Architecture

New tower for Bangkok comes tied in a ribbon

New tower for Bangkok comes tied in a ribbon
The MahaNakhon covers an area of 14,950 sq m (161,000 sq ft)
The MahaNakhon covers an area of 14,950 sq m (161,000 sq ft)
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The MahaNakhon is 314-m (1,030-ft) tall
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The MahaNakhon is 314-m (1,030-ft) tall
The MahaNakhon is Bangkok's tallest tower
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The MahaNakhon is Bangkok's tallest tower
The MahaNakhon covers an area of 14,950 sq m (161,000 sq ft)
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The MahaNakhon covers an area of 14,950 sq m (161,000 sq ft)
The MahaNakhon is said to have been designed to be a new architectural landmark for Bangkok
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The MahaNakhon is said to have been designed to be a new architectural landmark for Bangkok
The MahaNakhon is said to have been designed to complement Bangkok's existing skyline
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The MahaNakhon is said to have been designed to complement Bangkok's existing skyline
The MahaNakhon has a pixelated ribbon that spirals around it
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The MahaNakhon has a pixelated ribbon that spirals around it
The MahaNakhon's spiralling ribbon gives the sense that the building's skin has been pulled away
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The MahaNakhon's spiralling ribbon gives the sense that the building's skin has been pulled away
There are glass "skyboxes" all the way up the spiral of the MahaNakhon
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There are glass "skyboxes" all the way up the spiral of the MahaNakhon
A variety of indoor and outdoor spaces are incorporated into the spiral of the MahaNakhon
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A variety of indoor and outdoor spaces are incorporated into the spiral of the MahaNakhon
The MahaNakhon was designed by Buro Ole Scheeren Group
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The MahaNakhon was designed by Buro Ole Scheeren Group
The MahaNakhon was developed by PACE Development Corporation
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The MahaNakhon was developed by PACE Development Corporation
The skyboxes that form part of the MahaNakhon's spiral provide views of the surrounding areas
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The skyboxes that form part of the MahaNakhon's spiral provide views of the surrounding areas
The MahaNakhon will house luxury Ritz-Carlton Residences
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The MahaNakhon will house luxury Ritz-Carlton Residences
The MahaNakhon's Ritz-Carlton Residences will offer luxury for occupants
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The MahaNakhon's Ritz-Carlton Residences will offer luxury for occupants
The MahaNakhon's Ritz-Carlton Residences will have lounges for residents
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The MahaNakhon's Ritz-Carlton Residences will have lounges for residents
The MahaNakhon's Ritz-Carlton Residences will occupy floors 23-73
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The MahaNakhon's Ritz-Carlton Residences will occupy floors 23-73
The MahaNakhon's Ritz-Carlton Residences will have a pool
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The MahaNakhon's Ritz-Carlton Residences will have a pool
The MahaNakhon's Ritz-Carlton Residences will have highly specced interiors
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The MahaNakhon's Ritz-Carlton Residences will have highly specced interiors
There will be 200 Ritz-Carlton Residences at the MahaNakhon
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There will be 200 Ritz-Carlton Residences at the MahaNakhon
A view of the city from the 77th floor of the MahaNakhon
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A view of the city from the 77th floor of the MahaNakhon
A view of the river from the 77th floor of the MahaNakhon
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A view of the river from the 77th floor of the MahaNakhon
View gallery - 21 images

A new skyscraper in Bangkok, Thailand, is wrapped in a spiralling pixelated ribbon that gives the sense of the building being unfinished, a little like the frayed top of the Shard in London. The MahaNakhon is the Thai capital's tallest tower at 314 m (1,030 ft), boasting luxury residences and a sky bar.

Designed by Büro Ole Scheeren Group, Ole Scheeren formerly having been of OMA, the mixed-use site covers an area of 14,950 sq m (161,000 sq ft). It said to have been designed to be a new architectural landmark for Bangkok and to complement the city's existing skyline.

The ribbon's deconstructed look makes it appear as though the skin of the building has been pulled away. In actual fact, there are glass "skyboxes" all the way up the spiral, which contribute towards its pixelated look and provide views of the surrounding areas, as well as a variety of indoor and outdoor spaces.

The MahaNakhon has 77 floors in total, which are to be split into three distinct sections. The first 20 floors will be home to the boutique 159-room Bangkok Edition Hotel, which will be run by Ritz-Carlton.

The MahaNakhon was designed by Buro Ole Scheeren Group
The MahaNakhon was designed by Buro Ole Scheeren Group

Ritz-Carlton will also operate floors 23-73, which will house Ritz-Carlton Residences. Like those planned for the US city of Sunny Isles Beach, Florida, the residences will allow occupants to live in the lap of luxury. There will be 200 homes in total, ranging in size from 125-844 sq m (1,345-9,085 sq ft) and from 2-5 bedrooms.

The units are designed to be spacious, with high ceilings. They variously feature skyboxes and terraces, with all offering highly-specced interiors. The most exclusive residences are penthouses on the 73rd floor of the building. Above the penthouses, across floors 74-77, is the Sky Observation Deck and Sky Bar, which provide 360-degree views of Bangkok.

The MahaNakhon tower has already topped out and is expected to be fully open this year. The Ritz-Carlton Residences are due to be open by the third quarter of the year, the Bangkok Edition Hotel by the fourth quarter and the Sky Observation Deck before the turn of the year.

Source: Büro Ole Scheeren

View gallery - 21 images
2 comments
2 comments
Teaser-Trailer.com
Looks good, but is it the right kind of architecture for a tropical country? I have doubts... I bet it's going to be a stove and they will spend much on air conditioning.
Kenny Creed
Why would someone design a building that looks like scores of other unfinished or abandoned skyscrapers on the Bangkok skyline?