Bring Vibrancy and Friendliness to the City at the One Bangkok Pavilion
Bring Vibrancy and Friendliness to the City at the One Bangkok Pavilion It would be great if art could become an integral part of people’s daily lives on a broad scale, helping to add color, spark ideas, and elevate quality of life, thereby bringing about lasting physical and spiritual change to the city. Recognizing the importance of art and design to the city, One Bangkok has joined hands with Bangkok Design Week to present the One Bangkok Pavilion in front of the Grand Postal Building on Charoenkrung Road. The pavilion aims to communicate this essential message to everyone.Enriching the City for a Better LifeThe pavilion’s design, reminiscent of a castle, is created by Supermachine Studio, which has previously crafted dynamic and unique spaces for festivals. The design draws inspiration from the wooden block toy, symbolizing the diverse geometric shapes coming together, much like the collaboration and unity of all parties involved in enhancing and beautifying the city. Additionally, the pavilion offers a multimedia experience, with new-generation agencies Kids Bloom and Yimsamer creating immersive digital art that transforms the playful hopscotch concept into a jumping game on an interactive screen. People of all ages can join in and explore this pavilion. Experience Art through Creative ActivitiesThe power of creative thinking is a crucial factor in driving the city forward. Bangkok Design Week has carefully selected 11 programs in arts, culture, and music, catering to diverse needs and presenting them as models of integrating art and culture into everyday life. If you’re interested in any of the activities, be sure to mark the date and time on your calendars to not miss out on the fun awaiting you! Some examples of the activities include:– Live painting by BIGDEL and MRKREME, two street art artists from the Bridge Art Agency– Craft workshops on TNT SCREEN and Tosmile28, teaching block printing using silk screen techniques– Swing dance classes with Jelly Roll Dance Club and The Stumbling Swingout– Enjoy various genres of music curated by DJs from Bangkok Community Radio– A vibrant drum performance by Tiger Drum Thailand Enhance Your Quality of Life by Creating a Sustainable Art CommunityBangkok Design Week, in collaboration with One Bangkok, believes that art and culture are essential elements in creating a good quality of life. As the city becomes more vibrant, people can immerse themselves in the beauty of living and find new inspirations to actively participate in the development of the city. This will only be possible through the collaborative efforts of all parties to create and develop a city that is worth living in, where art and culture become an integral part of daily life for everyone to enjoy. The activities aim to make art and culture easily accessible to everyone, emphasizing the importance of cooperation and collaboration to foster creativity and develop the art community’s potential, thereby encouraging people to actively contribute to the development of the city. This will create a ‘livable city’ that opens up opportunities for all dreams and limitless possibilities.–Bangkok Design Week 2024Livable Scapeคนยิ่งทำ เมืองยิ่งดี27 Jan – 4 Feb 2024#BKKDW2024#BangkokDesignWeek#LivableScape
Krungsri’s “The City of Colours” Lets You Transform Bangkok’s Colours
Krungsri’s “The City of Colours” Lets You Transform Bangkok’s Colours “What colours is Bangkok in your imagination?” Surely, everyone’s answer would be different, because each of us has unique experiences and memories associated with Bangkok. It’s the interpretations of these stories that creates a diverse and unique spectrum of colours.But what if we could design the colours of Bangkok the way we want them to be? At Bangkok Design Week, Bank of Ayudhya (Krungsri) presents the concept of “Make Life Simple” — living a simple life every day. They’ve created a special activity at the front square of the Grand Postal Building on Charoenkrung Road under the concept of “The City of Colours” by Krungsri. The event welcomes everyone with the Krungsri Banana mascot, which is sure to bring smiles. Choose Colours to Design the City Your WayVisitors can participate by answering questions in the photo activity zone and then enjoy taking cool photos. Select the colours of Bangkok that you want to see and receive both printed and digital photos as souvenirs to share on social media. Additionally, everyone will see the most selected colours and the responses of participants in real-time, reflecting the perspectives that everyone has about the city they live in. Krungsri believes that starting small with these simple activities can open opportunities for all of us to broaden our perspectives. It encourages thinking about the delightful image of a city we want to create. This can serve as a starting point to ignite creativity and continue to contribute to making Bangkok a more vibrant and enjoyable city. Happiness Happens When Life Becomes SimplerThe essential message that Krungsri wants to communicate through its activities at Bangkok Design Week is that they want everyone to live conveniently and easily in Bangkok. When life becomes simpler, everyone will be happier. Thus, they aim to inspire through fun and accessible communications, bringing good times for everyone to share at the festival. The main goal is to develop the city and urban communities to be more livable, beneficial, and conducive to people’s lives at all ages.For more details, see the full program:www.bangkokdesignweek.com/bkkdw2024/program/92332–Bangkok Design Week 2024Livable Scapeคนยิ่งทำ เมืองยิ่งดี27 Jan – 4 Feb 2024#BKKDW2024#BangkokDesignWeek#LivableScape
centralwOrld & CENTRAL PATTANA Provide Fun Spaces to Explore ‘Good Life’
centralwOrld & CENTRAL PATTANA Provide Fun Spaces to Explore ‘Good Life’ Ideas from Every Generation“What makes a good life for you?” If you ask children, teenagers, working-age adults, or the elderly, you’ll likely get different answers. What if we have the opportunity to listen to these ideas from people of every generation?At this year’s Bangkok Design Week festival, CENTRAL PATTANA and centralwOrld have created a space for us to explore the meaning of a good life with the belief that good design has the power to make a city more livable.Enjoy taking selfies with giant characters in the “Friends of Bangkok x Co-Creating City” project at the front square of the Grand Postal Building on Charoenkrung Road. This project is a collaboration between projecttSTUDIO, a studio that stands out for its distinctive emphasis on creativity, and Glow Creative, an agency that uses storytelling to bring about change through a deep understanding of humanity. They collaborate with partners such as the IDF team to jointly create a meaningful and comprehensive art space.Discover Yourself in the World of a Livable LifeThe first zone, “Friends of Bangkok,” welcomes everyone with giant characters to create a lively atmosphere for you to take selfies until you run out of memory. It also narrates the different lifestyles that make life enjoyable. In this zone, you can discover your identity by choosing three pieces that represent you. These pieces will be combined with those chosen by others during the nine-day event, creating a large-scale data visualization artwork reflecting the identity of people of all ages in the city.Share Ideas of the Good Life in Your StyleThe second zone, “Co-Creating City,” invites you to share your ideas of the “good life” ideas through interactive activities. You can choose images reflecting your lifestyle and answer the question, “What makes a good life for you?” before all messages appear on the interactive wall of the enjoyable city. This allows you to see and listen to the stories and lifestyles of others, whether it’s the ambiance of dining out, dog lovers strolling in the park, lively music parties, artists enjoying the creative process, health enthusiasts jogging, or sharing couple photos on social media.Design a Livable City by Listening to the Voices of the PeopleCENTRAL PATTANA and centralwOrld aim to create a good and sustainable quality of life for people, with the belief that a good living space must be created by listening to everyone’s voices. This aligns with the aims of Bangkok Design Week this year to make the city ‘livable.’ This project serves as a space for everyone to come together to co-design the city, reflecting the potential of design to address diverse needs and bring positive change to our city.–Bangkok Design Week 2024Livable Scapeคนยิ่งทำ เมืองยิ่งดี27 Jan – 4 Feb 2024#BKKDW2024#BangkokDesignWeek#LivableScape
Unveiling the Transformation of Thai Fans by Hatari x Habits Design Studio
Unveiling the Transformation of Thai Fans: A Design Showcase by Hatari x Habits Design StudioIn a tropical country like ours, a fan is an indispensable household item. Regardless of your lifestyle, the fan is embedded in our daily lives and, thus, may be overlooked. But have you ever wondered about the process of designing, manufacturing, and bringing a fan into our homes — especially one that aims for global design excellence?At the Bangkok Design Week, Hatari, a fan brand deeply rooted in Thai culture for over 30 years, has taken the opportunity to open its doors and reveal the behind-the-scenes journey of creating a fan. From conceptualization and design processes to meet people’s needs to marketing strategies that communicate effectively with consumers, Hatari, in collaboration with Habits Design Studio—a product design studio from Italy with over five years of experience—aims to showcase the intricate details of the fan design process.For those who want to breeze through life or those interested in exploring the world of design starting with something close to home, we invite you to mark your calendars for the Hatari x Habits Design Studio: Designing the Wind exhibition at the Bean to Bar House. When Trends Change, Fans Must AdaptAlthough Hatari has been a well-known Thai fan brand for over 30 years, famous for its durability and build quality, times change and people’s lifestyles evolve. The shift from homes to condominiums and the growing emphasis on design and home decor have become significant considerations for younger generations. A brand like Hatari, which has long emphasized functionality, finds itself in a position to adapt.In response, over the past five years, Hatari has joined forces with Habits Design Studio, a design studio from Italy specializing in electrical appliances and boasting extensive experience in global design for leading brands. They recently established a branch in Bangkok to bridge Hatari’s traditional product manufacturing knowledge with technology and design innovation. This transformation aims to turn the brand into more than just a manufacturer but a ‘product creator’ that understands the needs of a new generation.The behind-the-scenes of designing the wind for ThaisThe exhibition explores the collaborative journey between Hatari and Habits Design Studio to ‘design the wind’ for the Thai people.The exhibition is divided into four zones with the following presentation formats:Ground Floor:‘WIND EMOTION’ – Encounter a large LED light panel panorama that creates a new experience for visitors.2nd Floor:‘TECHNOLOGICAL HEART’ – Tells the story of the research and development process that led to the creation of a fan of happiness.3rd Floor: ‘PERFORMING WIND’ – Installation art inspired by the Colosseum, featuring interactive art from Hatari’s latest fan model.4th Floor:‘DESIGN FOR MODERN LIVING’ – A floor that showcases a product collection resulting from the collaboration between Hatari and Habits Design Studio, designed for the lifestyles of a new era.Additionally, the exhibition offers many interesting activities, including a special photo corner, opportunities to engage in conversations with experts, and customization of the latest Hatari fan model according to your preferences.Understand the Value of ‘Good Design’ through FansAs designers and creators of products found in every home, Hatari believes that a fan is a personal medium capable of telling the story of the importance of design and creativity. If people understand how good design adds value to a fan, they might broaden their perspective to a larger understanding, such as designing a good city — a significant challenge of this year’s Bangkok Design Week that invites everyone to think together.–Bangkok Design Week 2024Livable Scapeคนยิ่งทำ เมืองยิ่งดี27 Jan – 4 Feb 2024#BKKDW2024#BangkokDesignWeek#LivableScape
Get to Know the Creative District Ahead of BKKDW2024: Hua Lamphong
Get to Know the Creative District Ahead of BKKDW2024: Hua LamphongPainting a future from the unwritten history of the train station creative district.It’s often said that the 24 hours within a train station go by faster than the outside world, a comment on the bustle and frantic pace of rail hubs, where novice travelers stand in the way of seasoned merchants and wide-eyed arrivals trade places with tearful locals departing for work far away. Hua Lamphong has sped through many hours over the course of its more than 100 years serving as Bangkok’s central train station and the rail hub of the entire nation. What happens when the place once tasked with seeing so many people on their way has to set off on its own journey into a new context? We find out from Ms. Yanin “Miw” Thunkijjanukij and Mr. Pakornwit “Jabik” Wiangsripanawan of ReThink Urban Spaces (RTUS), Co-Host of Bangkok Design Week 2024 in Hua Lamphong District.A New Journey for the ‘Former Travel Hub’Hua Lamphong and Soi Phraya Singhaseni comprise a neighborhood that played a crucial role when Bangkok Train Station was in operation. Ms. Miw explained that the district served weary and hungry travelers, with customers from all over the country frequenting the shops and services of the neighborhood throughout the day and night.“Travelers from the deep south would spread word of the delicious halal food in this one alley, or one hotel would emerge as a dependable place of rest for people who had to continue on to other business. These hotels would often have popular restaurants, like one place people called ‘Short Guy, Tall Guy Char Siu Pork.’ It disappeared with the coming of the expressway and the station’s move.”Ms. Miw and Mr. Jabik pointed out that there are two main factors behind Hua Lamphong’s major shift. The first was Bangkok’s expansion, which led to changes in its topography and a dispersion of Hua Lamphong’s users. The second was the COVID-19 pandemic, which hit at a time when the train station was at its most vulnerable.“Hua Lamphong has experienced a lot of change. One of the biggest was the expressway cutting through the center of its community, carving its very heart out. That had a major impact. Then COVID-19 happened and the neighborhood was further distressed.“COVID-19 made this neighborhood a ghost town, and then the station was moved, taking away all its shops. With trains running to Bang Sue, staff and travelers all disappeared, two large groups of people who were important to livelihoods here.“We saw that delicious halal restaurant close down with our own eyes after the southern train stopped coming. Where it once saw 50 customers a day, it only saw five, until eventually it couldn’t stay open and its owners had to move away. Even with fewer shops now, the ones that have remained aren’t making a lot.”Despite all these changes and setbacks however, Ms. Miw and Mr. Jabik don’t think Hua Lamphong has come to an end, rather, it has begun a new journey.The Immense Value of ‘Unwritten History’With just a slight change of viewpoint, re-centering on what Hua Lamphong really is now that the train station has left, Ms. Miw and Mr. Jabik discovered its real value: a wealth of stories that have yet to be recorded and told to the world.“If you move past the train station and analyze the district scientifically, you’ll see it has a wonderful location. It has the MRT, which connects the Chulalongkorn University area with the city’s historic quarter to places like Talat Noi, Charoenkrung, or even Yaowarat. In terms of the neighborhood’s position, it has a lot of potential.“We found that its communities are full of stories. People here make Chinese buttons, joss paper, and red lanterns, all items with rich history. They are surrounded by craft welders who attract buyers from all over the world with their distinct patterns. There is much to say about Hua Lamphong that goes beyond its train station and the people it brought.”Ms. Miw and Mr. Jabik note that this discovery came with a challenge in the form of time. Many of the stories they wish to collect are fading into only vague memories.“After discussions and forming a Hua Lamphong network, we want to quickly collect information from this generation because a lot of the stories we’ve been hearing end with, ‘The person doing that has passed.’ We’re missing out on a generation who now only exist as memories in their elderly successors. Their stories were not recorded and photos from that time are very rare, due to most not being able to afford a camera. Nonetheless, from what we’ve heard, these memories are worth keeping and form cultural capital for the neighborhood. We have to make a database of the generation still here as soon as possible.”Shining a Light on Self-Worth using CreativityRealizing the opportunity in sharing untold stories, Ms. Miw and Mr. Jabik started local, shining a light on people in Hua Lamphong so they could see the cultural value in their stories and belongings, believing that once they understood their worth, new conversations and opportunities in the neighborhood would emerge.“A sense of belonging was missing from the neighborhood, but once we started placemaking and talking about the past, we started to see conversations on how this district differed from its counterparts in Bangkok. People began to realize that this community also has a long history and cultural capital and began to question why this wasn’t mentioned. Most references to Hua Lamphong only focus on its central train station. We want to keep this energy going and foster a sense of belonging here; we want to push the community even further.“It started with a single group but a snowball effect has begun as the sentiment has been shared to the smallest unit of the community, its people. We hope this will lead to a major change over the next three years. With community members now aware, we’re waiting to see if we can use their cultural capital to make an impression beyond this neighborhood, to establish that Hua Lamphong is more than its train station and is full of people and culture. We want to start a new conversation on what more Hua Lamphong has to offer.”Of course, this Bangkok Design Week marks an important time for showing the value of the district.“Looking to revitalize the neighborhood, we have to open it to new groups in light of the changing functions here. We are proposing a creative economy and using creativity to spur new activities and exchanges between the previous and current generation, as well as young people who may not know about the district. Once we strengthen the people here, they can actualize their potential and enliven the neighborhood again.”Discover Hua Lamphong like never before at BKKDW 2024For Bangkok Design Week this year, a simple theme has been chosen for Hua Lamphong. ‘Open House’ was made the district’s concept because, on top of referring to opening the neighborhood to new people and opportunities, it alludes to the community members opening up to one another through discussion and communal spaces.“Our intention is to stage the neighborhood’s first open house after the turmoil of COVID-19. This year’s festival comes after the district underwent many changes and we wanted to take this opportunity to allow everyone to show what they’ve got. Whether it’s newly introduced hostels, cafes, or studios that might have engaged in the week as individual entities in prior years, this year will have them come together for the first time in an open house presenting their fresh takes on the neighborhood. They will collectively be representing Hua Lamphong.“The event area will extend from MRT Exit 3 across from Hong Kong Noodle through Soi Phraya Singhaseni along the inbound expressway to Hua Lamphong until it crosses underneath towards the wall next to the rail line on Rong Mueang Road and ends in a square in front of Wat Duang Khae with Hua Lamphong train station to its right. “Joining us will be organizations such as the Foundation for Child Development, which has been in the neighborhood for over 40 years. The foundation holds an event every year but moved its function this year to be a part of BKKDW. Showcasing works from four communities in the district, the foundation’s exhibition encompasses community crafts and photographs as well as interactive activities run by resident young people, such as those in the Rong Mueang Ruang Yim group, a collective of young active citizens who are taking action and relating the stories of the four communities by highlighting their unique identities.“‘Made in Hua Lamphong’ is a collaboration between six distinct shops that have long stood in Hua Lamphong and designers from five studios. Together, they are sharing stories from the neighborhood while underlining the strength of Hua Lamphong businesses.“Other participating groups are focusing on opening up the houses of businesses in the neighborhood. Play Space Café is tapping into its network of photographers to stage Nice Photo Walk. C’HOUSE Bangkok, a new accommodation built into a renovated mosquito screen factory by the railway, is hosting an exhibition on Bazi and Num Eiang astrology, a major part of Trok Salak Hin, inviting people away from the main avenue to learn about the long-practiced Chinese belief system and empower their inner elements by visiting an installation of interactive art in the alley.“Across C’HOUSE is a studio by American artist Coby. Working with metal, he first arrived in Thailand with his family before becoming intrigued by the metal works here and opening his own studio by renting a home. Usually, the house is closed while Coby welds, but during BKKDW, it will be open to visitors.“At Taiban café, a workshop on canvas painting is scheduled along with an EcoWalk to collect leaves for Eco Printing and incense making. The venue is also hosting an Artist in Residency with works from the Philippines and Russia. Mami papercraft and Piti Studio, opening in January, will hold their first workshops, highlighting two artists in a single building.Finally, under the expressway, RTUS will be holding an exhibition through which it will collect information on the community. Eight artists have been invited to use the space and they will be speaking with residents to learn about them through their different lenses, such as in terms of beliefs, or how they feel about the stone door that was demolished to make way for the expressway.”How will this new journey for the district of travelers turn out? Find out at Bangkok Design Week 2024 in Hua Lamphong District.Explore Hua Lamphong in greater detail through the neighborhood’s recommended programs:Made in Hua Lamphongwww.bangkokdesignweek.com/bkkdw2024/program/70966 Taste of Hua Lamphongwww.bangkokdesignweek.com/bkkdw2024/program/71898 Arising Hua Lamphongwww.bangkokdesignweek.com/bkkdw2024/program/71729 Photo Frame Papercraft Workshopwww.bangkokdesignweek.com/bkkdw2024/program/92461 Click to view all programs of Hua Lamphong here: www.bangkokdesignweek.com/bkkdw2024/program?nbh=49826–Bangkok Design Week 2024Livable Scapeคนยิ่งทำ เมืองยิ่งดี27 Jan – 4 Feb 2024#BKKDW2024#BangkokDesignWeek#LivableScape
Transform the City! Epson's 4 Projection Mapping Technology
Transform the City! Epson’s 4 Projection Mapping Technology Creates Boundless Joy with Boundless ImaginationProjection Mapping is undeniably one of the hallmark features of Bangkok Design Week. Every year, Projection Mapping serves as a main stage where designers and creators from various disciplines come together to explore new possibilities, endlessly pushing the boundaries of image projection techniques onto objects and spaces.The selection process for the sites to create Projection Mapping art places great importance on the areas’ stories and history. The procedure would allow the festival to act as an experimental ground for discovering new possibilities in developing public spaces for the community. This includes reviving old forgotten architecture, repurposing abandoned spaces, or even making governmental properties more accessible to the general public. Artists aim not only to showcase beauty but also to weave connections between the past and the present, initiating conversations that stimulate collective thinking about the future direction of these places.Designing such projects requires knowledge from multiple disciplines, including storytelling, motion graphics, music, lighting design, architecture, and much more. Thus, the Projection Mapping initiative becomes an ideal space for designers to experiment with integrating various practices, with technology being a key component that turns every idea into reality.In this year’s event, expect to encounter Projection Mapping artwork that will infuse Bangkok Design Week with color. Some examples include:1. I Flower You: Pak Khlong Collective Blooms:Experience a journey to discover digital flower seeds in the Pak Khlong Talat District, where visitors can collectively plant them in interactive flower pots near the Grand Postal Building. Each flower conveys a unique meaning according to what the planter wishes to convey.Learn more: www.bangkokdesignweek.com/bkkdw2024/program/67976 2. “มา/หา/กัน” Join (joy) together:Pick up local artwork and hear their stories retold through projections on Mahakan Fort. This installation incorporates optical illusion techniques that captivate passersby, making them want to stop, watch, and capture the moment.Learn more: www.bangkokdesignweek.com/bkkdw2024/program/76265 3. Bang Bua Live Stickers Book:Enjoy digital art in the form of a moving sticker book that anyone can interact with in real-time via the website. The digital sticker book created collaboratively will be displayed at Sripatum University.Learn more: www.bangkokdesignweek.com/bkkdw2024/program/87945 4. ExperienceScape Project:ExperienceScape is a project by Urban Ally that invites leading artists to create artworks using new media art and project mapping techniques at various locations in Phra Nakhon District, including Metropolitan Waterworks Authority Maen Si, the Giant Swing, Saranrom Park, and Mahakan Fort.Learn more: www.facebook.com/UrbanAlly.SU Build a Well-designed City with Limitless TechnologyProjection Mapping art installations from both this year and previous years tell us that art and design contribute to making cities more livable. They enhance the value of neighborhoods and places that are often overlooked, tell the city’s story, create relationships among people, bring vibrant colors to the city, and generate brilliant ideas. All this would not be possible without the technology that helps translate imagination into reality.As a global leader in printing and projection technology, Epson recognizes the importance of actively participating in Bangkok Design Week to support this platform in creating a creative and positive impact on the economy. By inviting artists and creators from both the academic and business sectors, Epson aims to collaborate in producing art pieces using Projection Mapping technology. This collaboration is intended to serve as a model for designing a more livable city through innovation and limitless technology.–Bangkok Design Week 2024Livable Scapeคนยิ่งทำ เมืองยิ่งดี27 Jan – 4 Feb 2024#BKKDW2024#BangkokDesignWeek#LivableScape
ดีไซน์วีคแล้วไปไหน
What Comes After Design Week The festival sought to present actual challenges facing the city of Bangkok (HACKBKK), serving as an open call for creators to think, experiment, and discover new possible solutions to making the city more livable in various ways. There were a variety of interesting showcases, covering issues of transportation, public safety, green spaces, public areas, waste, pollution, and vulnerable groups as well as presenting vibrant communities and highlighting neighborhoods.Bangkok Design Week has forwarded this creative output to Bangkok City Lab to be further developed into real-world applications, where everyone can provide feedback. 1. Travel Go Go Bus a 20-seat light rail transit system that explores new routes to connect old town areas in Charoen Krung-Yaowarat-Phra Nakhon-Nang Loeng-Pak Khlong Talat, reducing the reliance on personal vehicles in areas with limited parking and promoting the use of clean energy. This has been a collaboration of Mayday designers, the BusSing network from Khon Kaen, and Arunplus Company Limited.Rest Stops and Motorcycle Queue Signs Motorcyclesare the life blood of transportation in Bangkok, with service providers scattered throughout and serving a large number of travelers. Therefore, this concept aims to improve rest stops for both drivers and users, offering convenience and beautifying the surroundings. This project took place in Soi Sukhumvit 26, led by the architects and designers from A49 & Friends. Queue signs were developed and implemented at the Bang Bua Canal motorcycle taxi station by Bangkok City Lab.Cycling RoutesThe road conditions in Bangkok vary greatly, leading to different designs for cycling routes in each area. Some areas may require avoiding cycling on major roads and relying instead on smaller streets, while others may involve riding on footpaths. This necessitates experimenting with route data and proposing suitable sign designs for each type of area. Both private and bike-sharing users (which Bangkok is in the process of implementing) were invited to share feedback on the route information and signage provided during the festival for further development.2. Experimenting with Public Space Improvements Experimenting with Bangkok City Hall and Chong Charoen Park as Public SpacesAfter relocating the Bangkok City Hall from Chong Charoen Park to Din Daeng, Urban Ally experimented with transforming the space into a multifunctional public area. Apart from renovating the main area into a museum, they installed the People Pavilion – the elevated ground, designed by SP/N x Nerd studio, in the central area of City Hall. This serves as a space for relaxation, recreation, and other activities. Modular PlaygroundThis involved designing structures for recreation using materials that can be assembled and adjusted according to the space. A49 & Friends aimed to provide Bangkok with options for experimenting with the use of these structures in other areas where flexible and reusable structures are needed to fit the available space.Folding Tables with ParasolsThis collaboration between parasol manufacturers, urban artists, and ease studio designers under the “Made in Hualampong” project provides seating that supports the weight of parasols, eliminating the need for concrete pole anchors. Once the street stalls pack up and leave, they don’t leave behind any concrete anchors on the sidewalks, providing a design alternative for developing street stalls. Pocket oasis gardenThis concept aims to add green spaces using small ‘pocket gardens’ with street furniture. The design incorporates structures to support climbing plants, which allow trees to grow and cover the structure. This green shading helps to block sunlight and create a comfortable environment for the space below, suitable for Thailand’s hot urban climate.Puppup Space: The Live Parklet (Intervention)This program experimented with small public spaces in 2-3 parking lots under the concept of “Reclaiming Space for Pedestrians,” transforming these areas into temporary public spaces for community recreation. This project builds upon previous experiments to enhance walkability and cycling by adding pedestrian walkways and clearly defining traffic lanes to reduce traffic speed for public safety in the Phra Nakhon District.3. The Coexistence of Humans and Animals“CATSANOVA 2024″ by Stand for Straysaims to address the issue of stray cats. Besides raising awareness about the necessity of spaying and neutering to control stray populations, the group also raises funds and helps find foster homes for the city’s many cats. Bangkok can help promote this type of activity in various areas to address similar issues.Bird and Squirrel Houses The streets of Bangkok, where trees line both sides, often serve as habitats for birds, squirrels, and other small animals, forming part of the city’s ecosystem. A49 & Friends has designed small houses that hang on trees to provide shelter for these small creatures and create a pleasant atmosphere for pedestrians.–Livable Scape คนยิ่งทำ เมืองยิ่งดีhard matters . heart matters . design matters27 Jan – 4 Feb 2024#BKKDW2024#BangkokDesignWeek#LivableScape
RUNIVERSE BKK 2592
RUNIVERSE BKK 2592Behind the Running Mission to Save Bangkok 30 Years in the Future For most, running is the first form of exercise chosen when looking to get into fitness, as it doesn’t demand any particular skills or equipment. Beginners need only a good pair of shoes and the willpower. Thanapong ‘Fiat’ Panichob, a founder of YIMSAMER, the design studio specializing in incorporating technology into art, is one such person who gradually took up running and eventually became serious about the sport. That devotion led to RUNIVERSE BKK 2592, a program motivating everyone to run during this year’s Bangkok Design Week. More than just a fun run, however, the event took participants on a jog through Bangkok 30 years in the future. Manifested through multimedia technology, runners were given the role of environmental protectors working with Bangkok Risk Zero, dispatched to Bangkok in 2049 AD to find missing research needed to stop the city’s environmental crises, ranging from overcrowding and climate change to PM 2.5 pollution and even major flooding – all triggered by actions here in the present.The Designer Running for Physical and Mental Health“I used to work very hard, and it took a toll on my physical and mental health. About three years ago, a friend of mine invited me for a run. That first time, I only ran about 2 km. with the pace set at 8 or 9, which is a speed most people can walk. I kept at it, however, and got more serious, until about a year ago, I began running trails and discovered it really recharges you in many ways. I wanted to take the opportunity of this event to encourage my fellow artists and designers to pay more attention to their health. “At first, I wanted to stage a run through Charoenkrung that everyone could join in, but a city run didn’t make sense with the PM2.5 pollution. That gave me the idea of tackling environmental issues and incorporating running into an immersive experience with moving images and multimedia. I found research by the Urban Futures and Policy office of Thammasart University predicting what Bangkok would look like in 30 years and the office’s director, Asst. Prof. Wijitbusaba Marome, was eager to provide us with the data we needed to construct our experience.”Partnering to Run Farther“The program’s full name is ‘RUNIVERSE – IMMERSIVE RUNNING EXPERIENCE Powered by Amino Vital’ as we were sponsored by the energy gel producer. They picked us up immediately after our pitch and they genuinely wanted this project to be realized because they wanted the new generation and its designers to understand the importance of fitness. “Our next major sponsor was Fitness First, who dedicated treadmills to us as soon as they heard our idea. They noted that designers and artists are a particularly difficult group to reach and they are very difficult to attract to physical activity without an incentive. This is why the activity was presented in the format of a ‘fitness theater’ tying together exercise and a narrative. The Virtual Media Lab at CEA has a huge screen and top-shelf light and sound system, we put the treadmills there and had professional trainers from Fitness First leading participants on how fast to run and at what incline. “Making the role of environmental protector even more real, I invited Ratchai ‘Nging’ Rujiwipatna from Babymime to serve as an acting coach for the trainers, giving them a better grasp on communicating from the stage. We then had support from AssetWise in terms of funding for the imagery we used to populate our scene.”A RUNIVERSE of Possibilities“The project was conceptualized in October 2023 and realized in January 2024, a very short period of time. Without the help of all our sponsors and a strong team, it would have been difficult to blend an immersive experience with both sports and theater. What I’d like to share as a designer is that this undertaking led me to know a much larger network that will extend the potential of newer designers. I am very happy that this took place. “I had the chance to talk with some of our sponsors on the direction moving forward for this project. It might become an application for immersive experiences or evolve into a fitness course. Most of our conversations focused on the tools without limiting the content to BKK 2592 because the RUNIVERSE could be in the stone age, among dinosaurs, or in any reality.”See more at www.facebook.com/yimsamer–Bangkok Design Week 2024Livable Scapeคนยิ่งทำ เมืองยิ่งดี27 Jan – 4 Feb 2024#BKKDW2024#BangkokDesignWeek#LivableScape