Bangkok--17 May--Delivering Asia Communications
Hotel de la Paix Luang Prabang has been named Hotel Project of the Year at the prestigious World Architecture News (WAN) Interior Design Awards 2011.
The hotel's interiors are the work of maverick Thai architect and design visionary Duangrit Bunnag, who also designed the Hotel de la Paix Cha Am Beach Hua Hin from the ground up.
Hotel de la Paix Luang Prabang General Manager Kevin O'Hagan said the award was a great result for the property. "It was unexpected but I also believe it's been earned," he said. "It has taken a team effort to transform this former prison into one of Asia's most beautiful and unique resort experiences."
"This is a great honour," added Mr Bunnag this week. "It's gratifying to see the judges understood just how special the Luang Prabang property is. Creating contemporary interiors within a UNESCO protected treasure is a design challenge.
"I believe we met those challenges to create something unique. I am delighted the hard work has been recognised by one of the world's most prestigious architecture publications."
He said his design was intended to "portray this historical direction in a contemporary vocabulary. The renovation work has been implemented on four existing French Colonial residential buildings and a complete new design has been offered to other eight buildings that surrounded the central courtyard.
"The interior design concept was meant to be a kiss of modern mind to the ancient history of the city. A wall fabric pattern, with colours inspired by the city's hues, dominates the colour scheme for the guest rooms. This provides an indirect interpretation of locality within the atmosphere.
"The floor tiles are dark concrete blocks made within the site using local expertise. Sustainable principles were adhered to throughout. But the real inspiration was evoking Luang Prabang's past. The design for the bed was inspired by the Queen's bed from the city's museum and the decoration has been kept minimal in line with the modest spirit of Luang Prabang." Hotel de la Paix Luang Prabang is bastion of pure peace and quiet - the perfect refuge for lovers and dreamers, in the midst of ancient wonders. This resort is utterly unique; a boutique resort that is a World Heritage treasure, a colonial moment preserved in amber, and a showcase of Bunnag's unique approach to design.
The hotel stands upon a UNESCO site in the former royal capital of Laos. Once a Governor's mansion, a garrison and briefly a jail, the century old structure has been restored to absolute luxury. Today, 23 spacious suites await, each with a walled rear garden and a terrace overlooking a sun-kissed courtyard; some with their own expansive and very private swimming pools.
The property also features Baan Silpa, a faithfully recreated Laos village where local craftsman and artisans go about their business, around a shaded grass square bounded by two traditional pavilions.
The WAN Interior Design Awards 2011 is a major international competition that celebrates and promotes the best in international interior design, attracting entries from all over the world and showcasing winners on a global platform.
For further information and more high-resolution photography, please contact:
Kevin M. O'Hagan
General Manager
Hotel de la Paix Luang Prabang
Tel: +856 71 260 777
Email:
[email protected]
www.hoteldelapaixlp.com/
David Johnson
Managing Director
Delivering Asia Communications
Tel: +66 (0) 2246 1159
E-mail :
[email protected]
www.deliveringcommunications.com