ANOTHER SMITH, DESIGNED BY TASTESPACE AND THOR KAICHON, DRAWS INSPIRATION FROM THE TYPOLOGY OF THE CHINESE COURTYARD, WHICH REFLECTS BOTH MAE SOT’S CULTURAL DIVERSITY AND THE EVOLUTION OF THE FAMILY BUSINESS, WITH BAMBOO CHOSEN AS THE PRIMARY MATERIAL
TEXT: BHUMIBHAT PROMBOOT
PHOTO: JINNAWAT BORIHANKIJANAN
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Bamboo has long been a widely used material in the design industry, spanning applications from small-scale product and furniture design to architectural projects ranging from compact structures to mid-sized buildings. Thor Kaichon, a design studio specializing in bamboo installations and architecture, has been instrumental in advancing its use, seeking to refine the material’s potential while dismantling traditional perceptions that have long dictated its applications. Through a deeper understanding of bamboo’s natural properties, the firm aims to expand its architectural possibilities and encourage broader adoption in contemporary design.
A fixture in Mae Sot for over half a century, Rim Moei Fish Maw Restaurant has long been a landmark in the bustling Rim Moei Market in Tak Province, Thailand. As the family business was transferred to the next generation, the owners sought to reimagine the restaurant in a way that embraced a more contemporary vision. The result is Another Smith, a new dining establishment located just a few hundred meters from the original site. The name was chosen as a nod to the family’s surname, subtly reinforcing the continuity between past and present. Designed as a welcoming destination for visitors to Mae Sot, Another Smith draws inspiration from the typology of the Chinese courtyard, a spatial configuration that reflects both inheritance and evolution of the family business with bamboo chosen as the primary material.
The interior design was executed by TasteSpace—an acclaimed studio specializing in restaurants and cafés. Meanwhile, Thor Kaichon, leveraging its extensive expertise in bamboo construction across both local and international projects, oversaw the architectural design and overall spatial planning. The design of Another Smith draws direct inspiration from the architectural language and proportions of traditional Chinese architecture. This is evident in its spatial planning, which centers around an open courtyard, as well as in the curved roof forms and the interlocking structural framework reminiscent of classical Chinese construction. These elements, deeply rooted in Chinese cultural identity, are set within the multicultural landscape of Mae Sot, a border town adjacent to Myanmar. The region has long been a crossroads for diverse ethnic communities, including Chinese, Burmese, Muslim, and Tai Yai populations, who have settled, traded, and coexisted here. This cultural confluence has naturally influenced the functional programming of the space, particularly through the integration of a jewelry shop—an enterprise historically intertwined with the original Rim Moei Fish Maw Restaurant since its early days.
The new Another Smith establishment operates from daytime through evening, featuring distinct yet interconnected zones: a café, a restaurant, a bar, and a jewelry store, reflecting the family’s longstanding business ties. These areas transition dynamically throughout the day, with the central courtyard serving as the focal point that unifies them. By day, the courtyard remains open and unoccupied, allowing for fluid movement between the surrounding dining and retail spaces. As evening unfolds, activity gradually shifts inward, transforming the courtyard into a vibrant venue for gatherings and events. This adaptable spatial arrangement fosters an ever-evolving atmosphere, with the rhythms of the restaurant seamlessly transitioning from tranquil daytime dining to a lively social hub by night, anchored by a central bar counter at the heart of this transformation.
The bamboo structure stands as one of Another Smith’s most defining architectural features. Thor Kaichon, the firm behind the project, brings extensive experience in bamboo construction and has meticulously explored ways to refine its application within the site’s specific conditions. Through careful observation and experimentation, the architects employed several techniques, including the use of translucent corrugated roofing panels with UV-resistant properties to prevent the bamboo’s natural coloration from fading under prolonged sun exposure. Each bamboo culm was hand-selected for its straightness, ensuring uniformity and stability in the structural composition. Additionally, to mitigate moisture absorption, the ends of the bamboo were sealed with concrete, preventing water from penetrating the internodes. These strategies push the boundaries of bamboo construction, overcoming its conventional, natural limitations.
Beyond the bamboo framework and its Chinese architectural references, Another Smith is distinguished by its striking interior palette, where a deep shade of blue defines the spatial atmosphere. According to TasteSpace, this hue, prominently featured in the ceramic tiles cladding the bar counter and in key furniture pieces—including chairs and sofas—was inspired by the Blue Cave, a natural rock formation within the Phutthakaya Monastery in Mae Ku Subdistrict, Mae Sot District. The same blue extends into architectural details such as the metal entrance doors and the bases of the bamboo columns. Contrasting this dominant blue are carefully placed accents of red—a color deeply rooted in Chinese symbolism—woven into the interior detailing. The interplay of these hues creates a layered cultural dialogue, bridging the identities of Mae Sot and its Chinese heritage within the project.
Alignment in time, place, and context is at the core of Another Smith’s approach to bamboo, where the material is seamlessly integrated into both structural components and architectural elements such as wall enclosures. Rather than being constrained by its inherent limitations, bamboo has been rigorously tested, refined, and adapted to enhance its durability and expand its architectural possibilities. While traditionally considered an alternative material, bamboo has long demonstrated its structural integrity, flexibility, and expressive potential—particularly in its ability to be shaped and curved with remarkable freedom. Yet bamboo is just one of many natural materials experiencing a resurgence in contemporary architecture. Various types of wood and other organic materials are increasingly embraced. The key to this evolution lies in the openness and willingness of architects, contractors, and project owners to explore new possibilities—to experiment, innovate, and integrate alternative materials into their work. This openness fosters a process of continuous discovery, where research and application converge to generate new insights in the field of design, as exemplified in the architectural innovations realized at Another Smith.
