Geometric, multi-faceted exterior. Bitwise Headquarters by ASWA
05/08/2019.
ASWA (Architectural Studio of Work-Aholic) [Samut Prakan] Thailand
metalocus, ÁNGEL VALDEZ
metalocus, ÁNGEL VALDEZ
Bangkok-based studio ASWA was commisioned to design the headquarters of air conditioner manufacturer Bitwise in Samutprakarn, Thailand,
The 2,500 m² project has a geometric, multi-faceted exterior. The program has been divided in two areas, one which comprises the first and second floor, scooped out to accommodate the main approach, drop-off, and entrance areas. The remaining space of the first floor encloses a reception area and meeting rooms, while the second floor comprises an exhibition space, meeting room, and a large conference area. The second area – on third and fourth floors – serves as the company’s office space, which is spatially bigger than the public space in the first section of the building.
The 2,500 m² project has a geometric, multi-faceted exterior. The program has been divided in two areas, one which comprises the first and second floor, scooped out to accommodate the main approach, drop-off, and entrance areas. The remaining space of the first floor encloses a reception area and meeting rooms, while the second floor comprises an exhibition space, meeting room, and a large conference area. The second area – on third and fourth floors – serves as the company’s office space, which is spatially bigger than the public space in the first section of the building.
Bitwise Headquarters by ASWA. Photograph by Phuttipan Aswakool
Bitwise Headquarters by ASWA. Photograph by Phuttipan Aswakool
Bitwise Headquarters by ASWA. Photograph by Phuttipan Aswakool
Bitwise Headquarters by ASWA. Photograph by Phuttipan Aswakool
Bitwise Headquarters by ASWA. Photograph by Phuttipan Aswakool
Bitwise Headquarters by ASWA. Photograph by Phuttipan Aswakool
Bitwise Headquarters by ASWA. Photograph by Phuttipan Aswakool
Bitwise Headquarters by ASWA. Photograph by Phuttipan Aswakool
Bitwise Headquarters by ASWA. Photograph by Phuttipan Aswakool
Bitwise Headquarters by ASWA. Photograph by Phuttipan Aswakool
Bitwise Headquarters by ASWA. Photograph by Phuttipan Aswakool
Bitwise Headquarters by ASWA. Photograph by Phuttipan Aswakool
Bitwise Headquarters by ASWA. Photograph by Phuttipan Aswakool
Bitwise Headquarters by ASWA. Photograph by Phuttipan Aswakool
Bitwise Headquarters by ASWA. Photograph by Phuttipan Aswakool
Bitwise Headquarters by ASWA. Photograph by Phuttipan Aswakool
Bitwise Headquarters by ASWA. Photograph by Phuttipan Aswakool
Bitwise Headquarters by ASWA. Photograph by Phuttipan Aswakool
Bitwise Headquarters by ASWA. Photograph by Phuttipan Aswakool
Bitwise Headquarters by ASWA. Photograph by Phuttipan Aswakool
Ground floor plan. Bitwise Headquarters by ASWA.
First floor plan. Bitwise Headquarters by ASWA.
Second floor plan. Bitwise Headquarters by ASWA.
Third floor plan. Bitwise Headquarters by ASWA.
Basement floor plan. Bitwise Headquarters by ASWA.
Roof floor plan. Bitwise Headquarters by ASWA.
Section 01. Bitwise Headquarters by ASWA.
Section 02. Bitwise Headquarters by ASWA.
Elevation. Bitwise Headquarters by ASWA.
Elevation. Bitwise Headquarters by ASWA.
Elevation. Bitwise Headquarters by ASWA.
Elevation. Bitwise Headquarters by ASWA.
ASWA designed Bitwise headquarters using a steel truss structure, which also appears within the interior space of the third floor, while the triangulated geometric patterns from the structure were selected for the façade cladding pattern of the exterior shell. The design of structure also helps the space of almost 1,500 m² area on the third and fourth floor to be able overhang 14 meters cantiliver, above the drop-off area. the double-layered exterior shell on the south and west façades allows natural light to enter the interior.
Project description by ASWA
ASWA search for the balance between the project’s objectives and limitations into the creation of the innovative looking geometry for Bitwise Headquarters, in Samutprakarn, Thailand.
Bitwise is a manufacturer of air conditioners whose long track record and experience in the industry in Thailand. Their Headquarters design was realized from the conceptual organization’s image and identity. The concept of rethinking “Innovation” applied to the form of the building. All the context, criteria, and functions needed to fit within the limitation of the buildable area due to regulation, 26x28m² space which can be separated into two sections. The first section –the first and second floor- was scooped out a one-quarter of the space for the main approach, drop-off, and entrance area.
The remaining space of the first floor is a reception area and meeting rooms then, it has been turned in to an exhibition space, meeting room, and a large conference area on the second floor. The second section – the third and fourth floors - serves as the company’s office space, which takes a whole limitation area of 26x28m² and physically bigger than the public space in the first section of the building. The fourth floor also has a limitation of the setback regulation to form the shape of the building.
For an architectural structure, the conventional column structure was eliminated to create a form that could correspond not only to the required functionality but also the company’s approach toward image branding for Bitwise Headquarters. For the space of almost a 1,500 m² capacity on the third and fourth floor to be able to cantilever 14 meters from the main structure and overhang above the drop-off area by using steel truss.
The truss structure also appears within the interior space of the third floor and these triangulated geometric patterns from the structure were selected for the facade cladding pattern of the building’s exterior shell. The double-layered exterior shell for the south and west facade is the solution for such requirements with aluminum louvers whose forms are similar to those of ventilation fins of an air conditioner. The louvers welcome in the presence of natural light and outside surroundings.
Bitwise Headquarters is an innovative experiment where architecture, engineering, and construction become parts of the conceptualization and development process in which a building’s physicality and functionality are conceived, not only to represent but also innately from the owner’s true identity.
More information
Architects
ASWA (Architectural Studio of Work - Aholic). Lead Architects.- Phuttipan Aswakool, Chotiros Techamongklapiwat.
Client
Bitwise
Area
3,000 m²
Dates
Completed.- 2018
Interior design
SAID
Manufacturers
AGC, Bluescope, ICI
Photography
Phuttipan Aswakool
Architectural Studio of Work - Aholic ASWA
ASWA. Architecture firm founded by Phuttipan Aswakool (b. Bangkok, Thailand, 1982) and Chotiros Techamongklapiwat (b. Bangkok, Thailand, 1986). Phuttipan Aswakool is architect graduated from Chulalongkorn University (2005) and Graduated from Columbia University, NY, USA (2008). Chotiros Techamongklapiwat is architect graduated from Chulalongkorn University (2009). They stablished Architectural Studio of Work - Aholic (ASWA) in 2013.
