BU Landmark Complex / Architects 49

Architects: Architects 49
Location: Rangsit, Pathum Thani, Thailand
Client: Bangkok University
Project Year: 2010
Project Area: 26,000 sqm
Photographs: Courtesy of Architects 49

via Archdaily

Structural Engineer: Architectural Engineering 49
System Engineer: M&E Engineering 49
Interior Architect: Interior Architects 49
Landscape Architect: Landscape Architects 49
Lighting Consultant: Lighting Design Consultants 49
Construction Management: KCS
Contractor: Thai Obayashi

The Bangkok University Landmark Complex is initiated on the necessities that are to reorganize the frontal area of the campus and to create an outstanding approach for the campus’s entrance. In addition to the mentioned requirements, the School of Business Management also required some supplementary facilities, for example, classrooms, seminar rooms, lecturers’ office, lecture halls. Then, the new complex is emerged from the particular architectural form evoking the symbol of the university, a diamond.

Courtesy of Architects 49

Section

A group of buildings as a “Landmark” is a fundamental concept of the project. The created architectural form is evocative of the presence of the university, its symbol and also allows students and visitors approach the campus easily. The concept of a learning space, in which students search for refining themselves through learning process – in order to obtain knowledge and become qualified human resources – can be illustrated by analogy with a lapidary process. In common with a learning process, a lapidarian gradually transforms a stone into the precious diamond through cutting and polishing elaboration. Thus, the concept coincides precisely with the university’s vision that aims to be “Creative University”.

Floor Plan

The site planning considers the campus’s traffic system and provides two additional gates in order to facilitate the traffic flow efficiently. The landscape design plays a role of bringing the complex become more outstanding. The pond is placed in the front of the building group so it creates a reflecting effect of the building forms. Moreover, it also serves as a natural barrier as well as the campus’s reservoir.

Courtesy of Architects 49

Principally, the design considers visual and functional continuity between the front area and the rear of the campus so the entire campus is inextricably intertwined.

Courtesy of Architects 49