SOUTH PALMS RESORT AND SPA FEATURES ELEVATED ARCHITECTURE IN THE PHILIPPINES, WITH ITS SIGNATURE RATTAN LINES AND CURVES, DESIGNED BY WHITE JACKET, ATELIER POND, AND ENTER PROJECTS ASIA
TEXT: PHARIN OPASSEREPADUNG
PHOTO: BYRON KEANE
(For Thai, press here)
Located on the pristine shores of Bohol in the Philippines, South Palms Resort and Spa is the result of a creative collaboration between three design studios, Patricia Ho of White Jacket, Philip Pond of Atelier Pond, and Patrick Keane of Enter Projects Asia. Together, the trio reimagines the beauty of the seaside through a design narrative that intertwines nature, architecture, art, and forward-thinking ideas about sustainability.
The resort’s most distinctive feature lies in its entrance lobby, conceived by Enter Projects Asia (EPA). The design translates the fluid lines of rattan into sculptural, wave-like curves that sweep across the space, from the ceiling and pavilion structures to the sculptural installations themselves. The result is an immersive spatial experience that captures a sense of elegance and tranquility, expressing luxury not through opulence but through harmony with the surrounding ecosystem.
The design of the lobby centers on redefining the resort’s hospitality experience, elevating it from the very first step into the space and extending this sense of distinction throughout the guest rooms and surrounding areas. Every architectural element draws inspiration from the natural beauty of the Philippines, from the use of rattan and the organic forms of leaves to the warm, soothing tones that evoke a sense of calm and relaxation.
Upon entering the lobby, the resort’s identity immediately comes to life through the signature timber ceiling designed by Enter Projects Asia (EPA). The ceiling’s flowing, sinuous lines appear both strong and lightweight, merging technical precision with organic grace. More than just a structural feature, the ceiling serves as an environmental statement, reflecting the ecological challenges of the region, particularly the issue of plastic waste from the fishing industry. EPA translated this concern into a design inspired by the natural phenomenon of ‘oceanic whirlpools,’ digitally simulated to form a series of undulating waves that extend seamlessly from the front lobby to the meeting rooms beyond. These rhythmic ceiling curves are further echoed throughout the interior—most notably in the white rattan sculptures and recycled-material light fixtures within the lobby, both of which adopt a similarly twisted, flowing form.
The element that most eloquently connects people, nature, and the resort’s spatial experience is a meandering timber walkway that weaves through the property, blending seamlessly with the surrounding trees and foliage. This path leads visitors to a coral-white pavilion accented with sandy hues, a 95-square-meter structure positioned at the edge of the beach. Inspired by the form of a ‘seashell,’ the pavilion’s layered roof gently twists and folds, creating a fluid silhouette that opens up to the sea breeze and frames a serene vista of palm trees lining the shoreline.
Patrick Keane, Director of Enter Projects Asia, explains that the design of the resort was guided by the intention to amplify the beauty of nature rather than compete with it. Each architectural gesture was conceived with an awareness of the profound relationship between humans and their environment. As such, South Palms Resort and Spa transcends the notion of a mere holiday destination. It stands as a new benchmark for coastal hospitality design, where sustainability and craftsmanship are not afterthoughts, but merge and become the very essence of the experience.