Aqua Mekong Scoops Gold at Asia’s 2015 Hotel Design Awards

The stunning Aqua Mekong, launched in October 2014 by Aqua Expeditions and designed by David Hodkinson and Luc Lejeune of Saigon-based architectural firm, Noor Design, has received a Gold Award in the March 2015 Architecture, New Build category at Asia’s inaugural Asia Hotel Design Awards hosted by Sleeper Magazine.

The prestigious award was presented in conjunction with Singapore Design Week, which brings together a collection of local and international design experts and talent in Singapore. With judges from the world’s leading hotel companies, architectural practices and interior design firms, the Asia Hotel Design Awards honored winners in 12 categories from a shortlist of 48 impressive projects across the Asia Pacific region.

For the design of the Aqua Mekong, Hodkinson and Lejeune integrated their aesthetic and technical understanding about Southeast Asia’s indigenous and traditional materials, developing a high-end, modern design that fits contextually into its environment and communicates the incredible attention to detail for which Aqua Expeditions is celebrated.  The Aqua Mekong is the pinnacle of luxury cruise excellence.

Measuring 62.4 meters (205 feet) in length, the Aqua Mekong has 20 outward-facing design suites each measuring 30 square meters/322 sq. ft., featuring floor-to-ceiling windows providing guests with the ultimate scenic experience as the boat cruises along the Mekong River.

David Hodkinson, Design Director from Noor Design, said “Winning an award at the Asia Hotel Design Awards is testament to the hard work that went into the design of the Aqua Mekong. As a finalist in this category, we were alongside many world-renowned brands and we are delighted to have received such recognition.”

Francesco Galli Zugaro, CEO and Founder of Aqua Expeditions said, “We are thrilled to be a winner of the 2015 Asia Hotel Design Awards in the Architecture, New Build category. The finalists of the Asia Hotel Design Awards reveal a cross-section of talent and design throughout the hotel industry and we are honored to be among such great company.”