sweeping clam-like structure tops dada’s proposal in the philippines

dada’s proposal for the redevelopment of the ‘bihing tahik’ resort in tawi-tawi, an island province in the philippines, blends the concept of a giant clamshell structure with the local context and culture. following the smooth curves of the hardy clam’s shell, the architects mirror both the strength and beauty found in its form to design a set of resort villas. along with the guest villas, the program includes a restaurant, a reception area, and a clubhouse.

all images courtesy of dada

dada’s project groups the villas in two rows, placed along the length of the beach perimeter. the clubhouse, tucked between the villas, serves as an intersection point between the public and private areas of the resort. proposing independent rooms, each villa is characterized by its clam-shaped sweeping roof structure.

the roof of each cabana is anchored firmly into the ground and connected seamlessly to its neighbor. this provides a sturdy foundation with a connection to the earth and also adds a solid yet flowing structural component. the area beneath the raised second row then functions as a space for lounge and landscaping. dada pairs this concept with vernacular building practices, local materials, and traditional motifs to create a design that stays true to the area’s rich culture in a new form.

project info:

name: bihing tahik resort

architects: dada design

design team: deo alam, julia de santos, geo ravago

location: bongao island, tawi-tawi, philippines 

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.