A GLIMPSE INTO BANGKOK’S LATEST GO-TO PLACE DESIGNED BY ALL(ZONE) THAT HOPES TO USHER IN ANOTHER CHILL VIBE TO THE COMMUNITY
TEXT: PRATARN TEERATADA
PHOTO: KETSIREE WONGWAN
(For Thai, press here)
In a city where people crave green spaces and large trees, Bangkok has a handful of empty spaces scattered around its urban fabric. The latest project by all(zone) is just that. The architecture studio transforms a small plot of land into an urban hangout spot surrounded by towers of high-rise residential buildings. We think of it as a platform that embodies a sustainable lifestyle and community that all urbanites dream of, which in reality wouldn’t be too much of a reach.
To call POWWOWWOW a new community mall wouldn’t be entirely correct considering the project’s compact size. But to refer to it as a community would be a mismatch compared to other community hang out spaces in local suburbs throughout Bangkok. Since this is Sukhumvit we’re talking about, a few exceptions may have to be made, considering the area’s skyrocketed land price and the strategic location that connects both Sukhumvit 42 and Sukhumvit 40 street, and the fact that the neighborhood is home to the upper and upper-middle class of Bangkok, including upscale condominiums. POWWOWWOW intends to reflect the site’s context of a tropical residential area with an expansive roof that extends over the project’s semi-outdoor, four-story structure. The building’s functional spaces are connected vertically and horizontally by a series of walkways with potted trees and crawlers growing everywhere, turning the area into a little oasis in the middle of Bangkok’s concrete jungle.
These elements keep the overall space at a thermally comfortable temperature, enabling visitors’ to hangout outdoors. The principal materials are steel and a metal sheet roof with walls made of concrete blocks. The glass panels are installed on aluminium frames that can be dismantled and assembled if future relocation occurs.
POWWOWWOW is all about being ‘clean,’ ranging from clean food, clean air, to clean space. All the products sold here are environmentally conscious and healthy. It doesn’t miss the urbanites’ café hopping culture with Thailand’s first branch of NOC (Not Only Coffee), a renowned café imported from Hong Kong occupying the entire two units with the upper floor housing the Espresso Bar and Pour-Over Bar which caters to differing tastes and paces of the visitors’ varying lifestyles.
Since its recent launch, the place has been flocked with crowds, so there’s no need to rush and you can take your time to experience the new hang out space. We asked all(zone) what’s particularly special about the project, to which they answered, ‘the client was super sweet,’ a concise, straight to the point explanation to why the final result is this lovely and delightful.