WATG has completed the landmark renovation of Lagen Island Resort, El Nido in collaboration with Ayala Land Hospitality.
Set across six hectares on the northwestern tip of Palawan in The Philippines, the private island retreat comprises 42 water villas and forest rooms, as well as a waterfront arrival hall, clubhouse, spa, sunset bar, dive centre and chapel.
Spanning advisory, architecture and interiors, WATG’s multifaceted sustainable approach is rooted in authentic cultural design narratives and the island’s topography to support regenerative tourism. For example, the resort’s architecture has been opened up for increased integration with the landscape, and many of the former resort buildings have been retained to reduce environmental impact and protect biodiversity.
Beyond structural conservation, the firm has also explored ways to ensure material reuse beyond structural conservation, such as repurposing existing nara wood flooring as feature wall panelling. “Our revitalisation of Lagen Island Resort was guided by the island’s extraordinary natural setting and rich local craftsmanship and history,” concludes Chiara Calufetti-Lim, Principal & Studio Director of Architecture, WATG. “Our team developed a cohesive design narrative that both preserves and advances – preserving existing structures, enhancing the design with local materials and craft traditions, while advancing towards more regenerative vision of hospitality.”
Wimberly Interiors has crafted spaces that celebrate locally sourced materials, as well as Filipino heritage and craftsmanship. Inspired by the region’s traditional Paraw boats, the arrival hall, which also doubles as a dining destination, is adorned with hand-carved wood and ceramic beadwork that echo the geometric rhythms of Sawali patterns. Meanwhile, the redesigned Clubhouse embraces alfresco charm with a darker, grounding palette and a feature bar counter, inspired by Palawan’s terracotta pottery.
Continuing the resort’s dialogue with nature, the Water Villas feature sunken lounge seating, staggered window openings and strategic screening to enhance privacy while enhancing the connection to the water. Contrastingly, the Forest Rooms are characterised by timber tones and deep greens create a seamless dialogue with the surrounding ancient trees. Yet both accommodation categories incorporate woven textures and finely crafted woodwork that pays homage to Filipino artistry.
Architectural references to traditional housing are also reinterpreted through wall treatments and partitions inspired by vernacular forms, while indigenous motifs from local peoples subtly thread through the interiors, grounding the space in the cultural heritage of the Philippines.
Occupying a beachfront pavilion, the sunset bar features a material palette that reflects the warm hues of dusk, while woven details in the furniture celebrate Palawan’s artisanal heritage. Similarly, the spa is designed to embrace its location, which guests reach via elevated pathways to preserve the forest floor.
“Our approach to the resort interiors is rooted in a deep reverence for the land and the traditions that have shaped it,” says Paolo De Simone, Creative Director of Wimberly Interiors. “Guided by a contemporary vision yet grounded in local design heritage, each space is imagined as a quiet dialogue between past and present. By weaving the work of local craftspeople into the fabric of the resort, every detail carries the imprint of places: stories told through texture material and artistry.”
