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
ExperienceScape by Urban Ally, DecideKit, LPN
ExperienceScape: Creating New Memories to Drive Phra Nakhon Old Town into a Creative District by Urban Ally, DecideKit, LPNAt this year’s Bangkok Design Week, Urban Ally by Silpakorn University’s Faculty of Architecture is hosting Phra Nakhon District for the third consecutive year. This time, they’ve named their festival “LIVE Metropolis Maintenance” under the theme “Everyday-life Festival.” It aims to present innovative approaches to creatively utilizing the space in the old town, creating vibrancy and a new image of Phra Nakhon District.The idea behind revitalizing the Phra Nakhon District aligns with the “Livable Living Experience” concept by LPN, which is dedicated to developing high-quality living spaces and emphasizes the importance of building a good community and fostering well-being, both physically and emotionally.The ExperienceScape project is a collaboration between Urban Ally, DecideKit, and LPN. They’ve invited leading Thai and international artists to create new media art and projection mapping works that transform public spaces, revitalizing areas that have long been neglected and preserving the architectural heritage of the Phra Nakhon District. Here are some of the featured art installations in the festival:– “Back to the Past” by Kor.Bor.Vorat Sri Maha Mariamman Temple: This projection mapping piece narrates the story of a living entity known as ‘Tank’ that has existed in the area since the reign of King Rama V. The ‘tanks’ hold numerous precious memories, and now, they are ready to share their stories.Learn more: www.bangkokdesignweek.com/bkkdw2024/program/73204 – “From Now to Future” by DecideKitat Sri Maha Mariamman Temple: This projection mapping piece communicates the importance of self-reflection through the lens of Tanks, encouraging people to embrace new things and relearn the world by filtering experiences that bring growth and resilience to our core.Learn more: www.bangkokdesignweek.com/bkkdw2024/program/73204 – “Join (joy) together” by The Motion Houseat Mahakan Fort: Local artists use projection mapping under the theme “Living in a Color,” incorporating eye-catching optical illusion techniques. The area features multiple zones for visitors to explore with joy.Learn more: www.bangkokdesignweek.com/bkkdw2024/program/76265– “Call Me Susan” by Yellaban Creative Media Studioat Saranrom Park: This project consists of two parts. The first part is a projection mapping that tells the story of the architecture in the area, from past to present and future. The second part involves transforming the observation tower, a symbol of Saranrom Park, into a character named ‘Susan,’ who will serve as a tour guide for the Phra Nakhon District. You can follow her on IG: @callme.susannn.Learn more: www.bangkokdesignweek.com/bkkdw2024/program/86893 – “Night Blooming” by Yimsamerat the Giant Swing: This projection mapping piece uses the lotus flower, a symbol of purity and enlightenment, to narrate a story of growth and awakening from the clay of ignorance, akin to the spiritual journey in Eastern beliefs.Learn more: www.bangkokdesignweek.com/bkkdw2024/program/86918 To make a city ‘livable,’ it requires collaboration and unity from all parties.In the past year, the Urban Ally-led development project for Phra Nakhon District has received widespread media attention. To continue this success and turn this neighborhood into a potential creative district, they are consistently generating ideas in collaboration with partners. This ongoing effort aims to provide opportunities and possibilities for adding vibrancy and economic value to this historic area through the addition of color and the introduction of new ideas, ultimately fostering a sense of community and of the importance of art and innovation in city development.–Bangkok Design Week 2024Livable Scapeคนยิ่งทำ เมืองยิ่งดี27 Jan – 4 Feb 2024#BKKDW2024#BangkokDesignWeek#LivableScape
Get to Know the Creative Districts Ahead of BKKDW2024: Bang Mot
Get to Know the Creative Districts Ahead of BKKDW2024: Bang MotIn the harmonious coexistence of nature, people, and a diverse culture, linked through the waterways of Bang Mot Canal.If one were to ask about a creative district that is not only robust but also has been built from the ground up by the community itself, Bang Mot would likely be among the top answers. Rightly so, given its continuous area development for over 6 years, and the extensive list of varied creative networks that stretch long and wide.Today, this formidable tourism community has finally decided to take another step forward by registering to be a part of the Bangkok Design Week festival. This represents the ultimate dream of many community developers who wish to be a part of the festival at least once.How will Bang Mot transform the city into a ‘Livable Scape’? Discover the answer with Ajarn Nisakorn Pensomboon from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, majoring in Street Art and Integrated Design, Dhonburi Rajabhat University, as the Co-Host of the Bangkok Design Week 2024 in the Bang Mot district.The Coexistence of Nature and PeopleAjarn Nisakorn explains that Bang Mot is one of the areas in Bangkok that still retains its original natural environment and richness. This includes the canal-side way of life, boat commuting, and the cultivation of plants in garden rows, such as coconut gardens and Bang Mot ant gardens, which are significant symbols of the area. Moreover, it is a multicultural land inhabited by Thai-Chinese, Thai Buddhists, and Muslims living together.But more than that, what makes Bang Mot uniquely charming is the ‘loveliness’ of its people.“The geography of the Bang Mot area involves the coexistence of nature and people in a traditional way. For instance, entering the area, you will see canals, gardens, and nature. People still commute by boats. There used to be rice farming, and it was famous for orange orchards, particularly the Bang Mot oranges. Now, the Bang Mot orange orchard is nearing its 100th year in the area. Additionally, coconut trees are grown, adapting from the challenging cultivation of oranges.“In terms of culture, this place is multicultural. There are Thai-Chinese people, Thai Buddhists, with famous temples along the canal, such as Wat Phutthabucha, Wat Bua Phan, as well as several mosques along the canal. People live together in a multicultural environment.“Ultimately, the uniqueness of the Bang Mot neighborhood is the loveliness of its people. The way of life here is like a close-knit family, creating an atmosphere that reduces competition and haste. Entering the area, one feels the essence of slow life, a space where people can relax. It’s like when you arrive in Bang Mot, you feel at ease.”Collaboration in the Neighborhood Leads to Bangkok Design WeekAs we all know, Bang Mot is an old district that has continuously formed networks and worked on community development for a long time. This involves many sectors, including Dhonburi Rajabhat University, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, Arsom Silp Institute of the Arts, SAFETist Farm, Kienwad & Pappim Art Space café, Baan Rai Ariya Metaya, the Mod Tanoy Market multicultural group, various entrepreneurs, residents of the area, and many others. Ajarn Nisakorn explains that the strength of Bang Mot as it is today stems from the educational sector’s involvement with the community and their continuous effort to elevate outcomes through various activities.“It’s a continuous process. It’s like we don’t just do it once and stop. We try changing methods, letting people come into the community or areas where they can have different experiences. Often, there are One Day Trip programs, boat trips, cultural walking tours, and discussions. We try different formats.“The strength of the area comes from the educational institutions providing information and stimulating the community to realize that their assets have value. And when they repeatedly try to implement these in practice, people start to see possibilities. They begin to realize that it can stimulate income and economic circulation. They see their own potential.”When the community is strong, Bang Mot’s next step is to elevate itself as a creative district for new challenges, including joining the Bangkok Design Week.“Bang Mot has always been active in grouping and working together. For instance, we’ve already conducted the ‘Bang Mot Phase’ five times. In the past four phases, the community was the driving force behind the activities, and once it was in collaboration with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, making it a creative district last year. This year will mark the sixth time we are participating in the Bangkok Design Week.“After last year, when we joined as a creative district of Bangkok, we discussed that our collaboration, experience, and network are sufficiently ready. So, this year, we thought about trying to participate in the Bangkok Design Week. Since we have a strong team and are already working with the area, it became the starting point for us to try joining the Bangkok Design Week this time.”Turning Problems into Distinctive Features of the Area with CreativityThe key process in designing the activities for the Bang Mot area this time is to blend ‘solving urban problems’ with the ‘interesting aspects of the area’. They strive to take actual problems within the district as a starting point and design creative activities that can genuinely solve these issues while simultaneously enhancing the area’s identity.“When we talk about the motto of this year’s event, ‘The More People Act, The Better The City,’ it encompasses the physical aspects of feeling good, exceptional design, and Bang Mot’s uniqueness. We took up the additional theme of Hack BKK, which is ‘Attractive Frontage, Transforming Canals into Frontages.’ This theme has a story. When we look at the real travel history of people in Bangkok, they used to travel by boat. But as the city expanded, this mode of transportation became obsolete. However, the Bang Mot area still maintains this maritime lifestyle quite extensively. Is this a highlight? Yes, but it’s also a disadvantage because it means access to the area is more limited. So, we took this as a point to solve in various programs.“Or the fact that the area has a rural-urban lifestyle, meaning it’s quite quiet in the evenings. When it gets dark, everyone closes their homes, which is different from other areas in the heart of the city. Also, the lighting is not very bright. The community is quite dark, almost pitch black. Therefore, the nature of our programs focuses on making the area brighter, increasing the illumination for travel to various points during the festival and even for the daily life of the community members.”Grow with the Flow‘Grow with the Flow’ is the name of the concept for the upcoming program at Bangkok Design Week for this district. It beautifully suits the essence of Bang Mot, as this concept speaks to the development of the area in a flourishing way without haste or urgency. It symbolizes growth at a pace that is right for them, akin to flowing along the currents of the Bang Mot Canal with which they are familiar.“The term ‘Grow’ here refers to development and flourishing. We think that the nature of our area is like a water current, as we are located by the water. It’s simple and straightforward. We feel that the concept of ‘Grow with the Flow’, flourishing with the current, is about the external world that might compel us to grow rapidly. But once you enter this area, it feels like you’re embracing a slower life. We plan the program so that people in Bangkok, inner Bangkok, or other areas can feel that Bang Mot is like a provincial area within Bangkok, where everyone can come to relax and let go of their stress.”Ajarn Nisakorn says that the event will be located at various points along the 7-kilometer stretch of both sides of the Bang Mot Canal. These points will be accessible by walking or by passenger boats, which are also a part of the designed program. The activities include highlights such as:“The ‘Glowing Walls’ program addresses the community’s issue of darkness. We, being street artists, usually see bright colors on the walls. But now, we will add glow-in-the-dark paint, which illuminates during dusk, the time when the atmosphere is quite dark. During the day, one pattern is visible, and at night, another. This not only adds color to the area but also partially solves the problem of darkness.“The ‘Glowing Boat’ program is essentially a boat tour. We play on the word ‘glowing,’ as in illumination. As mentioned, we have problems with distance and connectivity between different points of the program, which spans 7 kilometers. We thought riding a boat itself could be an interesting experience. Therefore, we designed a program to decorate the boat’s canopy and sails with patterns depicting the lifestyle, incorporating art from the area into the designs on top, including lighting decorations. This turns the boat not only into a means of transportation between program points but also part of the art itself.“Additionally, we have a program from the students of KMUTT (King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi). They are working on a project that uses science – water levels, water density – to address the issue of water for fish habitat. It’s a collaboration between scientists and canal designers. Besides the scientific solution, it will also be presented as an art installation in the area on the same theme. We also have another interconnected program from a ceramic artist who grew up in Bang Mot. They say that there’s a lot under the waters of Bang Mot Canal, be it actual animals, objects, or memories carried by the water currents. They have transformed these into various ceramic shapes and exhibited them under a bridge in the Bang Mot Canal, like lifting valuable things from underwater for people to see.“Concluding at SAFETist Farm, which is an organic farm with a pond in the middle featuring fish and full-scale agriculture. This time, they have devised an outdoor movie viewing over the pond“At SAFETist Farm, which is an area for organic farming with a pond in the middle, complete with fish and full-scale agriculture, they have come up with an idea to watch movies over the pond. It’s an outdoor movie screening, but since we have a pond in the middle, it’s called ‘movie in the middle of the pond.’“Another highlight of SAFETist Farm is the ‘Little Otters of Bang Mot Canal.’ Did you know that Bang Mot still has otters? Otters are a sign of prosperity, indicating that our area is fertile. So, we use them as one of the characters to represent the Bang Mot area, which still maintains its natural way of life. Those who come to watch movies might even get to see a real otter.”Relax with the flow of the Bang Mot Canal and follow the next steps as a creative district at the Bangkok Design Week, the first for the Bang Mot area, from January 27 to February 4.Get to know Bang Mot District better through its recommended programs:Grow and Glowwww.bangkokdesignweek.com/bkkdw2024/program/70777 Glowing Boat Journeywww.bangkokdesignweek.com/bkkdw2024/program/70848 Scientist-Designer Collaboration: Sustalomwww.bangkokdesignweek.com/bkkdw2024/program/71570 Little Otters of Bang Mot Canalwww.bangkokdesignweek.com/bkkdw2024/program/71157 Click to see all the programs of the Bang Mot District here:www.bangkokdesignweek.com/bkkdw2024/program?nbh=84251 –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
ExperienceScape: How Urban Ally and DecideKit Brought New Life to Phra Nakhon
ExperienceScape: How Urban Ally and DecideKit Brought New Life and Possibility to Phra NakhonPhra Nakhon district was among the most talked about during this year’s Bangkok Design Week. Since Urban Ally was set up by Silpakorn University’s Faculty of Architecture in 2021, the ‘center for a friendly city’ has been carrying out research and serious surveys as well as working with a variety of partners to design a more livable city and endow historic Phra Nakhon with new experiences. This resulted in a range of development projects as well as the center becoming the resident host for Phra Nakhon district. Urban Ally named their area festival “LIVE Metropolis Maintenance” and carried it out under the theme “Everyday-life Festival,” scattering the neighborhood with 19 activities. Among all the activities Urban Ally staged across Phra Nakhon, a major highlight was definitely ‘ExperienceScape,’ a project that enlivened the architecture of the old town’s abandoned buildings, bringing them new life and interest. Using new media art and projection mapping, famed Thai motion graphic design company DecideKit curated the experience in collaboration with studios including Kor.Bor.Vor, The Motion House, Yellaban, and Yimsamer as well as international designers from France, Malaysia, and Indonesia. Changing the Old Town to Spark New Conversations on ‘Public Space’Pheereeya Boonchaiyapruek Ph. D., Deputy Director of Urban Ally, explained the thought process behind ExperienceScape, saying “We came at this project from two angles, firstly, we thought about how we could bring more charm to an everyday space and how we could extend the use of a public park into the night time, secondly, we wanted people to be able to access spaces like the Maen Sri Water Tower and other government locations so they could serve the public outside of office hours. The festival gave us an opportunity to experiment with using these spaces on a more daily basis.“The objective of ExperienceScape was to create models and new experiences for Phra Nakhon tied to its history. Urban Ally collected all the available content and selected fitting locations, while DecideKit and Kor.Bor.Vor acted as curators inviting artists to take part. Each activity spoke on the past, present, and future as interpreted by the resident artist.“The idea of using festivals for urban development opened our eyes to the possibility of altering public spaces for even wider use. The festival gave us an opportunity to try many different ideas in different places, such as Bangkok City Hall, which is usually closed to the public. This event let us stage happenings that started a conversation on utilizing public spaces more.” Looking Back through History with Art and TechnologyChanpen “Jib” Koolkaew, founder of DecideKit, added from the perspective of a curator who chose new media art and project mapping for the event that “We had another major contributor this year in the form of Kob from Kor.Bor.Vor (Pongpassakorn Kulthirathum) and we chose project mapping teams both from the commercial side and that were in the international competition circuit. Each team had their own character but they were all very skilled. After showcasing their work abroad, we thought they should also be given space here at home. DecideKit worked overseas for years and we always drew a crowd. All our shows were sold out in Japan and in Europe we saw packed houses. We’re sure Thai people also have an interest in this type of art but they just aren’t given the opportunity to see it, that’s why we wanted to come back and hold a show. “Each artist worked to incorporate the history of their space into their work, to bridge it with the future. At Mahakan Fort, the program by The Motion House was inspired by the colors of the Thai folk theater tradition of Likay after their research uncovered the space was once a Likay stage. Our project with Urban Ally in Trang was similarly based in local stories, which we wanted to present in an accessible, non-abstract way. Maybe someday our works will be more diverse, but we’ve only just begun, so communicating in a straightforward way will help us connect better.” Lessons from the Past for the FutureWhen asked how the designers felt the first time they went to see the long-abandoned water towers of Maen Sri, Jib said “Our impression was ‘Let’s do it, this place is so unique, it’s not a church or a building, it’s a really cool symbol.’ We wouldn’t have known there were two tanks there if Dr. Pheereeya hadn’t invited us. After reading about the site’s history, we wanted people to know about it even more because it has such a long past. Even if you were to construct another place like this, it wouldn’t have the same stories or value.“At the very least, opening up that space created an opportunity for the current generation to reconnect with their roots, to see a value in the past that can be forwarded to the future. Every location in the old town has immense value, it’s just a matter of seeing it and giving it attention. The value of these places can’t be recreated with money, they are the result of time, which money can’t buy. No matter how much funding you have, you can’t construct a place with this much meaning.”–Bangkok Design Week 2024Livable Scapeคนยิ่งทำ เมืองยิ่งดี27 Jan – 4 Feb 2024#BKKDW2024#BangkokDesignWeek#LivableScape