The South Palms Resort Panglao Bohol – MGallery is set to become a beacon of architectural innovation and cultural celebration in the heart of Bohol’s stunning natural landscape. Anticipated for completion in Q4 2024, this forthcoming Accor hotel transcends the boundaries of typical accommodation, emerging as a living masterpiece that seamlessly interweaves design, history, and community spirit.

Behind this visionary project stands a team of designers, culturalists, and sustainability advocates, collectively crafting a hotel experience like no other. Patrick Keane, the visionary founder of Enter Projects, has embarked on an artistic odyssey, collaborating intimately with Boholano artisans to forge spaces that pay profound homage to Bohol’s rich cultural heritage.

In his own words, Keane elucidates the project’s ethos, saying, “We are using local materials such as recycled woods, weaving basketry and weaving fabrics, plus traditional techniques passed down through generations and incorporating performance-based materials such as solar and sustainably engineered materials.” This endeavour is a remarkable fusion of tradition and progress.

At the forefront of the creative upcycling movement is Hazel Wu of White Jacket, breathing new life into materials from ancestral homes. Within the 188 rooms of the resort, history comes alive through wooden walls sourced from village dwellings and the use of natural materials, each narrating stories of local artists and artisans.

The resort’s design is a symphonic ode to architectural ingenuity, thoughtfully curated to resonate with the island’s historical and cultural narratives. Hope Uy, daughter of Alturas Group of Companies (AGC) founder and owner, underscores the project’s essence, stating, “This is the heart of the project. I was born in Bohol, and it is vital for me that the spirit of our history, culture, and sense of family comes through all aspects of the design creation.”

The resort’s eco-friendliness is ensured through the collective vision of Chris Singer, founder and managing director of SCSY Studio; Phillip Pond, founder and director of Atelier Pond; John Farrell, founder and director of XCO2; and Drew Anderson, managing director of TOPO Design Studio Singapore. Their design philosophy integrates high-performance glass, natural ventilation, solar harvesting, smart technologies, and sustainable practices into the architectural canvas.

Spanning 6.4 hectares, the South Palms Resort Panglao Bohol – MGallery is poised to transcend mere resort status, emerging as an architectural gem, a guardian of cultural heritage, and a model of sustainable hospitality. It embodies Bohol’s rich heritage, where history and design harmonise to deliver an immersive and unforgettable experience for guests, ensuring that the island’s soul reverberates throughout every facet of the resort’s design and architecture.

Images and renders by South Palms Resort Panglao Bohol

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