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It is fitting that Aman’s new retail concept should begin its journey at Amanpuri – the very first Aman property to open its doors on Phuket’s Andaman coastline 32 years ago. At the striking new Retail Pavilion, designed by renowned Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, guests can browse and purchase an impeccably curated selection of items, exclusive to Aman, through unique collaborations with renowned local and international artists and designers.
The new pavilion is a masterpiece of design, and its steeply pitched roof, is in keeping with Amanpuri’s inspiration – the ancient Thai capital of Ayutthaya. Reminiscent of the resort’s iconic stairway to Pansea Beach, a broad flight of steps leads down to the spacious boutique floor, subtly divided into different retail spaces around a central lounge area. Here guests can pause for refreshment while relaxing on limited edition furniture pieces, also designed by Kengo Kuma.
Kengo Kuma shares the Aman philosophy, stating famously that “architecture is a frame for nature.” In his seminal 2008 work Anti-Object: The Dissolution and Disintegration of Architecture, he calls for an architecture of relations, respecting surroundings instead of dominating them.
A key feature of the Retail Pavilion is its central axis ‘Living Area’, with its limited-edition furniture pieces designed by Kengo Kuma. The focus piece is the limited edition Kigumi Table, with just 10 available. Crafted in Germany, each is engraved with its edition number and Kengo Kuma’s signature.
