Web and Graphic Design for a Private Residential Community

Goals & Challenges

Maracaibo Estates is a private residential community that offers individual lots, shared property, and a membership program. Approximately 150 members enjoy access to a variety of common facilities, including cottages, a marina, a lagoon, sports courts, private hiking trails, and a members’ lounge.

The client was looking for a new website to promote the estate to the public and provide members with cottage booking capabilities, access to documents, and better communication options.

Many members were seniors, and we understood the potential challenges they might face with technology. Our goal was to enable every member, regardless of their technical skills, to access information and actively engage with our services online.

Resources & Materials

The client conducted a survey and identified several important issues.

• Many members didn’t even know the website existed.
• The management office and some members felt a new website could reduce paper and analogue work.
• The new website needed to serve two purposes: promoting the property to potential buyers and allowing members to find internal information and possibly communicate with other members.
• The new website needed visual improvement.

The client provided photos that highlight the property's natural surroundings and architectural features.

Approach & Outcome

We collaborated with the project committee members and the strata councils from research, planning, and presentation at their AGM.

We created a public website that showcases the beautiful property and its amenities, providing all the necessary information for potential buyers. We also developed a password-protected site for members, allowing them to cover their wish list with features such as larger text sizes, clear instructions, and simplified menus to ensure a comfortable browsing experience.

Site structure plan

Early stage sketches

At the Strata AGM, we presented the website alongside the website project committee and conducted a group instruction session, along with individual sessions after the site launch.

With the new website, members can easily find updates from the office, access business documents, and use a member directory. They also have the ability to check the availability of cottages and make bookings. As members became more comfortable using the website, they requested the addition of a bulletin board for information exchange. This board can include lost and found notices, recommendations for housekeeping services, invitations to gatherings, and more. The project enhanced the workflow of the management office and transformed how members find information and communicate with each other on a daily basis.

As a derivative project, we were commissioned to design a new trail map that includes updated information for members and visitors, including children.