Habita Architects

The Six Senses Hideaway Hua hin, currently the Sheraton Hua Hin Pranburi Villas, are a development of 53 pool villas located on a small, secluded estate on beach near Huahin, Thailand. The land on which the resort is situated was previously a coconut plantation. The concept of the project was to keep as many of the existing palms as possible and create the atmosphere of a village in the coconut farm.

A curving path leads from the road entrance down the center of the site to the beach. On each side of the path are clustered the villas, located behind high privacy walls with a free-flowing form. An important feature is the plaster used as the surface finish of these walls. Its rough texture results from using cut straw mixed with the cement, which was then applied liberally by hand. The uneven finish aims to naturally soften the appearance of the walls, and creates a unique feel to this project, from both the public areas and from each villa’s private garden. The high walls afford privacy for each villa’s landscaped pool area, as well as bedroom and bathroom.

Located in the center of this path to the sea, near the entrance to the resort, is the main reception building and restaurant. These overlook a large lotus pond, in which are located three sala. These are sunken into the pond, so that the water level is equal to the top of the sofas on which guests can dine. The third sala provides a stage for entertainment—a focal point for the restaurant and pond area. Indeed, this space is really the heart of the village.