Casa de La Flora Thailand

Created by Vasu Virajsilp and Boonlert Deeyuen, founders of Bangkok-based VaSLab Architects, Casa de La Flora is a vision of Brutalism, its linear planes evocative of a Le Corbusier edifice. Collaborating closely with owner Sompong Dowpiset, VaSLab have produced a hideaway tremendously effective in its unity of nature with sophisticated design. With the overall form of each building representing bold but calm characteristics, the architects were successful in eschewing traditional notions of beachfront hospitality, instead choosing to craft a space as striking as it is humble. Struck by the 2004 Tsunami, the preservation of the recovering Khao Lak coastline reined supreme in the development of the hotel’s progressive eco-credentials. Solar cell pads are fully, yet unobtrusively integrated into the resort’s design, while elsewhere rainwater is collected and used as a water reserve.

Responding to the organic nature of the immediate vicinity, dialogue is created between the resort and its enchanting backdrop, accomplished by opening-up the space through partially uncovered public areas and the invitation of indigenous plant life into the fore. Despite this exposure to the elements, privacy is paramount. With just 36 villas, ranging from the 2-bedroom Beachfront Grand Pool Villa to the Casa Presidential Suite anchoring the main building, the hotel is flawlessly placed for those seeking the utmost solitude. Most villas are buttressed by topiary conceived by landscape designers T.R.O.P, while all feature a private pool and secluded patios or balconies.

An integral ingredient to VaSLab’s aesthetic formula, concrete is omnipresent throughout; its dominance handled with precision and care. Angular but never piercing, each monolithic villa fosters the architects’ objective to obscure any barriers between guests and their surrounding location. “It was our aim to allow guests to experience the environment from inside out,” says Virajsilp of the villas’ glass facades, which widen the perspective frames when looking outward to the sea. Natural materials such as teakwood temper the minimalist interiors, augmented by monochromatic schemes and lighting designed by APLD. In the bathrooms meanwhile, beige Italian quartz sets the stage for ample bathtubs offering an alternative to outdoor rains showers.

Playing with a long and compressed space, VasLab’s skilfully constructed foyer allows guests to surrender to the open sky behind the lobby walls. The peaceful rooftop terrace of La Arunya restaurant offers extensive ocean views and a similar atmosphere is found in the light-filled library where the abundant greenery of the outdoor gardens are in view. Here, guests can absorb the rare sense of peace of mind offered by Casa de La Flora, a thoroughly sophisticated getaway for the ultimate in solace and seclusion.

VaSLab Architects

The Park Pod Chennai Thailand

A color scheme of black, white and red runs throughout the hotel’s interiors and exteriors, from the glowing red lanterns that lead to the stand-alone, glass box of a reception room, to the red-tiled lap pool in the open air back courtyard. This along with the mix of full and partial glass facades, erases the borders between interior and exterior space. The Park Pod Chennai perfectly captures the excitement of modern day India, weaving together contemporary materials and design objects to build a contemporary space that changes mood with the shifting of light and shadow.

Lacquered black tables are set with Thomas Keller’s “Point” crockery and Riedel glassware and are surrounded by Louis Ghost’ chairs. Dramatic deep red screens for the private dining area were created for the space by Indian fashion designer Rajesh Pratap Singh.

The white-walled bedrooms are somewhat more subdued, but still embedded with taste and character. The Chennai style gurus brought in Play Clan to create whimsical black and white murals in each room; imported the beds and side tables from B & B Italia; and arranged for the linens, cushions and throws to be custom made by Abraham & Thakore.

The partial glass facades and sunroofs allow the hotel to be flooded with light and open up the space to the outside, from the dramatic crooked tree branches above, to the taste makers walking by on Khader Nawaz Khan Road. And the friendly and connected hotel staff encourages guests to open themselves up to the dynamic city center. Guests at the intimate Park Pod may enter as a stranger but soon feel like a well connected local. 

by Atul Malhotra and Vikram Phadke

The Park Bangalore

 Architects Conran & Partners of London took a four-storey former low-budget hotel in the heart of Bangalore’s business district and turned it into one of India’s foremost design hotels.

Despite looking pristine and basic in white on the outside, Park Bangalore’s interiors reflect a transcontinental internationalism without forgetting their ethnic Indian roots. A spacious lobby with a glass façade welcomes guests into the hotel. There, as in the rest of the hotel, the design team, surrounding the British design icon Sir Terence Conran, has balanced modern polished marble floors with local highlights such as an impressive black Indian column that immediately catches the eye. The elevators up to the hotel’s 109 rooms are decked out in black leather and each floor has been given its own unique, strong colour theme.

Whereas aqua tones, interspersed with splashes of orange, dominate the first floor, lime is prevalent on the next two storeys, evoking an abstract, jungle-like feel highlighted by burnt amber orange and deep purple. The top floor of the hotel, known simply as The Residence, offers guestrooms resplendent in luxurious silks, leathers and woods that add a pinch of Eastern opulence and are reserved for those looking for a sumptuous setting in which to relax from the action of downtown Bangalore. Conran & Partners have successfully fused modern European chic with toned-down Indian design characteristics creating an abundance of style.

The Park Bangalore, a luxury hotel in Bangalore, India, was developed by Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels Limited (ASPHL). ASPHL is a leading hospitality company in India that owns and operates several luxury hotels under "The Park" brand. The Park Bangalore is known for its contemporary design and vibrant ambience. The hotel's interior design was a collaborative effort by renowned architects and designers, such as Australian designer Michael Fiebrich and Indian designer Vivek Singh Rathore. The design concept of The Park Bangalore reflects a modern and chic aesthetic, with a focus on creating a lively and immersive guest experience. The interiors feature a combination of bold colors, innovative lighting, and stylish furnishings. The hotel also showcases artwork by local artists, adding a touch of cultural flair to its design. ASPHL's commitment to excellence and their collaboration with talented designers have made The Park Bangalore a popular choice for both business and leisure travelers looking for a stylish and comfortable stay in Bangalore.

Conran & Partners London

Palazzo Barbarigo Sul Canal Grande in Venice, Italy

The interior design is most strongly inspired by art-deco, born from well refined and stunning silhouettes, deep consideration, distorted images, re-evoking of memories impressed on the mind: a pure style that lives space to interpretation and which does not suffocate the senses and encourages extraordinary thoughts.

Today’s most contemporary architectural conventions in the interaction of volume and space were not only the inspiration for the development of this new hotel space but were also integral to the development of its design. Palazzo Barbarigo, with only 18 rooms, situated directly on the Gran Canal, supersedes the traditional concept of the glamorous hotel and instead offers itself as a modern-day visual art gallery. With an urban edge and glamour borrowed straight from the past, this new edifice is fully up to speed with the very latest trends in the hotel industry. Design, glamour and unrivalled natural location are the elements that blend perfectly creating a flawless balance in the whole.

Hotel Palazzo Barbarigo Sul Canal Grande in Venice, Italy was developed by an Italian hotel development company. The specific developer information for this hotel could not be found, as it is not widely disclosed or easily accessible. Located along the Grand Canal in Venice, Hotel Palazzo Barbarigo Sul Canal Grande is a luxurious boutique hotel housed in a historic palazzo. The hotel offers stunning views of the canal and features elegant and opulent interiors. The Palazzo Barbarigo Sul Canal Grande showcases a combination of traditional Venetian architecture and contemporary design elements. The hotel offers a unique, immersive experience, blending the charm of a historic palazzo with modern comforts and amenities. Guests can enjoy luxurious accommodations, fine dining options, and personalized service during their stay at Hotel Palazzo Barbarigo Sul Canal Grande.

The interior design of Hotel Palazzo Barbarigo Sul Canal Grande in Venice, Italy was led by renowned Italian architect Michele Bonan. Michele Bonan is known for his expertise in luxury hotel design and has worked on several high-profile projects around the world. Bonan's design for Palazzo Barbarigo Sul Canal Grande combines elements of traditional Venetian architecture with contemporary touches. The interiors boast a mix of elegant furnishings, rich textures, and carefully curated artwork. The hotel features a sophisticated color palette, incorporating soft neutrals and luxurious materials like velvet, silk, and marble. The aim is to create a luxurious and comfortable atmosphere that pays homage to Venice's rich history and cultural heritage. Overall, Bonan's interior design for Palazzo Barbarigo Sul Canal Grande aims to provide guests with a unique and immersive experience, capturing the essence of Venetian elegance and luxury.

Hotelphilosophy Creative Department