When I saw these images, I scratched my head a couple of times, not sure what to think of this new building, and certainly don’t expect to see this in Bangkok, Thailand, see for yourself. This image from their website made me think of 9/11.
MahaNakhon is a new 77-story high-rise complex, the construction will begin in Fall 2009. It’s a residential and hotel tower designed by internationally celebrated German architect Ole Scheeren, partner of the Office for Metropolitan Architecture (OMA). The 77-story will become Thailand’s tallest building, and will be completed in 2012.
From OMA Website: The design moves beyond the traditional formula of a seamless, inert, glossy totem, and instead actively engages the city: MahaNakhon’s pixelated and carved presence embraces and connects to the surrounding urban fabric rather than overpowering it. Its glittering stacked surfaces, terraces and protrusions will simultaneously create the impression of digital pixelation and echo the irregularity of ancient mountain topography. This architectural geography is conceived to convey the energy, intensity and inclusiveness of Thai society and celebrate Bangkok’s emergence as a true global capital, fitting the Thai meaning of the name MahaNakhon, translated as ‘great metropolis’.
The building will feature seven floors of retail (including cafes and restaurants), residential units (the Ritz-Carlton Residences with 200 single-level and duplex homes managed by The Ritz-Carlton, the units will offer owners 5-star amenities and interiors designed by David Collins), a hotel and a Sky Bar. A public plaza and outdoor atrium at the foot of the building will connect MahaNakhon with the Cube, a seven-story leisure- and-dining complex. (source, to read more about the project, and also project overview at e-architect.co.uk)
Budget for this project is THB 18 billion (USD 515 million)
- Images: © OMA/Ole Scheeren 2009
18 comments
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August 5, 2009 at 10:57 am
seeharhed
hhhmmm.. interesting building for sure.. structural wise, it will be a challenge for the structure engineers to design around this architect plans. due to the shape/size of building, most building sizes are uniform from bottom to top.
i guess there’s no recession in thailand, that’s alot of money for one building. i’ll try to read more about this building construction.
August 5, 2009 at 7:07 pm
Nye
seeharhed, recession hits everyone, even in Thailand but I think there are many that have lots of money, it’s so obvious that the status in Thailand is not well-balanced, you can say the same with Laos.
It looks like something that you’d see in a comic book, but I’d love to see it in person after it’s completed. Scheeren was also the lead architect on Beijing’s CCTV headquarters, looks kind of odd also.
August 5, 2009 at 7:35 pm
salalao
The building looks scary, it reminded me of the world trade center its about to collapes. Gosh sorry- I don’t know
August 5, 2009 at 8:17 pm
Nye
Omg salalao, my exact thought when I first saw it, it was such a horrific incident and I’m surprised that they didn’t see this when designed. You recon it’s just us living the US that is seeing this? This image at their website with the soldiers/police officers in the background doesn’t help either, I’m not sure what message they’re trying to convey, if this is the face of Thailand now.
August 5, 2009 at 8:44 pm
bkkdreamer
In which part of Bkk are they proposing building it, please?
August 5, 2009 at 8:55 pm
Nye
Hi bkkdreamer, I was hoping that you’d recognize the area because it didn’t say, here is a write up in the Bangkok Post, and on their website, the location is Bangkok, Thailand. Site:15,000m2 in Central Business District.
Must be closed to a Skytrain, it said this complex network links with the adjacent Skytrain (mass transit) station to create a public realm of cafés and restaurants.
August 5, 2009 at 11:26 pm
bkkdreamer
According to the article, it will be built near the Chong Nonsi BTS station in Bangkok. But that’s all it says…
August 5, 2009 at 11:31 pm
Nye
bkkdreamer, thanks, I also read here that it’s “standing on more than 9 rai of land, the tower will be located directly adjacent to the Chongnonsi BTS Station, between Silom and Sathorn Roads.” I’m not familiar with the area, I’ve only been to Bangkok once and didn’t get to tour at all. I wonder how the Thais are feeling about this new building?
August 5, 2009 at 8:51 pm
mozemoua
Yikes! the building looks a bit scary, but cool at the same time. As a wimp, i don’ think I would want to live any farther than the 10th floor. ahahaha. whew!
August 5, 2009 at 11:37 pm
Nye
mozemoua, I went up the World Trade Center (Twin towels) several times in the past, and even to the rooftop, it’s not so bad but after I saw of what happened to the Twin Towels, I wouldn’t want to live in a tall building, and a good thing that I live in a small town.
August 5, 2009 at 11:00 pm
mamel03
despite how scary it looks, I think it actually looks really, really cool and pretty.
August 5, 2009 at 11:38 pm
Nye
mamel03, it’d be one expensive place to live or stay for sure, thanks for stopping by.
August 6, 2009 at 3:04 am
Cambree
Wow! That is something diferent. It does look futuristic, but mostly not completed either.
Also looks like it’s been eaten or decayed by smog. Jk.
August 6, 2009 at 1:46 pm
Nye
Cambree, might be a good location to film a ghost movie.
August 6, 2009 at 10:59 am
bkkdreamer
i doubt Thais feel anything much, as the item appeared in the business pages, which only business types read.
August 6, 2009 at 1:45 pm
Nye
bkkdreamer, I kind of thought the same thing, and the residential units are for the Hi So and celebrities anyway, most average Thai citizens wouldn’t be able to afford it. Although I think it’d be interesting to see.
August 6, 2009 at 7:21 pm
K.noizki
It looks nice, very eco-friendly and must be very expensive to rent/own?
August 7, 2009 at 12:26 am
Nye
Hi K, I think it’s wickedly expensive, just think penthouse matchbox with a 5 stars amenities.