Meet the Designers by Stephanie Roy

The Design Edition JULY 2010 ISSUE 73

Creating the Spaces of Life Meet the Designers Design 507

y inspiration to become an architect gradually developed from my childhood. I was born into an architecture family as my father, Mr. Preecha is an architect who had been working in the Siam Cement Group more than 30 years and continues to practice the profession up until today. Our family traveled to many places growing up and my dad used these opportunities to let me, my brother and my sister learn about the arts. He taught us to sketch, to think about philosophy, to question ourselves and I absorbed all of these things.

Peeti Sastrawaha Design 507 Managing Director Office Tower, Yangon, Myanmar

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Design 507 is our family’s house address. In 1991, my dad resigned from SCG to establish a property management firm with his friends called EK Realty Co.,Ltd. He also wanted to create a family friendly firm that could support the design services of EK as well as other clients. From that he established Architect507 (a former name of Design 507) with me. We wanted to create a firm that provided excellent design and responsive services in sync with project marketing to achieve a balanced combination of business and art. As my dad gradually retires, I then take responsibility as the managing director. My job is to manage all projects, to create design philosophies for projects, develop designs with my team and to coordinate with clients, consultants and constructions teams.

Nira Lahari Resort, India What I love most about my job is when I see my design is completed. I always remember my client’s first time using the buildings I designed and their feelings of happiness. If I could design anything in the world that I wanted I would design a Pyramid. I want to know how ancient technology and astronomy match in one pure form. I have recently worked on several hotels and resort designs for Thailand, Myanmar and India. The concept of each project is derived from local culture and architectural style. www.design507.com Samudra Retreat Resort, Hua Hin, Thailand

My design philosophy is our office’s motto, “We see architecture as the art of designing the human experience”. This experience is conveyed through its space, form, detail and nature.

because the magnitude of the project expresses the pride and ego of humans that drive through the development of modern construction and technology. Locally, I’d rather say Samudra Hua Hin Hotel and Resort because it expresses a symphony of modern design with nature through planning and materials.

A few of Design 507’s most notable projects include the Aureum Palace Hotel in Bagan,w Myanmar since many people recognize us and its architecture that blends with the surroundings quite seamlessly. I am overwhelmed by the Burj Kalifa Tower in Dubai

Architecture fascinates me because it is a dynamic profession. We can’t stop thinking, researching and developing ourselves. It is also wonderful since it makes a dream on paper come true. Architecture not only designs a house, but it designs a life.

Aureum Palace Hotel, Bagan, Myanmar

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The Design Edition JULY 2010 ISSUE 73

Spacetime Architecture & Interior Design

became an architect because before I even knew what architecture was, the environment and our surroundings have always been significant to my senses and me. Therefore, I have always paid attention to it. I chose to study interior design and architecture because it would allow me to spend most of my time “paying attention” to the very thing that is already my nature. I believe that nature will help carry me through my life and a more meaningful way. Spacetime came about when I founded it in 2004. Because I wanted to have the freedom to set the course of my own life and to take complete responsibility for all my dreams, decisions and consequences. I founded it, own it, run it, facilitate it and take responsibility for it.

The Sukhothai Residences Some of Spacetime’s most notable projects are the P-cube House, a weekend home by the sea in Pranburi, which received the Award of Excellence in 2006 by the Association of Siamese Architects (ASA); the 3 Parallel House in Nonthaburi; the “Shared House” at the Commune by the Great Wall project north of Beijing, currently used as a boutique hotel run by Kempenski; and the Ogilvy office, a new office for a giant player in the advertising field. House U3, P-cube House, Ogilvy office, Pace Development office and the new center for ASA are some of our most memorable projects.

Parallel House

Photo by : Pongpon Yuttharat

What fascinates me most about architecture is that making serious architecture can start a series of questions that take you through all the things that you should know and need about life. The study of architecture, of different cultures, places and time pries open the depth of the human being in a fascinating way that enables us to begin to understand who we are and why we are here. The Sukhothai Residences

House U3

Photo by : Skyline Studio

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ASA Center

Photo by : Pongpon Yuttharat

What I love most about my job are the new discoveries everyday and being able to give our clients what they ask for.

Spacetime’s design philosophy can be summed up by the following examples: • The sign at our door says “Take off your ego but shoes are welcome”. • Our name Spacetime can be translated into Thai as “ka-la-te-sa”, which means “Doing the right thing at the right time”. • Our motto is “Be truly useful to ourselves, to others and to all beings” • Contradictory to how architectural schools of many generations have tried to teach us, we have come to understand that “Goodness is over greatness” and “Compassion is over passion” • Friendship + Idealism = Energy + Bravery”

If I could design anything in the world that I wanted, since “Compassion is over Passion” and “Goodness is over Greatness”, we don’t’ really think in these terms. But we do prefer to work with people who have compassion and goodness. I am currently working on environmental friendly private houses, projects using bamboo as main construction materials and setting new benchmarks for the interior of an urban hotel project. www.spacetime.co.th Kanika Ratanapridakul Spacetime Architecture & Interior Design Owner, Founder

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The Design Edition JULY 2010 ISSUE 73

BED Supperclub

Orbit Design Studio

good. As a project coordinator, it is important that I notice these things.

y career in Interior Design began at the School of Visual Arts in New York City (SVA). I studied interior design and later worked for a year in NYC designing restaurants, clubs and events. It was very exciting and very tiring, as I worked about 60-80 hours a week. I eventually made my way back to Thailand and I’ve been working in Bangkok for the last four years.

Notable projects of Orbit’s include BED Supperclub, Longtable and the Sound in Phuket. A lot of our projects are private corporate clients. International wise, we do a lot of work in London and other European countries. Umami restaurant, which is in Copenhagen. We also do all the duty-free Johnny Walker stands for Diageo in addition to other brands.

I discovered Orbit while networking and making connections around the city after moving back from New York. I met both the design director and general manager a few weeks after, but I had already accepted another position at a different firm. It seemed that from meeting them, it would have been more valuable to them if I had more experience and knew the town and my craft a little bit more.

Exterior Whiteroom

Orbit is a multi-disciplinary design firm. We do interior, architecture, product design and graphic design. It’s a good place to work because the bosses make it fun and create an environment where everyone is comfortable and where creativity can flourish. Our creative director is very good at interpreting ideas and trying to find his middle ground and yet let the designers who work with him feel that they are a part of the project as well. This is quite an important aspect in a creative job such as this one. I work at Orbit as an intermediate designer. Most of the projects that I work on, I do more of the coordination and sort of go between the designers. I recently got certified for LEED GA, which is Leadership in Engineering and Environmental Design Green Associate. My concentration is to police projects so that we make the least impact on the environment and that we provide the best interior environment for the people coming in. We want to be the leader in the green design trend that is happening, as we recognize that is

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Longtable Longtable

Wowdow Poochareon (Jane) Orbit Design Interior Designer LEED GA

One of my most memorable projects would have to be a recent USAID project. It was the first one that we finished in Thailand for commercial interior LEED certification. We are quite proud and hoping it is going to be a trend in Thailand. My first project ever was the Buddha Bar in New York City and it was very memorable. What fascinates me about architecture is the way that is affects everyone involved. The owners, designers and contractors must follow the same vision and direction to get to one specific destination. I don’t necessarily stick to a particular design philosophy but what I have is more of a designer’s conduct, which is to always update myself. I always keep my eyes open to see what is new. Design is something you must continuously study. What I love most about my job is the flexibility that comes with creative professions. You can apply what we do to everything in life. I like being a creative person more than being a designer.

Sound, Phuket

If I could design anything in the world I would like to do a resort that is complete with spas and restaurants and rooms. You have entertainment but also a residential feel. I think it would be a good project. www.orbitdesignstudio.com

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