PUBLIC INTERIORS FINAL PHASE

Cities in the sky (Final Phase)

The project outline discusses the state of public realms residing within Bangkok’s central shopping district, along the BTS stations from National Stadium to Phloen Chit, from which individual observations will be made. These investigations would proceed to serve as a basis of problem ideation, specific to a micro context e.g. the atrium of Amarin Plaza and the open porch between Siam BTS and Siam Square One, leading to which the project will attempt to respond or mitigate.

Vertical collage & Matrix

Through various examples of civic spaces, sidewalks and pavements (Highline – New York, Superkilen – Copenhagen, Nyhavn – Copenhagen), outdoor open spaces are capable of providing opportunities for public activities. The skywalk between National Stadium BTS and Siam BTS were however much less lively compared to the aforementioned examples, the structure serves purely as a bridge between malls and stations and regrettably requires one to walk through malls to get from station to station. Notably even the most recent structure, right above the Pathumwan intersection, that happen to free up a large area capable of accommodating social and civic activity is unfortunately not living up to its purpose due to Bangkok’s tropical climate.

Map & Taxonomy

My project seeks to capitalize on these available outdoor spaces, specifically concentrating on the skywalk right above the Pathumwan intersection, firstly by vertically intensifying available outdoor walkable space and secondly by creating alternative elevated link ways such as bike paths and sky gardens. These additions are in response to two qualities that the current sky walk lacks, connectivity and civic-social activity. 

Plan & Section

Through vertical intensification, a series of platforms connected through walkways serve not only as activity spaces but also shelter and shade for the lower stratus while concurrently allowing light to permeate through. Alternative link ways are then designed at multiple levels bridging connectivity between stations and nodes, serving movements of different purposes. 

Nodes

One can now stroll along the sky gardens while admiring the skyline of central Bangkok, walk on the elevated paths alike through a marketplace or ride a bicycle from place to place as a cheaper and healthier alternative of transport. My intention is to create an extension of Bangkok’s community, a setting where celebrations are held, where friends run into each other. A space where communities can be strengthened, where people can feel comfortable even when they do not spend.

Axonometric

Free Document - Atmospheric Illustration

PUBLIC INTERIORS PHASE 3C

Cities in the sky (2)

Nodes - Axon & Section

Sky Garden - Axon & Section

Circulation - Axon

PUBLIC INTERIORS PHASE 3B

Cities in the sky

Plan - Section (1)

Plan - Section (2)

Axonometric

Phase 2: Collective Work

Nolli’s Map of Siam

2D Plan Nolli map of Siam

3D Collective exploded Axonometric Map of Siam

PUBLIC INTERIORS PHASE 2 & 3

City of the Skywalk

The upper and lower strata of the city exists in constant rapid movement with each space hardly distinguishable from the next. While travelling in either of these layers, one could only catch glimpses so fleeting as if there were none at all. Between these echelons exists a zone where movement slows down and the volume of information bombardment becomes distinctively reduced. People begin to recognize and are able to make better sense of the world around them. No longer do people experience the city as a series of brief encounters but instead form meaningful interactions with lasting impressions. 

Collage of the Skywalk

Objects within these zones come together as an amalgamation of places from time lines specific to each. Every object in a way, contributes to a central diversifying spectrum of present time and with continuous displacement, the spatial realm goes undergoes constant renewal. Objects in this aspect, although belonging from separate times, now experience new relationships. This changes the user experience and dynamic, a new way of moving, doing and communicating could perhaps be formed, breathing new life in old objects, projecting and changing perspectives.

Map, Taxonomy & Impression

Map

Taxonomy

Impression

PUBLIC INTERIORS PHASE 1

Invisible Cities

The thought of Maurilia(s) often begets joy. They are cities of the same land, yet vastly separated through time and memory giving each of these cities an ephemeral quality. For too long have we been constantly clearing away Maurilia (placeness), making the cities increasingly fleeting. To counter the destruction, perhaps there will be a time where Maurilia achieves permanence; and in its permanence, meet its end. 

Collage of Maurilia

Public Interiors and Observations

The skywalk serves as a kinetic space, one of constant movement and change. While in shopping malls where capitalistic exchanges occur, a similar phenomenon appears on the sky walk; an exchange of space, a constant negotiation of territory where the sum of its value is decided by both the time of and program of the day.

Series of 9 observational images

The envisioned intervention thus seeks to enhance this value of space by introducing the possibility of public participation and programs (e.g The High Line). By doing so, instead of creating a communal public interior of a mall, the skywalk now binds the malls around it in the larger scheme of things, creating a central public space in an effort to alleviate the current divisive consumerist condition.