How a tropical garden by the beach can combine the best of two worlds is demonstrated by the British architecture firm Foster + Partners with the design of the TEMPO Hotel and Residences project in Brazil.
Praia Brava – a beach in sunny southern Brazil. Due to its high and powerful waves, this stretch of the Atlantic coast is a magnet for surfing enthusiasts from around the world, who are drawn here year after year. Literally translated, Praia Brava means “wild beach.” Perhaps it is no coincidence that the prestigious London-based architecture firm Foster + Partners intends to bring a piece of wilderness to the shoreline precisely here, in the Brazilian state of Santa Catarina, with its resort project called TEMPO Hotel and Residences.
With this project, the renowned London-based studio, developed in collaboration with real estate developer MUZE Real Estate Development, plans to create a hotel as well as luxurious apartments for guests who never want to leave this beach paradise. The philosophy of the operators is already reflected in the name of the resort: unlike in German, the Portuguese word “tempo” is associated less with speed and stress and much more with rhythm or cadence. According to those behind the project, anyone seeking to escape the hectic pace of everyday life and reconnect with nature has come to the right place.
Oasis by the Beach
David Summerfield, Head of Studio at Foster + Partners, describes the architectural concept of the development as follows: „Das TEMPO Hotel captures the vibrant atmosphere of the thriving coastal destination.” The connection to nature almost explains itself. Surrounded by tall palm trees and a densely planted garden, the TEMPO property forms a perfect symbiosis with the forested hills nearby, creating a shaded extension of the adjacent sandy beach.
At the heart of the project – quite literally – is the resort’s lush garden. As the defining concept of the development, it is hardly surprising that both buildings are oriented toward this tropical oasis. Even the terraces and balconies of the apartments and hotel suites, which themselves are overflowing with greenery, have been positioned to ensure that every outdoor space enjoys uninterrupted views over the garden – and the sea beyond.
A Retreat
The development consists of one building that will house the hotel suites and a second building in the same architectural style containing the luxury apartments. The ground floor of the hotel wing additionally accommodates a lobby, a valet area, and a restaurant. From here, pathways guide guests through the property. Shaded nature trails lead between flowering trees and water features to the pools with their pavilions and ultimately to the beach.
As an extension of the beachfront promenade, the dense garden is intended to create a retreat, a place of relaxation that enhances the well-being of both residents and guests.
With the design of the TEMPO Hotel, Foster + Partners is adding another project in Brazil to a series of similar successful developments by the London architecture studio. Comparable examples include The Lana and The Lana Residences in Dubai or The Forestias in Bangkok. However, a little patience is still required before the hotel and apartments are ready for occupancy – the planned opening is not expected until 2029.
Text: Rabea Scheger
Bilder: Foster + Partners, Elephant Skin
