Home Residences Investment The Team

The Team · Koh Phangan

Built by people who
know this island

Construction, architecture, law — each chosen for their proven track record in Thailand. No shortcuts, no compromises.

The People

Behind
Gaia Residence

Kim Sopchan
Kim Sopchan
Construction · Homebase Design
20 years in Thai construction. Notable projects include Centara Reserve and Hotel Absolute Sanctuary, Koh Samui. Proven delivery on high-specification luxury builds in demanding tropical conditions.
Chimin Khanphan
Chimin Khanphan
Architecture · An Estate
30 years as a professional architect across Thailand. High-end residential and commercial projects in Bangkok and Koh Samui. Portfolio available on request. Brings a deep understanding of tropical living to every design decision.
B
Benoit & Partners
Legal · International Law Firm
Specialist Thai property law firm with extensive experience in foreign buyer transactions. Full project vetting, all paperwork produced, clear English guidance at every stage. Your purchase is legally clean from day one.
Chonchanok Nok
Chonchanok (Nok)
Property Lawyer · Gaia Dedicated
Bangkok law firm with extensive Thai property experience. Dedicated exclusively to Gaia Residence. Fluent English, background in construction law. Single point of contact for all legal matters throughout the purchase.
Dr David Goodman
Dr David Goodman PhD
Scientist & Engineer · British
7 years on Koh Phangan. PhD-level engineering background applied to every material and systems choice at Gaia. Committed to building practically, beautifully and sustainably. The mind behind Gaia's thermal, acoustic and moisture management approach.
David Waltz
David Waltz
Construction Advisor · USA
10 years across USA and Thailand. Notable Koh Phangan projects include Rasaruna Retreat Centre and Bliss Project. Brings international construction standards and on-island knowledge to the build process.

Build Quality

Built to
last a lifetime

Every material choice was made to protect your investment in a tropical climate. Here is what sets Gaia apart from the standard island build — and why it matters.

25mm Steel I-Beam Structure
The structural foundation that allows Gaia to carry a genuine heavy-duty tiled roof. Most island builds use lightweight frames that limit roofing options and long-term durability.
80cm Concrete Sandwich Floor & Ceiling
40cm reinforced concrete + 5mm rubber PE sheet + 40cm reinforced concrete. The rubber eliminates all sound transfer between floors and waterproofs each level entirely — no moisture creep, no mould.
Cavity Walls — Internal & External
Double-layered 7mm white aircrete brick with 7mm cavity on every wall. Insulates against heat, sound and moisture. Aircrete contains tiny air bubbles that give superior thermal and acoustic performance vs. standard grey concrete brick.
North-Facing — Passive Cooling by Design
Direct sun only in early morning and late afternoon. No screens needed, no retreating to a back room during the heat of the day. Ocean views enjoyed from the main living space all day, every day.
Reinforced Concrete Foundations & Piles
Built for the long term on a hillside site. Piled foundations are non-negotiable for this kind of build — they're what makes the structure stable, safe and able to carry the load above it for 90+ years.
Teak-Clad Living Room Ceiling
Real wood on a steel frame. Not veneer, not printed laminate. The material choices in the living space are the ones that guests and renters notice and remember — and that justify premium nightly rates.

Materials Specification

What's inside
every home

Floors · Living Area
Porcelain Tile
Light travertine / marble effect. Buyer upgrade options available.
Floors · Bedrooms
Porcelain Tile
Consistent quality throughout. Upgrade options available.
Floors · Bathroom
Non-Slip Granito
Safety-rated. Natural stone tiles in lit shower alcoves.
Floors · Balcony
Anti-Slip Granito
Tropical climate rated. Glass railings, wood-clad ceiling, full balcony lighting.
Ceiling · Living Room
Teak Real Wood
Clad on steel frame. The defining interior feature of every Gaia home.
Ceiling · Bedrooms
Gypsum Board
Painted. Moisture-resistant gypsum in bathrooms.
Walls · Internal
Plaster & Acrylic Paint
Skim coat finish. Full-height ceramic tile in bathrooms.
Walls · External
Weather-Resistant Paint
Wood effect feature elements per architectural design.
Windows & Doors
Powder-Coated Aluminium
10mm tempered glass throughout. Aluminium-frame sliding door system. Engineered wood internal doors. Solid core main entrance with lockset.
Bathroom
Natural Stone Basin
On natural wood vanity unit. Taps integrated into wall. Rain shower + hand shower. Floating toilet in master bathroom.
Air Conditioning
Mitsubishi Invertor
One unit per room. Quiet, modern, energy-efficient. The right spec for long-term rental use.
Internet
Private Fibre Router
Directly wired to high-speed optical hub. Per-unit router. Essential for the digital nomad rental market.

Roof Comparison

Why the roof
matters more than you think

The roof is the most expensive element to replace, and the one most buyers never think to ask about. Tropical sun degrades cheap materials fast. Gaia's choice lasts 50 years.

Gaia Residence
CPAC Roof Tiles
4.5 kg per tile — genuine weight and density
50-year lifespan in tropical climate
Solar panels screw directly to tiles — no extra frame needed
Luxury terracotta aesthetic — looks better with age
Supported by 25mm steel I-beam structure — no other build on the island can carry this roof
Standard Island Build
Standard Shingles
1.0 kg — lightweight, lower quality
5–7 year lifespan under Koh Phangan sun
Solar requires additional steel frame — adds wind stress
Fades and looks cheap within a few years
Ongoing replacement cost every 5–7 years
Want to see it
in person?
Schedule a site visit. Walk the land, meet the team, see the views.
Book a Viewing