Name: Pisit Aongskultong
Company: Pisud
Position within company: Design Director
Website: www.pisud.com
Mr Pisit Aongskultong is the Interior Designer for Keemala, shortlisted in the International Hotel & Property Awards 2015.
. Tell us a little about your background in design (education, experience, etc)
Graduated from Silpakorn University of Fine Art, Bachelors Degree, and then went on to work with the International Design Company “Bilky Llinas Design”. Pisit then established his own company in 1995. Past clients and projects include: Tesco Lotus Shanghai, Grand Hyatt in Hong Kong, Hyatt Perth in Australia, Aseana Hotel Bangkok and the Grand Hyatt Erawan also in the Thai capital.
Pisit also helped design Central Department stores in Thailand, high-end department stores in Bangkok; Emporium and Siam Paragon and also The Outlet Malls. Other hotel designs include: Spa So in Grand Hyatt Erawan and also the Erawan Bakery, Impiana Patong, and the Impiana private villas in Phuket and Koh Samui, Silavadee Pool Spa Resort, The Vijitt, Holiday Inn Khao Lak, The KEE Resort & Spa, Phuket and the Best Western in Patong, Phuket.
. How would you describe your personal design style?
Charming Innovation. I believe that every product should have its own character and personality, and this encourages me to create and innovate continually.
. Where does your design inspiration come from?
Culture, nature and tradition are powerful drivers in all of my designs.
. In what direction do you feel that design is moving towards in a general sense?
At the moment we are seeing more passion led design rather than functionality. Form follows passion. Now less is more, simplicity is the way forward.
. Name five key themes to consider when approaching design in 2015 and beyond.
Environmentally conscientious designs, natural design, organic and rustic themes are more popular, and a more back to basics, fuss free element is seen more and more nowadays.
. If you could offer one piece of advice when it comes to design, what would it be?
Be true to your vision and creativity.
. How important are The International Hotel and Property Awards as recognition of talent and achievement?
Very. It is always gratifying to know that your peers are looking at your work and it is also a time to reflect on growing trends within the industry internationally.
. What projects are you currently working on? Keemala is a full time project but I am also working on a Buddhist pagoda/temple in Krabi province in Thailand. It is an intricate design and we are using a mural to teach the philosophy from the Masters of Buddha and the message is really about how to be a good person within the Buddhist faith.
. What are your aims and goals for the next twelve months? To complete Keemala and to enjoy the launch. The project is very close to my heart as it harnesses all the components that I love about design, culture, tradition and done in a beautifully rustic, yet opulent way.
. Final thoughts; tell us a little more about yourself
Your most treasured possession? I don’t think I hold possessions in such high regard, but I do love technology and I never set foot out without my iPad and iPhone, so I guess they would be it.
Your favourite holiday destination? Pokhara, a magical place on the border of Tibet and Nepal.
Your favourite hotel / restaurant / bar? Tamarind Village hotel in Chiang Mai old town, Quince Restaurant in Bangkok, and my favourite bar is Three on The Bund, Shanghai – the views are spectacular.
Your favourite book / film / song? Innovate or Die, film is Life is Beautiful, and favourite piece of music is Claude Debussy’s ‘Clair de Lune’.
Your favourite food and drink? Moo Hong, a traditional and aromatic Phuket braised pork dish washed down with a mojito.
Your favourite way to spend an afternoon? Easy, if I ever had the time off I would opt for a British style afternoon tea with a cigar at the Four Seasons in Bangkok.
If you weren’t a designer, what would you be? A Traveller a nomad.