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Sumit Singhal
Sumit Singhal
Sumit Singhal loves modern architecture. He comes from a family of builders who have built more than 20 projects in the last ten years near Delhi in India. He has recently started writing about the architectural projects that catch his imagination.

Naiipa Art Complex in Bangkok, Thailand by Stu/D/O Architects

 
July 31st, 2018 by Sumit Singhal

Article source: stu/D/O Architects

Naiipa (Literally means ‘Deep in the Forest’) is a mixed use project consisted of an Art Gallery, Sound Recording Studio, Dance Studio, Restaurants, Coffee Shops, and Office Spaces. It is located on Sukhumvit 46, a small street that connects Rama 4 road to Phrakanong BTS Station on Sukhumvit road. The project is named after the concept of concealing the architecture in the forest as the vision of greenery is expanded by using reflective glass all around.

Upon arrival, visitors are greeted with the project’s main feature and driving force in design, a groups of large, pre-existing trees in its center. From the very beginning, the goal of Naiipa has been to create architecture that seamlessly co-exist with the trees, providing a peaceful and inspiring art community for both its occupants and visitors.

Image Courtesy © Pirak Anurakyawachon

  • Architects: Stu/D/O Architects
  • Project: Naiipa Art Complex
  • Location: Bangkok, Thailand
  • Photography: Pirak Anurakyawachon
  • Client: G’RIS 46
  • Team: Apichart Srirojanapinyo, Chanasit Cholasuek, Adrian Smiths, Chompunuch Vanichayanguranon, Pitchaya Kointarangkul
  • Landscape Architect: Field Landscape Studio
  • Lighting Designer: Siriluck Chinsaengchai
  • Identity Designer: KK Rakitawan

Image Courtesy © Pirak Anurakyawachon

  • Structural Engineer: B.N.G. Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineer: MEE Consultants
  • Consultants: Chanin Limapornvanich
  • Contractor: Sittanant
  • Construction Cost: 70M baht
  • Site Area: 1,200 sqm.
  • Built Area: 2,400 sqm.
  • Design: 2012
  • Completion: 2016

Image Courtesy © Pirak Anurakyawachon

Image Courtesy © Pirak Anurakyawachon

In order to fulfill the 2,000-square-meter office and retail programmatic requirement of the project, the main functions are divided into two to main masses which bounded the site, leaving the main tree courtyard as a free open space.  Building A was designed to be an elongated 2-story horizontal building, allowing sunlight to reach the existing Pink Trumpet Tree, preserving its growth while creating an atmospheric courtyard for the building’s occupant.  To contrast the horizontal form of Building A, Building B is a vertically orientated 4-story building.  The two main masses are then connected together by multi-level sculptural terraces that intertwine itself between the existing trees, leaving all the trees untouched.

Image Courtesy © Pirak Anurakyawachon

Image Courtesy © Pirak Anurakyawachon

The structural design for the project was also executed in respect and consideration to the existing trees.  The two main buildings are constructed with typical concrete structure in order to maintain the structural integrity of the function areas.  Meanwhile, in the central open space area where the trees mostly congregate, steel structures were introduced.  The shift in structural system is due to the building’s close proximity to the greenery, where the use of mortar could damage the existing trees, thus by using steel structure, the risk of contamination is reduced.  In addition, steel structure provides more flexibility in navigating the construction around the expanding tree branches.

Image Courtesy © Pirak Anurakyawachon

Image Courtesy © Pirak Anurakyawachon

Three different types of glazing: reflective, translucent, and transparent, along with the rhythmic folding pattern of the façade, are utilized to link the architecture to the surrounding urban context conditions, as it gradually transforms the architecture and finally vanishes into nature.  The east façade, which faces the street, is a translucent double façade, helping to filter and reduce heat flowing into the building.  Furthermore, as the translucent façade moves towards the entrance, its smooth surface begins to fold, alluding to the forest within, as the pattern mimics the dancing shadows casted by sunlight as it filters through the tree canopies.  Once inside, the inner architectural façade and the floating “Bird Nest” Gallery cladded in reflective glass seems to dissolve and disappear amongst the trees.  It is this effect of being completely surrounded by trees that which evokes the feeling of truly being Naiipa.

Image Courtesy © Pirak Anurakyawachon

Image Courtesy © Pirak Anurakyawachon

Image Courtesy © Pirak Anurakyawachon

Image Courtesy © Pirak Anurakyawachon

Image Courtesy © Pirak Anurakyawachon

Image Courtesy © Pirak Anurakyawachon

Image Courtesy © Pirak Anurakyawachon

Image Courtesy © Pirak Anurakyawachon

Image Courtesy © Pirak Anurakyawachon

Image Courtesy © Pirak Anurakyawachon

Image Courtesy © Pirak Anurakyawachon

Image Courtesy © Stu/D/O Architects

Image Courtesy © Stu/D/O Architects

Image Courtesy © Stu/D/O Architects

Image Courtesy © Stu/D/O Architects

Image Courtesy © Stu/D/O Architects

Image Courtesy © Stu/D/O Architects

Tags: ,

Categories: Art Gallery, Art Studio, Cafe, complex, Dance Center, Mixed use, Office space, Offices, Restaurant, Retail, Shop




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