of furniture design for Joali, creating custom pieces specifically for the project. Like all other design decisions, the furniture also integrates the experience of Joali and the Maldivian spirit. It’s evident that the furniture design concept ties back to the brand concept of a feminine Her, with curved armchairs, round tables set upon a circular stand, oval mirrors, oval soaking tub, cylindrical bamboo-shaped towel racks, and ceiling fans that spread out like a spring flower floating carelessly in the breeze.

The round and soft shapes and forms extend to the villa’s exterior spaces, from the wooden beams upholding the covered patio deck to the soft, rounded edges of the walls and circular side tables on which to place your cocktail.

An infinity pool leverages the beautiful natural surroundings, seemingly connecting you to the vast, expansive ocean.

The Joali project expertly integrates the concept of Her, a well-traveled, discerning character, into every space and design element of the stunning resort. We couldn’t dream of a more relaxing space to put one’s feet up (or down in the water) to erase all of our fears, worries, and stressors.

ABOUT AUTOBAN

Istanbul-based multidisciplinary design studio Autoban works across a range of architecture and interiors, product, and experiential design. Internationally renowned, they have established a reputation for thoughtfulness, experimentation, and craftsmanship.

Autoban’s philosophy is to create meaningful designs that tell enthralling stories. Approaching each project as storytellers, the studio follows the credo of multiplicity in design, singularity in experience. An international team generously layer material, texture, and narrative that, in time, the multilayered design language has become Autoban’s signature.

Year: 2017 - 2018

Total Area: 25.000 sqm, 73 villas, 3 restaurants, Spa

Client: Gürallar

Design: Autoban

Designers: Seyhan Özdemir, Sefer Çağlar

Photography: Ibrahim Ozbunar