The MahaNakhon SkyWalk – an observation deck designed by German architecture studio Buro Ole Scheeren – has opened in Bangkok.

Located a heartstopping 314 metres above the ground atop the 77-storey King Power MahaNakhon complex, the deck – dubbed the "Skytray" – features a walkable glass platform and bar, providing panoramic views of the surrounding urban landscape.

Speaking on the opening, Scheeren said: "The idea behind MahaNakhon was to take the life of the city and bring it up the tower in a dramatic, spiraling movement.

"Even the very top of the tower is surrendered to the public, so there is not only a public square at the ground, but human activity rises along the pixellated shaft to the top floors of the building which are given back to the public domain."

Other amenities at the 150,000 sq m complex include the 150-room EDITION hotel operated by Marriott International and Ian Schrager; 200 luxury apartments; a multi-floor shopping mall with restaurants, bars, and cafes; and a public plaza.

Scheeren commented: "The building is an exploration of bringing the inside and the outside closer together and to create living spaces that float high above the city."

The tower, which was commissioned in 2008 by Pace Development, was first completed by Buro Ole Scheeren in 2016.

Ole Scheeren creates Thailand's tallest tower with twisting, 'pixellated' MahaNakhon

FEATURE: Interview – Ole Scheeren