Avani + LPB

Avani+ in Luang Prabang is a two-floor elegant luxury hotel with 53 rooms in contemporary classic and inspired by the town’s traditional Lao and French colonial architectures. Itwelcomes for travellers from around the world to visit this UNESCO World heritage site and seek foraffordable luxury experience. Site history can trace back over 100 years in 1941 as a French officer’s quarter then has been adapted by Lao government and became Phusi Hotel since 1961. Itsituatesin the heart of city at the intersection of Chao Fa Ngum and Kitsalat road with various tourist attractions nearby such as the night market, Wat Hua Xiang, Royal Palace Museum, and Phousi Hill. Which is one of the most crowded area in this city. Design has to follow UNESCO guideline both architectural and landscape. Existing trees to be properly preserved, at the same time, conform to the context of being an UNESCO World heritage site of Luang Prabang with the unique insight and history. Landscape role will promote simply elegant atmosphere for hotel naturally. Once hotel is launched it has to look like it belongs to the city and blends well with Laung Prabang context. Due to the limited size of this hotel, architect arranges the pool and leafy court to be at the center and surrounded by all rooms in order to create main open space within the hotel. The challenge is how to manage the open space connected swimming pool and the corner of the public intersection which is the crowded area full of tourists. Moreover, this area is the main pathway for tourists to al to monks (inLaos:Tak Bat) which show the popular religion activity among tourists. Therefore, the most challenging task for landscape designer is to create the proper privacy between inside and outside of the hotel and between guest rooms and main hotel facilities within limitation space of hotel. Instead of separation everything visually to create privacy, we aim to create pleasant landscape which visitors can experience the extensive and relaxing atmosphere and enjoy walking in all spaces of the hotel without the feeling of space separation. Moreover, landscape should provide the natural environment rather than decorated garden. Our goal to keep most of the existing trees and if new plantings are added in, they have to harmonize with existing plantings and the overall environment. Looking from the outside of the hotel, the overall look should give the feeling of nicely harmonious with the world heritage site context rather than an outstanding brand-new hotel. Thus, to form Landscape design concept we studied and been inspired by the friendly atmosphere in Luang Prabang which most colour of the buildings are warm neutral colour materials such as wooden, the various tones of brown brick colour, the white from the building wall, and the local planting of Luang Prabang. And also architectural materials in site itself such as Champaca wood (Jumpee in Lao), light grey roof tiles and white clean wall are considered while we carefully choose type of plantings. The main outdoor facilities is a 25-meter swimming pool which is newly built and the existing 100 years Banyan trees which is almost 2-meter trunk diameter width and 20-meter tall are preserved s as the main landscape element in this swimming pool area. Other existing trees are fruit trees with light colour leaves that spread all over the area such as Indian Cork (Millingtonia hortensis L. f. ), Longan (Dimocarpus longan Lour. ), Mango, Coconut tree, and Flamebuoyant Tree (Delonix regia (Bojer ex Hook. ). Due to the above reason, landscape architect choose only one medium-sized tree with light-colour leaves which completments with all the existing trees, conform with the building colour and make people feel comfortable in this limited space. The new plant used is Wrightia arborea (Dennst. ) Mabb and randomly planted to make them look like they were originally planted and grown here. Low shrubs like Orange Jasmine (Murraya paniculata (L. ) Jack) is used to separate each space and create privacy for each room. Moreover, Lee Gkwan Yew Vine is planted to soften planter box wall. And for the other main facilities area, big lawn are used to create the airy simply elegant atmosphere. At the connecting space to the public road, Frangipani (Plumeria rubra L. ), Laotian national flower can be found everywhere in Luang Prabang, is chosen to add in areas with no existing tree in order to make it harmonious with Luang Prabang context together with a mid-size shrub, Slender lady Palm (Rhapis Humllis Bl. ), in order to prevent the outsider to see the swimming pool area. Especially while the alm giving ceremony with hundreds of monks walking by the hotel. So hotel guests can enjoy pool without concern to interfere the local cultural daily activities. The wide mass of light aroma shrubs, Fragrant Pandan (Pandanus amaryllifolius Roxb. ) is used to create more privacy distance from inside area from the outside. At the restaurant area beside Chao Fa Ngum road, the atmosphere is created to be open and closerhythm to create the more welcoming feeling for the restaurant guests. By using plants to prevent only the pool view from being seen by the outsider,so the restaurant guests can still feel connection to city and enjoy observing the Laotian lifestyle among landscape refreshment atmosphere. In guest rooms, there is a lovely courtyard to be a privateoutdoor area for guest to sit and relax which small Kankrao (Fragrea fragrans Robx. )trees is a feature tree surrounded lovely shrubs to create the comforting atmosphere.