ASA Journal 06/22

theme / review
LIKE A CHAMELEON
74 75
9
08
เปลือกภายนอกที่
หุ้มรางอลูมิเนียม
8
09
ภาพ Axonometric
The rapid urban expansion of the Bangkok
metropolitan region has influenced the evolution
of façades, an architectural component
found almost everywhere in Southeast Asia.
We can see and have seen great diversity
in façade design; each conceptualized and
materialized to make its own statement. The
evolution strikes the interest of HAS design
and research. This architectural practice develops
its architectural design based on their
research and perception toward the architectural
expression of façades as a form of
a living organism—a chameleon of an urban
jungle. From HAS’ perspective, a building skin
changes and evolves according to its surrounding
context, telling stories of the location
and program it was created in.
On Ratchapruek Road, in Pak Kret district of
Nonthaburi province sits a dark grey building
with the skin that sets the structure apart from
its surrounding environment. The building is
the showroom of AB&W Innovation, the company
with business operations in manufacturing
and distribution of aluminum door and
window frames and fittings. Named MoMA
(Museum of Modern Aluminum), the showroom
officially opened in early 2022. HAS
began their work on the project with research
before proceeding to the design process. The
origin of the project, however, is rooted in the
design team’s interest and observation of the
improvisational developments of Bangkok’s
urban space. Different urban and architectural
elements improvise from their surrounding
contexts such as the use of tarpaulin roof
structure to cover or claim a certain space,
the wrapping of a building skin with any
imaginable designs and styles of aluminum
signboards. The disparity of these components
has somehow collectively evolved into
a unique vernacular characteristic; one that
can be metaphorically compared to an urban
chameleon whose skin camouflages itself into
and according to its surroundings.