Category: Hotels
Company: PIA Interior, www.piainterior.com
Location: Hua Hin Marriott Resort & Spa, Hua Hin, Prachuap Khiri Khan, goo.gl/zz8rFh
Inspired by the long royal history of the resort town, PIA Interior's work complements that of A49 architecture firm to blend contemporary design with Thai touches. With the resort located next to Phatcharalai Palace dating from the era of King Rama 6, designer Niwat Aunprueng, senior executive partner of PIA, draws on the classic round shape of the Pikul flower, long used in royal court ceremonies with the belief that it brings good fortune. This motif recurs throughout the hotel, from the lobby to the rooms to the restaurants to the spa, for a result that's modern yet nostalgic. The contemporary rooms also boast clean, colonial-style black and white lines.
Category: Bars and Restaurants
Company: Paradigm Shift+, paradigmshiftstudio.squarespace.com
Location: Thonglor, Bangkok, www.fb.com/rabbitholebkk
Hidden inside a shop-house in Thonglor, Rabbit Hole was designed under the theme of a den. With the aim of being a cocktail bar hidden from Bangkok’s concrete jungle, the entrance is a wooden door without any signage. Step inside this three-story venue and you’ll find a dimly-lit, narrow bar with a huge rose gold booze rack behind a marble and gold bullion bar. Reflective materials such as copper-color stainless steel and forest-print mirrors, as well as slowly changing lighting, add to the sense of mystery. Just as importantly, the drinks are very good. The bar is manned by two veteran bartenders from the Diageo World Class stage—Suwincha “Chacha” Singsuwan and Naphat “Yod” Natchachon—who crank out classic drinks with technical twists and infusions.
Company: PIA Interior, www.piainterior.com
Location: Khao Takiab, Hua Hin, Prachuap Khiri Khan, www.fb.com/airspacehuahin
PIA are at it again. This soon-to-open restaurant in Hua Hin makes the shortlist for its sleek "urban farming" concept. Situated in the residential area of Khao Takiab, the venue eschews Hua Hin's overplayed train theme for something far more exciting. After discovering Hua Hin was the site of Thailand's first commercial airport pilot project (initiated by Prince Purachatra Jayakara, aka Krom Phra Kamphaeng Phet Akkarayothin, who was also the first commander of the Royal State Railway), PIA design director Pruitsatorn Sakulthai scoured airplane junkyards to fill the place with items such as the doors and propeller of a Boeing plane. The food comes designed by Bangkok Bold’s chef Supanut “Ann” Kanarak (previously head of Four Season's Spice Market). The restaurant is set to open this August, stay tuned to BK for more.
The INSIDE interior festival will be held on Nov 16-18 at Arena Berlin, Germany, concurrently with World Architecture Festival (WAF). See the full shortlist here.
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