Architectural Concepts Inc. (ACI) Custom Art Program

Is Focal Point of Raintree Vacation Club’s Award-Winning Mexico Interior Renovation

Margit E. Whitlock, AIA, Principal of San Diego-based Architectural Concepts, Inc. (ACI) has initiated a program for Raintree Vacation Clubs’ Club Regina that utilizes the vast talent of Mexican national artisans to bring life to the properties’ identity.

Club Regina, a collection of exclusive properties located at some of the best beaches in Mexico, including Los Cabos, Puerto Vallarta, and Cancun is undergoing a full renovation starting with Los Cabos and Cancun properties. Construction is anticipated to be complete by summer 2008. Recently, ACI’s work on Club Regina received the “ARDY”, the highest honor presented by American Resort Development Association (ARDA) in the category of Resort Architecture and Interior Design (Refurbishment).

The property re-design was born out of a two day workshop on “Consumer Concentric Design” lead by ACI. In this workshop of more than 15 participants from every management division within Raintree Vacation Club (RVC), the needs and goals of the renovation revealed the need to strengthen the Club Regina brand throughout RVC’s membership. The consensus was that because the properties are so unique and embedded with so much history something special needed to be developed to bring the grandeur back to Club.

”Our program brings a gallery of art to each vacation suite. At Club Regina, every property has its own vernacular setting. Each will have its own art collection specific to that environment. During our discussions it became clear that the design of the room would become the backdrop to this exclusive art collection,” says Whitlock.

She explains that the concept reminds the guest of the unique culture and location through original art displayed, rather than seeing typical “beauty” photography which often does little to further the cultural nuances of the vacation. Once the art was selected the rest of the interior design centered on supporting the visual experience. Each unit will have an art catalog with a description of the art and a bio on the artist. This is considered a private collection developed specifically for Club Regina.

Model units are complete in Los Cabos and Cancun.