CLAD people
Kenzo Takada Fashion Designer
PROJECT: Arovada by Akaryn
Akaryn Hotel Group plans to open a private island wellness retreat in Cambodia, with interiors by famed Japanese fashion designer Kenzo Takada, best known for his Kenzo brand of clothing, perfume and skincare.
Designed by Bangkok-based architect Duangrit Bunnag and due to open in June 2016, Arovada by Akaryn will be located on the private island of Koh Krabey – a 20-minute boat transfer from Sihanoukville – and will embrace Akaryn’s concept of ‘outdoor living in,’ with 40 private and uniquely appointed villas and a 2,000sq m (21,528sq ft) Ayurah Wellness Centre.
Arovada by Akaryn features villas designed to blend into their natural surroundings.
It’s described as “a holistic, luxurious, light-footprint hideaway camouflaged within a canopy of perfectly preserved virgin jungle on an island paradise on the shores of Asia’s last frontier,”
Built around existing trees and virgin jungle, the villas include private infinity pools, a large terrace with day beds and ocean view gardens.
“It has long been a dream of mine to create the ultimate retreat: a place where we can rediscover who we truly are, far from the pressures and gaze of the world,” said Anchalika Kijkanakorn, founder and managing director of Akaryn Hotel Group.
“I firmly believe Arovada Private Island by Akaryn is this destination. I am privileged to have worked closely for the last three years with the design icon Kenzo, resulting in an unparalleled private island retreat, combined with a world-leading wellness sanctuary. Arovada by Akaryn will become one of the most extraordinary island resorts in the world.”
The wellness centre is founded on four pillars of wellbeing: weight optimisation, anti-ageing, mind balance and detoxification. It combines Eastern and Western philosophies, creating individualised, bespoke treatment plans.
Run by Ayurah Wellness, the centre integrates the cutting-edge technology of a medical clinic with time-honoured holistic therapies. Facilities include water therapy suites, full holistic fitness, medical and spa facilities, alongside mediation boardwalk trails woven into the rocks, caves and the shoreline.
Meanwhile, dining options feature a strong emphasis on the slow food movement, using organic ingredients sourced locally from the resort’s own farm. Arovada by Akaryn will also work with the local community to protect the environment, partnering with local farmers and fishermen to teach them sustainable and organic methods.
Ben Channon has written Happy by Design, a new book about how architecture affects our mental health. He explains how we can all be happier at home
