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
– 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.”

Park Hyatt plans landmark Bangkok hotel