The Aluminum Grotto and Public Ground in Thailand is a meticulously designed structure created for the 90th anniversary exhibition of The Association of Siamese Architects under Royal Patronage. This project was initiated by the Thai aluminum company S-ONE Group and KIN, with HAS Design and Research architectural firm commissioned for its design.
HAS Design and Research, led by Hung And Songkittipakdee, envisioned this building not only as a tribute to Thailand’s prominent role as Southeast Asia’s leading metal manufacturing exporter but also as a public welfare space. Presented at the 90th Anniversary Expo of the Royal Institute of Thai Architects, the space invites visitors to engage in public education, art exchange, and nonprofit activities like lectures during the busy exhibition period.
After extensive collaboration, the project owners embraced the architects’ vision: the Thai Aluminum Grotto site would serve as a free, non-commercial public center dedicated to communication and learning.
Building on this concept, HAS Design and Research proposed an innovative design that creates a valley-like cave with a natural feel amidst the bustling exhibition environment. The Thai aluminum grotto not only recreates the traditional living environment once common in Thailand but also highlights the scarcity of green open space in Bangkok, where per capita green space is just 6.99 square meters—well below the World Health Organization’s recommended 9 square meters.
In everyday life, vertical architecture creates open spaces on elevated floors, forming “grey spaces” that draw people in and blur the boundaries between indoor and outdoor environments. This design also pays homage to the multifunctional “Tai toon” of traditional Thai stilt houses. At special moments, natural light cascades like a valley through the space, illuminating it completely. The building supports educational programs, forums, and learning activities while offering a unique “non-daily” ritual experience that refreshes both body and mind.
The Thai Aluminum Grotto site is composed of hundreds of thousands of aluminum bars forming the entire structure. The design integrates spatial and structural elements into a seamless whole that extends from the surface into space, delivering diverse functions. Not one of these aluminum bars is the same length; each piece is meticulously cut and crafted by hand, reflecting the exquisite craftsmanship found in traditional Thai temples.
As industrialization advances rapidly, this project uniquely blends tradition with modernity, encouraging Thai people to rediscover the potential of local craftsmanship.
Project Drawings
△ Model Diagram
△ Model Diagram
△ Model Diagram
△ Concept Diagram
△ Hand-drawn Sketch
△ Plan View
Top View
△ Axonometric Diagram
△ Elevation Drawing
△ Elevation Drawing
△ Elevation Drawing
△ Elevation Drawing
△ Section Diagram
△ Section Diagram
△ Analysis Chart
△ Analysis Chart
△ Analysis Chart
△ Analysis Chart
△ Analysis Chart
Project Information
Architect: HAS Design and Research
Area: 180 m²
Project Year: 2024
Photographer: DOF Sky | Ground
Lead Architects: Jenchieh Hung, Kulthida Songkittipakdee
Design Team: Jenchieh Hung, Kulthida Songkittipakdee, Saralchana Pueakhachen, Muze Ouyang, Jiamin Yang
Structural Consultant: Pacific Pipe Co., Ltd., Buncha Layangkoon
Manufacturer: KIN Thailand
Lighting Consultant: Light Is
Lighting Manufacturers and Applications: Neowave Technology
Construction: Bangkok Canvas
Location: Bangkok, Thailand
Must log in before commenting!
Sign Up