What Goes Into Creating Aura Villa Reserves: A Conversation with HAVE

The concept of "HAVE" is derived from the initials of the founding members' names and conveys their passion for design: "Whenever and wherever we are, we have design, and we have architecture." No matter the time or place, we can still generate great ideas and innovative designs—that's the essence of what 'HAVE' means.

We were brought together through six years of academic study, developing a strong mutual understanding of our strengths and a shared dedication to architecture. After graduation, each founder pursued a distinct path: Hilary focused on commercial complexes, Vivien specialized in residential and boutique hotels, while April and Nan gained experience in full-service design and construction.

With roots in China, education and work experience in the U.S., and professional exposure in Europe, our multicultural backgrounds deeply influence our design process. This blend of cultures, along with our cross-disciplinary interests in fields like new media, curating, and multimedia production, drives us to create designs that transcend traditional frameworks. By merging architecture with art, culture, and media, we aim to foster innovation that breaks boundaries.

Our journey began with entering both national and international competitions, leading to multiple awards and the official launch of HAVE Studio. Our cross-disciplinary approach attracted talented individuals and allowed us to expand beyond concept design into construction and installation projects. With substantial experience in hospitality and boutique hotel design, our team brings a well-rounded perspective and established network to the industry, enabling us to approach hotel projects with ease and creative insight.

Our team of three designers participating in this competition shares a deep love for travel. We have studied and practiced architecture in various locations around the world, including the United States, several European countries, and various cities in China. Our understanding of the hospitality and hotel design industry encompasses functional buildings and facilities designed to provide comfort and relaxation in picturesque tourist destinations. For example, as a child, visiting a seaside hotel with a beautiful ocean view felt like a true vacation experience.

Many people are drawn to this industry due to a passion for creating memorable experiences. The opportunity to blend creativity with functionality, enhance environments, and make a positive impact on people's lives serves as a significant motivator for us. As demands for travel and leisure continue to grow, the hospitality and hotel design industry has become more refined and diverse, incorporating a variety of convenient facilities and recreational spaces.

This dynamic environment, where trends and guest expectations continuously evolve, is incredibly inspiring for those of us who thrive on innovation and creativity. Ultimately, we recognize the importance of creating spaces that enhance the overall travel experience, combining aesthetic beauty with functional comfort.

In the hospitality design industry, small architectural studios like ours play a crucial role by providing agility and personalized service. Our ability to respond quickly to client needs allows us to create tailored and innovative designs. Additionally, strong community ties enable us to incorporate local materials and cultural elements, resulting in authentic and memorable guest experiences.

Key traits for success include adaptability, as the industry constantly evolves with new trends and guest expectations. Problem-solving skills are essential for addressing challenges in complex projects, while risk management helps avoid costly mistakes by proactively identifying potential pitfalls. Strong communication facilitates collaboration with diverse teams and clients, making a significant difference in project outcomes.

Lastly, patience is crucial for navigating lengthy design processes and ensuring every detail is perfected. Together, these traits foster success and contribute to exceptional hospitality experiences.

The project is located in Pattaya, Thailand, a city once renowned for its nightlife and short-stay tourism. With strong support from the community and government, the city has shifted its focus toward developing family-friendly and diverse tourism offerings. Aura Villa Reserves aligns well with this transition. It is an all-pool resort villa hotel complex designed for family-oriented, long-term stays. Aura Villa Reserves aims to build a quality hotel where urban dwellers can immerse themselves in nature and scenery while also providing a sanctuary for inspiration and relaxation amid their busy lives.

In terms of architectural design, the façade’s texture resembles waves—simple yet serene. This texture is crafted by local artisans using iron molds to vertically scrape natural stone coatings. This straightforward technique produces a natural, tactile surface. The design combines traditional craftsmanship with modern material techniques, creating new job opportunities for dozens of local artisans, supporting community-based employment, and empowering the local workforce.

Additionally, the handmade texture not only enhances the building’s aesthetic appeal and uniqueness but also improves its performance. The texture amplifies light reflection, reducing heat absorption in Pattaya’s hot and humid climate. The window eaves add a modern touch to the architecture while providing shading for the windows. By combining local plant landscaping with extensive green roofs, the project aims to create a sustainable, high-quality resort complex.

Our design offers two improvements to traditional vacation architecture. First, we emphasize environmental considerations, ensuring that the residence not only approaches nature but also integrates with it, allowing users to truly relax away from city life.

Second, we pursue quality—highlighting that facilities should not only fulfill the functional requirements of vacation homes but also provide users with a unique and memorable comfort experience through thoughtful spatial design, as well as careful selection of indoor and outdoor materials and furniture.

Aura Villa Reserves distinguishes itself by harmonizing with Pattaya’s shift towards family-friendly tourism and blending seamlessly into the city’s traditional urban fabric. Located centrally, away from the coastline’s hotel towers, our all-pool villa complex is designed for family-oriented, long-term stays. The architecture draws inspiration from the natural flow of waves, with a handcrafted façade texture created by local artisans.

This approach not only enhances the visual appeal but also supports sustainable practices by minimizing heat absorption and fostering local employment. Our design aims to create a sanctuary that immerses guests in nature, offering thoughtful, comfortable spaces for relaxation. The project’s layout, materials, and attention to detail provide an elevated experience, inviting guests to enjoy a unique, quality retreat that integrates with Pattaya's evolving identity.

We are grateful for this award, as it affirms and recognizes our design efforts. Cultural tourism products and boutique accommodation design have always been major focuses for our studio. In the past, we have explored community curation and revitalization projects in historic districts and old streets. We also appreciate this competition for giving us the opportunity to showcase our work and take a meaningful step forward.

At HAVE Studio, we foster continuous improvement and innovation by drawing on the extensive, diverse experiences each team member has gained at leading firms in New York, Shanghai, and beyond. Each of us has developed expertise across various project types—from single-family and multi-family residences to hospitality and mixed-use developments—bringing a broad and nuanced understanding to our work.

This blend of backgrounds, combined with our multicultural perspectives and shared passion for interdisciplinary design, allows us to challenge conventional ideas and push the boundaries of creativity. We encourage open dialogue, knowledge sharing, and a collaborative environment that promotes fresh ideas and forward-thinking solutions for every project.

Winning an international award can significantly impact a young architecture studio in the hospitality industry by enhancing its credibility and visibility. Such recognition signals to clients and collaborators that the studio is capable of delivering exceptional designs, helping to establish trust in a competitive market.

The increased media attention that comes with an award showcases the studio's work to a broader audience, attracting potential clients who may not have been aware of it before. Additionally, awards open doors to networking opportunities, allowing young architects to connect with influential figures in the industry, which can lead to valuable collaborations and mentorships.

An award also enhances the studio's portfolio, serving as a powerful testament to its capabilities and making proposals more compelling. In a crowded market, this recognition differentiates the studio from competitors, making it a more appealing choice for clients.

Moreover, winning an award boosts team morale, fostering a culture of excellence and innovation. It can even position the studio as a thought leader, leading to invitations to participate in industry discussions and conferences.

In summary, for a young architecture studio in hospitality, winning an international award is a catalyst for growth, enhancing reputation, attracting clients, and fostering creativity—essential elements for long-term success.

The term “Aura” originates from German philosopher Walter Benjamin, signifying a sense of spirit. This project, Aura Villa Reserves, is dedicated to creating a space that begins with texture and ultimately resonates with its inhabitants. It is a quality home where urban dwellers can immerse themselves in the scenery and engage in dialogue with nature. It is also a soulful retreat where people can find inspiration and unwind amid their busy lives.

The HAVE team adheres to a philosophy of simplicity and returning to nature, using locally available materials combined with warm, handcrafted techniques to create a Zen-inspired living community rich in tropical vitality.

Nature and Spirit:

The entrance to the project resembles gently unfolding pages, illuminating the hidden inspiration and vitality within, and inviting visitors to pause and reflect. The interplay of openness and enclosure in the entrance area draws in every guest—whether arriving by car or on foot—to experience its unique spirit, while shaping and embodying the unforgettable, iconic image of the Aura brand.

The tropical landscape that greets the eye immerses travelers in a natural, relaxed, and vibrant atmosphere. The modern cantilevered structure of the clubhouse complements the expansive infinity pool, creating the perfect spot to enjoy Pattaya’s orange sunsets.

Modern and Minimalist:

The project’s design philosophy centers on minimalism, avoiding complex decorations to highlight nature and purity in every detail. The residential façades feature simple linear textures combined with natural stone and painted finishes, producing a visually dynamic and layered effect.

Deep window openings with protruding stainless steel frames connect the interior spaces with the surrounding environment, allowing the experience to extend from outside in. A unified design language—marked by simplicity and authenticity—flows seamlessly between indoor and outdoor areas, enhancing both spatial openness and visual comfort.

Craftsmanship and Texture:

Locally sourced, ordinary materials are elevated through the refined application of traditional craftsmanship and simple iron molds, resulting in a distinctive texture for the exterior walls. The vertical lines retain the rustic charm and subtlety of hand-crafted work while presenting an elegant modern aesthetic. From decorative stone troughs that accent clusters of flowers and trees to architectural spaces that welcome every traveler’s family, each detail reflects a harmonious blend of craft and contemporary design.

The meticulous execution—shaped through collaboration between the design team and local artisans—expresses the philosophy of simplicity and reconnection with nature, giving Aura Villa its most authentic and inspiring character.

The term "Aura" originates from the German philosopher Walter Benjamin, signifying a sense of spirit. This project, Aura Villa Reserves, is dedicated to creating a space that begins with texture and ultimately resonates with its inhabitants. It is a thoughtfully designed home where urban dwellers can immerse themselves in natural surroundings and engage in dialogue with nature; it is also a soulful retreat where people can find inspiration and unwind amid their busy lives.

The HAVE team follows a philosophy of simplicity and a return to nature, using commonly found local materials combined with warm, handcrafted techniques to create a Zen-inspired living community rich in tropical vitality. Once guests enter the project, the tropical landscape that greets the eye immerses them in a natural, relaxed, and vibrant atmosphere. The modern cantilevered structure of the clubhouse complements the expansive infinity pool, making it the perfect spot to enjoy Pattaya’s orange sunsets.

The hospitality and design industry faces several key challenges: adapting to post-pandemic shifts in lifestyle, balancing sustainability with aesthetic and functional demands, and ensuring cultural relevance across diverse markets.

Our multicultural backgrounds, spanning China, the U.S., and Europe, have greatly influenced our design approach, allowing us to adapt to and resonate with diverse markets. This international perspective has been instrumental in shaping our design philosophy, making our projects relatable and impactful across different cultural contexts.

Specifically, Aura Villa Reserves, located in Pattaya, Thailand, reflects our deep understanding of local needs and our commitment to creating culturally relevant and sustainable designs. Thailand’s support for family-friendly and eco-conscious tourism aligns perfectly with our vision for Aura Villa, enhancing the project’s success and reinforcing our dedication to meaningful, community-centered design.

We're particularly excited about the shift toward wellness-centered, sustainable design, alongside the growing demand for visually captivating spaces that encourage social media sharing. Travelers today seek more than just accommodation; they want immersive environments that promote well-being and offer memorable, photo-worthy moments. This trend aligns perfectly with our approach at HAVE Studio, where we prioritize sustainable materials, thoughtful spatial layouts, and integration with local culture to create spaces that are both relaxing and visually striking.

Another exciting development is the rise of AI in hospitality, where advanced technology enhances personalized experiences, streamlines operations, and anticipates guests’ needs. The blend of wellness-focused design, sustainability, and AI-driven personalization is reshaping the industry, making it more adaptable and responsive to modern travelers' expectations.

The façade's texture is crafted by local artisans using iron molds to vertically scrape natural stone coatings. This simple technique and tool produce a natural texture. The design combines the essence of traditional craftsmanship with modern material techniques, providing new job opportunities for dozens of local artisans, supporting community-based employment, and empowering the local workforce.

Our team’s hard work, combined with years of experience across a wide range of projects, was essential to winning this award. Each of us brings a unique background, having worked in leading firms across New York, Shanghai, and Europe on single-family, multi-family, hospitality, and mixed-use developments. This diversity in expertise and cultural perspective allowed us to approach the project from multiple angles, designing a resort that resonates with both local culture and international hospitality trends.

Our dedication to thoughtful, context-driven design and commitment to innovation were instrumental in creating a space that truly stands out. This award reflects not only the quality of the final design but also the depth of effort, collaboration, and passion our team has invested over the years.

In the next 5–10 years, we envision the hospitality and design industry evolving toward more human-centered, adaptable approaches that respond to the specific social and cultural needs of each location. As people increasingly seek experiences that feel meaningful and connected to the local context, there will be a growing emphasis on designing spaces that reflect and respect the unique cultural and environmental elements of their surroundings.

The incorporation of AI and advanced technology, such as smart building systems and robotics (like hotel robots), will become more prevalent. These innovations can enhance operational efficiency, improve user experiences, and offer personalized services, but they also require designers to rethink how spaces are used and experienced.

We’ll likely see greater integration of sustainable, technology-focused elements that prioritize human well-being and support local ecosystems. I believe design will continue to shift from one-size-fits-all solutions to more tailored approaches that offer genuine warmth, connection, and care. At HAVE Studio, we’re excited to be part of this evolution, constantly pushing for innovative ways to infuse our projects with empathy, social responsiveness, and a true sense of place.

The project we are submitting for the award is the first phase of our hotel project in Pattaya, Thailand. It includes 21 townhouse villas and the entrance to the resort, covering approximately 8,000 square meters. The second phase will feature nearly 50 standalone resort villas, along with public resort facilities and extensive landscaping, bringing the total area to over 22,000 square meters. We are excited about the upcoming work on this project!