Aluminum Grotto and Public Ground

Aluminum Grotto and Public Ground
© DOF Sky|Ground
Aluminum Grotto and Public Ground
© DOF Sky|Ground

Aluminum Grotto and Public Ground

HAS design and research

ARCHITECTS
HAS design and research

PROGRAM
Public Building, Installation

DESIGN TEAM
Jenchieh Hung, Kulthida Songkittipakdee, Saralchana Pueakhachen, Muze Ouyang, Jiamin Yang

ALUMINUM WORK
KIN Thailand

STRUCTURE CONSULTANT
Buncha Layangkoon

CONSTRUCTOR
Bangkok Canvas

LIGHTING
Motion Tech Thailand Co Ltd, Neowave Technology

LIGHTING CONSUTLANT
Light Is

LEAD ARCHITECTS
Jenchieh Hung, Kulthida Songkittipakdee

STRUCTURE
Pacific Pipe Co., Ltd.

PHOTOGRAPHS
DOF Sky|Ground

AREA
180 m²

YEAR
2024

LOCATION
Bangkok, Thailand

CATEGORY
Installations & Structures, Public Architecture

Text description provided by architect.

Aluminum Grotto and Public Ground is a meticulously designed architectural work that integrates a three-dimensional interior, a permanent structure, and a craftsmanship façade surface.

Aluminum Grotto and Public Ground
© DOF Sky|Ground
Aluminum Grotto and Public Ground
© DOF Sky|Ground

It was created on the 90th anniversary of The Association of Siamese Architects under Royal Patronage (ASA).

Initiated by Thailand’s aluminum company S-ONE Group and KIN, the acclaimed architectural firm HAS Design and Research was commissioned for the design.

Aluminum Grotto and Public Ground
© DOF Sky|Ground
Aluminum Grotto and Public Ground
© DOF Sky|Ground

Hung And Songkittipakdee (HAS) aimed for this building to not only reflect Thailand’s status as the most significant metal manufacturing exporter in Southeast Asia but also to provide a public resting place at the ASA 90th Anniversary Architect Expo.

The space allows the public to participate for free in activities such as public learning, art exchanges, and educational lectures, serving non-profit functions.

Aluminum Grotto and Public Ground
© DOF Sky|Ground
Aluminum Grotto and Public Ground
© DOF Sky|Ground

After multiple discussions and thorough understanding, the client fully embraced the concept proposed by HAS Design and Research founders Jenchieh Hung and Kulthida Songkittipakdee, ensuring that Aluminum Grotto and Public Ground became a center for free public access, devoid of commercial operations and promotion, and dedicated to idea exchange and learning.

Based on this premise, HAS Design and Research proposed an innovative design to create a valley-like grotto with a natural impression amidst the busy and densely packed exposition.

Aluminum Grotto and Public Ground
© DOF Sky|Ground
Aluminum Grotto and Public Ground
© DOF Sky|Ground

This Aluminum Grotto and Public Ground not only recreates past scenes where Thai people relied on natural landscapes for their dwellings and lives, but also reflects the current situation where the average green open space per capita in Bangkok is only 6.99 square meters, much lower than the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommended 9 square meters.

During regular times, the elevated structure creates an open space underneath, generating more "gray space" to attract the public and extend the indoor and outdoor environments.

This design also echoes the multifunctional "Tai toon" space of traditional Thai stilt houses.

Aluminum Grotto and Public Ground
© DOF Sky|Ground
Aluminum Grotto and Public Ground
© DOF Sky|Ground
Aluminum Grotto and Public Ground
© DOF Sky|Ground

At special moments, the natural light illuminating the grotto-like space not only provides functions for education, learning, and forums but also creates a sense of ceremony, offering an unprecedented sensory experience.

The Aluminum Grotto and Public Ground is ultimately constructed from hundreds of thousands of aluminum rods, with a design that integrates the skin into the space, the space with the structure, and the structure with diverse functions, known as Total-ness Design.

Aluminum Grotto and Public Ground
© DOF Sky|Ground
Aluminum Grotto and Public Ground
© DOF Sky|Ground

None of these aluminum rods are of the same length; each rod is meticulously cut and assembled by craftsmen, reminiscent of the intricate craftsmanship seen in Thai temples.

Amidst rapid industrial development, the Aluminum Grotto and Public Ground integrates tradition and the future with an unconventional concept, allowing Thai people to rediscover the potential of local craftsmanship.

Aluminum Grotto and Public Ground
© DOF Sky|Ground


Aluminum Grotto and Public Ground
© DOF Sky|Ground
Aluminum Grotto and Public Ground
© DOF Sky|Ground
Aluminum Grotto and Public Ground
© DOF Sky|Ground
Aluminum Grotto and Public Ground
© DOF Sky|Ground
Aluminum Grotto and Public Ground
© DOF Sky|Ground
Aluminum Grotto and Public Ground
© DOF Sky|Ground
Aluminum Grotto and Public Ground
© DOF Sky|Ground
Aluminum Grotto and Public Ground
© DOF Sky|Ground


Aluminum Grotto and Public Ground
© DOF Sky|Ground
Aluminum Grotto and Public Ground
© DOF Sky|Ground
Aluminum Grotto and Public Ground
© DOF Sky|Ground


Aluminum Grotto and Public Ground
© DOF Sky|Ground
Aluminum Grotto and Public Ground
© DOF Sky|Ground


Aluminum Grotto and Public Ground
Multi-functional program - Aluminum Grotto and Public Ground
Aluminum Grotto and Public Ground
Mass studies
Aluminum Grotto and Public Ground
Diagram - Structural analysis
Aluminum Grotto and Public Ground
Structure and surface study


Aluminum Grotto and Public Ground
Sketch - Floating architecture is integrated into the ground
Aluminum Grotto and Public Ground
Design progress diagram - Lines turning into a three-dimensional space
Aluminum Grotto and Public Ground
Isometric diagram
Aluminum Grotto and Public Ground
Conceptual diagram - Floating island


Aluminum Grotto and Public Ground
East elevation
Aluminum Grotto and Public Ground
West elevation
Aluminum Grotto and Public Ground
South elevation
Aluminum Grotto and Public Ground
North elevation


Aluminum Grotto and Public Ground
Cross section
Aluminum Grotto and Public Ground
Longitudinal section


Aluminum Grotto and Public Ground
Plan - Ground floor
Aluminum Grotto and Public Ground
Plan - Roof floor