New station hotel
We were approached by D-COR, the new composite panel facade from SCG, to participate in a conceptual design proposal for the architectural facades of the future. Intrigued by the challenge, we eagerly accepted and propelled our vision to the year 2077. Why 2077? Well, any Cyberpunk 2077 fan would understand. Moreover, it was an excellent opportunity to push the boundaries with practical design solutions—a refreshing project post-COVID.
Our task was centered on a real building: a hotel near Bangkok's iconic Hualumpong railway station, aptly named “Station Hotel.” This six-story, decades-old concrete structure was in dire need of a major refurbishment. Our mission? To envision what kind of innovative architectural skin this building could don with tomorrow’s technology. And so, the story began...
In 2077, Hualumpong Station’s former glory had long faded into history, replaced by the gleaming megastructures of Bangkok’s new central transit hub. Yet, the heart of the city still pulsed through its old veins. The surrounding area, now part of Chinatown’s vibrant sprawl, was a living museum of architectural evolution, where buildings from myriad eras coexisted in a dynamic, chaotic harmony.
Tourists flocked to this neighborhood, seeking both the nostalgia of old Bangkok and the thrill of its futuristic reinvention. As they approached their hotel through a narrow alley, the building’s façade seemed to come alive, recognizing each guest with uncanny precision. Out of what appeared to be thousands of windows, some near the main entrance began to tick and split open, forming a chorus of "Sawasdee." This was the building’s unique way of welcoming arrivals.
Communication between guests and the hotel was constant and seamless. The structure itself was a responsive entity, with windows that weren’t merely windows and walls that weren’t just walls. The vibrant, modular skin of the hotel adapted and reacted to the needs and desires of its inhabitants. A simple voice command could summon light, or perhaps transform a segment of the façade into a balcony or bench. Guests could sit, sip their drinks, and savor snacks while watching the bustling alleyways of Bangkok, the city’s essence encapsulated in their every interaction.
This innovative building skin was more than just a barrier between interior and exterior; it was a living, breathing interface. It blurred the lines between inside and out, offering an ever-changing canvas that responded to the environment and its occupants. It was a testament to the city's relentless drive to blend the old with the new, creating spaces that were not just lived in but lived with.
