The Atelier team
We’re a family of designers, trained in architecture, interior design, art history and fine art. Most of us have worked together in other international studios, and we share a collective history of over 50 years experience. Our core strengths include interior design, conceptual design for architecture and landscape, development of custom furniture and lighting, brand concept development, styling, computer rendering and old-school drawing by hand.
We thrive on collaboration with ambitious clients, working together to turn dreams into destinations. With roots in architecture and a passion for learning, our process is research-driven and follows the demands of each project wherever they may lead.
Phillip led projects at three of the world's most celebrated hospitality design firms until 2018. He founded AP on a modern approach to work, the collective passions of his team, and a committment to dialogue with some of the world's most creative clients.
Jurathip, like Phillip, is another Tiger by the zodiac and another architect by training. She is the resident illustrator extraordinaire, comes with a passion for travel, and is someone whose personal design influence can be seen in restaurants, offices and hotels throughout Bangkok.
About AP founder, Phillip Pond
From the start of his career in New York Phillip’s design work is drawn from rich concept narrative, storytelling with the design of buildings and spaces. He was introduced to this approach while working at the rockwellgroup and he followed this way of thinking through his work in exhibition design. It was an assignment in his role with the Wildlife Conservation Society, planning wildlife resorts in Gabon, that led him back to hospitality. This time he dove into resorts and hotels, working with Charlotte Macaux and Daniel Pouzet at Studio CMP in Brooklyn, and then at Yabu Pushelberg. Those international firms introduced him to new concepts in modernism and luxury and trained him in the art of running large international hospitality projects.
At Avro|K0, beginning in 2010, Phillip helped to spearhead the firm’s initial expansion into hotel design (1 Hotel Central Park) and also honed his narrative-driven design approach for food & beverage outlets. Relocating to Thailand as Chief Creative Officer for Avro|K0 2015-2018, Phillip dug into a more broad and complex set of projects, from grand scale luxury retail spaces in Shanghai, to a cozy rooftop bar in Kiev.
Among all of his past work, the Eaton Hotel in Hong Kong, stands out as a lesson in timeless hospitality and real community building. It’s a project with a unique design vocabulary, derived from a sense of place, and with a brand vision that is dynamic, always adapting to the needs and influences of its global group of guests. Since 2020, the lessons learned from Eaton—maintaining a worldwide family united by mindset and mission—have prepared Phillip to navigate today’s challenging landscape of design, business and travel.
Beyond our core team we call on a network of principals, trusted collaborators, who bring additional expertise tailored to the needs of each project.
Atelier Pond hosts an evening of ideas and Thai food with Culinary Task Force maestro, Kenny Lao.
Culinary Task Force
Kenny and Phillip have been friends and collaborators since Kenny’s food trucks roamed the five boros of NYC in the early 2000’s. Their work continues globally today. He and his team bring real world restaurant operations experience to active collaboration with hoteliers, designers, corporate restaurant groups, chefs and F&B undertakings of all forms. He’s relied upon for a wide range of inputs including menu development, restaurant staff training, assessment of existing projects and industry trend forecasting.
culinary task force
Tri-arc Enterprises
Phillip first worked with Suresh and Tri-arc during the Four Seasons Bangkok projects, and he has sought their input with his work in Asia ever since. An ideas-driven kitchen design consultancy, Tri-arc is distinguished in their expert documentation as well as their big picture design thinking. Their headquarters—a ground up building in Bangkok, is a testament to their all around abillity.
Tri-Arc Enterprises
C9 Hotel Works
Bill Barnett and his team of hotel consultants are at the foundation of the hospitality industry in Thailand and the region. Their work brings a totally unique combination of expertise in feasibility study, market analysis and creative ideation around guest experience. They also lead the way in regional sustainability practices working as part of the Phuket Hotels Association and the Tourism Authority of Thailand. Phillip and Bill first met during ideation sessions around the Standard Hotels arrival in Thailand and since then Atelier Pond is fortunate to have been engaged in creative workshops, design projects and development studies as part of the larger C9 family.
C9 hotelworks
Martin Hoontrakul Design
Formerly teammates in Avro|K0 Bangkok, Martin and Phillip have worked together on collaborative design of furniture and lighting since 2015. The AP team looks to Martin for his ongoing development of original pieces. He also brings capability for custom furniture and lighting for projects in Asia and beyond. Notably, among his recent work, the custom fixturing for Four Seasons Bangkok was carried out in part by his shop based on designs by Phillip’s Avro|K0 team.
Blue Salt Restaurants
Shane Giles and his team of restaurant concept and operations experts are key to F&B projects of all scales across Asia. With an eye to branding and strategy and decades of experience with hotel and resort project, Blue Salt ties together the vision of developers with the work of design firms like ours. Shane is a chef by training, and is active with development of his own restaurant brands, including smart casual concepts in Japanese and Cantonese cuisine.
Blue Salt
Who we work with
Our clients, partners and collaborators are globally established industry leaders, emerging talents, dreamers and experts across the many fields that together make up the world of hospitality.
