onion expands nature-inspired resort with pool villas atop thai mountains
Interior design and architecture studio Onion completes the second phase of Sala Khao Yai in Thailand and expands on the original resort, incorporating three types of villas: a three-bedroom Pool Villa, two Pool Villa Suites, and two Pool Villas. Situated on a mountaintop, the design of the development offers sweeping vistas of the country’s National Park. The masterplan prioritizes the orientation of buildings, maximizing natural light, wind flow, and views of sunrise or, in the case of the three-bedroom Pool Villa, a 360-degree panorama.
The design features natural materials and organic shapes, inspired by the contours of the land and the silhouette of the mountainous environment. The entrance is marked by an open-air pavilion in earth tones, such as dark brown, with a bamboo ceiling that welcomes visitors. Inside the villas and suites, flowy curves and rounded forms reflect the surrounding landscape, filtering natural light. A consistent off-white color palette unites walls, floors, and ceilings with rounded edges that remove sharp shadows. The team at Onion strategically positions bedrooms to frame optimal views and standalone bathtubs to capture reflections of the scenery through mirrors.
