Exterior spatial characteristics and wind adaptation of island resorts and hotels: a review and case study

Abstract

With the growth of island tourism, the construction of island resorts and hotels has increased. Their exterior spaces are highly susceptible to the complex and variable island wind environments, impacting tourist experiences. However, research on their spatial characteristics and wind adaptation remains limited and lacks systematic analysis. This study reviewed related research and analyzed 50 island resorts and hotels worldwide. Spatial characteristics and wind adaptation strategies were summarized from layout patterns, enclosure interfaces, and constituent elements. Key findings indicate: (1) For layout patterns, exterior spaces were categorized into three types, as the building grounding method and its spatial relationship with nearshore water bodies significantly influenced this typology. Thus, wind-adaptive design inspirations were summarized for building layout types, terrain, and water bodies. (2) For enclosure interfaces, 13 enclosure types were classified by interface position and number, and indicators (D/W, D/H, IED, SVF) showed diverse distributions among the cases. Enclosed spaces are influenced by materials, shapes, and heights, affecting local wind flow patterns. (3) For constituent elements, main components exhibited clear typological characteristics and varying influence on microclimate. These findings provide both theoretical insights and practical references for wind-adaptive design of island resorts and hotels, to improve comfort and sustainability.