Foster + Partners has unveiled plans for a residential-led masterplan on the outskirts of Bangkok. Named “The Forestias,” the masterplan seeks to address the growing disconnect between contemporary city life and family traditions, while also placing an emphasis on health, wellbeing, smart infrastructure, and a connection with nature. The masterplan therefore features elements such as a large central forest, a variety of multi-generational family co-living, and provisions for autonomous vehicles, smart meters, and sensor networks.

The Forestias is divided into two zones: a northern area defined by civic-level public functions, and a southern zone dedicated primarily to residential developments. A forest sits at the center of the masterplan, linking the two urban zones while embodying the development’s vision; a positive, harmonious relationship between the built and natural environment. The forest is anchored by a central Forest Pavilion, serving as an “experience center” with immersive and interactive experiences to showcase the project. The forest also features a canopy walk: an elevated platform extending into the central forest green, forming a deeper connection between people and nature.

In the southern area of the site, a variety of residential typologies are proposed, including high-rise condominiums for small families, low-rise condominiums and cluster-home residences for multi-generational families, and residences with lifetime care services to suit older residents. On a neighborhood level, the boundaries between homes are blurred by visually reducing perimeter walls and hedges and creating shared facilities that encourage community interaction. 

Inspired by the lively streets of Bangkok’s traditional neighborhoods, the design team envisions an “infinitely extendable diagram of buildings and social spaces.” The scheme’s low-rise condominiums, for instance, are each designed with a courtyard at their heart, allowing the buildings to define the street edge. The intersections of these streets create local neighborhood plazas, while multiple neighborhoods are arranged around a large public space to create connections on larger scale.

“Traditional Thai families often have strong intergenerational ties that are being strained due to the demands of urban life, with the younger generation moving to the city for work while the children and the older members of the family remain at home,” says Sunphol Sorakul, Partner and Director at Foster + Partners Thailand. “The Forestias masterplan takes inspiration from the layout of traditional Thai houses to create a contemporary interpretation in the form of a flexible community spaces, focussed on health and nature, that can expand and adapt as the needs of the family grow.”

News of the scheme comes after Foster + Partners' House of Wisdom opened in Sharjah, UAE. Last month, The Norman Foster Foundation also launched their 'On Cities' masterclass series; a collection of half-hour video featuring leading experts in the fields of architecture, urbanism, economics, and mobility, aiming to promote cross-disciplinary and trans-geographic exchange.