Phuket, Thailand -- (SBWIRE) -- 04/11/2011 -- Representatives from property developer Bluepoint Developments Co. Ltd., architects, property agents and media gathered together on 17th March in Patong for the ground-breaking ceremony at Bluepoint Condominiums, Phuket.

Norwegian owners Kjetil Horgen Øiseth and Arnfinn Engeset poured the first concrete to officially mark the first day of construction.

"The road to breaking ground had been a challenging one. We have had setbacks including both economic and environmental disasters; we are grateful that we have made it through”, remarked Øiseth whilst speaking at the ceremony.

Bluepoint’s architect, Paul Raff, was also in attendance and expressed his satisfaction that his architectural vision was finally being built. Describing his design of the Louver Façade System, which won the 2009 Excellent Innovations in Architecture award from the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada, he explained:

“The design of the louvered façades preserves sea views whilst providing visual privacy, but they also shade the sun. This significantly reduces energy consumption and carbon footprint.”

Raff also emphasised the importance of embracing ‘greener’ design, commenting; "A few of the strategies to make this an unusually ecologically sustainable project include not building on a virgin site, not destroying mature trees and actually conducting more indigenous planting when we are done with this project than when we started on this site.”

“We are also layering roof tops with plants because, near the equator, the greatest energy consumption and carbon footprint arises trying to keep buildings cool. If you have local indigenous species on your roof, not only are you supporting local flora and fauna, you also shading the building creating an effective building envelope and improving climatic control,” he added.

The low-rise boutique development is made up of three separate buildings with three floors and has a total of twenty freehold and leasehold condominiums, in one, two, three or four bedroom configurations.

Penthouses have between one and three bedrooms and come with a private roof terrace and optional Jacuzzi.

Prices start at 16.8 million baht (US$554,000).

The developer is offering a 30% discount on list prices to the first three buyers.

Article source - http://blog.phuketoceanvillas.com/bluepoint-condominiums-break-ground-in-patong-phuket-thailand/

Rebecca Smith
Phuket Ocean Villas