Get to Know the Creative Districts Ahead of BKKDW2024: Ari-Pradipat

Weaving relationships through a creative space that enables people, nature, and the city to coexist harmoniously.

When it comes to the Ari-Pradipat District, the first thing that may pop up in many people’s minds is its reputation as a chic café hub, packed into every street corner. It’s a district of office spaces and residences for young working adults, along with an increasing number of shops, restaurants, and creative ventures, constantly evolving to meet relentless demand.

However, upon speaking with Arunee Atipapong, co-founder of the AriAround creative platform and Co-Host of Bangkok Design Week at the Ari District, we discovered that for locals, Ari has much more charm and character. They wish to showcase various other aspects, whether it be the area’s historical roots, its status as a hub for important government agencies, its past residences for officials, nobility, and leading figures, its classic architecture, or as a natural space in the city where everyone can safely learn and explore.

What would Ari look like as envisioned by the creative minds of the area, and how will these visions be manifested at Bangkok Design Week? Read on to explore these answers.

A Downtown Area Where Neighbors Weave Connections Through Public Spaces

For Ms. Arunee, the allure of Ari lies in its embodiment of a downtown area that still retains a full-fledged neighborhood essence. This includes neighborly relationships among the original residents, new business owners, social networks, expat communities, and even government agencies.

“People in the area know each other organically, creating a very strong neighborhood feel. For instance, various groups of young people have come together to develop the area, like Phuean Ban Ari, People of Ari, or even AriAround. We meet, connect, and constantly support each other. When something comes up, we share and help, deciding which project suits whom.

“In the past, this area was considered a new city, with many large houses from the era of Field Marshal Plaek Phibunsongkhram. There’s the Phibun Village, Thailand’s second housing estate, established around 80-90 years ago. It was home to large, tall houses of nobility and government officials, evident from the small alleys here named after prominent people.

“The area also hosts many government centers, such as the Public Relations Department, the Ministry of Finance, various financial institutions, land administration offices, the Treasury Department, the Revenue Department, as well as the Department of Natural Resources and Environment, the Pollution Control Department, and newly established departments dealing with climate change.

“Most people usually meet in public parks, and in Ari, we have many natural spaces. The Public Relations Department has allocated an area for Phaya Thai District to manage as a public space. People come here to exercise, with a park suitable for walking and running, tennis courts, football fields, and recognizeable regulars. Those skilled in tennis teach others without any charge, fostering a sense of community. Here, you’ll find families and expats working temporarily in the area.”

Balance of Growth vs. Identity

With the growth and expansion of Ari, alongside the bustling and lively atmosphere brought by the launch of numerous new businesses, there has been an inevitable rise in the cost of living within the area. Many long-time residents of the area are consequently apprehensive about the influx of new groups, fearing that the identity of Ari they have known for so long may fade over time (and with escalating land prices).

“They have a sense of, ‘Hey, what are these new people doing? Are they going to create something new?’ The ones who have been here are afraid of losing what they’ve had, scared of higher rents, and worried that the familiar eateries they’ve frequented will disappear.

“To be honest, before the recent boom, this area has long been a hub for creative people since the 90s. Back then, there were many artists and designers living here because the land back then was still affordable and close to the city. People like Note from Dudesweet and DuckUnit had their offices around here. They thought it was a good deal, but as time passed, the regular places they dined at couldn’t survive, the rents gradually increased, and they started feeling the strain.”

Developing Living Spaces with the Eyes of Actual Ari Residents

To ensure that the growth of the Ari area occurs without negatively impacting the local residents but instead supports the existing way of life, AriAround and its network intend to focus on improving the quality of life and creating new possibilities in the area’s main living spaces, like the Public Relations Department’s Public Park.

“The point is we want to work with the inner areas that real Ari residents use in their daily lives as much as possible, because in previous years, like during Bangkok Design Week, the focus has been on spreading out to various cafes. In reality, the residents of the neighborhood don’t frequent these cafes much. They have their own living spaces in the park. It’s common for the elderly to jog around there.

“The main theme of a livable city that we envision is to enable all groups, regardless of age, to see the potential of using the existing public spaces in Ari to a greater extent through the infusion of creativity. For instance, we want them to see that a park can be more than just a place for exercise, to see the potential of using the space in other ways. Normally, they just jog, but there are unused spaces, like in the center. They run around the park, but the central area with trees, which is quite suitable for relaxing, is not used as much. If these spaces are better utilized, they will attract more attention, as people are not yet aware of their potential. We try to bring out this potential to show people, to stimulate their involvement to express their opinions on how this place should be developed.”

Transforming Public Parks into Sacred Spaces for Everyone

For this year’s Bangkok Design Week, Ms. Arunee explained that the festival’s concept is to turn the Public Relations Department’s Public Park into a ‘sacred space for everyone.’

“We want this area to be a place where people in the neighborhood can train, explore, and express themselves through any means, whether it’s exhibiting art, showcasing work, selling products, or organizing exhibitions. Anything is possible here.

“With the park being a sacred space, we plan to set up areas similar to shrines. We are collaborating with Less Plastic Thailand to use recycled plastics to create good luck charms and talismans. We’re not sure yet what form they will take, but they will relate to our concept of worshiping sacred items, showing that plastic doesn’t always have a negative connotation if managed correctly.

“Other activities in the area are plentiful as before. Last year, there was a Kid’s Space because it’s also a playground, and we had activities for children to play. Last year, Khun Tum from the Suk Jai shop had an activity where people gathered vegetables from the area to make dishes together. This year, he wants to invite people for a picnic, possibly with music and a cacao ceremony. We’re also considering doing a tea ceremony, related to the sacred space concept, using local plants for the ceremony and making it meaningful. In the area, some people grow kratom, which could be used to connect people with nature.

“Ari Ecowalk, which happens every month, will also be organized special for Bangkok Design Week. We want to invite people to explore nature in the area and then enter an Ari mascot competition. This is connected with Thinkster, whose office is also in our area.”

Not just fostering connections with residents of the area, Bangkok Design Week in the Ari-Pradipat neighborhood also features activities like the ‘random tour.’ This guideless excursion leads strangers to explore the area together, turning them into friends and reinforcing Ari’s spirit of friendship building.

What else can the green spaces in the Ari area transform into? Find out at Bangkok Design Week 2024 in the Ari-Pradipat District!

Get to know the Ari-Pradipat District better through its recommended programs:

Ari Shrine On

www.bangkokdesignweek.com/bkkdw2024/program/84480

ARI ECOWALK – Let’s make nature POP!

www.bangkokdesignweek.com/bkkdw2024/program/85241 

Playful and inclusive city

www.bangkokdesignweek.com/bkkdw2024/program/87412 

AriAround Ari Picnic

www.bangkokdesignweek.com/bkkdw2024/program/85246 

Click to see all the programs of the Ari-Pradipat area here:

www.bangkokdesignweek.com/bkkdw2024/program?nbh=282 

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Bangkok Design Week 2024

Livable Scape

คนยิ่งทำ เมืองยิ่งดี

27 Jan – 4 Feb 2024

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#BangkokDesignWeek

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