cultural-mixed-use-rapit

Rapit Suvanajata

C M

ultural / ixed-use

projects

Rapit Suvanajata

Kukrit Institute Client: Kukrit 80 Foundation (www.kukrit-pramoj.org/) 2.5m GBP, Completed (Stage A-L1) 2,700 sqm, Bangkok, 2009-2011 Canopy + Trunks

www.archdaily.com/tag/de%e2%80%90sign-science/

Kukrit Institute celebrates the life and work of a former Prime Minister of Thailand and UNESCO World Historic Important Figure - MR Kukrit Pramoj.

Located in the heart of central business district of Bangkok, the Institute is set to become the new landmark for art and cultural activities.

Project cost calculated in Thai Baht according to local market cost models converted into GBP.

Rapit Suvanajata

Ground fl

Kukrit Institute The design of the Institute takes a distinctive geometry from the concept of space in traditional Thai houses and the culture of architecture as crafts.Parts of the building are spatially linked and yet they are independent units that make the whole.

Setting on a triangular site, the building contains series of exhibition spaces, offices, a library, conference and seminar facilities,food and beverage functions and a 200-seated auditorium Units-Platform The Institute was opened to the public by the Royal Princess of Thailand in April 2011.

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Kukrit Institute

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Kukrit Institute

Library

Auditorium

11

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Kukrit Institute

Elevations have bespoke facades inspired by decorative elements in Thai architecture. These facades provide shade and privacy to the building during the day and become devices reflecting light around the building at night.

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Kukrit Institute

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Kukrit Institute

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Kukrit Institute

Rapit Suvanajata

Kukrit Institute Relational Syntax analysis was carried out during the design process of the Institute to ensure that the locations of key spaces (e.g.spaces 81 and 56) are well placed on the site and well integrated within the building’s own spatial configuration.

This evidence-based method helps architects and clients make wellinformed decisions that engage both the deep structure of space and activities in everyday use of space by relating structure, experience, function and architectural elements to design strategies.

Rapit Suvanajata

1966 oil

2005

2004 2003

2002

Maritime city

2001 1979

1896 1912 1799 1998 1995 1964

Jumeirah mosque

1994 6

20012000 2011 jumeirah lake towers

2002 1978 2007

2003 business bay

2005

1587 1959 international 2003 festival city airport

2010 sports city

1990

2010 the lagoons

2008 2007 2002 silicon oasis 2007 academic city

Dubai Star Tower

2003

Design competition, Exhibition Dubai, 2008

Floor configurations of the tower are informed by memories and places in City of Dubai Project design process informed by a system that shows relationship of historical timeline, important cultural locations and physical context of Dubai city. Arabic art of geometrical ‘star’ pattern is used on tower facade and plans implying medium that binds past, present and future of the city and as symbolic representation of guiding tool in the sky used byArab nomads.

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Dubai Star Tower

Rapit Suvanajata

Dubai Star Tower Stars are the guiding device in the desert; people use stars to rule the land. The locations of important places on land are often related to stars. The Dubai Star Tower relates symbolically and sequentially to the land of Dubai. People are transported through time and history in their journey in the tower taking advantage of corresponding exhibitions on each level and the extraordinary views toward Dubai city, the land governed by its stars.

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Dubai Star Tower

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Dubai Star Tower

Rapit Suvanajata

Thailand Cultural Centre Client: Ministry of Culture, Royal Thai Government Design competition, Official publication Bangkok, 2006

The design responds to national need for a world-class cultural venue. Through organic forms, spatial and geometrical configurations of the design aim to express the nation’s characteristics of peace, nature-loving and festivity. The centre is designed to promote and generate all-day activities in order to revitalise urban environment of the area and the existing cultural centre.

Rapit Suvanajata

Thailand Cultural Centre The New Thailand Cultural Centre comprises two auditoriums, art gallery, library, educational facilities, offices, commercial spaces, amphitheatre and workshops.

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2nd

3rd

Thailand Cultural Centre

5th

D - Library, E - Exhibition, H - Cinema, I - Gateway, J - Art shop/ Office, K - CafĂŠ, P - Data bank, Q - Sound library, R - Backstage, S - Catwalk, V - Restaurant

6-10th

11th

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+17.50 Member facilities Machine rooms

+14.80 Upper circle Research centre

Thailand Cultural Centre

+11.30 Middle circle Library Art gallery

+07.80 Main auditorium Small auditorium Art gallery Library Workshop

+04.30 Main hall Library Exhibition Workshop Cultural plaza

+00.10 Backstage Service/storage Rehearsal fac.

Rapit Suvanajata

Thailand Cultural Centre Wood is used as the main material on the facades and roof of the centre providing friendly and relaxed atmosphere found in traditional Thai architecture. Through time,the centre evolves and matures like a natural setting or a piece of art.

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Thailand Cultural Centre

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Existing buildings

Community Theatre Client: Bangtathane Municipality 150k GBP, Planning permission package (Stage A-H) 160 sqm Supanburi, 2006 The theatre is located in an old floating market and connected to wooden walkways on one side and the river on the other. The theatre occupies a small plot in a row of shophouses along the main thoroughfare in the market. The character of the theatre was inspired by local design of shophouse and pier construction techniques. The materials used in the theatre are also inspired by what is used in shops and houses in the market. The site is flooded during the rainy season and the theatre can be reached from the canal by boats. It becomes a meeting point and the gateway of the community.

Project cost calculated in Thai Baht according to local market cost models converted into GBP.

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existing structure

existing structure

walkway

existing structure

existing structure

Community Theatre

seating area

seating area

seating area

stage area

stage area

River

Rapit Suvanajata

Hardwood shingles 200 x 600 x 25 mm

Seating area level Market walkway level

Wall details

Community Theatre

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Community Theatre The theatre incorporates three main types of structure: steel trusses on the roof, wood panels with metal struts for the walls and floor and precast piles.

This small theatre is in a fresh market next to a canal where only pre-cast RC piles can be manually transported to the site, are used for theatre foundations. A pile is driven down 12 metres in the ground by three men using traditional tools. Columns are cast on site and rise to support steel beams under the theatre’s wooden floor. Prefabricated theatre walls are attached to steel columns that support a lean-to roof.

Construction process

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Community Theatre

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Top of the roof level

Steel frame Roof beam level Steel truss Aluminium cladding Aluminium frame @ 1.00 m.

Aluminium cable Aluminium frame grid system (200 x 600 mm) Hardwood shingles 200 x 600 x 25 mm

Roof section

Steel frame Steel truss (refer to structural engineering dwg) Steel frame C profile @ 1.00 m.

Aluminium frame grid system (200 x 600 mm) Aluminium cladding Roof beam level

Community Theatre

Ceiling level

Steel frame C profile @ 1.00 m.

Hardwood shingles 200 x 600 x 25 mm RC column 300 x 300 mm

Stage area level See detail A

Seating area level

Typical section

Rapit Suvanajata

Spatial strategy: Inside-Out/Outside-In

Bermondsey Project Client: Crisis (www.crisis.org.uk) undisclosed budget (Stage A-D) 140 sqm February-May 2012, London

The design of the frontage, lobby and circulation space (the Gallery) on the ground floor of the Bermondsey Project promotes and communicates a clear and strong spatial and visual linkage from outside the building to the back of the building where the main stairs leading to other parts of the project is located.

Silhouettes of rows of terraced houses, 'Streetscape', commonly seen in many parts of London, are used as visual clues linking space in front of the building to the lobby space and to the main stairs at the end of the Gallery.

www.crisis.org.uk/pages/bermondsey.html

Partnered with Architecture for Humanity London and Crisis charity, the design brings a dilapidated warehouse in East London to life as space for artists and homeless people.

Rapit Suvanajata

Bermondsey Project Public involvement The designs of the frontage, lobby and the Gallery work together to provide a strong visual attraction and induce further public involvement.The red walls serve as information/ announcement/ exhibition spaces that extend to the space outside of the building giving visitors an access/ introduction to what the project is about. Made with plywood or MDF boards, the walls of Streetscape are economical, quick to build, easy to maintain and suitable for public use.The scheme suggests using twinwall polycarbonate sheets for the internal suspended ceilings. Lighting can be incorporated into the walls and ceilings to illuminate the planes and/or provide spotlights for exhibitions. One low-rise steplift is also integrated into the wall in front of the building.

Rapit Suvanajata

Bermondsey Project

Inside-Out

Find theWay Home The Streetscape presents a familiar image of home and a welcoming notion of the organisations involved in the Bermondsey Project. Once inside the building,the Streetscape concept is used on both walls and ceilings to define the space, lead the circulation and align visual directions. The current proposal features a colour scheme of red walls and dark yellow ceilings based on the colour scheme of Crisis brand.

Outside-In

Rapit Suvanajata Architects Council of Thailand Association of Siamese Architects,Thailand Architect Registration Board, UK Royal Institute of British Architects, UK Fellow, Higher Education Academy, UK Institute for Sustainability, UK PhD (Design strategies, Bartlett, London) M.Arch (Pratt Institute, New York) B.Arch (Chulalongkorn, Bangkok)

dssrapit@gmail.com