Stylish yurt guest rooms and an eco-friendly design makes this new barefoot luxury resort a model hospitality project.
Just off the south coast of Myanmar, in the Mergui Archipelago, are virgin islands that are home to the seafaring Moken people, exotic birds and marine life, and beautiful coral reefs.
One of these islands is Pila, where Myanmarese integrated tourism company Memories Group commissioned American architect Daniel West of SPA Design & Project Services to create an ecofriendly, 4,700m2, 24-guestroom resort named Awei Pila.
The resort is comprised of a variety of structures. Prefabricated yurts from Rainier, USA, made with high-quality fabrics and kiln-dried timber were used for the 24 guestrooms.
Each yurt tent is attached to a Pyinkido (locally sourced iron wood) timber outdoor deck, supported by salt resistant, steel structures.
“The design of the yurt guestrooms was inspired by the theme of the ‘enthusiastic explorer’. Given the location of the site85km offshore in the Mergui Archipelago, we wanted our adventure-oriented guests to feel as though they were the first to have landed on the island,” says West.
“To achieve this mood, we designed the rooms around the prefabricated yurt structures, which have the atmosphere of a temporal, impromptu accommodation. However, upon entering the room, one is impressed by the high quality of the structure, and the luxurious provisions.”
The circular floor of the yurt is made of lightly-stained Douglas fir. Surrounding
this is a timber, latticed wall structure that draws sunlight into the interiors through the diamond-shaped openings.
“This lattice structure rises through timber rafters to a ring, accented by a dark timber carving where a ceiling fan is attached,” West explains.
This story is from the Issue 111 edition of d+a.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the Issue 111 edition of d+a.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Timeless Elegance
Italian architect, designer, and art director Pierro Lissoni’s vision for B&B Italia is characterised by his personal design sensibilities.
Revitalising Communities Through Eco-Tourism
How can design contribute to environmental conservation and create sustainable communities? This is a question explored by Chat Architects, an architectural firm based in Chonburi province in Thailand.
art meets minimalism
Jay Osgerby, co-founder of Barber Osgerby, shares how AXOR One Collection is set to change the future of bathroom design.
enduring legacy
Vipp's CEO Morten Woldum tells us about the Danish company's pursuit of long-lasting quality and meticulous designs
in harmony with nature
Palace Hotel Tokyo’s Art Collection opens a window to the world of Japanese art based on the concept of inheriting tradition but with an innovative spirit.
seasonal expressions
Vibrant colours of the season are depicted in the striking ceiling installation at the newly refurbished Le Du in Bangkok.
preserving lanna heritage for future generation
The new InterContinental Chiang Mai The Mae Ping's updated design pays homage to Northern Thailand's Lanna culture.
blank canvas
A family home’s white backdrop frames the tranquillity and greenery of Half Moon Island Wetland Park in Foshan, China.
three of a kind
This multigenerational residence brings its occupants together while allowing them to maintain their individual lifestyles.
ichll of discovery
Formzero's Borderless House blurs the boundaries of conventional living, distilling serenity sublimity and surprise in a gardened and Miesian-inspired abode.