Architecture, Interiors
Australian Embassy Bangkok, a modern icon.
Creating an emblematic presence for Australia in Thailand, with a design that blends modern Australian and Thai characteristics.
The Australian Embassy, located within the embassy quarter in central Bangkok, is a symbolic new presence for Australia in Thailand. The design reflects a blend of modern Australia and modern Thailand and forms a potent symbol of the two countries’ cultural and diplomatic ties.
The project comprises three buildings: The Chancery, Head of Mission’s Residence and The Entry and Guardhouse Pavilion. Three brick colours Three brick colours have been chosen to signify the various functions of the buildings; the guardhouse, the chancery, and the ambassador's residence.
The embassy compound has been designed as an integrated landscape with the buildings, the lagoon and the soft planting. Environmentally sustainable design is incorporated into the embassy’s design with careful consideration of both local Thai practices and regulations and Australian best practice environmental design. The chancery interior is designed around a central light-filled atrium. In contrast, the interior of the Head of Mission’s residence has been designed to engage as seamlessly as possible with the external landscape with large glazed walls.
The Process
Expressing the unifying and rich complexity of the Australian landmass, the architecture seeks to metaphorically 'express the land', a land 'curved by the ocean'.
The atrium is an abstraction of the deep desert stone and water gorges found both in the Australian bush and the desert and it is lined with glass planks.
The sun in Bangkok is vertical in the sky enabling the sparkling water to animate the glass edges of the atrium.
Transparency and translucency, mimicking sunlight in the bush.
The interior palette of materials is selected to reinforce the conceptual framing of the embassy as an expression of Australia. Australian indigenous timber Blackbutt has been used in the semi-public areas as flooring which contrasts with the rare Australian stones used for public spaces – Pilbara Red in the lobby and Australian Emporador on feature walls marking entry.
Expressing the unifying and rich complexity of the Australian landmass, the architecture seeks to metaphorically 'express the land', a land 'curved by the ocean'.
The atrium is an abstraction of the deep desert stone and water gorges found both in the Australian bush and the desert and it is lined with glass planks.
The sun in Bangkok is vertical in the sky enabling the sparkling water to animate the glass edges of the atrium.
Transparency and translucency, mimicking sunlight in the bush.
The interior palette of materials is selected to reinforce the conceptual framing of the embassy as an expression of Australia. Australian indigenous timber Blackbutt has been used in the semi-public areas as flooring which contrasts with the rare Australian stones used for public spaces – Pilbara Red in the lobby and Australian Emporador on feature walls marking entry.
Credits
BVN
Consultants
Aecom, Eric Martin & Associates, Eric Martin And Associates, Et Al Architecture, Fhaperd Satapat-Model, Fire Safety Science Pty Ltd, Hanimine P/L, Jlp Engineering Services Co Ltd, Karabiner Access Group Services, Light Project Pty Ltd, Pichayaporn Limpivest, Taylor Thomson Whitting (Act) Pty Ltd, Taylor Thomson Whitting (NSW) Pty Ltd, The Beaumont Partners Co Ltd, Tri-Arc Enterprises Co Ltd, Waterforms International Pty Ltd, WSP Australia Pty Ltd, WSP Lincolne Scott Pty Ltd
Consultants
Aecom, Eric Martin & Associates, Eric Martin And Associates, Et Al Architecture, Fhaperd Satapat-Model, Fire Safety Science Pty Ltd, Hanimine P/L, Jlp Engineering Services Co Ltd, Karabiner Access Group Services, Light Project Pty Ltd, Pichayaporn Limpivest, Taylor Thomson Whitting (Act) Pty Ltd, Taylor Thomson Whitting (NSW) Pty Ltd, The Beaumont Partners Co Ltd, Tri-Arc Enterprises Co Ltd, Waterforms International Pty Ltd, WSP Australia Pty Ltd, WSP Lincolne Scott Pty Ltd
Photography
John Gollings
Awards
Guggenheim Bilbao Architecture Architecture Masterprize Honourable Mention - Institutional Architecture (2019)
The Australian Institute of Architects (RAIA) International Interior Architecture Award (2018)
INSIDE World Festival of Interiors Civic, Culture & Transport Winner
The Australian Institute of Architects (RAIA) Jørn Utzon Award for International Architecture
Think Brick Horbury Hunt Award
