Located at the hillside of KohTalu Island, PrachuapKhiri Khan, Thailand, this 3,500 square meters, 13-room resort overlooks the Thai Gulf and it is aimed to be an influential part ofthe island’s natural resources rebuilt area.
KohTalu Island is a small island in the Gulf of Thailand with the area of 240 hectares. The area around KohTalu is rich of sea resources and it is a popular place for fishing. In the past there were fisher boats fishing without consciences and destroyed its ecology system. In 1982, Fisheries Department, Ministry of Agriculture had started the Sea Reviving Project with the Bangsaphan community and provided the course to build and rebuild the conscience for fishing with the convention and responsibility for the fishermen in the area and nearby.
Presently, KohTalu has been rebuilt to be rich of resources again; the coral reefs which used to be destroyed now returned back lively and attractively for scuba diving and snorkeling. The client, BangsaphanSeapearl Island, has joined the Fisheries Resources Management Project and Bangsaphan community to develop the island to be well-preserved for its natural resources altogether with the new resort that hosts the eco-tour of Hawksbill turtle breeding, under water coral reefs snorkeling, and coral reefs cemetery sightseeing.
Inspired by the island’s well-preserved natural resources, the resort’s design is a modern interpretation of local and tropical architecture. The resort incorporates a series of 13 independent villas and recreational facilities in a hillside pine forest. On the bottom of hillside facing the beach, is an open-air restaurant and KohTalu historical gallery which connects to the island’s main pier. The master plan is metaphorically designed as a branch of coral with each villa’s orientation of 135 and 351 degrees angled to get the most wind from the sea. Local materials on site are being used for the construction as sea pine wood will be used as floor and wall finishes whereas natural stone will be used for exterior pavements and retaining walls. Eco-friendly systems of recycled used-water and ozone system for pools are also represented in this resort. The architecture’s open plancreates efficient natural ventilation and the form of folding shingle roof recalls the organic structure of the island’s corals and turtle shell.
