Project Detail
Location: Karon, Phuket
Project type: Resort completion and major hospitality upgrade
Property: Phunawa Resort
Initial appointment: Construction Management Consultant, 2011
Upgrade appointment: Main contractor, 2013
Penthouse sizes: Approximately 80–160 square metres
New basement area: Approximately 300 square metres
Project status: Completed
Sotech Asia was appointed as the Construction Management Consultant to complete the Phunawa Resort project in Karon, Phuket, in 2011.
The resort was successfully completed on time and within the approved budget. Following this achievement, Sotech Asia was appointed again in 2013—this time as the main contractor for a major resort upgrade.
As an experienced construction company Phuket hotel owners rely on, Sotech Asia managed a technically varied programme incorporating penthouse redesigns, rooftop gardens, new facilities, additional basement construction and a resort-wide standby power system.
Two Successful Project Appointments
Sotech Asia’s involvement with Phunawa Resort was divided into two principal stages.
The first appointment in 2011 focused on construction management and successful completion of the existing resort project. The second appointment in 2013 involved a substantial upgrade delivered by Sotech Asia as the main contractor.
The combined project responsibilities included:
- Construction-management consultancy
- Project planning and coordination
- Completion of the original resort works
- Cost and programme management
- Architectural and engineering development
- Complete penthouse redesign
- Rooftop gardens and Jacuzzis
- Covered rooftop lounges
- Private sun decks
- Conversion of two penthouses
- New reception and back office
- Construction of 300 square metres of basement space
- Rooftop bar and sundeck
- Pine-wood poolside sundeck
- Resort-wide standby generator system
- Specialist-subcontractor coordination
- Quality and safety management
- Construction and as-built documentation
The successful transition from construction-management consultant to main contractor demonstrates the client’s confidence in Sotech Asia’s ability to manage and deliver complex hospitality projects.
Construction Management and Resort Completion
In 2011, Sotech Asia was engaged as the Construction Management Consultant to oversee and complete the Phunawa Resort development.
The role required detailed coordination of contractors, consultants, construction activities, quality requirements, costs and the overall completion programme.
Key construction-management responsibilities included:
- Review of outstanding construction works
- Programme development and monitoring
- Coordination of contractors and suppliers
- Quality-control inspections
- Cost management
- Technical issue resolution
- Progress reporting
- Completion planning
- Testing and handover coordination
The resort was successfully completed on time and within budget, establishing the foundation for Sotech Asia’s later appointment as main contractor.
Major Resort Upgrade in 2013
Following the successful completion of the original project, Sotech Asia returned in 2013 to deliver an extensive resort upgrade.
The upgrade required work within and around existing buildings, creating additional technical and logistical challenges.
Construction activities had to be carefully coordinated to protect existing structures, maintain quality and integrate the new works with the resort’s original architecture and building services.
Complete Penthouse Redesign
All penthouses at Phunawa Resort were redesigned as part of the upgrade.
The penthouses range from approximately 80 to 160 square metres and were enhanced to provide larger, more flexible and more luxurious accommodation.
The redesign included:
- Revised internal layouts
- Upgraded bedrooms and bathrooms
- Improved living spaces
- Private rooftop gardens
- Jacuzzi installations
- Covered lounge areas
- Private sun decks
- New architectural finishes
- Building-services coordination
- Improved connections between indoor and outdoor areas
The completed penthouses combine spacious interiors with private rooftop amenities suited to Phuket’s tropical resort environment.
Two-Bedroom to Three-Bedroom Conversions
Two penthouses, each measuring approximately 110 square metres, were converted from two-bedroom layouts into three-bedroom units.
The revised layouts were developed to accommodate families and larger groups more effectively while maintaining comfortable living and circulation areas.
The conversion required careful coordination of:
- Internal partition layouts
- Bedroom access
- Bathroom arrangements
- Electrical services
- Air conditioning
- Lighting
- Interior finishes
- Furniture planning
- Fire and life-safety requirements
The resulting three-bedroom layouts improved the flexibility and commercial appeal of the accommodation.
Private Rooftop Gardens and Jacuzzis
The redesigned penthouses include private rooftop gardens that extend the guest experience beyond the internal accommodation.
Each rooftop area incorporates a combination of:
- Private Jacuzzi
- Covered lounge area
- Open sun deck
- Outdoor seating
- Landscape elements
- Lighting
- Water and drainage services
Installing these facilities above existing buildings required detailed coordination of structural loads, waterproofing, drainage, plumbing and electrical systems.
Particular attention was given to protecting the occupied spaces below from water penetration and ensuring access for future maintenance.
New Reception and Back Office
A completely new reception area was constructed to improve the arrival experience for guests.
The new facility included a dedicated back office to support the resort’s daily administration and front-of-house operations.
The reception works incorporated:
- Guest-arrival area
- Reception counter
- Administrative back office
- Lighting and electrical systems
- Air conditioning
- Interior finishes
- Storage and operational facilities
- Coordination with existing resort circulation
The completed reception created a more functional and welcoming entrance to Phunawa Resort.
New Basement Beneath Existing Buildings
One of the most technically challenging parts of the upgrade was the construction of approximately 300 square metres of new basement space beneath existing buildings.
The basement was developed to provide additional administrative and operational areas for the resort.
Constructing below existing structures required careful planning and engineering coordination to protect the buildings above while creating usable space underneath.
Key considerations included:
- Existing structural conditions
- Excavation sequencing
- Temporary structural support
- Ground and groundwater conditions
- Waterproofing
- Drainage
- Ventilation
- Mechanical and electrical services
- Safe construction access
- Integration with existing buildings
The completed basement increased the resort’s functional space without requiring additional above-ground development.
Rooftop Bar and Sundeck
Sotech Asia designed and constructed a new rooftop bar and sundeck above the resort’s central restaurant.
The elevated venue created an additional guest facility and made productive use of the existing roof area.
The works required coordination of:
- Structural loading
- Bar services and equipment
- Water supply and drainage
- Electrical and lighting systems
- Waterproofing
- Guest access
- Safety barriers
- Outdoor finishes
- Furniture and seating areas
The rooftop bar and sundeck added a new social and recreational space to the resort.
Pine-Wood Poolside Sundeck
A new pine-wood sundeck was installed adjacent to the main swimming pool.
The deck extended the usable poolside area and created additional space for loungers and guest relaxation.
The timber installation required careful detailing to accommodate outdoor exposure, poolside moisture and regular guest use.
Accurate alignment, secure fixings and consistent finishing contributed to the sundeck’s clean appearance and functional performance.
Resort-Wide Standby Generator
A complete standby-generator system was installed to provide electricity to the entire resort during power outages.
The system supports continuity of essential hotel operations and improves guest comfort during interruptions to the local electricity supply.
The generator installation required coordination of:
- Resort electrical loads
- Generator capacity
- Automatic transfer equipment
- Electrical distribution
- Fuel supply and storage
- Exhaust systems
- Ventilation and cooling
- Noise management
- Fire-safety requirements
- Maintenance access
Providing backup power across the entire property represented an important operational improvement for Phunawa Resort.
Experienced Construction Company in Phuket
Resort upgrades require careful coordination because new structures, services and finishes must be integrated with existing buildings.
As an established construction company in Phuket, Sotech Asia provides construction-management, main-contractor and renovation services for hotels, resorts, spas, villas and commercial developments.
Our capabilities include:
- Construction-management consultancy
- Main-contractor services
- Hotel and resort construction
- Resort renovation and upgrading
- Penthouse redesign
- Structural alterations
- Basement construction
- Rooftop facilities
- Swimming-pool and sundeck works
- Standby power systems
- Interior construction and fit-out
- Quality and safety management
The successful completion and subsequent upgrade of Phunawa Resort demonstrate Sotech Asia’s capabilities as a professional contractor Phuket hotel owners and developers can rely on throughout different stages of a project.
For an experienced construction company Phuket hospitality owners and investors can depend on, contact Sotech Asia to discuss your upcoming hotel, resort or renovation project.