design et al are delighted to announce that Architrave Design & Planning Services Pte. Ltd. have been shortlisted in the Hotel under 50 Rooms category of the International Hotel & Property Awards 2014.
The simple architecture of Banyan Tree Lăng Cô reflects the rich cultural and historical legacy of past Vietnamese dynastic periods.
“Simplicity in Vietnamese Beauty with a Strong Sense of Place”
Located within Laguna Lăng Cô, Banyan Tree Lăng Cô is the first and largest world-class integrated resort in Vietnam. Situated in the Cu Du Village of Thua Thien Hue Province in Vietnam, the site faces a three kilometres beach front overlooking the East Sea of Vietnam, an area renowned for its pristine coastline, natural scenery and proximity to many UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Guests’ arrival to the lobby is via the main entrance courtyard, which is shared with the Banyan Tree Spa. Guests can arrive by boat at the landing area that reflects the water approach of the old town and citadel. The canal has been designed with a traditional covered bridge and Vietnamese pavilion at the far end. Bronze “Dong Son” bells are displayed on stone pedestals at the water courtyard at the upper storey front of house building, giving guests a strong sense of arrival. Access to the Lobby Reception, Bar, Meeting Room and Gallery are at this level. Stepping down the grand staircase, guests’ face an imposing traditional red lacquered door, reminiscent of the Citadel in Hue. Access to the all-day dining is at the lower level with outdoor terraced link to the pool deck and beach restaurant. The signature “Saffron” Thai restaurant sits atop the hillside offering spectacular uninterrupted views to the East Sea and beach below.
The beach is flanked by two hilly peninsulas offering a more private enclave for the hotel. Banyan Tree Lăng Cô is located at the far end of the bay where the heavily forested hillside not only serves to define the boundaries of the site but offers the best location for the 75 units of hill villas. Carefully positioned between existing large boulders on the steep hillside, each villa offers incredible sweeping views of the East Sea while maintaining maximum privacy. The 17 units of beach villas are arranged in a horseshoe formation to maximize beach frontage while the 32 units of lagoon villas are arranged overlooking the lagoon with dramatic views to the majestic Truong Son mountains. The lagoon also serves as a storm drainage holding pond. The landscaping is kept as natural as possible with beach plants and sand dominating the frontage while maintaining privacy between the villas. We restored the existing sand dunes to protect the villas during the monsoon season. Existing trees on the site were preserved where possible.
The simple architecture reflects the rich cultural and historical legacy of past Vietnamese dynastic periods. The main buildings and villas are built with clay tiled pitched roofs, open courtyards and wood rafter ceilings, in the style of the traditional simple garden houses of Hue. Decorative panels, cabinet doors, walls and lamps are finished in latticework inspired by the window patterns of Hue’s imperial citadel walls. Our main motif, the lotus, one of the more popular themes of ancient Vietnamese culture and inspired by the brown lotus inlaid patterns seen in Vietnamese 13th century jars called “Thap gom” adorn our ceiling cut outs, area rugs, fabrics and lacquer feature walls. From the beautiful glazed ceramic bathroom tiles to the bamboo flooring and ornately crafted lacquer-ware, materials throughout the resort are distinct to Vietnam, paying homage to the skill of local artisans and giving the hotel its unique strong sense of place.