The Bridgestone Pavilion aims to communicate the company’s commitments in manufacturing, investment and knowledge. With emphasis on showcasing new technologies, Architectkidd had the opportunity to implement some unique design approaches for the building.

The design for the Bridgestone Pavilion has received interest from not only the automotive industry but also eco-design and building sectors as well. Please see here for an article in Inhabitat, as well as the Contemporist.

For more information about the design of the building structure, please see our description here.

Our collaboration with Bridgestone led to the use of polymers throughout the building.  For more information about the building envelope, please see here.

The BOI Fair is open to the public from January 5 to 20. For the Bridgestone Pavilion project summary and entire design team credits, please see here.

Liquid Polyurethane:

Liquid PU was one of the materials that we were initially interested in. We were intrigued by the possibility of achieving a fully “sprayed-on” building, as well as rapid installation and unique finishing (with the liquid PU curing over the substrate such as metal, gypsum or fiber board).  We envisioned that this technique would be suitable for the ‘soft’ geometry and curved surfaces of our design. However, with raw materials needing to be imported to Thailand and installation requiring skilled technicians and specialized equipment, it was decided that this technique was not feasible for this project. So creating “sprayed-on” architecture remains for us an unrealized concept – for now…

Thermoplastic Membranes:

This led us to thermoplastic membranes. The material comes in rolls and is manufactured in continuous sheets using a process called “calendering” that allows for lamination into different layers and thicknesses.  Bridgestone happens to manufacture EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer) and TPO (Thermoplastic Olefin) membranes for flat roof applications.  We also studied PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) membranes that could be joined by heat ‘welding’.

Our initial proposal was to use the membranes to clad the entire finish of the Bridgestone Pavilion. In order to test whether the membrane had the desired elasticity to be applied on top of the curved surfaces, we requested to construct full-scale mockups of the wall section.

Upon reviewing full-scale mockups of our wall sections, we realized that it would not be easy to achieve a smooth and continuous finish with this material.  This was primarily due to the rigidity of the membranes which were reinforced with a mesh underlay.  In the final construction, the TPO materials were used on the less curved surfaces such as the roof.

Elastomeric Coating:

After the membrane mockups, we studied high performance, architectural elastomeric coatings.  Like PU, elastomeric coatings come in liquid form.  Unlike regular coatings such as paint, this coating can stretch to about 500%.  We proposed to apply the coating over the substrate (curved flexboard) by spray method to achieve a smoother finish; in the end, hand rollers were used in the final construction.

PVC Sheeting:

PVC sheeting is also a type of thermoplastic membrane made using the calendering process.  We were looking for a high-quality finish for the entrance that visitors could experience before entering the exhibition.  Unlike TPO membrane, we used PVC sheets that were thinner and designed to be stretched and framed by a proprietary support system.

The choice of the red color was simply in reference to the Bridgestone corporate brand (along with white and black), although we hoped a broader range of color tones would be seen from the reflection of curved surfaces and lighting. Since a very precise fitting was needed, the fabrication of the PVC sheets was directly derived from ‘unfolding’ our 3D digital model.

EVA Film:

Another polymer that Bridgestone was interested in showcasing was EVA (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate), which is used as a heat-reflecting layer for glass. Since EVA is a newer laminate material technology compared to PVB (Polyvinyl Butyral), our design presented some challenges during the local production process (a more vacuum environment was required for the lamination).  As a result, the BOI Fair is known as one of the first glass installations using EVA film in Thailand.

Here is the image gallery of our construction process below.

Our starting point were the required interior spaces, building heights and site boundaries. Another issue was managing the continuous flow of visitors from entrance, exhibitions, to exit. Based on these conditions, we merged the various volumes to form the overall building. The exterior form was then simply a result of optimizing the interior volumes while minimizing any superfluous or extraneous elements such as additional edges, corners, or leftover spaces.

The resulting smooth form may seem simple at first glance, but it was definitely not simple to build compared to conventional structures. The biggest challenge during the construction was to reconcile our approach with available construction materials, structure and techniques for this project.

Fortunately, the steel fabrication team from JST Industry was up to the challenge, as well as structural designer Montree Sayabovorn. In particular, the team engineered 66 steel profiles – each of a distinctly different shape and curvature.  All the steel elements were fabricated at the warehouse to minimize on-site installation. Bridgestone provided additional support in the form of flexible polymer building products that were installed as finishing materials.

Here are some more photos of the construction process below.

Architectkidd has been involved in the design of the pavilion in collaboration with the exhibition, event management and construction teams. One of the interesting aspects of the Bridgestone Pavilion is the need to communicate a clear and integrated identity and image across all aspects of the pavilion. “Future Seed” refers not only to the pavilion design itself, but also Bridgestone’s desire to express sustainability and environmental commitments for its products, technologies and company vision.

The “Future Seed” concept provided the opportunity to implement some sustainable features that may not have been otherwise feasible. Working with Bridgestone allowed us to access their polymers expertise in many different shapes and forms. As leaders in EVA technologies, one feature of the pavilion is the use of heat-insulating film laminated on all glass windows and doors.  Bridgestone also supplies materials for Panasonic/Sanyo solar panels that will be installed on the roof of the pavilion. The illustration below summarizes some of the proposed green features of the building.

Other aspects of the Bridgestone Pavilion that relate to the “Future Seed” concept include new technologies and products displays that show how Bridgestone products originate and are inspired by nature. The exhibition design is by DesignLAB and construction coordinated by Pico.

Stay tuned for more updates on this project from us very soon.  For more information about the BOI Fair please visit their website here. Information about the pavilion from the Bridgestone Group can also be found here.

Project Summary:
Name: Bridgestone Pavilion
Scope: Architecture
Owner: Bridgestone Group Thailand
Client Representative: Dentsu (Thailand)
Architectkidd Project Team: Luke Yeung, Phuttipan Aswakool, Pailin Paijitsattaya, Vichayuth Meenaphant
Exhibition Design: DesignLAB
Structural Design: Montree Sayabovorn
MEP Design: Parkpoom Rodwarna, Suthee Saengthubthim, Chatchaval Chandung
Building Contractors: Pico Thailand
Project Area: 500 sqm
Completion date: January 2012

Architectkidd’s design for Kirimaya Residence K01 has been selected as one of the featured projects to look out for in 2012.  The house is currently under construction and is scheduled to be complete in the middle of the year.

The December 2011 issue of Wallpaper is now available in new stands in Bangkok.

Have a look at other projects in the Wallpaper Thailand list, including our friends Anon Pairot Studio and Idin Architects (Fellow ASA Young Generation Architects 2011), as well as some of the most anticipated design and fashion projects from Canada, USA, Sweden, Argentina, Netherlands and other countries around the world.

The project, a new retail development in Bangkok, aims to revitalize land currently occupied by a textile factory. One of the unique features of the design is to provide a higher level of self-sufficiency by integrating local food production within the new retail and consumer environment. Architectkidd worked with Isavaret Tamonut and Singh Intrachooto in developing the design.

Our “Urban Farm” project was selected as one of three “groundbreaking” projects in Asia that are under development based on the criteria that show how “sustainable approaches to infrastructure for communities and innovative architecture can improve the built environment and enhance quality of life”.

The awards jury for the 3rd international award consisted of sustainability practitioners and academics including Wowo Ding, the Dean of the School of Architecture in Nanjing University, and architect Momoyo Kaijima of Atelier Bow-Wow. Architectkidd’s project was recognized “for its potential to create a new urban culture, re-sensitizing the community to its ecological impacts and offering a new perception of urbanity that is readily transferrable”.

The overall plan showing key sustainability elements of the Bangkok Urban Farm across the 1.4 hectare site is shown below.

For more information about the Holcim Awards for Sustainable Construction please see here. The Media Release for the 2011 Asia Pacific Regional Awards can be seen here.

An image gallery showing all the Asia Pacific region project winners can also be viewed on Archinect.

Please see more images and details of our project as well as the design team members and consultants below.

Project Summary:
Name: Urban Farm / Urban Barn
Scope: Urban Agriculture & Factory Conversion and Renovation
Owner: Isavaret Tamonut
Design Team: Vichayuth Meenaphant, Manassak Senachak, Phuttipan Aswakool, Jariyawadee Lekawatana, Pailin Paijitsattaya, Marisa Charusilawong
Main Consultants: Singh Intrachooto, Chaiyot Pinitjirsamut, C-Insight Co., Ltd.
Engineering: Piroj Chaimongkol, Weint Engineering and Management Co., Ltd.
Project Area: 1.4 hectares
Project Stage: Design Development
 

Architectkidd joined the team led by landscape architects and urban designers Shma. Working together with Plan (architecture), Somdoon (architecture), KCS (engineering), DesignLAB (exhibition), APLD (lighting), DOF (visualization) and other notable experts, we developed our proposal that was presented in the final stage of the selection process.

The overall objective of the design was to create a new exhibition and education space in honor of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej.  His Majesty’s achievements provided the main impetus to design a civic space and learning environment for children, youth and the general public.

The site location is in Rattanakosin Island and the area consists of over 20,000 square meters. One of the main criteria of the project was to develop the landscape and open space areas in order to improve connections to the surrounding areas, as well as facilitate tourism and the conservation of art and culture.

The selection process was facilitated by Silpakorn University and the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB).

For detailed information about this competition as well as the finalist and winning projects, please visit the official project website here (in Thai Language).

Bangkok is essentially a basin in which the Chao Phraya river passes through to the Gulf of Thailand.  The city’s elevation is on average 2 meters above sea level. To manage the large changes in seasonal water flows and levels, an elaborate system of waterways has been constructed throughout the metropolis to divert excess water.

This time however, the amount of water has proved too great for the existing city infrastructure.

To cope with the overflows, additional measures such as sand bags and dykes are now urgently being installed in hopes to prevent flooding on streets and in businesses and homes in the city.  Government and volunteer agencies have been coordinating these last minute prevention and relief efforts.

Recently Tammarat Rodpul, Manassak Senachak and others in the Architectkidd team assisted in these preparations for the area along the Klong Rangsit waterways.  They have provided the photographs for this post.

Inspiration 1 – Music Experience:
We started by thinking about the rhythms and structures of sound.  Interpreting sound into physical forms and materials throughout the design became a collaborative effort combining design with branding, furniture and street art.  The creative team involved product designers Anon Pairot Studio and graffiti artist Alex Mardi (aka Alexface).

For us, to help to visualize the music, we began by digitalizing sound waves.

Inspiration 2 – Siam Square Streetscapes:
At the same time, we were inspired by the surrounding streetscapes.  Siam Square is known as the  fashion and trend-setting heart of Bangkok, and is home to many independent and creative places.  Architecturally, the buildings are 3 and 4-storey shophouses, and their facades serve as a kind of a public expression for the shop designers. With constant turnover of new shops, the overall streetscape becomes a kind of chaotic layering of surfaces, materials and advertising over the concrete building structures.

Mixing Old and New, or, Why we Re-use Materials:
We were interested in capturing aspects of the surrounding streetscapes with the new Hard Rock, so it just seemed to make sense to develop some sort of “materials re-use” strategy. In addition to the environmental reasons, we knew that we did not want to erase all previous traces of the existing building and structure.  For us, “re-use” not only meant considering old materials, but also how to design for new materials in a more sensitive way. Where wood was requested to be used in the restaurant, for example, efforts were made to retain the existing finish from before the renovation, as well as introducing new (reclaimed) timber.

The New Old Facade:
On the exterior, the new facade is composed of reflective black panels cantilevered from a curved steel structure. The panels are angled so that in some places the existing building is revealed from behind. This play between the old and new layers results in a tactile surface for the exterior.

Interior Design:
In the interior, new furnishings and fittings contrast with the overall space in which the walls and ceilings have been removed to create a more exposed space.  The performance stage – an important feature for all Hard Rock Cafes – contains a stage wall designed by Anon Pairot Studio made from recycled aluminum re-cast into solid modules.

Please have a look at the image gallery below for more photographs on the completed project.

Project Summary:

Name: Hard Rock Cafe Bangkok
Scope: Architecture & Interior
Owner: Hotel Properties Limited
Project Team: Luke Yeung, Vichayuth Meenaphant, Pailin Paijitsattaya,  Jariyawadee Lekawatana, Tammarat Rodpul, Manassak Senachak, Peerawin Sawattanawanit
Interior Design: Prinda Puranananda
Lighting Design: Nopporn Sakulwigitsinthu
Structural Design: Montree Sayabovorn
MEP Design: Parkpoom Rodwarna, Suthee Saengthubthim, Chatchaval Chandung
Quantity Surveyors: KPK Group
Building Contractors: Times Enterprise, IT
Project Area: 550 sqm
Completion date: July 2011

The inaugural exhibition is titled “Journey of the Buddha”.  The exhibition includes Buddha statues from the 2nd to 12th centuries,  such as from the Gandhara, Dvaravati, Srivijaya and Lopburi periods.

The museum is comprised of several gallery spaces placed along a linear sequence.  One can observe how the image and portrayal of Buddha has evolved over time.  The photograph below shows the gallery containing Buddha images from the Sukhothai and Ayutthaya periods (14th to 18th centuries).

The exhibition design is by DesignLAB and lighting design by APLD. The exhibit features an audio guide for visitors, as well as interactive displays for the viewing the amulets, the highlight being the “Great Quintet” – five tablets crafted by Thai monks.

In addition to the architecture, Architectkidd designed the displays embedded in the “Public Wall”.  They contain a collection of miniature figures of the Hindu Ganesha and Vishnu, Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva from Mahayana Buddhism, among others.

A recent article in the Nation newspaper provides more information about the statues in the various galleries and their historical significance here.  There is also an image gallery of the exhibition here.

In addition, the Bangkok Post and the Thailand Tatler have also reported on the VR Museum and its collections.

Previously we have shown the construction progress here. We will post more details about the completed architectural design of the VR Museum soon.