Credit: Department of Architecture, The Commons
Category: Shopping
Company: Department of Architecture, www.departmentofarchitecture.co.th
Location: The Commons, Thonglor Soi 17, Bangkok, www.thecommonsbkk.com
Our beloved food-centric community mall has been shortlisted in the Shopping category for its contemporary mix of concrete and glass. The Commons’ large ramps gently lead street-level human traffic to the upper floors, and a massive atrium with industrial fans offers not only protection from the sun and rain but unimpeded views from the basement to the “Top Yard,” on the fourth floor. The food is pretty good, too—read our full guide.
Credit: The Naka Phuket
Category: Hotels
Company: Duangrit Bunnag Architect, dbalp.com
Location: The Naka hotel, Phuket www.thenakaphuket.com
The recipient of a gold award at last year's ARCASIA Awards, The Naka Phuket is a great example of how modern architecture can be made to blend impeccably with nature. Designed by Thai starchitect Duangrit Bunnag of DBALP, the stunning villas are perched on the hilltop between Kamala and Patong beaches where they provide unobstructed views of the ocean through floor-to-ceiling windows.
Credit: Spaceshift Studio
Category: Schools
Company: Vin Varavarn Architects, www.fb.com/VinVaravarnArchitectsLimited
Location: Chiang Rai
Non-profit research and design initiative Design for Disasters (D4D) has worked with nine Thai architects to build earthquake-resistant school buildings. One of those, Vin Varavarn Architects, is behind the Por Dee Por Dee building at Baan Huay Sarn Yaw School, Chiang Rai, which was greatly affected by an earthquake in 2014. The naturally-ventilated metal structure boasts a high, partially-translucent roof that also incorporates bamboo sheets (easily sourced locally). The whole structure is raised on steel stilts that lend stability on the sloped site. The model of Baan Huay Sarn Yaw is also showing at Venice Biennale 2016 till Nov 27.
Credit: Spaceshift Studio
Category: Landscape
Company: TROP : terrains + open space, www.troplandscape.com
Location: Ad Lib Hotel, Bangkok, www.adlibbangkok.com
Sukhumvit Soi 1's Ad Lib Hotel is an unexpected natural sancturary in the center of Bangkok, thanks largely to the landscape design of local firm TROP : terrains + open space. Approaching the hotel, which recently hosted the popular Hotel Art Fair, you're greeted by giant trees and dense liana, while elsewhere vertical gardens bring a delightful sense of calm.
Credit: Shma SoEn
Category: Masterplanning - Future Projects
Company: Shma SoEn, www.fb.com/shma.so.en
Location: Thailand Creative & Design Center (TCDC) at General Post Office, Bangkok, www.fb.com/CoCreateCharoenkrung
Probably the most exciting project happening in Bangkok right now seeks to revamp the old-school Charoenkrung area into a creative district. Initiated by Thailand Creative & Design Center (TCDC), which will relocate there soon, the project is designed by Shma Soen together with TU Design School, and also boasts the support of Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth). The project will completely remodel the space on the riverfront behind the General Post Office into a public area for a variety of shared uses.
World Architecture Festival will be held on Nov 16-18 at Arena Berlin, Germany. See the full shortlist here: www.worldarchitecturefestival.com/2016-shortlist
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