ARCHITECTURE / INTERIOR DESIGN

Jean-Henri Morin, Australia
Cornerstone Design, Jamaica

The hexagonal bungalows hovering over deep turquoise Caribbean waters along the volcanic coastline of Jamaica give the Rockhouse Hotel a look straight out of a Robinson Crusoe fantasy – and even that same feeling to boot.

Topped with thatched roofs and made out of local timber and cut stone, the bungalows are the centrepiece of this island getaway on the sunset-rich tip of Jamaica. Australian-based architect Jean-Henri Morin aimed for the same seamless transition between the forces of nature and man’s existence beautifully exemplified by life in African villages in planning the layout and design of the hotel. The bar and restaurant are the meeting point of Morin’s “village” and offer an exquisite dining area on a deck suspended above the Pristine Cove. A stunning infinity pool set in this modern take on a rock garden perfects this back-to-nature experience.

The Rockhouse borrows generously from its surroundings in the design concept, with clear references made to the sea and abundant nature – including the boat-shaped terraces on the edge of the cliff, which might have been the inspiration for the hotel’s name. In addition to the cosy bungalows and generously sized villas, the hotel features also studios – whereby they all have a distinctly Caribbean island interior style of breezy linen curtains and nostalgic yet highly functional overhead ceiling fans. The simple lines and nautical forms of the custom-made furniture constructed of local wood are further evidence of Morin’s design in tune with nature.