DESIGNING WITH SENSITIVITY

Kamalaya Wellness
Retreat

A series of carefully considered interior interventions within one of Koh Samui’s most renowned wellness destinations, from a Tibetan-inspired library and meditation zone to the sensitive evolution of guest rooms and bathrooms.

LOCATION
KOH SAMUI, THAILAND
PROJECT TYPE
LUXURY WELLNESS RETREAT RENOVATION
INTERIOR SIZE
VARIOUS AREAS 400 SQM
EXTERIOR SIZE
30 SQM TERRACES
LAND SIZE
HOTEL LAND
STATUS
COMPLETED 2020
Working with a place as beautiful and deeply rooted as Kamalaya means understanding its history before designing anything new. Our role is to meet the practical demands of a world-class wellness retreat while creating spaces that feel as though they have always belonged there.
BAYA LUXURY DESIGN

MATERIAL PALETTE

NATURAL WHITE TRAVERTINE
Natural Teak OIL FINISH
NATURAL SUKABUMI SHOWER STONE TILES
BRUSHED AGED BRONZE
AGED GREY SOLID TEAK
AGED SATIN BRASS
HANDMADE WASHI PAPER
TIBETAN BESPOKE TEXTILES
IVORY FABRIC
GOLDEN FABRIC
NATURAL STONE
TEAK WOOD
LIME PLASTER
TRAVERTINE
LINEN TEXTURE
RATTAN

SERVICES

INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN

Interior concepts and spatial interventions developed specifically to complement Kamalaya’s existing architectural character and established design language.

SPACE PLANNING

Layouts refined to improve functionality, circulation and the guest experience while working carefully within the constraints of existing buildings.

GUEST ROOM & BATHROOM DESIGN

Upgrade concepts developed across multiple accommodation types, including bathrooms, finishes, furnishings and detailed interior elements.

BESPOKE JOINERY

Custom libraries, cabinetry, shelving and integrated furniture designed to become permanent architectural elements within the interiors.

FF&E

Natural stone, timber, tile, metals, textiles and other finishes selected to sit comfortably alongside Kamalaya’s established palette.

MATERIAL & FINISH SPECIFICATION

Architectural, decorative and landscape lighting developed to support the different atmospheres of the retreat, from guest accommodation and wellness spaces to pathways, gardens, pools and evening social areas.

LIGHTING DESIGN

Architectural and decorative lighting integrated to create warmth, intimacy and atmosphere while supporting the different functional requirements of each space.

DESIGN DOCUMENTATION

Detailed design information prepared to communicate layouts, bespoke elements, materials and finishes through to implementation.

SERVICES

INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN

Interior concepts and spatial interventions developed specifically to complement Kamalaya’s existing architectural character and established design language.

SPACE PLANNING

Layouts refined to improve functionality, circulation and the guest experience while working carefully within the constraints of existing buildings.

GUEST ROOM & BATHROOM DESIGN

Upgrade concepts developed across multiple accommodation types, including bathrooms, finishes, furnishings and detailed interior elements.

BESPOKE JOINERY

Custom libraries, cabinetry, shelving and integrated furniture designed to become permanent architectural elements within the interiors.

FF&E

Natural stone, timber, tile, metals, textiles and other finishes selected to sit comfortably alongside Kamalaya’s established palette.

MATERIAL & FINISH SPECIFICATION

Architectural, decorative and landscape lighting developed to support the different atmospheres of the retreat, from guest accommodation and wellness spaces to pathways, gardens, pools and evening social areas.

LIGHTING DESIGN

Architectural and decorative lighting integrated to create warmth, intimacy and atmosphere while supporting the different functional requirements of each space.

DESIGN DOCUMENTATION

Detailed design information prepared to communicate layouts, bespoke elements, materials and finishes through to implementation.

EVOLVING AN ESTABLISHED VISION

DESIGN WITH RESPECT FOR PLACE

Kamalaya is a world-renowned wellness retreat set within a remarkable tropical landscape on Koh Samui. Having known its original creators personally, BAYA was invited to undertake a series of commissions across the property, introducing new spaces and improvements while remaining sympathetic to the philosophy, character and material language established since its inception.

Our work included a Tibetan-inspired library and meditation zone, conceived as an intimate environment for reading, contemplation and quiet gathering. Weathered timber libraries, handcrafted detailing, rich textiles, muted metals and integrated lighting create a space with depth and character while remaining connected to Kamalaya’s distinctive aesthetic.

BAYA also developed upgrade designs for guest accommodation, including bathrooms and multiple room typologies. Materials, lighting, joinery, furnishings and detailing were carefully refined to improve comfort and functionality without imposing a new visual identity on the existing architecture.

The resulting interventions were deliberately designed not to compete with Kamalaya, but to feel as though they had always belonged — preserving the integrity and authenticity of a unique wellness destination while allowing it to continue to evolve.

Working closely with Kamalaya’s original creators, BAYA designed a series of new and upgraded spaces that respect the retreat’s established architectural identity. From the Tibetan-inspired library and meditation zone to guest rooms and bathrooms, each intervention was conceived as a natural evolution of this extraordinary wellness destination.

Design narrative

01
RESPECTING THE ORIGINAL VISION

Every intervention began with an understanding of Kamalaya’s established architecture, material palette and philosophy, allowing new design elements to sit naturally within the retreat rather than appearing as later additions.

02
THE LIBRARY

A bespoke library was created as an intimate destination for reading, conversation and contemplation, with extensive handcrafted timber shelving forming an architectural framework around the room.

03
TIBETAN INFLUENCE

Tibetan references informed the library and meditation spaces through colour, textiles, artefacts, aged timber and crafted detailing, interpreted with restraint rather than as literal decoration.

04
SPACES FOR REFLECTION

Seating, lighting and spatial planning were carefully composed to create smaller pockets for reading and contemplation alongside areas that encourage quiet social interaction.

05
GUEST ROOM EVOLUTION

Existing accommodation was sensitively refined through updated furnishings, textiles, lighting and detailing, improving comfort while retaining the relaxed character of the original rooms.

06
BATHROOM UPGRADES

Bathroom concepts introduced natural stone, tactile tiles, timber and improved lighting, developing a more contemporary guest experience while remaining consistent with Kamalaya’s material language.

07
BESPOKE JOINERY

Custom cabinetry, shelving and furniture were designed as integral elements of the interiors, using natural materials and crafted details to reinforce the retreat's established sense of authenticity.

08
CONTINUITY THROUGH DESIGN

Across different areas and room types, the objective remained consistent: introduce meaningful improvements without losing the qualities that make Kamalaya immediately recognisable.

Wellness spaces need a particular sensitivity. People arrive wanting to slow down, disconnect and feel comfortable in their surroundings, so architecture has an important role to play. Natural light, acoustics, privacy, materiality and connection to landscape can influence that experience enormously. We try to create spaces that support a sense of wellbeing naturally, rather than relying on the familiar visual language of ‘wellness’ design.

Whether you’re planning a private residence, boutique hotel, luxury resort or interior transformation, we’d be delighted to hear about your vision and discuss how we can help bring it to life.

EVERY PROJECT BEGINS WITH A CONVERSATION