Phuket’s World Class Creative Mad Metal Men

The Underwood Art Factory with its crazy, cool, innovative metal sculptures and fabrication is one of the island’s best global exports to some of the leading design hotels around the globe.

Founder John Underwood’s long-term work with renowned design guru Bill Bensley has seen his work showcased in countless iconic locations and properties.

The Underwood Art Factory has grown into producing prefab boutique design villa hotels like the unique Treehouse Villas in Koh Yao Noi and is set to expand that business line.

On center stage now is the second generation of the Underwood family Zac, who is helping evolve the group and working on new ideas and projects far afield.

Another great showcase for Underwood is their eatery at the entrance of the factory, called The Grind Cafe. If you need some inspiration, this is the place to go.

Too often Phuket is pigeon-holed as a sun-soaked hedonistic tourism destination but it’s good to reflect how innovators like John Underwood, tech start-up Agoda and uber-luxury hotel brands Aman and Banyan Tree all started on this small island.

Watch our recent conversation with Zac Underwood and get a glimpse inside the Underwood Art Factory as part of C9 Hotelworks and Delivering Asia Communications Thai road trip: