Editor’s Note: This dormitory was specifically designed for Red Cross nurses. After consulting with the nurses to understand their preferences, the design team enhanced the traditional dormitory layout by carefully considering natural lighting and ventilation. The entire design concept is clear, unified, and systematic.
The new dormitory building at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, named “NAWARACHUPATUM,” provides accommodation for nurses affiliated with the Thai Red Cross.
The dormitory stands 26 floors tall and contains 523 rooms. Most rooms accommodate two people and include amenities such as living areas, libraries, cafeterias, bathrooms, and multifunctional spaces.
The dormitory site is surrounded by four other dormitory buildings designated for doctors and nurses. Of these, three are high-rise buildings that encircle the site, accessible by a road that accommodates vehicular traffic.
The remaining low-rise dormitory once located in the center of the site was demolished. The new building layout was designed to work in harmony with the three surrounding high-rises, forming a closed courtyard that separates the dormitory from the busy hospital environment.
The first floor of the dormitory functions as an open space, connecting the road to the courtyard. It serves as a welcoming entrance into a calm and peaceful residential area.
A survey revealed that most nurses prefer naturally ventilated rooms over air-conditioned ones. Additionally, many enjoy planting greenery on their balconies. These insights shaped the primary design concept.
Upon analyzing a typical dormitory layout with corridors wide enough for two people, the design team identified two issues: limited natural light and poor indoor ventilation. To address these, they separated the dormitory wings to form two single-person corridors with a gap in between, allowing more natural light to penetrate the corridors.
Dormitory Area Plan, 13th Floor
A ventilation chimney is incorporated in the center of the building to enhance airflow throughout the dormitory.
Wide air ducts are installed from the first floor through the upper floors to create a chimney effect that draws air upward, improving ventilation.
The design of the exterior air ducts draws inspiration from the “UNA-LOME DAENG,” the official logo of the Thai Red Cross.
Rooms feature solid double doors at the entrance, equipped with insect screens. When both these doors and the balcony windows are open, air from the hallway flows freely into the rooms.
The typical room layout is divided into two sections. One side, adjacent to the hallway, serves as a shared space for roommates, including a food cabinet and a bathroom with sliding doors that separate it from the bedroom area. If residents want natural airflow, they can open the solid doors, while the sliding doors maintain privacy.
△ Dormitory Area Plan, 4th Floor
The other section consists of the bedroom shared by two residents. Each bed is positioned on opposite sides of the room, creating private spaces for each occupant, with a shared corridor leading to the balcony.
Because the dormitory is close to other buildings, balconies are angled strategically to prevent direct lines of sight from neighboring buildings, ensuring residents’ privacy.
The zigzag design of the balconies allows more sunlight to reach areas suitable for plant cultivation and clothes drying, catering to residents’ needs. Vertical aluminum fins provide sun shading.
Porous aluminum sheets cover uneven areas such as drying racks, air conditioning condensers, and washing machines. Aluminum was chosen for its durability and ease of maintenance in the external structure.
The distinctive combination of the exterior walls and balconies balances sunlight and shade, creating a simple yet systematic building design that meets complex functional needs.
Technical Drawings
△ Site Planning
△ First Floor Plan
△ Roof Plan
△ South Facade
△ East Facade
△ Section Diagram
△ Section Diagram
Project Information
Architectural Design: Plan Architect
Area: 32,000 m²
Project Year: 2021
Photography: Panoramic Studio
Suppliers: American Standard, Fórmica, Suntech, TOA, Tree Concept, WILLY
Lead Architects: Nitisak Chobdamrongtham, Apichai Apichatanon, Wara Jithpratugs, Naphasorn Kiatwinyoo, Nathida Sornchumni
Location: Khet Pathum Wan, Thailand
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