Layan, Phuket – October 2025 – Ten months after securing triple recognition at the DOT Property Awards 2024 ceremonies, we examine the technical innovations and design philosophy that earned Shaanti Hillview the Best Architectural Design, Best Interior Design, and Masterplan Design awards across Thailand and Southeast Asia.
DOT Property Awards 2024: Triple Recognition
The DOT Property Awards 2024 ceremonies marked a significant milestone for Shaanti Hillview, earning recognition across both national and regional competitions in Southeast Asia’s most prestigious real estate awards program.
Three Distinct Awards Earned in 2024
The 37,444 m² development received recognition from DOT Property Group, Southeast Asia’s leading real estate awards program, across two separate competitive events:
DOT Property Thailand Awards 2024 (August 2024)
- Best Development Masterplan Design Phuket – Awarded at Park Hyatt Bangkok ceremony attended by over 350 industry professionals
DOT Property Southeast Asia Awards 2024 (December 2024)
- Best Luxury Condominium Architectural Design Development – Regional competition across Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia, Cambodia, and Indonesia
- Best Luxury Condominium Interior Design Development – Competing against Southeast Asia’s leading luxury residential projects
The December ceremony, held at the Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok at Chao Phraya River, celebrated exceptional achievements shaping the region’s real estate landscape. Over 350 guests attended the gala featuring performances by Thai artist Burin Boonvisut and a riverside fireworks display.
Technical Innovation: The Determining Factors
Shaanti Hillview’s triple recognition stems from integrated solutions addressing complex tropical development constraints on 11,319 m² of sloped forest terrain in Layan, Phuket.
Bioclimatic Architecture Adapted to Tropical Climate
The development employs self-irrigating green facades reducing interior temperatures by 3-5°C through evaporative cooling, eliminating mechanical HVAC dependency during transitional seasons. Natural cross-ventilation systems and passive solar protection further optimize thermal performance without energy consumption.
Environmental Compliance and Sustainability
The project maintains 60% existing canopy coverage per Thai environmental regulations while accommodating 254 residential units across five buildings. The EAI (Environmental Assessment Index) study conducted demonstrates compliance with tropical sustainability standards adapted to Southeast Asian climate conditions.
Integrated rainwater harvesting and greywater treatment systems address monsoon water management. The 6,390 m² underground parking features controlled mechanical ventilation preventing humidity infiltration—a critical consideration in Phuket’s tropical marine environment.
Structural Engineering for Seismic and Terrain Constraints
Anti-seismic techniques adapted to Thai Zone 2A standards incorporate reinforced retaining walls and specialized foundation systems for slope construction. Three-phase construction sequencing minimizes environmental impact while maintaining operational site access on challenging topography.
Material Selection for Tropical Durability
Specifications prioritize longevity in high-humidity conditions: FSC-certified teak wood, Lopburi stone, and exposed concrete are selected for proven performance in Southeast Asian climates. Material choices balance aesthetic objectives with lifecycle maintenance requirements.
Design Philosophy: Tropical Forest Integration
“Shaanti Hillview demonstrates that high-density residential development can coexist with environmental preservation,” explains Kaled Kamala, Founder of KZ Architecture. “The awards validate our approach of leveraging site constraints—slope, forest, climate—as design assets rather than problems to overcome.”
The terraced design follows natural topography, optimizing panoramic mountain views while preserving existing vegetation. Collective facilities—swimming pools, fitness center, and 162 m² coworking space—integrate into the landscape rather than competing with it.
Project Scope
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Area | 37,444.66 m² gross floor area | 20,124.48 m² net sellable area |
| Site Area | 11,319.48 m² sloped terrain |
| Units | 254 residential units across 5 buildings |
| Location | Layan, Phuket, Thailand |
| Developer | Elyana Phuket by Ram Living Co., Ltd |
| Architect | KZ Architecture & Design |
| Status | Development phase ongoing |
Ten Months Later: Industry Influence
Since the December 2024 awards ceremony, Shaanti Hillview’s recognition has contributed to evolving industry practices:
Evolution of Industry Standards
- Increased developer interest in bioclimatic design approaches in Phuket
- Multiplication of projects integrating green facade systems in new developments
- Regular consultation requests on high-density forest preservation methodologies
Validation of Passive Approaches
- The awards validated market demand for technically rigorous sustainable architecture beyond superficial “greenwashing” approaches common in luxury development sector
- Observable shift toward passive system specifications in developer briefs
- Foreign buyers increasingly cite environmental criteria as purchase decision factors
Methodological Insights
Ten months of perspective reveal that the elements most influencing juries were not aesthetic aspects but quantifiable performance data: measurable thermal reduction (3-5°C), verifiable forest preservation rate (60%), documented water collection system capacity, and certified anti-seismic standards compliance Zone 2A.
This data-performance orientation establishes a new standard for future submissions to regional architectural competitions.
Competitive Context: Southeast Asian Luxury Residential Market
The DOT Property Southeast Asia Awards 2024 recognized 46 winners across seven countries, with the Philippines’ RLC Residences securing Developer of the Year. Thailand’s luxury villa market dominated regional categories, with Anchan Villas winning Best Developer Luxury Villas.
Competing in the most competitive regional categories against luxury developments from seven Southeast Asian countries, the triple award positions Shaanti Hillview as a reference for tropical bioclimatic design in high-density residential contexts.
KZ Architecture: International Expertise in Asian Climate Constraints
Founded by French architect Kaled Kamala (graduated from Paris-Val-de-Seine School of Architecture, 2004), KZ Architecture has operated from Phuket since 2020. The firm specializes in architecture adapted to tropical climates, seismic zones, and complex regulatory environments across Southeast Asia.
With 20 years of international experience, including 12 years in Asia (Europe, South America, the Caribbean, India, and China), the team provides licensed architectural services across Thailand and selective international projects.
About DOT Property Awards
Established as Southeast Asia’s premier real estate recognition program, DOT Property Awards evaluate projects across architectural design, sustainability, innovation, and market impact. The program operates separate national awards (Thailand, Philippines, Vietnam, and Singapore) and consolidated regional championships.
Selection criteria include:
- Design innovation and technical execution
- Environmental sustainability and regulatory compliance
- Construction quality and material specifications
- Market positioning and buyer satisfaction
Winners are selected by industry expert panels comprising architects, developers, and real estate consultants. The 2024 Thailand awards presented 38 categories; the Southeast Asia awards recognized 46 winners.
Implications for Tropical Architecture
The awards validate several architectural approaches gaining traction in Southeast Asian luxury development:
- Bioclimatic passive systems reducing mechanical HVAC dependency in tropical climates
- High-density forest integration preserving biodiversity within residential developments
- Slope construction techniques enabling development on challenging topography previously considered unbuildable
- Green facades as functional thermal performance elements beyond aesthetic applications
These recognition points position Shaanti Hillview as a case study for developers navigating increasingly stringent environmental regulations in Thailand and neighboring countries.
Media Contact
KZ Architecture & Design
Phuket, Thailand
Email: info@kz-archi.com
Website: www.kz-archi.com
Instagram: @kz_architecture_design
Related Articles: