SEMIOTIC ARCHITECT + DESIGN, A DESIGN STUDIO THAT USES THE CONCEPT OF ‘SYMBOL’ AS A TOOL TO COMMUNICATE MEANING THROUGH ALL DIMENSIONS OF DESIGN
TEXT: SEMIOTIC ARCHITECT + DESIGN
PHOTO & IMAGE: SEMIOTIC ARCHITECT + DESIGN
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WHO
Semiotic Architect + Design (SA+D) takes its name from my belief that everything around us carries semiotics: signs and hidden meanings, both tangible and abstract. Everything that is created, whether objects, sounds, images, or colors, holds meaning. These signs are the essential tools I use in my work, from architecture to branding and product design. This belief inspired the name Architect + Design. My name is Weerakan Komkam (Nat), and I’m the founder of SA+D.
WHAT
In the beginning, Semiotic Architect + Design focused mainly on architectural and interior design, working on residential projects as well as commercial spaces and offices. My goal has always been to ensure that every architectural detail reflects the client’s brand and identity. To keep all design work cohesive and connected to a single core idea, I later expanded my scope to include brand and product design too. This allows me to offer a fully integrated approach that brings each client’s story and identity to life, from branding to architecture.
WHEN
I established Semiotic Architect + Design in 2022 after graduating from the Faculty of Architecture at Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi.
WHERE
My studio is located in Pathum Thani Province, which is my hometown and where my family lives.
WHY
At Semiotic Architect + Design, I approach every project, whether architecture, branding, or product design, with a commitment to creating solutions that fit, communicate clearly, and rich in meaning through thoughtful use of signs and symbols.
How do you define your own style of work?
Defining the style of Semiotic Architect + Design is not easy because each project starts with finding different conceptual tools that shape the work. This makes every project unique, whether it needs to communicate a clear identity or simply create a space where people can live comfortably and happily.
What inspires you and what principles do you apply to each project?
Seeing the results of my design work come to life is what inspires me most. For commercial and office projects, the greatest reward is creating an outcome that matches the client’s needs and the message I set out to convey from the start. For residential projects, I focus on creating spaces that truly fit and support the people who live in them. Knowing my clients appreciate and enjoy what I design is my deepest source of inspiration and the core principle that guides my work.
Which project are you most proud of and why?
I am proud of every project I have created, but if I had to choose one, it would be my very first: the S.A.P. Furnitech Office. This was an interior design project for S.A.P. Furnitech, a furniture manufacturer and distributor that specializes in steel. I designed both the interior and a steel sculpture called the ‘Origami Whale’ for the reception area. The whale, which the client loves, has an angular shape inspired by folding, which reflects a technique used to form stainless steel sheets. The design of ‘Origami Whale’ was done by SA+D, and fabricated by S.A.P. Furnitech to communicate the client’s identity and brand right from the very entrance of the company’s office building.
Which part of the process do you enjoy the most during work?
The part I enjoy most is discovering the conceptual tools that guide each project. This is at the heart of how I work. Once I find the right idea, I develop the design around it and refine the result until nothing is missing from what I first envisioned. When everything feels complete, I know the design is ready to communicate its message clearly and connect meaningfully with the people who will use it.
If you could invite any ‘creative’ for a coffee, who would it be and why?
If I could, I would invite Peter Zumthor, an architect I truly admire. I would love to talk with him about how he designs with such careful attention to subtle details, creating work with a quiet beauty that goes far beyond architecture alone.