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Architecture

Ergon Agora East Re-Interprets the Supermarket Experience

By Zarkon Group,12/02/2023

Ergon Agora East – The challenge was to re-interpret the common supermarket experience, by introducing a new vocabulary of materials and forms. An additional challenge was to intervene in an existing, old industrial shell and create a new, modern and of high-quality space.

Architizer chatted with Tasos Georgantzis, Managing Director at Urban Soul Project, to learn more about this project.

Architizer: What inspired the initial concept for your design?

Tasos Georgantzis: ERGON already has a visual identity in terms of spatial design so we had in our hands a range of elements to shape Agora’s identity. This identity is based on greek materiality, tradition, architecture colours and forms. This identity is always the starting point in every ERGON project. Specifically in this case, we were inspired by our own experience in markets, both open and closed. We wanted to design a space that combines different uses, for different hours and different age groups.

This project won in the 10th Annual A+Awards! What do you believe are the standout components that made your project win?

ERGON Agora East is innovative for two reasons: not only it proposes a new way to design a supermarket but also proposes a way to re-use an existing industrial shell. Regarding the second point, the changes made to the building were subtle but significant: the roof was opened in order for the daylight to enter the building, and also with the opening of the southwest side the building becomes integrated with its environment. ERGON Agora’s design is minimal, respects the existing structure and creates a new narration using old materials.

What was the greatest design challenge you faced during the project, and how did you navigate it?

The greatest challenge in ERGON Agora East design process was the request to fit in one space different uses, define a hierarchy among them and achieve to keep them connected, not separated. ERGON Agora East is at the same time a super market, a winery, a restaurant, a bakery and a garden.

Consultants

Electromechanical Study: Charalambos Charalambidis / Metalwork: Damon Sidiropoulos / Woodwork: Aris Iliadis / Landscape Design: FYTRON, Urban Soul Project

For more on Ergon Agora East, please visit the in-depth project page on Architizer.

Ergon Agora East Gallery

Reference

Interior Design

Eight tidy kitchens with slick storage solutions

By Zarkon Group,11/02/2023

As people’s interest in ultra-organised homes shows no signs of abating, we’ve collected eight clutter-free kitchens with smart storage solutions in our latest lookbook.

Spearheaded by Japanese organisational guru Marie Kondo, well-organised interiors have become a global trend. In no room is this more evident than in the kitchen, where pantries are stocked up with decanted jam jars, spice racks are labelled and shelving units are customised to house specific utensils.

The following projects, which range from compact apartments to home extensions, use hooks, nooks, racks, shelves, cubby holes and display units to create tidy kitchens where not a grain is out of place.

This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring Spanish apartment renovations, cosy cabins and interiors with statement carpets.

Map House, UK, by SAM Architects

Paolo Vimercati and Melanie Schubert of SAM Architects demolished a garage hidden behind several listed buildings in south London in order to create this mews house for themselves.

Designed to accommodate their “modern lifestyles”, the home’s interior is clad in vertical planks of charred larch and has plenty of open-plan spaces.

The kitchen has pink, blue and orange plywood units that are filled with cooking books and glassware, while a pegboard display area is used to hang crockery.

Find out more about Map House ›

Fifth Avenue Kitchen by Handwerk Art and Design — Photo is by Perry E Hall

Fifth Avenue Kitchen, US, by Handwerk Art and Design

Space-saving storage solutions can be found in Fifth Avenue Kitchen, a compact New York apartment created by interior design studio Handwerk Art and Design for a client who works in the film industry.

Aiming to make the most of the 160-square-foot (15 square-metre) space, Handwerk retrofitted the kitchen with features including a pegboard wall for hanging mugs, aprons and other items.

“Starting with a study of their cooking habits and spatial needs, we designed a set of custom cabinets for the whole kitchen that placed everything specifically and precisely,” said the studio.

Find out more about Fifth Avenue Kitchen ›

A kitchen interior by Nimtim Architects — Photo is by Megan Taylor

Fruit Box, UK, by Nimtim Architects

Plywood and planed softwood structures with square tiles characterise this playful galley kitchen designed by Nimtim Architects for a home extension project in Forest Hill, London.

A kitchen island features a tiled waterfall countertop above a sink and shelving. The kitchen walls were designed to be filled in to increase privacy, or easily removed to maximise open space depending on the family’s future needs.

Find out more about Fruit Box ›

The Family Playground by HAO Design — Photo is by Hey Cheese

The Family Playground, Taiwan, by HAO Design

This family home in Taiwan was reorganised by studio HAO Design so that its occupants could spend more time with each other. In the kitchen, the parents are able to watch their children play games or listen to them play the piano while they are making dinner.

High ceilings in the kitchen meant there was room for a large black steel storage rack to be hung above a white-tiled island. The cage-like storage system serves as a “visual focus” and can also be used to hold plants or kitchenware.

Find out more about The Family Playground ›

Air BnP by Position Collection — Photo is courtesy of Position Collective

Air-BnP, Hungary, by Position Collective

This former studio flat in Budapest was reorganised by Hungarian studio Position Collective to create an Airbnb property suitable for two guests. Rather than rearranging the layout – and mindful of the small budget – the studio installed a plywood furniture and storage system that caters to temporary occupants’ needs.

In the kitchen, it features a modular pegboard storage wall with adjustable shelves to showcase different pieces of local Hungarian art books, home accessories and cooking equipment.

Find out more about Air-BnP ›

Curve Appeal kitchen interior — Photo is by Megan Taylor

Curve Appeal, UK, by Nimtim Architects

London studio Nimtim Architects transformed a 1920s semi-detached house in Southwark using multifunctional plywood partitions with arched openings and alcoves for storing belongings.

A limited, neutral-toned material palette was employed in the kitchen, comprised of handmade terracotta floor tiles, laminated countertops and sustainably sourced plywood.

Find out more about Curve Appeal ›

Kitchen of Maison Pour Dodo by Studio Merlin — Photo is by Richard Chivers

Maison Pour Dodo, UK, by Studio Merlin

For the revamp of a flat in Stoke Newington, British interior firm Studio Merlin added an abundance of storage to form serene, clutter-free living spaces.

An opening in the living room connects the kitchen, where there’s a wall of deep-set IKEA cabinets with smokey blue door fronts and a seating nook. Above this, a series of pantry-style shelves means the owner can easily access jars of cooking ingredients.

Find out more about Maison Pour Dodo ›

A kitchen with wooden shleving units — Photo is by Cristobal Palma

Punta Chilen, Chile, by Guillermo Acuña Arquitectos Asociados

Named after the peninsula of land that the residential complex sits on, this red home extension was constructed by Santiago-based architecture studio Guillermo Acuña Arquitectos Asociados using pine stilts.

An open-plan room in the heart of the home is a communal space designed for cooking and eating. Large pine shelves filled with ornaments and tableware line the walls.

Find out more about Punta Chilen ›

This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring homes with sliding doors, earthy bedrooms with natural colours and kitchens with marble surfaces.

Reference

Sustainable News

Upcycling microfibres from laundry – Springwise

By Zarkon Group,11/02/2023

Spotted: Microfibres, or microplastics, have been receiving a lot of bad press lately. And for good reason. These tiny threads break off from textiles in the normal course of washing, drying, and wear and tear, and end up everywhere. Now, startup Xeros Technology is hoping to prevent this situation from getting worse by devising ways to upcycle captured fibres.

Xeros already manufactures a filter that captures 99 per cent of microplastics shed during washing and can be used with any washing machine. Now, the company has teamed up with the University of Surrey to develop a method for upcycling the micro and nanofibres that are shed during the washing of textiles. These fibres are made from plastics, and the researchers have devised a way to release the carbon contained in the fibres, which can then be reused.

The method takes microfibre waste collected from commercially available filters and produces clean hydrogen and solid carbon nanomaterials as by-products. These can then be used in various essential products including batteries, solar cells, and medical devices. The partnership with Xeros will allow the researchers to develop ways to scale up their process and develop a commercial-scale solution.

Although the exact environmental and health effects of microplastics are unclear, there is a growing consensus that we need to get on top of this problem. Springwise has spotted a growing number of innovations aimed at tackling this issue, including processes that use magnets, silk capsules, and apples to remove microplastics from water.

Written By: Lisa Magloff

Reference

Architecture

30 Best Architecture Firms in Thailand

By Zarkon Group,11/02/2023

From its distinct regional vernacular to the elaborate pagodas to unique modern geometries and material experimentation, Thailand boasts an incredible architectural culture. Over the centuries, the nation’s built environment has been shaped by neighboring influences, like China and India, erecting diverse architecture that is championed and visited by many across the globe. Thailand’s rich and diverse architectural heritage is attributed to its long history of political change, religion, extreme climate and domestic sociocultural beliefs.

Architecture in Thailand is deeply connected to the environment; agriculture plays a crucial part in Thai culture and has influenced how dwellings have been built for centuries. One of the most common features is the use of stilts. This common practice of elevating the domestic space holds multifunctional purposes — it provides a shaded outdoor space, is used for storage and protects from flooding during the severe rainy season.

Its warm climate and rich topography have paved the way for a booming tourist industry which has sparked an onslaught of hospitality architecture, including resorts, restaurants and other entertainment venues. And the 20th and 21st-century have brought an entirely new architectural vocabulary to the nation. Just look at the nation’s capital city of Bangkok, which has undergone a significant transformation in the past decades, producing many award-winning contemporary designs.

With so many architecture firms to choose from, it’s challenging for clients to identify the industry leaders that will be an ideal fit for their project needs. Fortunately, Architizer is able to provide guidance on the top design firms in Thailand based on more than a decade of data and industry knowledge.

How are these architecture firms ranked?

The following ranking has been created according to key statistics that demonstrate each firm’s level of architectural excellence. The following metrics have been accumulated to establish each architecture firm’s ranking, in order of priority:

The number of A+Awards won (2013 to 2023)
The number of A+Awards finalists (2013 to 2023)
The number of projects selected as “Project of the Day” (2009 to 2023)
The number of projects selected as “Featured Project” (2009 to 2023)
The number of projects uploaded to Architizer (2009 to 2023)

Each of these metrics is explained in more detail at the foot of this article. This ranking list will be updated annually, taking into account new achievements of Thailand architecture firms throughout the year.

Without further ado, here are the 30 best architecture firms in Thailand:

30. I Like Design Studio

I Like Design Studio is a passionate team specializing in architecture, interior and other design-related projects. We focus on not only developing ideas in the design process but also doing great researches on cultural and behavioral contexts. All elements — diagrams, proportions and dimensions — are carefully designed with precious and valuable details.

Some of I Like Design Studio’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped I Like Design Studio achieve 30th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Thailand:

Featured Projects	3
Total Projects	5

29. makeAscene

We believe that designing an architecture is more or less like creating a ‘scene’ with people in there. It is more or less defining the human-space relationship. So it’s really important to understand the user’s need and build the architecture around them while also aesthetically pleasing at the same time.

The real challenge is not just having a good-looking piece of work as a result. But to also addressing the user’s need beautifully too. Balancing between the two is an art in itself and we find this is essence of architectural design.

Some of makeAscene’s most prominent projects include:

TATE Thonglor, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon, Thailand
Casa Pattaya, Pattaya City, Thailand
FYNN 31, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon, Thailand
SAVVI ARI4, rung Thep Maha Nakhon, Thailand
ERH residence, Pathum Thani Province, Thailand

The following statistics helped makeAscene achieve 29th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Thailand:

A+Awards Finalist	1
Featured Projects	2
Total Projects	9

28. Octane architect & design

OCTANE ARCHITECT & DESIGN was founded in 2015 by Kittichon Phukiatkong & Thawin Hanboonseth and is currently driven by only three people including the founders.
Octane began by working on small projects and project from an acquaintance. Over time, with collected experiences and developed skills, until intention was clear.
We strongly believe our accomplishment is not determined by how many architects we employ, or the completion of projects, but rather by the quality and unique nature of each of our pieces. Our desire is to give clients the highest level of satisfaction by spending as much time required to meticulously build and produce assigned works, ensuring the product is free of fault or error.

Some of Octane architect & design’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Octane architect & design achieve 28th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Thailand:

A+Awards Winner	2
Featured Projects	4
Total Projects	3

27. Architectkidd

Architectkidd is an award winning architecture & design practice based in Bangkok, Thailand. The office is directed by Udomsak Komonvilas, Jariyawadee Lekawatana & Luke Yeung

Some of Architectkidd’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Architectkidd achieve 27th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Thailand:

Featured Projects	4
Total Projects	5

26. ForX Design Studio

ForX Design Studio is a group of architects and designers who have diverse experiences in architecture, interior architecture and masterplanning. We work as practical architects and inventors with flexible styles. We believe that new spaces emerge from an integration of not only architecture but also interior design. We approach new ideas to architecture and its users by experimental processes as our studio name suggests, For e(X)perimental design Studio.

Some of ForX Design Studio’s most prominent projects include:

Grillicious, Chonburi, Thailand
GRAND PLENO CLUBHOUSE, Bangkok, Thailand
Chia Tai Farm, Bangkok, Thailand
Natur Office Headquarter , Bangkok, Thailand
Clubhhouse_On01, Bangkok, Thailand

The following statistics helped ForX Design Studio achieve 26th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Thailand:

Featured Projects	4
Total Projects	7

25. FLAT12x

FLAT12x was founded by Julsamano Bhongsatiern and specializes in architecture, interior and furniture design. Their design philosophy is to design each project as one’s own self architectural portrait.

Some of FLAT12x’s most prominent projects include:

ANAVILLA, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand
BIBI Residence, Bangkok, Thailand
HOM PLA PAO, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon, Thailand
KPWT Residence, Bangkok, Thailand
SUNDAYS, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon, Thailand

The following statistics helped FLAT12x achieve 25th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Thailand:

Featured Projects	4
Total Projects	10

24. all(zone)

Based in Bangkok, all(zone) is a group of happy design professionals who joyfully collaborate with specialists across the borders of their fields and country. We are fascinated by our ever-changing mega metropolis that gives a form to our everyday life. Our observations are always captured by contemporary vernacular design solutions. We, therefore, try to learn from them in order to create alternative built environments where all could feel ‘at home’ in the world.

Some of all(zone)’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped all(zone) achieve 24th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Thailand:

Featured Projects	4
Total Projects	4

23. S+S Architects

Founded in 2019 by Mr. Sarunyu Uewisetwattana, S+S architects is a design studio based in Bangkok, Thailand. The design principle of S+S focuses on simplicity/space, functionality, and how to creatively design architecture which is complemented by nature.

Some of S+S Architects’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped S+S Architects achieve 23rd place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Thailand:

Featured Projects	4
Total Projects	4

22. Studio Locomotive

Studio Locomotive is a group of diverse talents who approach each project with an interdisciplinary expertise and interests: architecture, interior design, product design, branding, and visual design. The practice treats an experiential space as a persuasive manifesto of specialty, competency, and commitments, constructive for the project and congenial to its vicinity.

Crafted with empathy and evaluative attitude, the experiential space offers a sense of place; conveys the philosophy of business; expresses brand characters in proper manners; and when appropriate, advocates and inspires the values of history, art, community, environment, or science with creativity and reverence. The studio shows confidence in reimagining context interpretation, material development, and integrative techniques to devise refreshing, impressive, practical, and worthwhile ideas.

Some of Studio Locomotive’s most prominent projects include:

Thai Brasserie by Blue Elephant, Phuket, Thailand
Prim House, Phuket, Thailand
Hotel Gahn, Phang-nga, Thailand
Saffron Cruise, Bangkok, Thailand
KOKO Restaurant, Phuket, Thailand

The following statistics helped Studio Locomotive achieve 22nd place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Thailand:

A+Awards Winner	1
A+Awards Finalist	1
Featured Projects	3
Total Projects	5

21. LANDPROCESS

LANDPROCESS is a Bangkok-based landscape architecture and urban design firm founded in 2011 by landscape architect Kotchakorn Voraakhom. At LANDPROCESS, situation in the city at sea level, we, landprocessors are helping to shift cities to a carbon neutral future and confronting the future climate uncertainty.

Some of LANDPROCESS’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped LANDPROCESS achieve 21st place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Thailand:

A+Awards Winner	3
Total Projects	1

20. Bangkok Project Studio

Bangkok Project Studio was founded by Boonserm Premthada in Bangkok in 2003. Boonserm argues that architecture is the physical creation of an atmosphere, serving to heighten our awareness of our natural surroundings. In this lecture, he discusses a variety of his work, considering the manipulation of light, shadow, wind, sound, and smell, alongside the socio-economic and cultural agenda, with many of his projects including programmes to improve equality.

Some of Bangkok Project Studio’s most prominent projects include:

The Wine : Ayutthaya, Ban Run, Thailand
Kantana Film & Animation Institute, Salaya, Thailand
Elephant Museum, Surin Province, Thailand
Brick Observation Tower, Surin Province, Thailand
The Cultural Courtyard, Surin Province, Thailand

The following statistics helped Bangkok Project Studio achieve 20th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Thailand:

Featured Projects	5
Total Projects	5

19. Sook Architects Company Limited

Sook Architects Company Limited was founded in 2005. “Our Happiness” is being “SO OK architects” for any field of architectural design services, particularly urban and environmental planning, community, architectural conservation and landscape design. “SOOK” means Happiness in Thai language.

Some of Sook Architects Company Limited’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Sook Architects Company Limited achieve 19th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Thailand:

A+Awards Winner	1
Featured Projects	4
Total Projects	4

18. Architects 49

Architects 49 was established in 1983 by Nithi Sthapitanonda. From the beginning, his vision has always been timeless architecture with clean, simple, and elegant lines. With a keen interest in Thai art and architecture, our founder established the groundwork for present generations to follow. Our team has since expanded to more than 200 collaborators, working on projects around Asia and in the Middle East. Our diverse team enables us to create a broad range of architecture, from small scale residences to large scale mixed-use projects. We approach each project differently, with the belief that each one should have its own distinctive character.

Some of Architects 49’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Architects 49 achieve 18th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Thailand:

A+Awards Winner	2
Featured Projects	5
Total Projects	4

17. NPDA studio

NPDA studio was established by Nutthawut Piriyaprakob in 2009. Nutthawut received formal training in North America and worked for various design firms including Rafael Viñoly Architects and Skidmore Owings & Merrill (SOM). He eventually returned to Bangkok where he established NPDA Studio, which specializes in a variety of structural typologies, including residential, public and commercial.

Some of NPDA studio’s most prominent projects include:

Somjai House | Coconutnoom Resort, Surat Thani Province, Thailand
Bunjob House : House of Flow | Coconutnoom Resort, Surat Thani Province, Thailand
Prachasongkroa Kindergarten, Surat Thani Province, Thailand
Degree_Phuket, Phuket, Thailand
Degree | Bangkok, Bangkok, Thailand

The following statistics helped NPDA studio achieve 17th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Thailand:

A+Awards Winner	2
A+Awards Finalist	1
Featured Projects	5
Total Projects	9

16. Vaslab Architecture

VaSLab is a design oriented firm based in Bangkok, presenting expertise in architecture, interior design, and urban design. The studio, led by Vasu Virajsilp, creates an architecture by injecting the innovative and experimental ideas to construct the new order of architectural elements contextually.

Some of Vaslab Architecture’s most prominent projects include:

Mason, Chonburi, Thailand
Equilibrium House, Chaengwattana, Thailand
LIT Bangkok, Bangkok, Thailand
Honda Big Wing, Bangkok, Thailand
Bunker House, Lopburi, Thailand

The following statistics helped Vaslab Architecture achieve 16th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Thailand:

A+Awards Winner	1
A+Awards Finalist	1
Featured Projects	6
Total Projects	7

15. Somdoon Architects

Somdoon Architects was founded in 2010. The name, ‘Somdoon’ deriving from the Thai word, means ‘balance’. Our team believe that each project has different conditions and challenges. It is crucial to look around, research in depth and collaborate with others to understand each project. And the unique design is the result from the understanding and finding the balance solution.

Some of Somdoon Architects’s most prominent projects include:

ASA Lanna Center, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Baan San Kraam Sales Office, Phetchaburi, Thailand
Via 31, Bangkok, Thailand
Siamese Gioia, Bangkok, Thailand
Hasu Haus, Bangkok, Thailand

The following statistics helped Somdoon Architects achieve 15th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Thailand:

A+Awards Finalist	1
Featured Projects	6
Total Projects	12

14. Enter Projects Asia

Sitting at the forefront of technologically aided design, our internationally acclaimed architecture firm seeks to further the culture of architecture on a high level. We are producing projects of exceptionally high design integrity and material finish. We are the leading international design firm with our main offices in Phuket, Thailand and working all over South East Asia and Australia now Europe and USA.

Enter Projects Asia is the leading sustainable design firm that provides Architecture and Interior services based in Phuket, Thailand, South East Asia. Our company is fully Thai registered and operational in Thailand. Despite the global situation, we have just had a very strong year as we believe our work resonates with the attitude “Going local with cutting edge International design”.

Some of Enter Projects Asia’s most prominent projects include:

Spice & Barley Riverside Bangkok, Bangkok, Thailand
Edgecliff Medical Centre, Edgecliff, Australia
Aldrich Residence, Perth, Australia
Koh Phangan Hospitality Masterplan, Surat Thani Province, Thailand
Belgium Residence and Workspace, Waregem, Belgium

The following statistics helped Enter Projects Asia achieve 14th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Thailand:

A+Awards Finalist	1
Featured Projects	7
Total Projects	18

13. Junsekino Architecture & Design

It started from a belief that architecture and interior design are intertwined, equally important and inseparable. With a working style that values every detail in all elements and dimensions, it believes in unique touches and essences for individual projects and emphasizes on methodical approach of thinking process and overall proportion. It focuses on tropical-style environmental management. Sincerity and attentiveness are core values of Jun Sekino.

Some of Junsekino Architecture & Design’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Junsekino Architecture & Design achieve 13th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Thailand:

A+Awards Winner	2
A+Awards Finalist	1
Featured Projects	7
Total Projects	7

12. Onion

Onion is a Bangkok-based design practice founded in 2007 by Siriyot Chaiamnuay and Arisara Chaktranon. The two designers carry out a continuous exploration aimed at different needs for contemporary life styles. Onion brings the local craftsmen to explore the new techniques of using local materials. Together, they constantly push the boundaries of spatial designs in order to form a unified approach to retail and living experiences.

Some of Onion ‘s most prominent projects include:

Jerry House, Cha-am, Thailand
SALA Samui Chaweng Beach Resort, Surat Thani Province, Thailand
Bear House, Cha-am, Thailand
Sala Ayutthaya Hotel, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Thailand
Supanniga Eating Room , Bangkok, Thailand

The following statistics helped Onion achieve 12th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Thailand:

A+Awards Winner	1
Featured Projects	8
Total Projects	12

11. TROP : terrains + open space

TROP is a landscape architectural design studio with a team of designers and construction supervisors. Led by Pok Kobkongsanti, our philosophy is to create unique designs for each project that we work on. We believe that our design process is as important as the design itself, so we work very closely with each of our clients. Since 2007, TROP has been working on various projects throughout Asia.

Some of TROP : terrains + open space’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped TROP : terrains + open space achieve 11th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Thailand:

A+Awards Winner	3
A+Awards Finalist	2
Featured Projects	8
Total Projects	13

10. stu/D/O Architects

Stu/D/O Architects is a design company practicing architecture, urbanism, and sustainable design. Our approach to design projects is to consider the layers of physical and cultural archeologies at each site to invent new possibilities for the buildings’ function, context, and space, while insist on integrating passive sustainable design in every process.

Some of stu/D/O Architects’s most prominent projects include:

Zonic Vision Office, Bangkok, Thailand
Kurve 7, Bangkok, Thailand
Aperture House, Bangkok, Thailand
Naiipa Art Complex, Bangkok, Thailand
Joly House, Bangkok, Thailand

The following statistics helped stu/D/O Architects achieve 10th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Thailand:

A+Awards Winner	3
A+Awards Finalist	2
Featured Projects	7
Total Projects	8

9. Anonym

ANONYM is a design studio based in Bangkok. Our design philosophy is focusing on the relationship between spaces, people and contexts. We believe that the great design can be created with diversity, innovation and environmentally-friendly condition.

Founded by Thai architect and interior architect, we specialize in architectural and interior design and provide comprehensive design services including architectural design, master planning, interior design and feasibility study. For our clients, we seek for creative solutions to help them fulfill their dreams, archive their goals and find their happiness.

Some of Anonym’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Anonym achieve 9th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Thailand:

Featured Projects	11
Total Projects	15

8. Archimontage Design Fields Sophisticated

Archimontage Design Fields Sophisticated : is a micro office located in Nonthaburi, Thailand. Founded in 2007 by Cherngchai Riawruangsangkul, it specialises in architectural design, interior design and related fields for buildings of various sizes, especially small-size and medium-size residence in urban area.

The goals are to find alternatives for design that are not limited to conventional method and solution, to seek new options that open opportunity for architect (designer) to create new physical and emotional experience for both building owner (user) and society or people around it (observer) and to conduct cross-disciplinary experimentation to find new, unique and special ways for design. It aims to challenge, question and scrutinize definition of design and its essence, both practically and ideally

Some of Archimontage Design Fields Sophisticated’s most prominent projects include:

chokchai 4 house, Bangkok, Thailand
Muangthongthani Carcare, Nonthaburi, Thailand
dindang house, Bangkok, Thailand
sanambinnam house, Nonthaburi, Thailand
phutthamonthon house, Nakhon Pathom Province, Thailand

The following statistics helped Archimontage Design Fields Sophisticated achieve 8th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Thailand:

Featured Projects	11
Total Projects	27

7. ASWA (Architectural Studio of Work – Aholic)

ASWA (Architectural Studio of Work – Aholic) is a Bangkok-based studio founded in 2013 by Phuttipan Aswakool + Chotiros Techamongklapiwat, who carries out its design journey through experimentation with materials, architectural forms, and characteristics of interior spaces that correspond in equilibrium with the use of natural light. For ASWA, a design is conceived from a thorough analysis of each project’s surrounding context before being translated into its architectural language.

Some of ASWA (Architectural Studio of Work – Aholic)’s most prominent projects include:

Bitwise Headquarters, Samut Prakan Province, Thailand
Office of Lee & Son Leather, Bangkok, Thailand
MHS, Mae Hong Son, Thailand
Solid Concrete Studio + Gallery, Bangkok, Thailand
ASWA office, Bangkok, Thailand

The following statistics helped ASWA (Architectural Studio of Work – Aholic) achieve 7th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Thailand:

Featured Projects	12
Total Projects	20

6. EKAR

EKAR believes the architecture is the place that originated from a divisibly mixture of human usabilities occurred through thinking process, analysis and connections based on different conditions and contexts which are surrounded in every dimension of each specific location. Nature, society, culture, behavior, taste and time are reflected in a unique architectural work as beautiful aesthetic senses. Every piece of EKAR creation is like a research combining science and art together to bring out proper design efficiency to create a sense of place which will lead to positive changes and expand the boundaries of design to the whole society.

Some of EKAR’s most prominent projects include:

VOA Space, Khon Kaen, Thailand
Power House Center of SCG, Bangkok, Thailand
Re-Gen House | House for multi generations , Bangkok, Thailand
Multi-Place, Surat Thani Province, Thailand
T-House, Nonthaburi, Thailand

The following statistics helped EKAR achieve 6th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Thailand:

A+Awards Winner	1
A+Awards Finalist	6
Featured Projects	9
Total Projects	8

5. IF (Integrated Field)

IF is a Thailand based design office that believes in finding a specified question for each project, to understand its “core”, and develop the design based on that issue throughout the whole process. With belief in this method, IF was founded by group of friends consisting of architects, an interior architect, a landscape architect and an industrial designer, intended to work together and gather aspects in as many fields as possible to create work from the integrated inputs as our core saying, “IF works in the Field of Integration”. It has been founded since July 2011 and still at its very first stage at the moment.

Some of IF (Integrated Field)’s most prominent projects include:

EKH CHILDREN HOSPITAL, Samut Sakhon, Thailand
CUCHI ORGANIC ECO FARM, Củ Chi, Vietnam
KLOEM HOSTEL, Bangkok, Thailand
Exotic Food (XO), Bangkok, Thailand
Coro Field : Phase 1, Ratchaburi, Thailand

The following statistics helped IF (Integrated Field) achieve 5th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Thailand:

A+Awards Winner	3
A+Awards Finalist	4
Featured Projects	8
Total Projects	11

4. TOUCH Architect

‘TOUCH’ comes from our philosophy that we respect your need and preference, and it is our desire to make your imagination becomes reality. So with a touch of ours, your idea will be delivered. We promise to fulfill your inspiration and make it happen, since we believe that architecture is not just a building. It is where we live, work, relax or even learn. We spend most of our lives in it. So, in time, it has become such a memorial to us. Also, it is one of the most fascinating aspects of human skills since the beginning of time. It indicates a timeline, as well as an expression of life, society, culture, and intellect.

Some of TOUCH Architect’s most prominent projects include:

Option Coffee Bar, Udon Thani, Thailand
IN-SIGHT House, Bangkok, Thailand
House Enfold, Thepharak, Thailand
81 Trans-(parent), Bangkok, Thailand
House COVE(R), Soi Siwalee Suvarnabhumi Village, Thailand

The following statistics helped TOUCH Architect achieve 4th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Thailand:

A+Awards Winner	1
Featured Projects	16
Total Projects	11

3. Chiangmai Life Architects

Chiangmai Life Architects is based in northern Thailand with its partnering firm, Chiangmai Life Construction, responsible for building the modern sustainable designs using earth and bamboo as main construction materials. The company’s philosophy is to bring these natural materials into the 21st century, with light and clean organic designs and up-to-date engineering knowledge. CLC strives for a balance of function, beauty and sustainability.

Some of Chiangmai Life Architects’s most prominent projects include:

Bamboo Sports Hall at Panyaden International School, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Bamboo Meditation Cathedral & Sunset Sala, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Science Labs & Music Center @ Panyaden International School, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Erber Research Center and Lecture Hall, Tambon Kamphaeng Saen, Thailand
A Tale of Earth and Wood, Chiang Mai, Thailand

The following statistics helped Chiangmai Life Architects achieve 3rd place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Thailand:

A+Awards Winner	4
A+Awards Finalist	1
Featured Projects	9
Total Projects	8

2. IDIN Architects

An acronym for Integrating Design Into Nature, IDIN Architects was founded in 2004. We perceive ‘nature’ in two ways. Firstly, nature can be defined as the ecology around us. Secondly, it can also refer to different mannerisms and personalities. The design philosophy and attention of IDIN are to merge this sense of surroundings, the ‘natures’, to the architectural aesthetic. This merge is done through a process of analyzing and prioritizing the different needs and requirements of each project. In addition to being an acronym, the Thai word “idin” is used to describe the natural phenomenon when soil releases a beautiful scent after rainfall.

Some of IDIN Architects’s most prominent projects include:

Choui Fong Tea Café, Chiang Rai, Thailand
IDIN Architects Office, Bangkok, Thailand
MDC Headquarters, Bangkok, Thailand
Choui Fong Tea Cafe 2, Mueang Chiang Rai, Thailand
PA HOUSE, Bangkok, Thailand

The following statistics helped IDIN Architects achieve 2nd place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Thailand:

A+Awards Winner	2
A+Awards Finalist	2
Featured Projects	19
Total Projects	25

1. Department of ARCHITECTURE

Department of ARCHITECTURE Co. practices architecture, interior design, landscape design, and other design-related disciplines within a broad range of programmatic requirements and scales. The firm focuses on developing ideas in architecture, researches on social, cultural, and physical context, as well as takes on an exploration for alternative material utilization.

Some of Department of ARCHITECTURE’s most prominent projects include:

Thailand Creative and Design Center (TCDC), Bangkok, Thailand
The Commons Thonglor, Bangkok, Thailand
‘Drift’ Lobby Bar, Pattaya City, Thailand
MIST Hot Spring Resort, Henan, China
Little Shelter Hotel, Chiang Mai, Thailand

The following statistics helped Department of ARCHITECTURE achieve 1st place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Thailand:

A+Awards Winner	9
A+Awards Finalist	5
Featured Projects	13
Total Projects	17

Why Should I Trust Architizer’s Ranking?

With more than 30,000 architecture firms and over 130,000 projects within its database, Architizer is proud to host the world’s largest online community of architects and building product manufacturers. Its celebrated A+Awards program is also the largest celebration of architecture and building products, with more than 400 jurors and hundreds of thousands of public votes helping to recognize the world’s best architecture each year.

Architizer also powers firm directories for a number of AIA (American Institute of Architects) Chapters nationwide, including the official directory of architecture firms for AIA New York.

An example of a project page on Architizer with Project Award Badges highlighted

A Guide to Project Awards

The blue “”+”” badge denotes that a project has won a prestigious A+Award as described above. Hovering over the badge reveals details of the award, including award category, year, and whether the project won the jury or popular choice award.

The orange Project of the Day and yellow Featured Project badges are awarded by Architizer’s Editorial team, and are selected based on a number of factors. The following factors increase a project’s likelihood of being featured or awarded Project of the Day status:

Project completed within the last 3 years
A well written, concise project description of at least 3 paragraphs
Architectural design with a high level of both functional and aesthetic value
High quality, in focus photographs
At least 8 photographs of both the interior and exterior of the building
Inclusion of architectural drawings and renderings
Inclusion of construction photographs

There are 7 Projects of the Day each week and a further 31 Featured Projects. Each Project of the Day is published on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram Stories, while each Featured Project is published on Facebook. Each Project of the Day also features in Architizer’s Weekly Projects Newsletter and shared with 170,000 subscribers.

Top image: Bamboo Meditation Cathedral & Sunset Sala by Chiangmai Life Architects, Mae Rim District, Chiang Mai, Thailand

We’re constantly look for the world’s best architects to join our community. If you would like to understand more about this ranking list and learn how your firm can achieve a presence on it, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at editorial@architizer.com.

Reference

Interior Design

Wood and stone surfaces bring “rich texture” to Primrose Hill House interior

By Zarkon Group,10/02/2023

Architecture for London has updated a 1960s house in London, creating an open-plan interior filled with natural materials and an improved connection to the rear courtyard garden.

The house is one of two detached properties set in a modernist estate in Primrose Hill that primarily consists of painted brick courtyard houses and small terraces.

The new owner asked Architecture for London to transform the interior into a modern layout that is better suited to their lifestyle.

“The house had a very broken plan consisting of lots of small rooms,” the studio’s director Ben Ridley told Dezeen. “The client wanted to create a family house that was more open plan with better views of the garden.”

Exterior photo of Primrose Hill House — The studio added a rooftop extension clad in white bricks

The remodelled interior improves the connection with the garden by incorporating a large picture window in the kitchen, along with sliding wood-framed doors in the living area.

The ground floor also contains a smaller reception area next to the entrance hall, with folding doors allowing this space to be separated from the kitchen and dining area.

Image of Primrose Hill House — Sliding wood-framed doors open the living room up to the garden

A bespoke blackened-steel staircase provides access to four bedrooms on the first floor, including a main suite with a juliet balcony overlooking the garden.

Following a detailed cost and sustainability review, a decision was made to demolish all of the property’s interior walls and rebuild them in order to achieve the required spaces.

Interior image of Primrose Hill House — The interior was finished in a rich material palette

This solution also offered the best energy-efficiency potential, according to Ridley, with a layer of wall insulation added alongside a heat recovery ventilation system (MVHR).

The home’s first-floor plate was replaced using steel beams and timber joists to enable the demolition of the ground-floor walls and the opening up of the interior.

Interior photo of Primrose Hill House — Flooring was used to define different zonessp

The project also involved the addition of a timber-framed rooftop extension, clad with white-painted brick to tie in with the rest of the house and set back so it’s largely hidden from view.

The extension contains a flexible mezzanine space for yoga and meditation that is accessed from the main bedroom suite.

Throughout the home, Architecture for London applied a pared-back palette of natural materials that is intended to create a sense of calmness and connection with the garden.

Internal walls treated with breathable lime plaster provide a neutral backdrop for furniture designed by architect Christian Brailey, which includes a dining table made from locally sourced London plane trees.

Photo of a dining area — Doors and windows are framed with wood

“We intentionally didn’t use a lot of colour so there’s a strong feeling of consistency,” Ridley said. “The choice of stone and timber brings a rich texture to the palette.”

A reference image of a Portuguese manor house, featuring a tiled trompe l’oeil frieze around a doorway, informed the use of materials to define space within the interior.

Photo of a bar at the home — The shared living areas have an open-plan layout

In the living room, stone floor tiles in different shades create a border around the room, as if an area rug has been placed on the floor to demarcate where furniture could be placed.

Ben Ridley founded Architecture for London in 2009 following his studies at London’s Barlett School of Architecture. The studio aims to create places that improve how people live and work, with a focus on reducing their operational emissions.

Photo of a staircase at the London home — Wood lines the interior walls of the home

Ridley’s own London house recently featured in our round-up of five UK house renovations designed to improve energy efficiency.

“Ultimately we are going to have to accept some changes in the appearance of our traditional homes,” he said, speaking to Dezeen as part of a feature on architects who have retrofitted their own homes.

The photography is by Christian Brailey.

Reference

Sustainable News

A climate-positive chocolate brand – Springwise

By Zarkon Group,10/02/2023

Spotted: The mainstream chocolate industry is affecting rainforests, damaging the environment, and contributing to global warming – and the problem begins when sourcing the cocoa bean. In normal chocolate production, cocoa farmers clear tropical forests to plant new cocoa trees rather than reusing the same land. This has resulted in massive deforestation in West Africa, particularly in The Ivory Coast.

But British chocolate company Love Cocoa has created a brand that makes chocolate consumption and manufacturing more sustainable. As the great-great-great-grandson of John Cadbury, creator of Cadbury chocolate, James Cadbury aims to follow in his footsteps by building his company on ethical grounds. For every product sold, the company is planting one tree in their Plant A Tree Project to create a fairer, more sustainable chocolate industry.

Love Cocoa is working in partnership with Eden Reforestation Projects, a non-profit NGO that works with local communities in developing countries to restore natural landscapes destroyed by deforestation, thereby creating jobs, protecting ecosystems, and helping to combat climate change. The company has already planted one million trees in West Africa. Planting more trees isn’t only ecologically beneficial, it also benefits local communities and cocoa farmers who can transition to more stable and sustainable practices.

Increasingly, the chocolate industry is looking to minimise its carbon footprint. Springwise has also spotted a 3D-printed dress made from waste cocoa bean husks, and a blockchain programme that supports local cocoa farmers.

Written By: Anam Alam

Reference

studio MEMM fronts two-volume tree house in brazil with solar shading inspired by leaves

Architecture

studio MEMM fronts tree house in brazil with playful solar shading

By Zarkon Group,10/02/2023

‘tree house’ by studio MEMM, a multigenerational hub

On a sloping land in Monte Verde, Brazil, Studio MEMM has completed a tree house as a multigenerational wooden hub connected by a walkway. Covering 18 sqm, the project ‘emerged as a playful idea. In a moment of family expansion, with new grandchildren and nephews, the client understood that the ludic universe of the tree house could add to the experience of staying in Monte Verde, Minas Gerais,’ explains the practice.

The design is located close to the main residence and features two volumes positioned among tree branches, emphasizing the sense of playfulness. The first and smaller module spanning 6 sqm serves as a reception area. In comparison, the second 12 sqm volume functions as the primary activity hub, initially displaced to accommodate a torsion of trunks that change position as they gain height. Two walkways support these structures: the first and smaller pathway connects both modules while the second, larger one gently regulates the terrain slope and links the tree house to the main property promenade.

‘Before conceiving the project, it was necessary to choose the tree and understand its context. The client already had in mind options in an area near the lake on the site. Around it, programs such as a pool annex, a deck, a natural pool, and the new house would fence the surroundings of the body of water. The garden, densely populated by numerous tree species, brings privacy and ambiance to each program around the wetland area. In addition, a gentle, continuous slope extends across the land so that the lake’s surroundings are arranged in gentle plateaus,‘ shares the Studio MEMM team.

using glass, brise-soleils, and light for a deeper immersion

All façades of the ‘Treee House’ are clad in glass panels, encouraging a strong visual connection to the outdoors. Bordering the panels are aluminum frames that attach the glass to the façades; thanks to their dark graphite finish, these frames stand out from the wooden structure and emphasize the limit between solid and void. They also contribute to the water drainage on rainy days, preventing puddles from accumulating in the lower parts of the frame and eventually deteriorating the wood.

a two-volume structure connected by a walkway

Inspired by the geometries of the surrounding sycamore leaf structures, Studio MEMM fronted the two-volume shed with a CNC-milled brise-soleil, industrially built with glued laminated timber. Installed from the inside, this architectural element ‘embraces the guest and creates an impression of a dome that contains this entire universe in the interiors, instigating immersion and disconnection from the external world, transporting the user to a shelter that allows them to experience a feeling of unrecognizable enchantment,’ continues the team.

the brise-soleils evoke the geometry of sycamore leaves

Lastly, the lighting design by Futura Iluminação highlights both the unique aesthetic and sculptural branches engulfing the ‘Tree House’ without undermining the charm of night-time darkness. ‘The light spots placed on the ground level reveal the trunks and tree tops. The softly lit branches and leaves filter the dark sky above. Inside, light fixtures on the floor illuminate the brise soleil from bottom to top, bringing light, instead of shadow, to the lower part of the geometries. The solution emphasizes the view of the inside from the outside of the house and contributes to the discovery effect of the element in the heights,’ says Studio MEMM.

Reference

Pink, orange and green rotating partition walls in a concrete apartment by AB Rogers

Interior Design

Rotating panels define spaces in artist’s studio by Ab Rogers Design

By Zarkon Group,09/02/2023

Ab Rogers Design has completed an artist’s studio and residence in Kanazawa, Japan, featuring a series of fluorescent partition walls that can be rotated to transform how the space is used.

Called Fishmarket, the multipurpose creative and living space was designed for Japanese artist Hiraki Sawa, who lives in London but regularly visits his home city of Kanazawa.

Sawa met Ab Rogers in 2019 when the pair were both working on projects for the Wonderfruit music festival in Thailand.

At the time, they were both living in east London and over the course of several conversations decided to work together on what Rogers calls the “co-being space” in Kanazawa.

Fluorescent rotating partition walls revealing a freestanding bathtub in a concrete apartment by Ab Rogers Design — The interior was stripped back to its shell

Named after the duo’s shared love of fish, the former commercial space was converted into a place for Sawa to stay while in Kanazawa, as well as a place to host workshops around design, culture and food.

Rogers’ studio stripped the interior back to its industrial shell before adding foil-backed insulation to some of the walls and introducing interventions including the rotating plywood walls.

Pink fluorescent partition wall in an industrial apartment with concrete staircase to the side — The fluorescent partition walls are made from plywood

“We didn’t want to make it cosy or glossy, we wanted to work with the bones of what was there,” Rogers told Dezeen.

“We tried to let the light in as much as possible while keeping it raw and creating these interventions, these objects in space.”

Yellow, pink, orange and green rotating partition walls zoning a bedroom in a concrete apartment by Ab Rogers Design — The walls were painted in different colours to add character

The insertion of the four movable partitions on the building’s second floor allows this open space to be transformed into three smaller multipurpose zones.

Pivoting doors conceal the bathroom and enable the bedroom to become a workshop for making art, a place for viewing it or a social space for gatherings.

Each panel is painted in a different fluorescent highlighter hue to bring a sense of vibrancy and character to the otherwise pared-back space.

“I love fluorescent colours because they’re really alive and dynamic,” Rogers explained. “When daylight hits them they become electrified and they transform into something else.”

Long kitchen island bench topped with blue tiles in a dimly lit industrial apartment — The kitchen is located on the upper floor

A concrete staircase ascends to another open space where a monolithic nine-metre-long workbench functions as a kitchen, a worktop and a table for cooking, eating and sharing.

“The kitchen can be used as a kitchen but it’s also adaptable depending on what actions are being performed in the space,” Rogers explained.

“If you put a plate on it, it becomes a restaurant,” he added. “If you put a computer on it then it’s an office and if you put a sewing machine on it then it becomes a workshop for designing or making textiles.”

Long kitchen table topped with blue tiles with red strip lighting overhead in an unfinished industrial apartment — A long tiled bench provides space for food preparation and dining

All of the materials used in the project were sourced locally and chosen for their affordability. Building regulations also dictated some of the design decisions, such as the need to line certain walls with plywood panels.

Rogers never visited Kanazawa, so Sawa was responsible for solving problems on-site and finding materials to turn his ideas into reality.

Toilet and sink on a wooden bench in an industrial bathroom with fluorescent green wall by Ab Rogers Design — Some walls were lined with plywood panels

The project evolved over time with lots of back and forth between the client and designer. According to Rogers, this organic process produced an outcome that embodies both of their visions.

“I love these small projects where you have a strong affiliation with the client,” said the designer. “This symbiotic way of designing through a conversation is really fluent and means you’re always building ambition.”

Fluorescent green rotating wall at the top of a concrete staircase — The studio was previously a commercial space

Rogers works across fields such as health, culture, retail, hospitality and housing.

Previous projects by the multidisciplinary design studio include a cancer treatment hospital clad in glazed red terracotta and a space-efficient apartment with a floor area of just 19 square metres.

The photography is by Takumi Ota.

Reference

Sustainable News

AI-trained sign language tech for online meetings

By Zarkon Group,09/02/2023

Spotted: According to the World Health Organization, nearly one in five people globally are Deaf or have difficulty hearing. And often, social media and machines that provide services do not incorporate sign language – making them less inclusive for those who are hard of hearing.

Startup Deaf AI is working to change this by using artificial intelligence (AI) to train machines to do sign language. Its goal is to make both the real world and the virtual world more inclusive by providing sign language translation on demand. The company has already developed a sign detector that works with online meetings of groups of Deaf people. It uses computer vision to determine who is the “speaker” at any given time in a group, “muting” the others in the meeting so users do not sign over each other.

Video source Deaf AI

The company is also developing an app that will transfer real-time speech and talk into sign language, for use in augmented and virtual reality spaces such as games and cultural sites, as well as in the metaverse. Its vision is to develop digital humans as sign language interpreters for real-time interpreting of voice to sign languages.

According to Deaf AI, the company aims “to address the societal issue by engaging artificial intelligence to improve the experience of using the digital world for [deaf] people, making technology more accessible.”

Deaf AI joins a growing list of smart devices and tech companies that are working to make the world more accessible for everyone. Other innovations Springwise has spotted include a glove that translates the spoken word into sign language, and an app that lets users of sign language communicate with Alexa.

Written By: Lisa Magloff

Reference

Underbar at Stockho;m Furniture Fair by Jonas Bohlin and Christine Ingridsdotter

Sustainable News

Jonas Bohlin and Christine Ingridsdotter create reusable bar Underbar

By Zarkon Group,09/02/2023

Interior architect Jonas Bohlin has designed a bar featuring a wall made from dress shirts and a ceiling decorated with emergency blankets at Stockholm Furniture Fair.

Bohlin worked closely with Christine Ingridsdotter, who previously designed the colouring and textiles for restaurants by Bohlin, on the project.

Called Underbar, a pun on the word bar that means wonderful in Swedish, the space is located at the centre of the Stockholm Furniture Fair trade show and was made from materials that will be reused once the fair is over.

Its design was based on a previous bar that Bohlin created for the furniture fair in the early 1980s, which had the same proportions.

Wall made from dress shirts at Underbar bar at Stockholm Design Week — The back wall is made from dress shirts

All of the bar’s furniture was designed by Bohlin and made in Sweden, and all the materials used for Underbar were chosen so that they could be reused after the fair closes.

“As a designer, there are three things that are of interest: nature, life and the future,” Bohlin told Dezeen. “We wanted to create a space where everything could be reused, nothing would be allowed to be thrown away afterward.”

“We borrowed the shirts for the dress shirt wall from friends who will get them back, while the vases are from second-hand store Myrorna and will be given back to it when the bar closes,” he said.

“The willow mats used for the walls will be used at garden fair Trädgårdsmässan; the chairs I’ve borrowed from restaurants I’ve designed, the tables have already been sold, and the bench was made from wooden flooring and a steel frame that can also be reused.”

View of Underbar at Stockholm Furniture Fair by Jonas Bohlin — Bohlin constructed the lamps for the space himself

The felt lamps were designed by Bohlin for a lighting company that didn’t want to produce them, blaming a lack of time.

“That made me slightly annoyed as I’d already envisioned the lamps here, so I had to sit down and make them all myself,” Bohlin said.

“The idea was that they would be good for the acoustics,” he added. “The best thing is to dampen the sound close to the source, the mouth, which is why I made the lamps from felt and in these half-circle shapes that catch the sound. Some of these will go to a restaurant after and I’ll sell the rest of them.”

Lamps made from felt by designer Jonas Bohlin — Vases were bought from a second-hand store

The bar was made from leather on a steel frame in collaboration with Ahls Mekaniska in Småland, which also helped make the tables.

The ceiling was decorated with emergency blankets that will be donated after the end of the fair, potentially to Ukraine, Bohlin said. His lamps Andromeda and Atom were used to create sculptural lighting designs in the bar.

Close-up of dress shirts used for Underbar bar — Shirts were leant by friends and will be returned

“When I design something I try to relate to the space, play on the space as if it is Chinese chequers – I want to keep something of the history of the space when I create something new and respect the history that has been,” Bohlin said.

“But I also try to create a landscape of dreams,” he added. “We’re all different, and I think it’s important in a public space for everyone to find something – in the colour or form – that they feel safe with or recognise, something they can talk about.”

“Fancy restaurants may target just one typical audience, while I want everyone who comes here to feel welcome and for everyone to have an experience, both of the food and of the spatiality.”

Other projects on show during Stockholm Design Week include a pavilion by Daniel Rybakken in the waters of Stockholm and an exhibition that visualizes the carbon emissions of common materials.

Underbar is on show until 11 February as part of Stockholm Design Week. Browse our digital guide to the festival here and see Dezeen Events Guide for details of other architecture and design events taking place around the world.

Reference

Ergon Agora East Gallery

How are these architecture firms ranked?

30. I Like Design Studio

29. makeAscene

28. Octane architect & design

27. Architectkidd

26. ForX Design Studio

25. FLAT12x

24. all(zone)

23. S+S Architects

22. Studio Locomotive

21. LANDPROCESS

20. Bangkok Project Studio

19. Sook Architects Company Limited

18. Architects 49

17. NPDA studio

16. Vaslab Architecture

15. Somdoon Architects

14. Enter Projects Asia

13. Junsekino Architecture & Design

12. Onion

11. TROP : terrains + open space

10. stu/D/O Architects

9. Anonym

8. Archimontage Design Fields Sophisticated

7. ASWA (Architectural Studio of Work – Aholic)

6. EKAR

5. IF (Integrated Field)

4. TOUCH Architect

3. Chiangmai Life Architects

2. IDIN Architects

1. Department of ARCHITECTURE

Why Should I Trust Architizer’s Ranking?

A Guide to Project Awards

‘tree house’ by studio MEMM, a multigenerational hub

using glass, brise-soleils, and light for a deeper immersion

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