tropical rainforest envelops renovated spa resort in thailand with dense tree branches

forest scenery & cultural context shapes spa RESORTS in thailand

Bangkok-based architectural studio Design in Motion completes the renovation project of spa and resort plan in Ko Samui, Thailand. The architectural concept is established by two impressions taken place upon visiting the existing site. Nestled in a tropical forest amongst plentiful vegetation the plot shades under dense tree branches and leaves allowing some sunlight through and creating intricate moving shadows on the ground. Impressed by the natural element taking over the grounds of the edifice, the design team sets guidelines that shape the concept reflecting the forest’s growing stages, the ‘forest floor’ containing several small plants such as moss and fern, as well as tree roots, the ‘understory’ with trunks, shrubs, vines and climber, the ‘canopy’ upper layer with overlapping tree branches and leaves, and the ‘emergent layers’ toping the rest with trees towering the natural greenery.

The second remarkable element shaping the project is the folk culture and vernacular architecture defining the region. The building materials selected for the refurbishment are locally sourced and natural, such as wood and timber, rammed earth, and wickerwork or basketry with a local glasslike plant in the sedge family named ‘Krachoot’. The distinctive native direction is, also, cohesive in the furniture design. The resort’s reconstructing approach, therefore, focuses on the fertile land and the cultural visual context.

villa | all images by Soopakorn Srisakul

Design in motion’s plan achieves optimal space management

The three types of buildings in the existing edifice including the villas, the lobby, and the restaurant required to be renovated under the project’s conceptual principles and to optimize the resort in terms of circulation, spatial design, and comfort. Starting with the accommodation units, the design team adjusts the views of the existing guesthouses considering the limitations that the main walking route presented. Regulating the issue of privacy, the plan assembles the ‘forest floor’, one of the forest layers, and surrounds the rooms with a group of shrubs and trees. Serving as natural blinds, the green elements spark off an essence of living in nature.

Consequently, there are three ‘rooms of green’ formed in each villa. The living room and dining room are arranged in the outdoor and semi-outdoor spaces respectively adding step-terraces to the structure, while, also, modifying the former solid roofing material into transparent to generate more natural light. The bedrooms situated in every unit apply wooden awning windows opening toward the rich greenery. The furniture design draws from folk manners presenting the pattern of sitting on the floor, leaning on a local lower seat named ‘tang’, and sleeping on a local lower bed called ‘krae’ leading to the cultural value of the concept.

daybed in the forest

lobby & restaurant remodelling brings nature closer to users

The two-story lobby building restores its structure to fix the issue of inappropriate circulation and access formerly locating the drop-off area on the ground level and the reception on the upper floor. The space expands upwards at a double-level height providing better air ventilation and comfort. Rearranging all of the functions allows easy access and organization merging all linked zones in one volume. Simultaneously, the layer of ‘understory’ has been opted to generate the special ambiance of ‘check-in in the forest’ by adding a new platform in front of the building and covering the space with tree leaves instead of the demolished building canopy. New function rooms have been arranged on the upper floor, including the library and the room for detoxification. The interior puts up a featured wall referencing the pattern of traditional wooden tapestries while setting up a variety of types of basketry and wickerwork.

The restaurant stands under the ‘forest canopy’, shading under the trees and enjoying light sunrays shedding through the dense leaves. Exposed to nature, the building constructs open terraces on both upper and lower levels over the outdoor area. The refurbishment retains the building’s main structures and modifies the space to solve architectural inadequacies and bring nature closer to the users.

diner near the hotel pool

restaurant

lobby

lounge area in the shade

reception

steam room

restroom

pool aerial view

project info:

name: The Spa Resorts
designer: Design in Motion | @design.in.motion

team: Narin Bunjun , Nattanan Kanjanasakha , Jantakarn Vasanasilp , Sasinee Tiengtawat and Sirin Vanichvoranun

location: Ko Samui , Surat Thani, Thailand

photography: Soopakorn Srisakul

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edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom