Hospitality Design - May 2013 - 99

perspectives

song saa

sustainable studio
By JoAnn Greco

1
2

NATURALLY SPLENDID
A holistic approach for a Cambodian resort

What’s in a name? In the case of Song Saa, a
new resort in Cambodia, everything. The phrase
means “the sweethearts”—apt, because the
Australian husband-and-wife team of developer
Rory and interior designer Melita Hunter have
poured their hearts into the $22 million project.
“When we first visited these islands, we fell
in love with the people and the environment,”
says Melita, who oversaw the project’s master
planning, architecture, and design. “Now we’re
blessed with an amazing opportunity to set the
bar for—and hopefully influence—their future
development.”
For the couple, the “bar” relates not only to
luxury and quality, but sustainability. Spread
over a pair of islands (together known as Song
Saa), which are part of a 22-island archipelago,
the resort’s 27 villas nestle in the rainforest
or overhang the water. The owners have
established a 600-foot marine reserve around
the islands, but that’s just the beginning of
their efforts at building and running a
sustainable property.
“Our brand promise is ‘luxury that treads
lightly,’” says Melita. “But more than that,
Song Saa didn’t just have to blend into its
surroundings—it had to work with them. We
wanted to support the local communities,
create livelihood opportunities, and protect the
environment.” Cambodians, like many others

1+2. Song Saa’s 27
villas, overhanging the
water, feature thatched
roofs, timbered ceilings,
and stone walls.

in developing countries, are struggling with
issues like over-fishing, wildlife poaching,
deforestation, and the loss of traditional work,
she adds.
Along with the no-fishing zone and a staff
that’s primarily Cambodian, the Hunters have
incorporated sustainable materials into their
design. Throughout the resort, references to the
colors and textures of traditional villages are
bolstered by an extensive use of recycled and
found materials like driftwood and reclaimed
timber. The couple bought old boats from village
fishermen and used them to build rough-hewn
furniture and fixtures for the villas. Guesthouses
also feature artwork and crafts sourced from
provincial markets and local artisans.
Large (1,450-square-feet and up) and luxe
(Ploh linens, private pools), the buildings
are shrouded in natural materials used in
Cambodian construction: thatched roofs,
timbered ceilings, wood floors, and stone walls.
The couple commissioned a photographer to
make grainy film prints of the stones, woods,
and hues she found in local villages. Printed on
canvas, they’re scattered throughout the villas
and public areas. The property also features a
wedding venue, infinity swimming pool, yoga
and meditation center, and a spa.
Challenges came not from the desire to use
sustainable materials in design, but from the

very nature of the project and its scope. “There
wasn’t a lot of familiarity or know-how at a local
level about what we were trying to construct,”
says Melita. “We had to literally create the basic
elements of infrastructure—water treatment,
waste management—and custom-engineer
solutions to address them.”
Starting from scratch provided valuable
opportunities. The water treatment facility can
convert black water (used in toilets) into gray
water (used for the resort’s gardens). And after
the team built a system to transport waste back
to the mainland for processing, they ended
up extending the service to the neighboring
villages. “Conservation, sustainability, and
profitability aren’t mutually exclusive,” Melita
says. hd

hospitalitydesign.com May 2013

099
http://www.hospitalitydesign.com
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Hospitality Design - May 2013
