Aluminum Grotto and Public Ground Installation | HAS design and research

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Aluminum Grotto and Public Ground are ingenious, dignified architectural creations that combine three-dimensionality in the interior, strength in the structure, and artisanal elements in the facade. They were specially commissioned to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the Association of Siamese Architects under Royal Patronage. This work was driven by S-ONE Group, Thailand’s aluminum company, with KIN, the highly renowned Thai architectural firm that leads creative insight in design, HAS Design, and Research.

Hung and Songkittipakdee conceived this building as a tribute not only to Thailand being the leading manufacturer of metals in Southeast Asia but also as a public space, specifically for relaxation, during the ASA 90th Anniversary Architect Expo. They provide free participation in public learning activities, art exchange, and educational lectures; therefore, non-profitable service provision. After several hard-hitting lectures and a complete understanding of the project, the client agreed to the philosophy of HAS Design and Research founders Jenchieh Hung and Kulthida Songkittipakdee. This ensured that the Aluminum Grotto and Public Ground is not only an info center with free public access and without any commercial operations and promotion but also focuses only on the exchange of ideas and education.

Building on this brief, HAS Design and Research worked on a new design concept to realize a valley-like grotto to show a natural atmosphere inside the busy and crowded exposition. The Aluminum Grotto and Public Ground pay respect to historic times when Thai communities lived in unison with natural landscapes and do their part to help resolve the current problem of the epidemic lack of green open spaces within Bangkok. With an average of 6.99 square meters per capita, way below the recommended 9 square meters by the World Health Organization, the project is to provide a crucial oasis for the urban dweller.

In normal conditions, the raised building creates an extended open space underneath that beautifies the “gray space,” thus attracting more people and effortlessly merging the inside and outside spaces. Therefore, this way, it becomes respectful toward the multifunctional “Tai toon” spaces in the stilt houses of traditional Thai architecture. The natural light filters through the grotto-like space for special occasions, furthering functional roles of education and learning, forums, etc., bathing in a ceremonial feel for such activities, and providing a different sensory journey.

Isometric Diagram 02

The Aluminum Grotto and Public Ground is a hundreds-of-thousands-of-piece, uniquely sized aluminum rod, creating a skin seamlessly with the space, the space with the structure, and its diverse functions, otherwise called Total-ness Design. Each of these rods, cut and fitted by masters of craftsman skills, mirrors the art of intricacy so profoundly reflected in Thai temples. This innovation brought together tradition and the future in fast-paced industrial progress by encouraging Thai communities to rediscover the value of local craftsmanship.

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