Fine the investor 1,000 USD for… regretting a tree, being proud of being stolen by others
Have you ever admired the beauty of Indochina architecture mixed with typical patterns of the highland people at MGallery Hotel de la Coupole (Sapa, Lao Cai)? Overwhelmed by the fresh natural space at InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort (Da Nang)?
The person behind all those masterpieces is the “witch” Bill Bensley – the leading architect in the world’s tourism and hotel industry. He was named “resort king” by Time magazine, recognized by Fast Company as one of the 100 most creative people in the world.
This architect has designed more than 200 resorts and hotels in 30 different countries. In Vietnam, Bill Bensley also made his mark with a series of large-scale resort projects stretching from North to South.
His latest work is the 5-star Capella Hanoi hotel, inspired by the Palais Garnier or the Opera House in the 20s.
Once accepted to draw portraits to exchange for food before becoming Asia’s leading “gardener”
Bill Bensley is a British immigrant, born on a small farm in California (USA). From a young age, he practiced growing vegetables, picking fruits, raising chickens and ducks, and harvesting honey.
“My parents love gardening. They show me how to take care of and decorate a garden. And I love it. I even get paid by my neighbors to garden for them.” he recalls.
This architect graduated with a degree in Landscape Architecture in California, then studied further at Harvard University’s School of Design. After graduating from school, because he didn’t know what to do, he decided to take a backpack and go on a “trip” around Europe.
Having run out of savings, Bill Bensley stopped in Southeast Asia. He hitchhiked with strangers, accepted to paint portraits in exchange for meals. Finally, he found an old classmate who was teaching in Singapore, willing to work for a company here.
He hitchhiked, painted people’s portraits in exchange for meals. Somehow, he finally managed to reach the steps of Lek Bunnag’s house. There he found a job.
“Back then, I couldn’t even afford to stay in budget hotels. So hotels were really within my reach.”he recalled.
“However, when I took a job in Singapore, then came to Bali (Indonesia) to design the swimming pool and garden for the Bali Hyatt, I was captivated by this job.”
In 1989, Bill Bensley established his own office BENSLEY in Thailand, is the “conductor” of many prestigious resorts in the region. He chose the hotel sector over housing, because the operators would have to maintain the beautiful design of the resort, while contacting him again for maintenance and renewal.
However, it took about 10 years of fate to bring Bill Bensley to Vietnam.
Unforgettable scars of the potential of the “soothing” S-shaped land
At that time, the “architectural witch” was invited to design a resort on the shores of Nha Trang Bay. However, his first project in Vietnam was suddenly unfinished when the investor got stuck in labor. This sad memory has become a scar in Bill Bensley’s heart, causing him to flatly refuse the next person to come to him.
However, because the investor begged for a year, and asked his friends to help, Bill Bensley respectfully accepted. A few months later, the architect arranged a trip to Vietnam to survey the terrain. After all, the potential of the S-shaped land did not let him down.
Within a year, Bill Bensley “wandered” from North to South, immersing himself in daily life to absorb Vietnamese culture and architecture. Each unique resort project was born in turn, combining the unique design thinking of the talented architect and the traditional beauty of the locality.
“If a project doesn’t interest me, I don’t do it. I believe that if people can’t love their work, they won’t be able to do it well.” he shared in an interview.
Capella Hanoi 5-star hotel – Bill Bensley’s latest project in Vietnam
Treating work like going out, threatening to fine investors $ 1,000 for regretting a tree
“Actually, I get paid to ‘play’. I’ve never ‘worked’ a day in my life.”said Bill Bensley.
Like many other creators, this architect also has immutable principles. His life motto is encapsulated in 4 Thai words “mai mun mai tum”, which means “if you’re not happy, don’t do it”.
Bill Bensley is ready to refuse the project if forced to do as the customer wants, no matter how beautiful the landscape is, or how much the investor pays. He also did not impose his style on the work, but listened to and applied the local culture.
MGallery Hotel de la Coupole Sapa
Inviting Bill Bensley is one thing, pursuing the project with him to the end is another difficult challenge. The designs of this architect are quite expensive, but he does not allow investors to give up halfway.
To meet the conditions of “architectural witch”, large construction companies in Vietnam have to re-learn how to make each brick. The investor threatened not to pay, he loudly replied that he did not need money, just wanted a beautiful house.
Growing up in a poor family, Bill Bensley hates waste. He once “sulked” and skipped breakfast just because a mango tree died, demanded a fine of $1,000 from the investor for trespassing one of the 8,000 coconut trees in Koh Samui (Thailand) during construction.
“My design philosophy is to interfere with nature as little as possible. Take advantage of and keep all that is already there”he said.
In particular, Bill Bensley also feels… proud to have someone copy his design. The “architectural witch” is of the opinion that if the project is not good or beautiful, no one wants to imitate it. Each work created by him is different, because “creation is endless”.
“The most important thing to me is what’s new and strange. I want to go to new places no one has been to, do things no one has done and tell stories no one knows.” explained the architect.
“Jump first, think later. Just do it. It doesn’t matter if you find it silly. Just do what your heart tells you, don’t think too much.”
JW Marriott Emerald Bay Phu Quoc
Designing a hotel is like producing a Hollywood movie, says Bill Bensley: it’s easy to take risks without a compelling plot. Therefore, each of his works takes a dominant character throughout.
With MGallery Hotel de la Coupole Sapa, it is the story of the influence of the 1930s Vietnamese bamboo hat on French couture.
With JW Marriott Emerald Bay Phu Quoc, it’s the story of a fantasy university over 100 years old.
And in his most recent project – Capella Hanoi, it is the story of a lavish inn for famous artists of the heyday of Opera.
“Having good design is synonymous with living a good life, because we are often happy when surrounded by beautiful things, telling a story that always puts a smile on our faces.”he said.
(Synthetic)
at Blogtuan.info – Source: cafebiz.vn – Read the original article here
