As the first phase of the Six Senses Residences completes, Sunphol Sorakul [Partner at Foster + Partners] reflects on the project and discusses the practice’s approach to developing the wider Forestias masterplan on the outskirts of Bangkok. The pioneering development focusses on three primary themes of serving the community, promoting intergenerational co-living and connecting with nature.
How did The Forestias project come about?
The practice was initially approached by the Thailand-based developer – MQDC – back in 2016. They had an exciting vision for a masterplan that would holistically address some of the country’s major challenges: an aging population, diminishing connections with nature, and a disconnect between contemporary city life and family traditions. We were delighted to be appointed to lead the masterplanning process and design the architectural components of the scheme.
How did the team approach a project of this scale?
We worked closely with MQDC to develop their vision, with a series of monthly in-person workshops alongside our local consultants. During that time, we came up with a framework for the masterplan, placing a 12-acre forest at its heart and an additional 14.5 acres of greenery across the wider development to establish direct connections with nature from every part of the site.
We then arranged different residential developments around the edge of the forest, including the Whizdom high-rise condominiums for young families; the Aspen Tree residences, which cater to the needs of older residents; Mulberry Grove low-rise condominiums, which bring residents close to nature; and the Mulberry Grove Villas, for multi-generational families who want to live close together in multiple homes.
Every decision was driven by the desire to foster connections between people of different ages and the natural world. Boundaries between the residential components are deliberately blurred to enhance these relationships and establish a stronger sense of community.
What have the major challenges been – and how have you dealt with them?
As this is such an expansive project – with so many components – our main challenge has been carefully balancing the different elements of the masterplan. Each residential community has its own distinctive character but must work in harmony with the others, as part of a larger integrated whole.
Another key challenge has been maintaining our overarching vision – and making sure it is applied to every detail of the masterplan – over a period of seven years. Our local office in Bangkok is currently overseeing construction, to ensure the highest level of quality across the site. To achieve this, we have worked closely with our internal Technical Design Group, Materials Research Centre, and specifications team, who have brought their collective expertise to the construction process.
Tell us about the Six Senses Residences development – what makes it unique?
Six Senses’ ethos perfectly aligns with the masterplan vision, offering a pioneering approach to wellness, crafted experiences, care towards local communities and the environment. The Six Senses Residences combine these qualities with the concept of intergenerational living, which underpins the wider Mulberry Villas development.
A 150-metre lagoon is the spectacular centrepiece of the project and surrounded by twenty-seven new homes. Every residence provides private spaces for meditation, yoga, gardening, and outdoor dining, which contribute to an overall sense of physical and emotional wellbeing. The new homes will be uniquely serviced by the masterplan’s Six Senses Hotel, which will offer catering, cleaning, laundry, and security services.
The development’s timber clubhouse is designed to foster a sense of community amongst residents, with a private health centre and large infinity pool that backs onto the lagoon.
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The new homes include a series of private spaces that enhance wellbeing © Weerapon Singnoi
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The new homes include a series of private spaces that enhance wellbeing © Weerapon Singnoi
How do the new homes cater for people of different ages?
Inclusivity is central to our design concept. We have worked alongside the practice’s Inclusive Design Team to ensure the development serves every member of the family, including young children and grandparents. The Six Senses Residences feature lifts, which transport more elderly members of the family to the upper levels, and double-height handrails on banisters to assist with climbing the stairs. Spaces within the homes are highly flexible and evolve with the family unit.
Tell us about the process of selecting materials
For this wellness-oriented component of the masterplan, we have introduced more natural materials and patterns into the mix. The timber screens and soffit are made from compressed bamboo, which is locally grown within the region. The development provides the highest quality material finishes – from the fine grain of the timber to the gold stainless steel banisters.
How does the design respond to the local climate?
Inspired by the country’s vernacular architecture, the living quarters are raised off the ground and naturally ventilated from four directions, with sliding screens that allow air to flow efficiently through the interior spaces. Air conditioning is kept to a minimum during cooler periods – to create the most naturally comfortable environment.
What is happening next on site?
Approximately fifty percent of the masterplan is now complete, including the Forest Pavilion, Aspen Tree Residences, Whizdom, and the first phases of the Six Senses Residences and Mulberry Villas. It is incredible to see these different elements of the scheme coming together – to create a truly intergenerational and community-driven development for the twenty-first century.
Looking ahead to the next phases of the masterplan, the Mulberry condominiums will complete early next year, and the retail component will be finalised towards the end of 2025.