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HAS design and research

HAS design and research

Bangkok, TH

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MoMA creates a standout image on a fast-trafficking road ©W Workspace
MoMA creates a standout image on a fast-trafficking road ©W Workspace
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Museum of Modern Aluminum Thailand

MoMA Thailand is the abbreviation for Museum of Modern Aluminum Thailand. The project originated from a group of ambitious clients with the goal of reviving the significance of aluminum in Thailand. Thailand was once the largest aluminum manufacturer in Southeast Asia at the end of the 20th century. Its diverse and abundant aluminum profiles not only satisfied the local market but were once known for exporting to overseas markets. However, the Asian Financial Crisis hit without warning in 1997. This prompted Thailand's aluminum industry to sell aluminum profiles at low prices to hardware markets around the country in order to survive, resulting in the clutters of advertising signs, balcony fences, and ground floor extensions that make up the present-day Bangkok streetscape.

MoMA was born out of such an environment. It is located at the busiest traffic hub on the outskirts of Bangkok, where heavy traffic has led to a variety of commercial signs lining Ratchaphruek Road. The main roads lead to The Grand Palace, Wongwian Yai, Bangkok University, and Ko Kret, the only island in Bangkok. More than a decade ago, fireflies populated Ko Kret, making the island a natural retreat for Bangkokians. 

HAS design and research wanted MoMA to serve not only as a public space but also as a getaway for busy urban dwellers. The building extends the natural landscape of Ko Kret Island to the project site. During the day, MoMA is a dandelion, with its overhanging elements swaying in the wind, bringing softness and lightness to the busy Ratchaphruek Road; at night, MoMA transforms into a firefly, adding a sense of nature and peacefulness to the highly commercialized Ratchaphruek Road.

MoMA not only uses aluminum strips as display items, but also allows them to continue in the architecture, the interior, the landscape, as well as the lighting and furniture, creating a sense of totality inside and outside. The façade is clad with tens of thousands of aluminum strips, each with a slightly different color and texture, just like the feathers of a dandelion. The aluminum strips, combined with LED lighting, extend from the front façade to the two side façades, and then straight through the "tunnel" space on the west side, filtering and dampening the noise of the external environment and guiding visitors to the quiet exhibition place.

The aluminum strips on the façade not only provide a variety of lighting functions, but also shade the interior from excessive sunlight to maintain a comfortable interior environment. The flexibility of the exhibition space can meet a variety of display, reception, and activity needs. On the top floor, the enclosed landscape resembles a floating island with seasonal plants, creating an urban ecological site for fireflies to flourish.

The design process of MoMA began with the study of aluminum signboards commonly seen on the streets, and then used aluminum as an element to link the entire building. Through the investigation and research of aluminum profiles, a distinct architectural texture is created, and a new sense of vernacular is discovered in Thailand's concrete jungle.

 
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Status: Built
Location: Nonthaburi, TH
Firm Role: Architect
Additional Credits: Project Name: Museum of Modern Aluminum Thailand - MoMA
Project Location: Nonthaburi, Thailand
Architects: HAS design and research
Lead architects: Jenchieh Hung, Kulthida Songkittipakdee
Design Team: Jenchieh Hung, Kulthida Songkittipakdee, Jiaqi Han, Qinye Chen Aluminum Façade Technology: AB&W Innovation Co., Ltd.
Aluminum Production Consultant: Goldstar Metal Co., Ltd.
Landscape Design: TROP : terrains + open space
Lighting Design: Light Is
Lighting Product: Neowave Technology
Constructor: SL Window Co., Ltd.
Site Area: 250 sq.m.
Gross Built Area: 400 sq.m.
Photo Credit : W Workspace

 
The “tunnel” gallery space mediates between the interior and exterior ©W Workspace
The “tunnel” gallery space mediates between the interior and exterior ©W Workspace
The “tunnel” creates a unique arrival experience, filtering noise and relieving feelings of anxiety ©W Workspace
The “tunnel” creates a unique arrival experience, filtering noise and relieving feelings of anxiety ©W Workspace
The consistency between the side and front façade elements generated the continuity experience ©W Workspace
The consistency between the side and front façade elements generated the continuity experience ©W Workspace
An aerial view shows the site's surroundings and the overall look of the architecture ©W Workspace
An aerial view shows the site's surroundings and the overall look of the architecture ©W Workspace
The aluminum profiles become the dynimic wall ©W Workspace
The aluminum profiles become the dynimic wall ©W Workspace
The uneven depth of the façade, which has similar length components, implies the pattern of the natural environment ©W Workspace
The uneven depth of the façade, which has similar length components, implies the pattern of the natural environment ©W Workspace
This extraordinary design and randomness provide another way of thinking about Asian architecture ©W Workspace
This extraordinary design and randomness provide another way of thinking about Asian architecture ©W Workspace
View from the exhibition space toward the outside ©W Workspace
View from the exhibition space toward the outside ©W Workspace
The overhanging components are integrated with the façade to form a canopy that guides visitors into the interior ©W Workspace
The overhanging components are integrated with the façade to form a canopy that guides visitors into the interior ©W Workspace
The unique texture of the building ©W Workspace
The unique texture of the building ©W Workspace
The impressive outdoor space connects the façade elements to the furniture ©W Workspace
The impressive outdoor space connects the façade elements to the furniture ©W Workspace
This integrated component creates the emotional dimension appearing on the façade ©W Workspace
This integrated component creates the emotional dimension appearing on the façade ©W Workspace
The wall is part of the exhibition space ©W Workspace
The wall is part of the exhibition space ©W Workspace
Infiity space ©W Workspace
Infiity space ©W Workspace
The architecture is shaped by light and shadow ©W Workspace
The architecture is shaped by light and shadow ©W Workspace
Fireflies glow at night by incorporating nature's mechanic system and applying it to the building ©W Workspace
Fireflies glow at night by incorporating nature's mechanic system and applying it to the building ©W Workspace
The physical model's main elevation ©HAS design and research
The physical model's main elevation ©HAS design and research
The stacking volume is depicted in the first sketch ©HAS design and research
The stacking volume is depicted in the first sketch ©HAS design and research
Isometric diagram ©HAS design and research
Isometric diagram ©HAS design and research
Detail ©HAS design and research
Detail ©HAS design and research
A full-scale mockup can be used to check proportions ©HAS design and research
A full-scale mockup can be used to check proportions ©HAS design and research
South elevation ©HAS design and research
South elevation ©HAS design and research
North elvation ©HAS design and research
North elvation ©HAS design and research