Architect Sarawoot Jansaeng-aram introduced Turtle Bay, an eco-tourism destination, organic restaurants, souvenir shops of local artisans, and family-style hotels located in the lush natural areas of Hua Hin, Thailand. The project is located near the Kautau Reservoir and is considered one of the main tourist attractions in the area. The existing natural environment, including wild peacocks, large trees and lotus ponds, was used as the main design inspiration for the entire project, forming a set of tortoiseshell-like tile structures.
To come up with the design concept, Sarawoot Jansaeng-aram drew influence from the site name, "Khao" is a mountain in Thailand, and "Tao" refers to a turtle. Therefore, the architect chose the shape of the turtle shell as the roof of the structure, resulting in a unique design language. Architects carefully select materials based on whether they can create a balanced harmony with the surrounding natural environment. The architects decided to adopt a tile roof that blends seamlessly with the ground made up of rubble and stone chips. The tiles resemble the appearance of a turtle shell.
The project uses local bamboo as the second major roof and wall material. Bamboo was chosen based on its bending ability. In addition, experienced local craftsmen can easily use bamboo without the need for heavy machinery. The local "Poon-tum" building material was also used in the structure because it was sustainable and kept the walls cool even in extreme heat.
Project Information:
Name: Turtle Bay
Architect: Sarawoot Jansaeng-aram
Location: Hua Hin, Thailand