ARCHITECTS | INTERIOR DESIGNERS
S+A is one of Southeast Asia's most established architecture and interior design practices — founded in Bangkok in 1963 and still led by its principals today.
Most design firms describe themselves as passionate, collaborative, and detail oriented. We prefer to let six decades of completed work speak instead. S+A has designed a royal residence, supervised the construction of an international airport, built the national Thai Mint, laid out masterplans and shaped the interiors of resorts on island archipelagos, and currently has projects under development from Manila to Bangkok to the Maldives and Fiji.
That breadth is not accidental — it is the result of a consistent approach to practice that has remained constant across generations of leadership.
What distinguishes S+A is not any single project or style, but the way the firm is structured: architecture and interior design under one roof, directed by two principals who are present on every commission. Clients do not brief a partner only to work with a junior team. They work with Faun and Sophie — and with a 30+ members studio that has internalized the standards, timelines, and operational realities of the world's leading hospitality operators.
We are a Bangkok-based firm with international practice. Our home gives us genuine proximity to the markets where most of our clients build — Thailand, Southeast Asia, and the wider Asia-Pacific — while our project history in Europe, the Indian Ocean, and the Pacific means we are equally comfortable navigating international briefs, global brand requirements, and cross-cultural design contexts.
SINCE 1963
S+A is humbly the oldest architectural firm in Thailand. The company was established in 1963 by prominent architect and academic M.L. Santhaya Israsena, who gave the company his name as well as his long-term vision. He led the company until his passing in the 80’s, quietly and diligently designing some of the first modernist buildings in Thailand.
He is succeeded by associated architect Suchet Chaorua. From 1984 until 2005, Suchet expanded S+A, producing some of the most iconic buildings in Bangkok and strengthen S+A as a forefront design practice in Thailand.
Faun Israsena is M.L. Santhaya’s grandson. He takes over the management in 2007 and is later joined by his partner Sophie Bughin in 2013. With their international backgrounds, Faun & Sophie strengthens S+A’s portfolio with focus on international clients and hospitality projects.
A BRIEF HISTORY
1963
Founded in Bangkok. The practice is established, taking on civic, institutional, and infrastructure commissions for the Thai government and major public bodies.
1970s–90s
Nation-building era. S+A contributes to landmark projects including the Dusit Thani Hotel, Chulalongkorn Hospital, the Royal Thai Mint, the Bank of Thailand Banknote Printing Plant, and HM Royal Residence Taksin Rajanives.
2006
Suvarnabhumi Airport completed. S+A provides construction supervision for the 550,000 sqm Bangkok international airport — one of the largest infrastructure projects in Thai history.
2010s
Hospitality becomes the core focus. Led by Faun Israsena and Sophie Bughin, the firm deepens its hospitality practice across Asia and the Pacific — completing projects for many international hotel operators/brands.
2020s
Expanding reach, deepening relationships. S+A completes Tribe Phnom Penh with Ennismore, signs its first Philippines commission (Ascott Manila), and is appointed to deliver Mama Shelter Bangkok — set to be the largest Mama Shelter in the world.
DESIGN THAT INSPIRES
We design hotels, resorts, and branded residences from the ground up — managing architecture and interior design as a unified scope. With over 60+ completed hospitality projects, S+A brings operator-fluent design thinking to every brief: we understand how the hotels and brands operate, and we design to make that operation work beautifully and produce high performing hotels and resorts, many of which have received critical acclaim and international awards.
Our hospitality work spans urban lifestyle hotels in capital cities, remote island resorts, colonial beach retreats, rooftop F&B venues, and full resort village masterplans — across Asia Pacific and beyond.
TAILORED APPROACH
Every S+A project begins with a single question: what makes this place, this client, and this guest experience genuinely distinct? We resist the temptation of formula or the pursue of any style.
Our designs are shaped by local history, traditions, crafts, and the specific ambitions of each developer and brand — then refined to the standards expected by today's global traveller. With this philosophy, S+A produces designs that are always unique and different.
Our work touches many people’s lives, from owners, consultants, builders, and those who live and work in and around our buildings and interiors. We take pride in this, but also great responsibility, and strive to create designs that inspire them, and ultimately improve the society and environment in which we operate.
WHAT WE STAND FOR
Permanence over trend
We design for the long term. Our buildings and interiors are conceived to remain relevant, durable, and admired — not to chase the aesthetic of the moment.
Context as the brief
Every site has a story — a landscape, a cultural heritage, a history of craft. We read that story before we draw a single line, and let it shape every decision that follows.
Principals on every project
Clients hire S+A because of Faun and Sophie. Both remain creatively and professionally responsible for every commission — not just at the pitch, but through to completion.
Integration as discipline
Architecture and interior design are not separate exercises. We treat them as a single creative act — and our clients benefit from the coherence that comes from that unity.
HOSPITALITY
137 Pillars Hotels & Residences
Accor
Amari
Ascott
Celavi (Kudeta)
Centara Hotels & Resorts
Dusit Thani
Grand Mercure
Hard Rock Cafe
Hilton
Ibis Styles
Jamie Oliver
Kafnu
M Gallery
Mama Shelter
Mamaka
Mercure
Movenpick
Next Story Group
Novotel
Outrigger
Ovolo Hotels
Raffles
Riva Surya
Saii (S Hotels & Resorts)
Sofitel
Travel & Leisure
Tribe
Wyndham
OTHERS
United Nations
UNHCR
UNICEF
ILO (International Labor Organization)
British Council
Booking.com
Red Cross
AoT (Airports of Thailand)
Bank of Thailand
Thai Airways