WATSADU NIYOM, IN COLLABORATION WITH HAA STUDIO, PRESENTS A THEMATIC PAVILION THAT FUSES ADVANCED INNOVATION WITH ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY – ILLUMINATING A DECADE OF LEADERSHIP IN PREMIUM WOOD-SUBSTITUTE AND DECORATIVE BUILDING MATERIALS
TEXT: ANKHANANG LOETLOEPHONG
PHOTO: KETSIREE WONGWAN
(For Thai, press here)
Who would have thought that an aurora could appear within Architect’26? Yet this is precisely the image evoked by Watsadu niyom’s Thematic Pavilion, designed in collaboration with HAA Studio under the concept ‘THE TENTH LIGHT.’ Inspired by the aurora and the cyclical intensification of light that returns roughly every decade, the pavilion becomes a fitting metaphor for Watsadu niyom’s own ten-year journey, one that has seen the brand illuminate the field of architectural finishing materials and emerge as a leading name in premium wood-substitute and decorative building materials.
Beyond its profound concept and visually striking form, the Watsadu niyom booth was conceived to move past the idea of temporary architecture as something destined to exist only as a fleeting impression. Instead, it proposes an architecture that can be reversed. Its design places emphasis on the afterlife of materials after the event has ended, responding to a future-oriented understanding of sustainability. Every structural component has been designed to be disassembled and recovered, allowing the materials to re-enter a system of actual use after the exhibition. In doing so, the pavilion reflects the idea of ‘Material Longevity,’ considering materials not only in terms of beauty and strength, but also through their extended cycles of value.
At the center of the pavilion are its aluminum wood-substitute battens, reinterpreted from a conventional façade element into an artistic device that gives the pavilion depth, movement, and spatial character. Their use reveals an unexpected potential in wood-substitute materials. The system incorporates ‘Aluminium Plastic Composite, or APC’, a surface-coated aluminum innovation that combines the strength and durability of aluminum with the appearance of natural wood. It is also developed with ‘Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate, or ASA’, a recent innovation adapted from materials used in the automotive and aviation industries as a coating layer. The result is a product that is durable yet lightweight, thin, and bendable, opening up greater freedom in design and allowing for solutions that respond more closely to users’ needs.
For the flooring, the pavilion features ‘Harmony Series,’ a high-quality wood-substitute flooring product designed for outdoor use. Manufactured with co-extrusion technology, the material offers resistance to scratches and environmental conditions while remaining easy to clean and maintain. With BR6 technology, the wood grain gains greater clarity and definition. Although it is a WPC (Wood-Plastic Composite) alternative to natural wood, the product offers an appearance that closely evokes the warmth and texture of real timber, helping to create an inviting atmosphere for visitors entering the Watsadu niyom booth.
The pavilion also incorporates ‘Recoplast,’ an environmentally conscious product developed from the idea of making the most meaningful use of waste generated by the construction industry. Selected waste materials are brought back into an upcycling process and transformed into high-quality products once more. This reflects a broader responsibility toward the planet, particularly in reducing industrial waste and responding to the growing demand for low-carbon materials.
Watsadu niyom’s ten-year journey in the field of wood-substitute and premium decorative materials is brought into clear focus through this Thematic Pavilion. More than a piece of temporary architecture, it stands as a tangible demonstration of how ‘advanced innovation’ and ‘environmental responsibility’ can be brought together. It also reaffirms the brand’s commitment to developing materials that not only advance the design industry but also engage with a broader responsibility to the planet, carrying the promise of sustainability forward with clarity and intent.
