Architecture Urbanism, New York, NY (2025)

12/15/2024

“Tides of Perspective” by Achiraya Usap at AAD KMITL, Bangkok.

Instructor: Nirav Jhaveri

Redesigning the Old Custom House in Bangkok has been an incredibly rewarding yet challenging journey, especially since I couldn’t visit the site in person. Without being able to physically experience the space, I had to rely on extensive research, site plans, and historical references to fully understand its character. The biggest challenge was translating the concept of water flow and movement into a design that truly reflects its connection to the Chao Phraya River. The curved floor extensions and water-like columns were developed through careful analysis, symbolizing the idea that “different angles reveal different perspectives” without having the advantage of direct observation. Despite the challenges, the project embodies a seamless flow of time and water, uniting the building with the river.

12/02/2024

“The New Cooking Dynamic” by Natchanund Thanaritiroj at AAD KMITL, Bangkok.

Instructor: Sutinee Prongmake

With third places becoming a rarity, a former school within the districts of Bangkok is turned into its first ever cooking community. This adaptive reuse project kick-starts dynamics of novel lifestyle and culinary accommodation.

The site was located amongst shop houses and residential buildings. Prior to the close down of the Covid-19 pandemic, it functions as a school. Since users were mostly children, spaces provided for activities were scaled down. This meant that the pre-existing structure consisted of small divided classrooms with low ceilings. The old building had full passive ventilation and lighting due to a series of windows going parallel with the hallways.

On a walkthrough around the site, there were various minor businesses that cater towards food and beverage. This became the start of conceptual design.

The concept of cooking dynamic was studied to create a sense of activeness, transforming the previous structure into a lively cooking center. Two main keywords derived from this design approach was “linear” and “dynamic”. To move smoothly means to create linear walkways with no obstruction, but also add character to its function as a work space with dynamics.

The ground floor is designed as an open plan, with a cafe occupying the atrium. Both users coming from the north and south wing of the site will firstly see a wide hang out area.

Gradually, the space is divided into exhibitions, studios, cooking zones, and libraries.

In elevation view, the pattern of linear dynamic facade is seen clearer. It completely wraps around the building in one big loop. Throughout the day, this pattern casts a unique shadow on the walls that follow the path of the sun.

11/21/2024

“Odditi” by Natchanund Thanaritiroj at AAD KMITL, Bangkok

Instructor: Nirav Jhaveri

Situated in the heart of heritage tourism of South Korea, Gwanju City. Odditi blends its design ethos of beauty and abstraction which speaks to both traditional style, and the progressing contemporary architecture of South Korea.

Odditi takes the task of representing the beauty of Korean tradition through the form of an arts center. Art sparks a wide spectrum of emotions, it can also be cathartic to some. This is when the word “odd” came into the process of conceptual design curation. The idea of “oddness” was broken down into two main keywords: misplacement and irregularity.

Essentially, this is the process whereby rules are studied before being broken to create oddness in space. This was done through Fibonacci’s golden ratio of proportions. To follow the flow of this new rule, slanted columns were used.

The section shows a ramp leading down into the parking space. Standing above ground at approximately 11 meters tall, Odditi blends into local context where average height of town homes in Gwangju area are at no more than 3 stories tall.

The site section shows connection of outdoor and indoor spaces. With its spiral shape and slanted columns, the long protruding end welcomes visitors through gradual transition of soft to hard landscapes.

A massing of the arts center was done to compare its relations to surrounding site. To blend in context, specific local materials such as volcanic rocks were represented. Sustainable alternatives such as weathering steel was used for the claddings. Unpainted concrete was finishing for the interior to garner full attention to exhibits and art pieces.

Address

New York, NY

Website

https://www.architectureurbanism.com/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Architecture Urbanism posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Architecture Urbanism:

Architecture Urbanism