In recent years, with an increasing number of international developers and high net worth individuals choosing Koh Samui as their preferred location for real estate investments, demand for high quality architecture and construction firms has increased dramatically. This has prompted the arrival of international construction companies with portfolios spanning the globe, giving investors ever more choice when it comes to quality builds that suit both their aesthetic tastes and practical needs.

Design and engineering requirements are forever evolving. The trend at the moment is for indoor and outdoor living with designers from around the region increasingly building villas and resorts to match the expectations of high end clients, as well as the island’s tropical environs. Traditional Thai style villas are always popular but more innovative modern styles are rapidly becoming the trend. Mixing style with functionality, skilled architects, consultants and technicians like those at the firm RS Built are getting increasingly creative to cater to the specific needs of each individual investor and ensure the project is in line with local regulations.

With the new influx of high quality construction and engineering, companies have also arrived on the island to offer a range of subsidiary services, including landscaping and interior design. Professional home building companies now take care of everything from kitchens and bathrooms to pools and Jacuzzis. These companies use top international brands and work together with the other construction teams in order to streamline projects and match their clients requirements.

Building in a tropical environment like Koh Samui, where the typography and the seasonal weather changes place large demands on the architecture, makes the construction process a challenge to even the best building firms. Environmental issues such as water supply and water disposal are always a concern on an island where the environment is very much like a closed ecosystem, so engineering expertise and construction experience is paramount when it comes to creating sustainable and functional buildings.

Often criticised for its limited urban and infrastructural planning that seems to lack a long-term vision for the island, the Samui authorities have recently started to regulate what is being built more carefully. Policies are now in place to preserve the natural beauty and attraction of the island, ensuring that investors will continue to choose Koh Samui as an investment destination for many years to come.