Tum Thonglor
Context Studio
YEAR
2020
LOCATION
Bangkok, Thailand
TYPE
Hospitality + Sport › Restaurant
The design of this Esarn food restaurant were inspired by various elements of the way of life of Thai farmers in the Northeastern region of Thailand.
Which the Esarn food is originated. This includes Bamboo basket weaves and banana leaves. Under the shade of a large Tree during lunch break.
The form of the ceiling were inspired by the form of sticky rice steamer which also made from weaved rattan.The tone of red and green is used, to convey the spiciness, spiciness and fun of Esarn food.
As for the flooring, we use ancient clay bricks that are the same material as the Som Tum mortar.
This has been the collaboration between us, a young small design studio and the old ladies of the Traditional Bamboo Handicraft centre.
This has been a two-way learning curve both for us and the old ladies.In exchange we received local knowledges of rattan weaving techniques with the understanding the characteristics and materiality of bamboo.
Simultaneously the local knowledge of the old ladies has been preserved by adapting their ancient techniques to the new conditions and requirements of the modern world.
In this collaboration, we have opened the new possibilities for the Traditional Bamboo Handicraft centre to make more sustainable incomes for the old ladies of Panasnikhom, from just making rattan baskets to making interior design installations, furnitures and decoration pieces.
