INTRO
The beachfront site is located in Hua Hin, Thailand, on the Gulf of Thailand. In the 1920s, King Rama VII built the famous Klai Kangwon (“Far From Worries”) summer palace, which remains in use by the Royal Family today and explains why Hua Hin continues to be a popular holiday destination for Thai nationals and expatriates alike. Hua Hin Beach features numerous resort hotels, restaurants, fishing piers, and beach clubs.

THE SITE
The 40-meter-wide beachfront site is one of the last remaining beachfront parcels in the immediate Hua Hin area. With the exception of a breakwater land form, the east-facing site is relatively flat and gently slopes toward the sea.

Local planning regulations significantly influenced the development of the master plan due to strict limitations on maximum building footprints, gross floor area, and building heights, as well as stringent minimum requirements for open space and green areas.

Hua Hin features a tropical coastal climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. During the dry season, the sun can be intense with high UV exposure, accompanied by occasional cool evenings during the peak season. During the monsoon season, high winds and heavy rainfall are common. This climate heavily influences the façade engineering and architectural design approach.

MASTER PLAN | ARCHITECTURE | FORM | SPACE
The master plan is conceived as a collection of wooden cargo crates from the previous century washed ashore. A meandering journey through the randomly angled masses creates dynamic spaces, vistas, and internal views. The path is entirely pedestrianized and free of motorized vehicles, concluding at an expansive stretch of pristine beach.

The architectural language blends monolithic geometric forms with Mediterranean and “Tropical Modern” influences. Bold geometric structures transition seamlessly into the landscape of native sand dune grasses, terraced landscaped walls, and strategically placed open spaces featuring large canopy trees within negative spaces. The buildings feature blockwork with a warm-toned, textured Mediterranean paint finish, complemented by tropical breezeblock screens that provide privacy, shade, and natural ventilation.

The 40-key resort is planned so that the majority of rooms feature sea views, while all enjoy pool and garden views. Multiple room categories offer guests a range of accommodation options, including King and Twin rooms as well as Suites in the street-side building, which offer views back toward the surrounding mountains and temples across the road. Eleven private ground-level villas offer either a private plunge pool or a private garden. The top-tier accommodations consist of four beachfront villas, each featuring a private pool and uninterrupted views of the beach.

The main lobby is an open-air, double-height space featuring water features, guest seating, and a grab-and-go kiosk. The three-meal restaurant and 25-meter infinity-edge pool are positioned right at the beachfront, maximizing the coastal setting.

MATERIAL | SUSTAINABILITY
Solid walls, deep-set windows with reduced glazing, natural ventilation, and breezeblock sunscreens provide passive sustainable design.

Large, operable sliding doors opening to pool terraces and balconies feature powder-coated aluminum frames. Breezeblock screens made of precast cement provide shade and natural ventilation. Clear, Low-E coated laminated glass improves the shading coefficient while providing noise reduction and acoustic privacy. The landscape hardscaping utilizes local sand wash and grass pavers, while softscape plantings comprise indigenous trees, shrubs, and native beach grasses.