THIS RECENTLY COMPLETED PROJECT BY SPACE+CRAFT ILLUSTRATES HOW TO TRANSFORM AN OLD SHOPHOUSE IN PHASI CHAROEN NEIGHBORHOOD INTO A STANDARDIZED AND PERFECTLY HYGIENIC LABORATORY THAT WILL HELP CHANGE PEOPLE’S PERSPECTIVE TOWARDS INSECTS
TEXT: SUTEE NAKARAKORNKUL
PHOTO: SANTANA PETCHSUK
(For Thai, press here)
There has been speculation that insects will become the food of the future for a while. The creatures are high in protein, easy to raise, grow fast and consume less resources when compared to today’s livestock projection.
Exofood is a Bangkok-based start-up company whose operations include insect researches and farming for exotic pets. The interior design studio, space+craft, takes the role of designing the company’s space, which accommodates Exofood’s laboratory and shop. The project’s requirement is for the design team to help transform a space in an old shophouse in Phasi Charoen neighborhood into a standardized and perfectly hygienic laboratory that will help change people’s perspective towards insects, and the way they’re often associated with uncleanliness.
With the space being relatively small, installed on one side of the 40-square meter room is a floor-to-ceiling shelf where all the containers with little bugs inside are nicely organized. The idea of vertical farming is incorporated to maximize the space’s functionality, as well as the convenience of maintenance and efficient temperature control, which is crucial for the insects’ growth rates. The architect uses simple materials such as the metal-zinc c-line frames to partition the shelf, while the neon colors on the edges of each level of the shelf keep the overall mood of the room more delicate and lively while lessening the rigidity of the built-in furniture and laboratory apparatus.
What makes the space stand out is the use of polycarbonate panels for the ceiling. The material keeps the space neat and clean, living up to the company’s standardized laboratory requirements. It also brings interesting lighting effects to the room. The long counter situated at the center of the space is the operation zone where all the experiments and developments of the new insect formulas for exotic animals take place. Exofood is currently breeding and developing three species of insects; crickets, Black Soldier Flies and Dubia Roaches.
Like many other retail shops, the storefront of Exofood is made of massive transparent glass panels, welcoming visitors without hiding the operations of this little insect farm. And it isn’t as scary as you think!
