Cover The resort was designed with sustainability in mind
The resort was designed with sustainability in mind
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VanaVasa eco-resort blends luxury with nature, showcasing sustainable design in the forests of Pahang, Malaysia
In the lush forests of Janda Baik, Pahang, a new eco-resort, is making waves with its sustainable approach to luxury accommodation. VanaVasa, which means “living in the forest” in Sanskrit, is the brainchild of MJ Kanny Architect, a Malaysian architecture firm known for its environmentally conscious designs.
Perched 800 meters above sea level, the 30-key resort offers breathtaking views of Genting Highlands while treading lightly on its pristine tropical surroundings. Melvyn Kanny, founder of MJ Kanny Architect, explains the philosophy behind the project: “We knew we had to capitalise on the view and yet save the hill from over-development by inserting the building carefully in the landscape.”
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Nestled amongst the greenery
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The result is a thoughtful design that minimises environmental impact. Its main building, constructed with off-form concrete and exposed brickwork, houses 10 rooms, a restaurant, and a heated pool.
Twenty additional rooms are housed in pod-like chalets dotting the hillside, connected by buggy tracks to preserve the natural topography.
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The dining area is a breezy space
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“We designed the chalets as steel-framed structures wrapped in Colorbond metal roofing,” Kanny says. “This allowed us to carefully place them between the trees, keeping the majority of the site’s flora intact.”
Indeed, sustainability is at the heart of VanaVasa’s design.
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Above Rattan furniture was a pleasing and appropriate choice
Above Views are all orienteered towards the expanse of green
Rattan furniture was a pleasing and appropriate choice
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The resort achieved Gold Certification with Green-RE thanks to features like natural ventilation instead of air conditioning, rainwater harvesting, and the use of low-energy LED lighting.
Janda Baik’s relatively cool climate made it possible to forgo air conditioning entirely, a rarity in tropical resorts.
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Bedrooms feature a material palette of natural materials
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Materials were chosen with both sustainability and cost-consciousness in mind. While bamboo was initially considered for flooring and sun-shading devices, the team ultimately opted for bamboo-effect composite timber made from waste material.
“This proved to be the right choice,” Kanny notes, “as it’s more durable and still a green product.”
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Above The large bathrooms feel like they are enclosed within nature
Above The large bathrooms feel like they are enclosed within nature
The large bathrooms feel like they are enclosed within nature
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The project was not without challenges. Built on steep, landslide-prone slopes, it required extensive stabilisation measures and took over three years to complete, partly due to Covid-19 delays.
However, the results are a celebration of the team’s patience and vision that luxury accommodations can coexist with nature.
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Photography: Pixelaw Photography
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Jennifer Choo is Regional Managing Editor of Tatler Homes, covering architecture, interior design, and art across Asia. Based in Malaysia, she oversees regional content on luxury residential design and contemporary art collections. Legally trained but choosing to pursue her passion for design, she previously led notable design publications and worked as an interior stylist and art consultant for property developers, design firms, and private clients.
