AL_A complete striking Central Embassy tower in Bangkok, featuring Yabu Pushelberg's Park Hyatt hotel
– Amanda Levete
AL_A, the architecture practice of Amanda Levete, has completed a striking 37-floor retail, leisure and hotel tower in central Bangkok.
Located within the former gardens of the British Embassy, along Ploenchit Road, the Central Embassy project has been developed for Central Group, Thailand’s leading retailer and department store operator.
The 1.5m sq ft (139,000sq m) complex has been designed to “bring a distinguishing new silhouette to the city” that “extends an invitation to the people of Bangkok and the world beyond.”
A seven-storey luxury retail podium – housing a cinema, shops and 30 restaurants – supports a 27-storey five-star Park Hyatt hotel structure – the first tower to be completed by a British architect in Thailand.
The exterior is clad in 300,000 aluminium tiles, each with two surfaces “to reflect both the chaos of the city and the sky itself” as light changes throughout the day. Uniting traditional craftsmanship with digital design technologies, the façade reflects the country’s tradition of intricate pattern making.
Explaining the broader design concept in a statement, AL_A said: “The hotel and shopping mall are bound together using the notion of a continual looped form to give a more intuitive merging between plinth and tower and between the programmes. The continuity of the tower line appears to break down the volume of the mass of the plinth, creating a structure that is asymmetrical in all dimensions.
“The openness of the form embraces the city and sets up reciprocal views, with a series of terraces outside and balconies within to see and be seen. The elevated form that rises from the podium wraps around two vertical light wells, opening up internal spaces to reveal stepped terraces, and dividing hotel functions.”
Commenting on the project, Levete added: “Central Embassy goes to the heart of what makes Bangkok such an extraordinary place. By embracing advanced technology as well as local heritage and culture, the building is local to its surrounding yet simultaneously redefines the location.
“A distinctive new presence on the skyline that is both fresh and exciting, Central Embassy nonetheless feels like it has always belonged here, already a valued part of the city.”
The hotel is the first Park Hyatt in Thailand. New York designers Yabu Pushelberg, who also created the brand’s flagship Park Hyatt New York hotel, were tasked with creating the interiors, in collaboration with fellow firm AvroKO, who designed the three uppermost floors of the hotel’s Penthouse Grill & Bar.
There are 222 bedrooms, including 32 premier suites. Leisure amenities include a 40m (131ft) infinity pool set among tropical landscaped gardens; a rooftop terrace and bar; a spa with eight treatment rooms, a crystal and laconium steam room, a whirlpool and experience showers; and a 24-hour fitness centre.
“It’s a beautiful hotel,” Yabu Pushelberg told CLADglobal. “Bangkok is full of noise and cacophony and bright colours. In contrast, this is a calm hotel, with creamy colours with accents of black and nods to Thai design features.”
AL_A Central Embassy Bangkok Yabu Pushelberg Park Hyatt Thailand design architecture Amanda Levete
Wellness care hospital opens in Vilnius with innovative spa and hospitality concept
Universal and Puy du Fou projects point to rise of Oxford–Cambridge corridor
A proposed Puy du Fou development near Bicester and Universal Destinations and Experiences’ planned resort in Bedford are emerging as part of a wider transformation of the Oxford–Cambridge Growth Corridor into a major centre for UK leisure and tourism investment.
For years, the corridor has been associated primarily with science, technology, housing and university-led economic growth. However, the clustering of large-scale visitor attraction projects along the
All-inclusive eco-wellness development Auko to open near Vietnam’s Son Doong caves
Shedd Aquarium upgrades its visitor experience with new Immersion Theater
Shedd Aquarium has opened the Immersion Theater developed in partnership with SimEx-Iwerks, as part of a wider strategy to enhance the guest experience and create additional revenue opportunities.
The attraction has transformed the aquarium’s Phelps Auditorium into a multi-sensory venue combining panoramic projection, environmental effects and interactive technology.
A new pre-show area allows visitors to engage with augmented reality marine animals before entering the
MCR is planning a luxury hotel for London's BT Tower
Joy as a radical act: Yinka Ilori launches solo exhibition celebrating the rebellious power of spreading happiness
Work gets underway on Madrid's €800 million leisure complex
Work is underway in Madrid on one of Europe’s most significant multi-functional complexes, combining sport, entertainment, culture and education.
The €800 million initiative to regenerate the former Olympic Aquatic Centre in the north-east of the city, next to the Riyadh Air Metropolitano stadium, is being led by Barsento – a joint venture between Live Nation Entertainment, Oak View Group and Atlético de Madrid. The project will
Therme Manchester reveals 90:90 strategy – 90 per cent of the UK population within a 90-minute drive of a Therme
Four Seasons’ Naples Beach Club opens 2,800sq m Sanctuary spa inspired by indigenous Calusa people
Orient Express Corinthian to host Ocean Rebirth wellness retreat in collaboration with Guerlain
Famed London nightclub, Tramp, launches Tramp Health
First look: Miraval opens on the Red Sea in Saudi Arabia
Hainan Science Museum by Ma Yansong, opens in China
A new science museum has opened to the public in Haikou after attracting more than 350,000 visitors during a four-month soft opening period.
Designed by Ma Yansong and his practice MAD Architects, the Hainan Science Museum is located on the edge of Wuyuan River National Wetland Park and has already recorded peak attendance of more than 5,800 visitors in a single day.
Commissioned by
Zannier Île De Bendor launches with design by Hardel Le Bihan Architectes
Sæl Spa readies for launch in London: “a modern British sanctuary”
Immersive art bathhouse Submersive announces debut location in Austin
Construction begins on regenerative wellness destination The Shenandoah Nature Resort
Royal Caribbean reveals record-breaking cruise ship
V&A East opens in London
David Geffen galleries open at LACMA
New venue The Lands by Capella includes a longevity centre to complement sister hotel Capella Sydney
World of Frozen launches at Disneyland Paris
Pical Resort by Valamar reveals first Croatian spa under the ESPA brand
Mandarin Oriental creates end-to-end Egyptian journey with two new hotels and first-ever luxury river cruise
Designers Mendil + Meyer launch new division called Lām Concepts for strategic wellness projects
Wilderness Bisate in Rwanda reveals brand’s second Sanctuary spa
4a Architekten shares details of wellness extension at Salinarium Bad Dürkheim Thermal Spa
BodyHoliday plans 10-15 locations in the next 15 years
Floating wellbeing destination planned for London’s Royal Docks
Aman Group to open second Janu in Dubai with inaugural Janu Club
