Architects grab limelight

Fresh off the successes of the prestigious Sila Evason Samui and Zeavola Krabi two years ago, Amata and Twitee - both in their early thirties - are now receiving accolades for Sala Phuket.

They were recently awarded the "Silver Medal in Excellence" by the Association of Siamese Architects (ASA) for Sala, a 79-unit property on Mai Khao Beach. ASA has earlier honoured the duo for Evason.

Amata, a Chulalongkorn University  graduate, has a masters in architecture from Harvard, while Twitee has a masters from Princeton.

Sala took almost as long as Evason, a three-year ordeal filled with exhausting schedules, jetting around and long hours. The 49-rai estate had a rocky coastline and the duo had to make it as romantic as possible for honeymooners.

Amata said they fused ideas and materials that provide Sala's unique tropical look and feel.

The architects used Sino-Portuguese-inspired architecture, including black-lacquered sliding doors as well as ornate chandeliers.

Tariffs for Sala's pool villas will start from about US$600 (Bt20,000) a night and the bigger villas go for $1,500.

The architects have also completed some private residential projects as well as some industrial design work for corporations such as Thaioil, Padaeng, Michelin Siam Tyre and Ford.

 "Our designs reflect the expectations and aspirations of a younger, more expressive generation," Amata said.