About us
Enter Projects Asia was created as a gentle rebellion against modern design and construction methods which have led to a loss of detail in architectural design and a preference for unsustainable materials. In response, we have built our practice upon the desire to showcase artisanal, sustainable, and original architecture at a commercial scale.
Aesthetically, we take inspiration from natural geometry and movement, shunning the angular lines dictated by mass-produced construction materials, opting instead for curvilinear, sculptural forms. Biophilic design principles guide our decision-making in service of our goal to create a point of difference, a talking point, a character, and a feeling that all users embrace.
We take time to get to know our clients’ aspirations and brand personalities, and consistently design with the end user in mind. Each individual site is analyzed to understand its features and the impact and progression of natural light, and seamless and intuitive directional movement flows are painstakingly designed to ensure spaces that are easy and enjoyable to move through.
Enter Projects Asia has increased tenfold in the past half a decade, despite the challenging global circumstances. We believe our work is contemporary and connects with people. Our designs resonate with a moment in time which is fiercely present, whilst remaining respectful of the past and mindful of the future & those generations who will inhabit it.
We are a fully Thai registered company operating out of Bangkok, with a growing and diverse client base across Asia, Australia, Africa, Europe and the USA.
T2 Kempegowda International Airport
Bangalore, India
Chiang Mai Gallery
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Team
Our team consists of mastercraftsmen through to digital experts and under the stewardship of Keane, the team is headed up by Design Manager Rene-Paul van Leeuwen.
Patrick Keane
Director
Patrick Keane is an award-winning Architect, rebuilding the world with natural rattan and modern-day technologies. Having lived across 5 continents, he uses his experience and knowledge to introduce forward-thinking approaches in design, fusing new technology with local skill sets and regional arts & crafts.
Patrick achieved his Bachelor degree in Environmental Design at the University of Western Australia before setting his sights on the University of Princeton in the US, graduating with a Masters in Architecture. He had his baptism of fire in New York’s competitive architecture realm before establishing Enter Projects in 2005.
Latterly renamed Enter Projects Asia, Patrick has led the team to create noteworthy projects, consistently garnering attention from the public and the design community, both locally and globally. These projects are now receiving global acclaim for their grassroots sustainability, embracing digital design technology and dovetailing it with local craftsmanship, using locally sourced and crafted 100% biodegradable rattan. The firm has been published in 39 industry titles across 25 countries since arriving in South East Asia in 2018.
Patrick explains his approach: “Architecture is not for the faint-hearted. Our aesthetic has to be contemporary, as our work seeks to have continued relevance. A designer needs be part of the spirit of the age, and part of modern culture, in order to represent trends in thought, reference the past and be optimistic for the future.”
Office Team
Based primarily out of the Bangkok office, our team is comprised of skilled architects, designers, interior designers, and project managers with a wealth of experience from working internationally across Asia, Europe and Australia.
The multilingual team has extensive connections with Asia-based fabricators, artisans, and installers. With experience working across many sectors, our team is defined by passion and talent for advanced algorithmic processes and computational design. In addition, an interest in the intersection between a traditional craft spirit and cutting-edge technological advancements to create new and unique spatial experiences is unique to our practice.
Jok Nawapan
Senior Architect
Anaïs Ortiz de Zarate
Architect
Meg Chularach
Designer
Marta Linynska
Designer Manager
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Rossamarin Ratreenoo (Fei)
Architect
Su Myat Mon
Junior Architect Designer
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Paopong Me-Ngoen (Gan)
Installer Architectural Projects
Supinya Ritthijun-Colin
Manager Sustainable Fabrication
Juliette Eve
Press & Marketing
Maéva Colin
Communication & Marketing
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Warinthon Ninlaphong (Noon)
Office Manager
Our in-house team are capable of delivering a wide range of projects and services
Sustainability
A commitment to sustainability is integral to every decision we make. Our core initiatives are centred around three pillars.
1. Materiality
In a reversal of industry norms, we are committed to using locally sourced natural materials and are proud to achieve a ratio of 90% plantbased and biodegradable materials in our constructions. In our airport project in Bangalore, we used more than 9km of rattan as a sustainable alternative to steel and concrete. Unlike bamboo, rattan stems are not hollow, providing increased durability and fire resistance; they are also lightweight, flexible, and suitable for outdoor use. The lightweight nature of rattan is an important feature of our prefabricated designs, which are shipped worldwide for a fraction of the cost and environmental impact of standard building materials. Our practice is committed to experimenting with new, sustainable building materials and is currently developing concepts which utilise metal alloys made from recycled materials, local unprocessed clay bricks and marineplywood.
2. Craft
Rattan making in Thailand dates back millennia, yet in recent years, this ancient heritage craft has suffered almost to the point of extinction due to the growing demand for cheap plastic furniture. Enter Projects Asia has been integral in preserving and resuscitating the Thai rattan manufacturing industry. The commercially viable and culturally sensitive employment we provide ensures younger generations are being trained in the craft, thus ensuring its legacy.
3. Culture
The artisanal Thai communities we work with still live traditional village lives, which balance craft work with tending to the land. Along with our factory partners, we are committed to ensuring these rural communities can secure culturally meaningful, wellpaid work while preserving the long-established rhythms of indigenous country life.
Sustainability
Enter Projects Asia is proud to have received the ‘Most Sustainable Architecture Practice in Thailand’ award in 2021 from industry magazine, BUILD.
Bio-degradable natural rattan
Grown in abundance across SE Asia
Naturally grown rattan
A truly sustainable material
Rene-Paul van Leeuwen
Design Manager
Rene van Leeuwen joined Enter Projects in 2014 as Design Manager and worked closely with Patrick in what is now the leading Asia Pacific firm. Together with Patrick he creates the design directions and liaises directly with clients and contractors. Being the link between Patrick’s creative mind and the day-to-day office operations, he ensures every project is organised and delivered to the highest standards.
Rene-Paul was born in the hotel business with his family owning and operating three hotels. From a young age he has been involved in the operations, logistics, branding, marketing and design development. Today, these key elements give him experience and knowledge to deliver quality hospitality projects and masterplanning and accommodation services.
As a Design Manager Rene has extensive design and detailing skills across a wide range of projects. He has degrees both as a Technical Engineer and Architect which gives him a unique understanding of the relationship between detail and design. He has a full understanding of concept designing, project lead and documentation.
Working between Phuket, and Japan, he has worked on a variety mix of projects ranging from hospitality, masterplanning, high-rise, residential accommodation, commercial and interior.
Wider Team
Wells Chen
Designer
Manjunath
Engineer
Archana Ramen
Designer
Jamie Monson
Technical
Toey Sot
Fabrication
Kan Phokha
Fabrication
Joe Phokha
Fabrication
Do you want to explain the difference between these two groups of the team and or have a second title or remove.
To review a selection of our work
In-house fabrication
In collaboration with our factory partner, Enter Projects Asia has developed a 300-squaremeter factory on the outskirts of Bangkok.
Six years ago, when Enter Projects Asia commissioned our first largescale rattan project, we struggled to find artisans or a factory to work with. In light of the growing demand for plastic furniture, rattan factories had been closing on mass, almost to the point of extinction.
Since then, in collaboration with our factory partner, we have developed a thriving factory that has grown tenfold and now employs between twenty to sixty traditional artisans at any time, depending on the season and workload.
The factory, whose output is almost exclusively Enter Project Asia’s designs, is equipped with cutting-edge technology and provides a safe and comfortable environment for our skilled workers. There is constant dialogue and a feedback loop between the factory, the craftspeople and ourselves with expertise and knowledge sharing evolving designs and driving collaborative and creative problem-solving.
The majority of Enter Project Asia’s designs are realised through modular, prefabricated sections, which are tested and checked within the factory setting before being shipped to our clients.
In-house fabrication
Originally, it was hard to find a company that would be able to build our designs. Very quickly, we decided to take over the entire production cycle — from design and fabrication to construction
Complex wireframe
Developed in-house
Mr Samran
Traditional Artisan Craftsman
Contractors
Enter Projects Asia’s extended network includes carefully selected third-party contractors.
We have longstanding partners with decades of experience in structural engineering design, lighting design and construction management. They have a deep understanding of our unique way of working and our high-tech file-to-factory approach.
Project Rattan
Our ‘Project Rattan’ initiative focuses on sustainable upgrades, blending local craftsmanship with international design to produce bespoke rattan spaces, lighting and furniture.
At Enter Projects Asia and by extension at Project Rattan, we believe that architecture has the power to shape a better future. Our designs are not merely constructions; they are statements of sustainable living, thoughtful craftsmanship, and cultural respect.
Every project we undertake emphasizes the use of eco-friendly materials and processes, ensuring that our designs harmonize with their surroundings and enhance the well-being of the communities they serve. Our 'Project Rattan' design philosophy is deeply rooted in sustainability, adaptability, and respect for local traditions.
We believe architecture should not only serve functional purposes but also foster a connection between people and their environment. Our meticulous selection and processing of rattan embody this philosophy, reflecting our dedication to traditional Thai craftsmanship. Rattan, abundantly found and sustainably harvested in Thailand, lies at the heart of our creations.
Our designs, crafted by skilled Thai artisans, embody generations of knowledge and expertise. Each piece is not merely functional but also a work of art that tells a story of cultural heritage and innovation.
The use of rattan highlights the beauty and versatility of natural materials while underscoring our commitment to environmental sustainability.
"Sustainability for us comes in three flavors: design performance, arts and crafts & local materials."
Patrick Keane, Director EPA
Project Rattan
Traditional Craftsmanship
Developed through generations
Mr Chitipat Phokha
Traditional Artisan Craftsman
