GROUP A: Kraipol Jayanetra (AU, Architecture) + Florian Schaetz (NUS, Architecture)
Behind the wall
Site : Phan Fa Lillat Terminal at Mahakan Fort near Rattanakosin Island.
Phan Fa Lilat terminal is the first terminal of Khlong Saen Saep Express Boat Route which runs from the old area
to the subburban development in the east of Bangkok. In the early city development, due to the fact that three
major canals; Banglumpu canal, Ong Ang canal, and Saen Saep canal are intersected at this location, this area
had been considered to be one of the strategic points of Bangkok. As a result of its strategic position, there are
many historical destinations such as Mahakan Fort, the old city wall, Saket Temple, Ratchadamnoen Avenue,
and Phan Fa Lilat Bridge surrounding in this area.
Because of the dominance of the land use of cultural heritage, this area is currently registered as a National
Heritage Site by the Thai Government Fine Arts Department. Although there is a protest from the local
community to preserve the land use as it is, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is attempting to
convert this area to be a touristic destination. Recently, BMA has acquired a land parcel at the back of the city
wall near Mahakan fort and converted into “Tourist Park” in the same manner with the successful
Santichaiprakan Park, a park near Prasumen Fort. However, at this time, this “Tourist Park” near Mahakan Fort
failed to attract local people and foreign tourists to use it.
This workshop will seek an alternative proposal which will enhance the possible commodity values and activities
around Phan Fa Lilat Terminal, the Tourist Park, and the area surrounding historical destinations. The studio
investigation will be based on the assumption that this park is located in a disadvantageous spot where no one
can find a physical connection and visual orientation from the park to other historical destinations.

GROUP B: Worapan Klampaiboon (AU, Architecture) + Nuthasard Jeendpund (PoeticSpace Studio)
Bobae: the Revival of hybrid canal shopping district
Site : Bobae District
Located in the heart of the old Bangkok, and at a canal junction, Bobae has long been the center of wholesale
and retail clothe and textile business in Thailand since in the 18th century when it was founded. The district was
built to weave into the urban network patterned by the canal grids connecting the most inner part of the city to
many city’s major elements such as the Golden Mount Saket Temple, the wholesale Chinese market, noble’s
houses and many villages of multi-ethnic groups around Bangkok.
Everyday from 3am to 9pm sees the small alleys within Bobae packed with traders from every corner of the
world. Apart from the lively shopping atmosphere, Bobae also features a diversity of cultures—from Buddhist
temples, Chinese markets and Muslim mosques.
Eventhough the trading activities are still active, the area is gradually declining due to the air and noise pollution
from the heavy traffic, the murky canal, the shortcoming mass-transportation and a number of new rival shopping
centers nearby.
It is challenging how architecture and urban design could revitalize Bobae by incorporating into the existing a
new urban recreation strip along the canal with a green and pleasurable space which could be a city’s new lung,
while allowing access by modern mass transportation. The new feature will provide the people of all generations
a space for gathering and hanging out. The design is hoped to enrich the condition of Bobae to meet a level of a
lively, world-class cloth-textile commercial destination, while maintaining an Asian touch.

GROUP C: Veera Leelapattanaputi (AU, Architecture ) + San-Ki Choe (UOS, Architecture)
Experiencing the walk
Site : Patunam & Rajchaprasong intersections
The district, no doubt, is one of the most famous, exciting, lively and heavenly place for shopping, socializing and
sightseeing in Bangkok Metropolis. The area has a long history for being a famous hanging out and shopping
paradise for youngsters for more than 30 years. The district is adjacent to Pratunam district to the north and
Siam Square district to the west. Passed thru changes and several redevelopments, it now, together with
Pratunam & Siam Square districts, is undoubtedly the most must-visit shopping heaven destination right in the
heart of Bangkok.
The district has several shopping destinations such as Central World Plaza, Kaysorn Plaza, Big C department
store and several hotels in the surrounding areas. Besides being shoppers’ definite destination, it is also the
major transportation interchange, from boat to bus to light-rail train (BTS), that could distribute commuters to
several parts of both inner and outer Bangkok areas. The boat route, running along San Saeb Canal, commutes
people in East–West direction connecting through Bangkok outer areas while Petchaburi Rd. and Peonjit-Rama I
Rd. also run parallel to the canal carrying quite heavy traffic everyday. For North-South direction, Rajchaprasong
Road is the major arterial that serves as a linkage between several important districts like Silom district in the
south, Pratunam & Victory Monument districts in the north side of Bangkok.
The Central World Plaza, the newly renovated and probably the largest shopping complex in Bangkok, is
definitely the vibrant and inevitable destination for both locales and foreigners. Besides, occupying more than a
hundred thousand square meters of shopping and entertainment paradise inside, the Central World Plaza also
has an important plaza along Rajchaprasong Road which dedicates greatly in generating and catalyzing the
urban public space’s liveliness. The Plaza is quite efficient in providing large open-space for several activities to
occur in the same time or hold a large event such as Christmas and New Year celebrations. It becomes the most
popular private-owned public open space for social gathering, dining out (beer gardens in winter) and hanging
out. On the opposite side of CWP, the area, used to be a hip place in 1970s-1980s, now has several recent
commercial buildings and hotels as well as other vacant and deteriorated buildings that could probably be
renovated, redeveloped or revitalized.
Rajchaprasong Road, one of the busiest roads, and San Seab Canal together becomes the major transit hub
and transporting mode changing area for travelers in all directions in which walking experience in the district is
quite important in vitalizing the area and in attracting passersby. However, with large pavement but fully
occupied with street vendors, the sidewalks on both sides of the road become extremely inconvenient, highly
crowded and lacking of space during rush hours. Two major bus stops, on both sides, are inevitably packed and
very difficult for both commuters and bus drivers because of taxis parked on the street and vendors packed on
the sidewalk.
This studio workshop will seek alternatives in which could provide linkage, traveling and walking spaces, and
catalyzing programs in generating the improvements and changes in the district. The proposal should address
several important issues such as traffic congestions in both on-sidewalk and on-street, street vendors versus
pedestrian’s rights, connections between several different modes of transportation, and etc. The design should
also focus on the experience of walking in the areas of congestions, street shopping, urban public areas, and
crowded places in order to creating nicer and lively experience of passing thru in the area.
Keywords
Walking Experience
Streetscape
Urban Landscape
Catalyst
Linkage

GROUP D: Suparath Valaisathien (AU, Architecture) +
The Alternative Opportunities of Path and Linkage
Site : ASOKE District
At present, Asoke is one of the main business districts and dense residential areas of Bangkok. Hundreds of
companies, headquarters, renowned restaurants, retail shops, universities, colleges, schools, specialized
hospitals, and a large number of residences are crowded side be side. An absurdity could be seen at the uneven
distribution of land-use. The high density composed of tall buildings seems to occur only on the Asoke road—
the main vein of the area—whereas the alleys behind them are still vacant parcels of land.
This district is the main connector of two busiest roads—Sukhumvit and New Petchaburi. It networks
Ratchadapisek and Rama IX Road together and with the other parts of Bangkok such as Rama IV Road, and the
Klong Toey Port Terminal, the main shipyard of Bangkok. Asoke Road acts as a mortorist and pedestrian feeder
to the alleys on both sides. Due to the intersection of the subway and skytrain routes that takes place at the
Asoke corner, that spot is frequented by the commuters who use the Asoke-Montri junction stations for
interchange. There are not only the trains but also the buses and boats that stop at the spot and feed the
passengers in and out of the city.
The subtle condition, however, brought about the ensuing noise and air pollution, and traffic congestion
especially during the rush hour. The traffic problem in Asoke area is partly due to the former expansion of the
width of Asoke Road to increase the flow without a concrete plan. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration
attempted to fill this vacuum by creating the new public transportation alternatives combining together other
existing modes, such as BTS (sky train), MRT (underground train), and the boat in the San Saeb Canal.
However, within the foreseeable future (starting from the mid of year 2009), the development of Makkasan
Complex, which consists of the Airport Link—from the sky train at Phayathai Station to the main terminal at
Makkasan connecting to Suvanaphumi Airport—a shopping complex, several major office buildings, hospitals,
and residential buildings. The development is expected to increase a large number of users and, at the same
time, dilute the traffic congestion in this area.
The program is to explore how urban design and architecture can reduce or solve the incurring problems
whereby it enhances the quality of life. Also, via the San Saeb Canal as our focal mode of transportation, how
can we efficiently distribute people out of the area and make a direct linkage between the other modes over the
Asoke area, and the forthcoming Makkasan Complex? A design proposal should address and tackle the
problems and make use the leftover land.
Keywords
Alternative opportunities
Linkage
Network
Layer of circulation (pedestrian, vehicle, subway, sky train, airport link)

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Group D: Suparath Valaisathien (AU, Architecture) + HKU’s Participant + NCKU’s Participant

Site : ASOKE District

At present, Asoke is one of the main business districts and dense residential areas of Bangkok. Hundreds of companies, headquarters, renowned restaurants, retail shops, universities, colleges, schools, specialized hospitals, and a large number of residences are crowded side be side. An absurdity could be seen at the uneven distribution of land-use.  The high density composed of tall buildings seems to occur only on the Asoke road—the main vein of the area—whereas the alleys behind them are still vacant parcels of land.

This district is the main connector of two busiest roads—Sukhumvit and New Petchaburi.  It networks Ratchadapisek and Rama IX Road together and with the other parts of Bangkok such as Rama IV Road, and the Klong Toey Port Terminal, the main shipyard of Bangkok.  Asoke Road acts as a mortorist and pedestrian feeder to the alleys on both sides.  Due to the intersection of the subway and skytrain routes that takes place at the Asoke corner, that spot is frequented by the commuters who use the Asoke-Montri junction stations for interchange.  There are not only the trains but also the buses and boats that stop at the spot and feed the passengers in and out of the city.

The subtle condition, however, brought about the ensuing noise and air pollution, and traffic congestion especially during the rush hour. The traffic problem in Asoke area is partly due to the former expansion of the width of Asoke Road to increase the flow without a concrete plan.  The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration attempted to fill this vacuum by creating the new public transportation alternatives combining together other existing modes, such as BTS (sky train), MRT (underground train), and the boat in the San Saeb Canal.

However, within the foreseeable future (starting from the mid of year 2009), the development of Makkasan Complex, which consists of the Airport Link—from the sky train at Phayathai Station to the main terminal at Makkasan connecting to Suvanaphumi Airport—a shopping complex, several major office buildings, hospitals, and residential buildings.  The development is expected to increase a large number of users and, at the same time, dilute the traffic congestion in this area.

The program is to explore how urban design and architecture can reduce or solve the incurring problems whereby it enhances the quality of life. Also, via the San Saeb Canal as our focal mode of transportation, how can we efficiently distribute people out of the area and make a direct linkage between the other modes over the Asoke area, and the forthcoming Makkasan Complex?  A design proposal should address and tackle the problems and make use the leftover land.

Keywords:

Alternative opportunities
Linkage
Network
Layer of circulation (pedestrian, vehicle, subway, sky train, airport link)

Group C: Veera Leelapattanaputi (AU, Architecture  ) + San-Ki Choe (UOS, Architecture)

Site : Patunam & Rajchaprasong intersections

The district, no doubt, is one of the most famous, exciting, lively and heavenly place for shopping, socializing and sightseeing in Bangkok Metropolis. The area has a long history for being a famous hanging out and shopping paradise for youngsters for more than 30 years. The district is adjacent to Pratunam district to the north and Siam Square district to the west. Passed thru changes and several redevelopments, it now, together with Pratunam & Siam Square districts, is undoubtedly the most must-visit shopping heaven destination right in the heart of Bangkok.

The district has several shopping destinations such as Central World Plaza, Kaysorn Plaza, Big C department store and several hotels in the surrounding areas. Besides being shoppers’ definite destination, it is also the major transportation interchange, from boat to bus to light-rail train (BTS), that could distribute commuters to several parts of both inner and outer Bangkok areas. The boat route, running along San Saeb Canal, commutes people in East–West direction connecting through Bangkok outer areas while Petchaburi Rd. and Peonjit-Rama I Rd. also run parallel to the canal carrying quite heavy traffic everyday. For North-South direction, Rajchaprasong Road is the major arterial that serves as a linkage between several important districts like Silom district in the south, Pratunam & Victory Monument districts in the north side of Bangkok.

The Central World Plaza, the newly renovated and probably the largest shopping complex in Bangkok, is definitely the vibrant and inevitable destination for both locales and foreigners. Besides, occupying more than a hundred thousand square meters of shopping and entertainment paradise inside, the Central World Plaza also has an important plaza along Rajchaprasong Road which dedicates greatly in generating and catalyzing the urban public space’s liveliness. The Plaza is quite efficient in providing large open-space for several activities to occur in the same time or hold a large event such as Christmas and New Year celebrations. It becomes the most popular private-owned public open space for social gathering, dining out (beer gardens in winter) and hanging out. On the opposite side of CWP, the area, used to be a hip place in 1970s-1980s, now has several recent commercial buildings and hotels as well as other vacant and deteriorated buildings that could probably be renovated, redeveloped or revitalized.

Rajchaprasong Road, one of the busiest roads, and San Seab Canal together becomes the major transit hub and transporting mode changing area for travelers in all directions in which walking experience in the district is quite important in vitalizing the area and in attracting passersby. However, with large pavement but fully occupied with street vendors, the sidewalks on both sides of the road become extremely inconvenient, highly crowded and lacking of space during rush hours. Two major bus stops, on both sides, are inevitably packed and very difficult for both commuters and bus drivers because of taxis parked on the street and vendors packed on the sidewalk.

This studio workshop will seek alternatives in which could provide linkage, traveling and walking spaces, and catalyzing programs in generating the improvements and changes in the district. The proposal should address several important issues such as traffic congestions in both on-sidewalk and on-street, street vendors versus pedestrian’s rights, connections between several different modes of transportation, and etc. The design should also focus on the experience of walking in the areas of congestions, street shopping, urban public areas, and crowded places in order to creating nicer and lively experience of passing thru in the area.

Keywords:

Walking Experience
Streetscape
Urban Landscape
Catalyst
Linkage

Group B: Worapan Klampaiboon (AU, Architecture) + Lim Take Bane (MU, Architecture) + Tongi’s Participant

Site : Bobae District

Located in the heart of the old Bangkok, and at a canal junction, Bobae has long been the center of wholesale and retail clothe and textile business in Thailand since in the 18th century when it was founded. The district was built to weave into the urban network patterned by the canal grids connecting the most inner part of the city to many city’s major elements such as the Golden Mount Saket Temple, the wholesale Chinese market, noble’s houses and many villages of multi-ethnic groups around Bangkok.

Everyday from 3am to 9pm sees the small alleys within Bobae packed with traders from every corner of the world.  Apart from the lively shopping atmosphere, Bobae also features a diversity of cultures—from Buddhist temples, Chinese markets and Muslim mosques.
Eventhough the trading activities are still active, the area is gradually declining due to the air and noise pollution from the heavy traffic, the murky canal, the shortcoming mass-transportation and a number of new rival shopping centers nearby.

It is challenging how architecture and urban design could revitalize Bobae by incorporating into the existing a new urban recreation strip along the canal with a green and pleasurable space which could be a city’s new lung,  while allowing access by modern mass transportation.  The new feature will provide the people of all generations a space for gathering and hanging out.  The design is hoped to enrich the condition of Bobae to meet a level of a lively, world-class cloth-textile commercial destination, while maintaining an Asian touch.

Group A: Kraipol Jayanetra (AU, Architecture) + Florian Schaetz (NUS, Architecture)

Site : Phan Fa Lillat Terminal at Mahakan Fort near Rattanakosin Island.
Phan Fa Lilat terminal is the first terminal of Khlong Saen Saep Express Boat Route which runs from the old area to the subburban development in the east of Bangkok.  In the early city development, due to the fact that three major canals; Banglumpu canal, Ong Ang canal, and Saen Saep canal are intersected at this location, this area had been considered to be one of the strategic points of Bangkok.  As a result of its strategic position, there are many historical destinations such as Mahakan Fort, the old city wall, Saket Temple, Ratchadamnoen Avenue, and  Phan Fa Lilat Bridge surrounding in this area.

Because of the dominance of the land use of cultural heritage, this area is currently registered as a National Heritage Site by the Thai Government Fine Arts Department.  Although there is a protest from the local community to preserve the land use as it is, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is attempting to convert this area to be a touristic destination. Recently, BMA has acquired a land parcel at the back of the city wall near Mahakan fort and converted into “Tourist Park” in the same manner with the successful Santichaiprakan Park, a park near Prasumen Fort.  However, at this time, this “Tourist Park” near Mahakan Fort failed to attract local people and foreign tourists to use it.
This workshop will seek an alternative proposal which will enhance the possible commodity values and activities around Phan Fa Lilat Terminal, the Tourist Park, and the area surrounding historical destinations.  The studio investigation will be based on the assumption that this park is located in a disadvantageous spot where no one can find a physical connection and visual orientation from the park to other historical destinations.