Thai architects vie for international honours

Thai architecture can feel anonymous and banal — but then maybe we don’t look close enough. The design scene has its share of clever, outstanding or unusual architecture and emphasis on material, location and the environment.

The World Architecture Festival — one of the largest international gatherings of architects — has announced its 2016 shortlist for outstanding buildings. Among over 300 finalists in 32 categories, were five Thai companies who have made into the final list in different categories.

The World Architecture Festival Awards, founded in 2008, attracts professionals across the globe to submit their masterpieces to win top honours.

Representatives from the five Thai companies will have to give their final presentation in Berlin in November before the winner will be announced.

Category: Landscape Company: TROP: terrains + open space

Before Sukhumvit 1’s Ad Lib Hotel transformed itself into a green oasis, it used to be just plain concrete townhouses within an arid environment. TROP, an exterior architect company that is responsible for this project’s exterior was assigned the duty to brighten up the area.

“We think scenery is one of the most important factors for the hotel. But there was hardly anything here except the ficus tree that stands elegantly at the hotel’s entrance,” explained Pok Kobkongsanti of TROP: terrains + open space. “Instead of cutting it down during the renovating process, we decided to keep it and turned it into the hotel’s prominent feature as well as creating an urban oasis for this neighbourhood.”

The concept was not only to create a pleasant environment, but also to use greenery for reducing heat.

He added that each guestroom doesn’t offer much of a view, so a canopy is used to cover the façade to provide guests with a more environmentally-friendly atmosphere.

The restaurant which was built between the hotel’s two buildings also applied the green concept. Trees were planted along the building creating a semi-outdoor deck.

Category: Schools – Completed Buildings Company: Vin Varavarn Architects

The stylish Por dee Por dee building at Baan Huay Sarn Yaw designed by Vin Varavarn Architects is a great achievement by the Hong Rean Por Dee Por Dee Project, which aims to support nine schools in Chiang Rai that were affected from an earthquake in 2014. The project was initiated by the non-profit research and design initiative Design for Disasters (D4D).

“The basic requirement is that it has to be earthquake resistant,” said ML Varudh Varavarn of Vin Varavarn Architects. “We picked steel for the main structure to increase stability while other materials are lightweight such as fibre cement board and transparent resin roofing.”

Local materials like bamboo have been utilised in many parts. For instance, to cover the metal sheet in order to reduce noise pollution and heat, to make rain gutters, and to build flower pot shelves surround the building.

“We wanted to build not only standard classrooms but to create a nice, friendly and secure environment so that it would help alleviate students from bad experiences from the disaster as well as encouraging them to come to school without worrying much about what happened.”

As the building is on a hill, one side of it is attached to the land, while another side has been elevated above the ground. Space under the building can be utilised for students to conduct activities.

The Commons, Bangkok

Category: Shopping – Completed Buildings Company: Department of Architecture

Among the highly competitive commercial area of Thong Lor, the community mall The Commons aims to be the neighbourhood’s backyard. Instead of packing it with franchise stores, The Commons presents shops with passionate owners and allocates some space for common grounds where anyone can freely hang out enjoying choice activities.

“I like the owners’ concept and was really excited to jump into the project,” said Amata Luphaiboon of the Department of Architecture.

With this challenging brief, Amata realised that ventilation is of utmost importance as people would spend time outdoors. “Bangkok’s heat and unpredictable rain can be an obstacle for an outdoor setting, so that’s our challenge. We selected ‘the atrium’ design in order to ease wind flow. On the skylight, roof fans were installed. Some absorb heat while others blow a cool breeze.”

Apart from the common area, each shop is specifically designed to fit each shop owner’s requirements as the architects and the shop owners worked together in almost every phase of development.

The Naka Phuket, Phuket

Category: Hotel & Leisure – Completed Buildings Company: DBALP

Located between Kamala and Patong beaches, The Naka Phuket gives priority to scenery.

“We were very lucky that the owner gave us so much freedom for this project,” said Duangrit Bunnag of DBALP. “Basically, we work with the location. We surveyed the area on foot and figured out that the hotel should be built in the form of villas.”

The position of each building was carefully placed in a space that would not block the view of the others. Every room contains floor-to-ceiling glass windows to ensure that guests can experience the best scenery right from their rooms.

The modern-looked villas focus on using natural materials like authentic wood and stone, which blend nicely with the surroundings.

Co-Create Charoen Krung, Bangkok

Category: Masterplanning Future – Future Projects Company: Shma SoEn

It is perhaps one of the most popular projects that has been in the public eye. The neighbourhood of Charoen Krung fuses modern lifestyle with its rich history, and design is part of its transformation.

Initiated by Thailand Creative & Design Centre (TCDC), Co-Create is a new space that will highlight the idea of Charoen Krung as a “creative hub”.

“Right from the beginning, we conducted interviews with all stakeholders such as entrepreneurs, locals, government sectors and travellers to gather diverse opinions about Charoen Krung,” said Prapan Napawongdee of design firm Shma SoEn

The common desire of all stakeholders was to improve the infrastructure and footpaths to provide easier access to public transportation, to restore abandoned buildings into places for recreational activities and to add more green space to the area.

“We also tested plans by implementing what we have on the blueprint. For example, we put a garden in front of the Grand Post Office [a landmark in the area] for a short period of time to see how people reacted to it. This was to get a glimpse into what it would be like in reality and to see what to add or remove or fix,” Prapan said.

This source first appeared on Bangkok Post Lifestyle.