Architecture Asia - ARCASIA Awards for Architecture 2018

The Commons is a small lifestyle development in Bangkok,
which is composed of mostly food and beverage tenants. The
client wanted a place for the community where people of all demographics
could feel welcome. Like all other big cities in Southeast
Asia, the hot and humid tropical weather results in a lack of
open public spaces – it is always either too hot or too wet to be
comfortable. The design for this project is an attempt to address
this, creating an active open space where people can comfortably
enjoy anytime of the year.
The project’s outdoor space starts with the ‘Common Ground’,
which is a series of steps and ramps inserted with platforms, seating,
trees, shrubs and small kiosks. The area is well covered by
the third and fourth floor structure above, providing shade and rain
protection to most of the space. This space vertically opens up
through big voids on the upper floors, connecting with large public
open-air areas on the 3rd and 4th floors.
The space vertically and horizontally flows throughout the entire
building, inviting natural ventilation from three sides and through
gaps between the roof and skylight. Incorporated into a ceiling
screen below the skylight are two sets of industrial fans. One set
draws hot air out, and the other blows down to effectively increase
air movement on extra hot days. This airy semi-outdoor space becomes
a single vertical active urban living area, well incorporated
with pocket gardens on all levels, and is perfect for strolling and
relaxing at any time and in any season.
ARCHITECTURE ASIA ISSUE 3 2018
29