The 310 meter, 77-story pixelated and carved skyscraper is slated to be the tallest building in Thailand’s capital, Bangkok.
The design of the skyscraper melds with the city by gradually ‘dissolving’ the mass as it moves vertically between ground and sky. This effect begins with a series of generous, cascading indoor/outdoor terraces at the Hill – the seven-story base area of the tower, accommodating luxury retail and dining. The plan also includes an adjacent free standing seven-story building called the Cube, with multi-level indoor/outdoor terraces corresponding to those of the Hill across the expanse of an outdoor atrium.
With the architectural geography conceived to convey the energy, intensity and inclusiveness of Thai society, and celebrate Bangkok’s emergence as a true global capital, the Thai meaning of the name MahaNakhon, translated as ‘great metropolis’, fits aptly.
MahaNakhon has been carefully carved to introduce a three-dimensional ribbon of architectural ‘pixels’ that circle the tower’s full height. The pixelation gives MahaNakhon an arresting profile on the skyline while generating a set of very special features to house the diverse functions of the building complex in an intelligently strategic way. The glittering stacked surfaces, terraces and protrusions are set to simultaneously create the impression of digital pixelation and echo the irregularity of ancient mountain topography.
Developed by PACE Development Co. Ltd. of Bangkok, in partnership with Industrial Buildings Corporation Public Company Ltd (IBC), MahaNakhon, spread across 150,000 square meters, features MahaNakhon Square – a landscaped outdoor public plaza intended as a new public destination within the city, and MahaNakhon Terraces – 10,000 square meters of luxury retail space with lush gardens and terraces spread over multiple levels for restaurants, cafes and a 24-hour marketplace.
The facility also features the Ritz-Carlton Residences, Bangkok – 200 highly-customized single-level and duplex homes, each offering the atmosphere of a skybox penthouse, managed by The Ritz-Carlton with five-star amenities for all residents, the Bangkok Edition – a signature boutique hotel with 150 rooms, a collaboration between Marriott International and renowned hotelier Ian Schrager, and a multi-level roof-top Sky Bar and restaurant.
The outdoor atrium forms a natural valley, offering a network of social spaces with an extensive and carefully selected mix of dining and leisure facilities that serve the general public via a direct above-ground pedestrian link to the main CBD Skytrain station and plaza-level access, The Ritz-Carlton Residences in the main tower of MahaNakhon, and the guests of the Bangkok Edition Hotel.
Construction will begin toward the end of 2009 and is slated for completion in 2012.
OMA is a leading international partnership practicing contemporary architecture, urbanism, and cultural analysis. The office is led by six partners – Rem Koolhaas, Ole Scheeren, Ellen van Loon, Reinier de Graaf, Shohei Shigematsu and Victor van der Chijs.
