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Phuket Island is truly a tourist paradise, combining the tranquility of beautiful, high-end resorts with the vibrancy of sleepless nightlife. Among them, Keemala stands out for its incredibly unique design. Keemala's architecture is inspired by tropical gardens, with villas resembling birdcages suspended in the trees. Overall, Keemala looks like a mythical garden.
There are four types of rooms for guests to choose from, but at Keemala, the "tree houses" and "bird's nest houses" are the most famous thanks to their unique and interesting designs.
When Space Architect and interior architect Pisit Aongskultong were commissioned to design a resort nestled in the forest overlooking the Andaman Sea in Phuket, Thailand, they uncovered an ancient story about four indigenous clans who may have once lived on the island.
Mimicking the construction techniques and spiritual philosophies of these indigenous people, the design team researched and developed four types of villas: 16 earth houses based on the Pa-ta-Pea clan, with a strong spiritual connection to the land; 7 tent houses based on the Khon-Jorn clan, modeled after the temporary dwellings of merchants; 7 tree houses based on the We-Ha clan – eccentric artists who lived in two-story houses in trees; and 8 bird's nest houses for the wealthy Rung-Nok clan, living in houses high up in the trees with sea views.
The "house and land" area, spanning 414 square meters, consists of trapezoidal and pyramidal-shaped buildings, covered in cement mimicking clay and roofed with composite bamboo. The swimming pool is made of blue stone.
The bathroom features walls in a muted clay tone and a marble floor.
The patterned cement walls, polished stone tile floors, and leather and brass furniture evoke the aesthetics of Patapea – a family with a long tradition in metallurgy and agriculture.
The 460m2 "tent" is constructed using a double-layered leather material: an opaque layer to protect against rain, and a transparent second layer to allow wind to pass through easily.
The "treehouses" are constructed with a steel frame and bent synthetic rattan. These are then covered with a durable tent fabric attached to the steel roof to provide rain protection.
The second-floor bedroom features predominantly earthy tones and wood flooring. The room offers views of the Keemala forest.
The houses, inspired by the We-Ha clan, feature hanging chairs and steep staircases.
The spacious bird's nest villa is roofed with rubber material, reinforced with steel, and covered with a layer of wood-grained leather and eco-friendly woven fabric.
The bathroom floor is tiled with handcrafted mosaic tiles. The sink and bathtub are carved from stone.
The interior is inspired by local fishing tools, featuring neutral tones and materials such as bamboo, wood carvings, copper, and steel.
Keemala also boasts a prime location, situated just 3 km from the famous Kamala Beach in Phuket, 14 km from Kathu Falls, and approximately 30-45 minutes from the airport.
