019_urban room

If the ideas of 3D city and layering of public spaces we talk about in school are real, then Bangkok is probably the best example. The city has the greatest collection of elevated RC structures featuring pedestrian crossover bridges, elevated highways, sky train tracks, elevated pedestrian link ways, elevated u-turn bridges, etc. Sometimes the applications of these urban repertoires aren’t so appropriate. The insertion of such structures into tight existing urban fabric has constituted a phenomenon which I would like to call it the ‘Urban Room’ – a room surrounded by façade walls, highway ceiling and tarmac carpet. Existing public domains have been interiorised. A certain number of previous connections are cut off making them perfect sites for the emergence of temporary/informal programs. I once attempted to explore this condition in my entry for the Shinkenchiku Residential Design Competition back in the year 2001. The judge, Winy Maas of MVRDV, was kind enough to show his interest in my scheme. The proposal was featured in the following media - Japan Architect no.44 p.113 (Japan), Art4d no.85 pp.28-30 (Thailand) and MVRDV KM3 / Excursions on Capacities p.469 (EU). Please check it out if you have any of these in your possession.