Fern Paradise is the amazing idea of a Thai architect, Dr. Niwat. His vision was to transform this site, just outside the city, into a lush oasis where travelers can stay and relax in a beautiful environment. He acquired the site and then started to acquire rice barns from surrounding farms that were disposing of them. After deconstructing the barns, they were transported to Fern Paradise, reconstructed on the property and then designed to serve as individual guest houses. Upon arrival, you feel as though you have been transported into a lush tropical rain forest. Everything here has been well thought out and designed with a purpose. Everywhere you look there are subtle details that add to the experience. We was fortunate to have a private tour of the property with Dr. Niwat in which he explained his design of Fern Paradise and his passion for ferns.
Dr. Niwat has an enclosed area where he keeps his most mature and stunning ferns. The first viewing was at night and had a very mysterious feel.
The region in which Chiang Mai is located has the perfect climate for ferns, according to Dr. Niwat: the perfect combination of sun, moisture and temperature.
The Fern Paradise nursery is very extensive: you will find ferns growing in various stages from spore to adult sporophyte.
The enclosed area during the day.
Light Fixture at Fern Paradise.
Fern detail.
A very inventive use of moss as a light shade. These lights emitted an incredible glow throughout the outdoor dining area.
Fern growing off of tree outside our rice barn.
The picture Dr. Niwat is holding is the King and Queen of Thailand next to a water wheel. He found this picture and was inspired to build his own water wheel to irrigate the property. These days sustainability has become a buzzword in landscape architecture and the Doctor is certainly a prime example of an innovator of sustainable design.
The Fern Paradise nursery is very extensive: you will find ferns growing in various stages from spore to adult sporophyte.
Fern Paradise contains all 18 species of ferns, a fact that the doctor is very proud of. I especially enjoyed hearing his stories of how he acquired some of them.
The "Fern Doc" teaching me about the life cycle of ferns.
The enclosed area during the day.
Light Fixture at Fern Paradise.
Fern detail.
A very inventive use of moss as a light shade. These lights emitted an incredible glow throughout the outdoor dining area.
Fern growing off of tree outside our rice barn.
The picture Dr. Niwat is holding is the King and Queen of Thailand next to a water wheel. He found this picture and was inspired to build his own water wheel to irrigate the property. These days sustainability has become a buzzword in landscape architecture and the Doctor is certainly a prime example of an innovator of sustainable design.
Unfortunately, we had to leave before seeing the water wheel fully operational.
The view out to the courtyard from our rice barn.
The rice barn in Thai culture is an icon. It is great to see how Dr. Niwat has taken these original structures and transformed them into another usable piece of architecture. Instead of building new guest cottages to mimic rice barns, he has linked the past in a truly special way.
The interior of our rice barn.
The interior of our rice barn.
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