The former Bank of Thailand Northeast Regional Office, a modern-era building located in the heart of Khon Kaen city, is surrounded by schools, markets, residential neighborhoods, and communities. This structure stands out with its distinctive waffle board roof, cantilevered flooring, and a clear demonstration of grid modularization.
The site includes office buildings, staff residences, and areas that previously housed banknote operations. After the bank relocated, plans were made to repurpose the building to better serve the local community. The renovation transforms the space into the Kong Jing Ministry of Finance Museum, featuring museum buildings, gallery spaces, multifunctional exhibition halls, parks, and offices designed for hosting events.
This redesign preserves the building’s modern character while adapting certain elements to align with its new functions.
On the main building’s first floor, the opaque high walls—originally designed for security—have been removed. This allows abundant natural light to flood the public spaces and library, creating transparency and a visual connection between the interior and exterior.
Meanwhile, the rooftop garden on the second floor has been transformed into the main exhibition hall, now covered by a newly constructed roof. This new roof permits indirect natural light to enter and creates a double-height space with a visual connection down to the first floor.
The museum spaces are organized around the main hall on the second floor. Steel reinforcement elements, originally installed for safety, were salvaged and creatively reused throughout the project. These include structural steel and bent steel components applied to cover the main hall, frame the new elevator shaft, and form the false ceiling in the office areas.
The new gallery, once an employee residence, now showcases exposed structural details that highlight its unique charm. It contains a café on the first floor and exhibition spaces on the second. Vertical fins contribute to the design, evoking a sense of floating, a concept inspired by the original architects.
The multifunctional exhibition hall features an elegant cantilevered roof adjacent to the former parking area, which has been transformed into a park. This new design integrates functional spaces with landscaped areas to enhance public use.
The landscape concept draws inspiration from weaving machines and the traditional “Pha Khao Mah,” a random grid fabric pattern with colorful motifs. This weaving metaphor symbolizes the connection between buildings and people, bringing dynamic and vivid landscapes to life.
The project skillfully combines local identity with distinctive modern elements to create vibrant public spaces. It revitalizes the building’s historic significance while providing a versatile venue for various community activities.
Project drawings
△ General layout plan
△ Second floor plan
△ Section diagram
△ Section diagram
△ Elevation drawing
△ Elevation drawing
△ Elevation drawing
△ Elevation drawing
△ Section diagram
△ Elevation drawing
△ Section diagram
△ Elevation drawing
△ Elevation drawing
Project Information
Architect: Plan Architect
Project Year: 2022
Photographer: Panoramic Studio
Manufacturers: American Standard, TOA, Thaisoung, WILLY
Lead Architect: Wara Jithpratuck
Design Team: Tearnchit Soontornsaraton, Jittinun Jithpratuck, Sitthinon Chanchaiwolawit
Exhibition Design: Plan Motif
Landscape Design: GLA Dessin Studio
Structural Design: PPL
Location: Thailand
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