The exceptional nature of the site shaped our design intentions from the beginning. The beach, a one-kilometre long strip of white sand with its dunes and turquoise sea, is surrounded by dark rocks gliding into the sea, making the site a most dramatic setting. On the other end of the site, behind the sand dunes, a river runs along close and shaded lush tropical vegetation or mangrove, like an oasis between white sand and dark forest. These natural settings engender a feeling of remoteness, of a secluded and private site, unique with its preserved natural landscape.

Our main concern was how to protect the essence of the site and give a real identity to the resort. This implied that ecology and sustainability were foremost in our design. The project is made up of timber frame pre-assembled buildings to minimise on-site construction and to maintain maximum existing landscape. The suites are devised to offer natural through ventilation at all times as well as panoramic views of the sea whilst maintaining a high degree of privacy. Six Senses Con Dao is like a retreat where the design of the buildings and bridge circulations is scaled to the existing environment and where the choice of natural materials and textures provide a sensorial discovery of the landscape both inside and outside.