A residential second home village concept for Brazilians based on US engineering and environmental standards was the vision of the Managing Director of Adela based in San Paulo, Brazil. Adela partnered with Brasscan of Brazil to create the vision with a 220 lot condominium village on the Atlantic Ocean. The centerpiece of the development was the creation of the largest artificial marina in South America. The project included two beautiful beaches, a nine hole golf course, yacht club, club house, guest bungalows and equestrian center.
The project developed infrastructure for power generation, water and waste treatment and respective distribution systems. An onsite quarry generated rocks both for a gabion wall system and breakwater that formed the nine foot deep marina walls. Dredging for the marina filled behind the marina walls to create waterfront lots. A local village was created for the indigenous fishermen and workers. A three mile long access road from the main highway was carefully constructed hugging the steep hills between the highway and the ocean using native plants for soil stabilization.
Originally planned by Bechtel in San Francisco, the project was undertaken in 1978 using Brazilian resources. Unforeseen difficulties were encountered and the project came to a standstill after 6 months at only 10% completion and the entire project was at risk. A small experienced US team assumed responsibility with on site management of Steven Hall. The complex task of diagnosis, redirection and restart had to be simultaneous to keep investment in place and to achieve success by regaining the original schedule and budget. Substantial completion of a planned 18 month project occurred 12 months later.
AT A GLANCE:
Project Type - Commercial
Location - “Laranjeiras” BRAZIL
