Architects 49 Ltd.

Thailand Creative Design Center Khon Kaen

Thailand Creative Design Center Khon Kaen
© Chalermwat Wongchompoo

THAILAND CREATIVE DESIGN CENTER KHON KAEN

Architects 49

ARCHITECTS
Architects 49

LEAD ARCHITECTS
Prabhakorn Vadanyakul, Narongwit Areemit

LANDSCAPE
Landscape Architects 49

DESIGN TEAM
Architects 49

ENGINEERING
Architectural Engineering 49

CLIENTS
The Creative Economy Agency

AREA
2100 M²

YEAR
2019

LOCATION
Khon Kaen, Thailand

CATEGORY
Cultural Architecture, Community

Text description provided by architect.

Thailand Creative & Design Center (TCDC) was founded to integrate the ingeniousness of Thai society and culture with modern knowledge and technology.

Thailand Creative Design Center Khon Kaen
© Chalermwat Wongchompoo
Thailand Creative Design Center Khon Kaen
© Chalermwat Wongchompoo

TCDC is neither a school nor a research center, but a source of ‘intellectual entertainment’, aspiring to inspire Thai society with creativity through international learning; from exhibitions, talks, workshops, to a resource center sparking creativity in different dimensions.

This is fundamental to the nation’s human resource development. Isan, or northeastern Thailand, is an arid region prone to drought, where water is scarce due to low precipitation. 

Thailand Creative Design Center Khon Kaen
© Chalermwat Wongchompoo
Thailand Creative Design Center Khon Kaen
© Chalermwat Wongchompoo

This harsh environment is the impetus for creativity and the industrious nature of the Isan people.

A unique treasure trove of knowledge and culture is borne amidst these environmental limitations, and the design of TCDC Khon Kaen aims to provides a space which supports the flourishing of such Isan creativity.

Thailand Creative Design Center Khon Kaen
© Chalermwat Wongchompoo
Thailand Creative Design Center Khon Kaen
© Chalermwat Wongchompoo

Large trees are a blessing in this barren landscape, and community activities often take place under the shade of such trees.

Gatherings and interaction also take place at the ground floor space under traditionally elevated Thai houses. This provides shade from the sun, enabling people to move from house to house through these sheltered spaces.

Thailand Creative Design Center Khon Kaen
© Chalermwat Wongchompoo
Thailand Creative Design Center Khon Kaen
© Chalermwat Wongchompoo

The design of TCDC drew inspiration from these characteristic community gathering places, with trees surrounding an elevated structure.

TCDC activities promote interaction, thus, in line with this theme, the street-side façade was created to communicate with the passersby.

Thailand Creative Design Center Khon Kaen
© Chalermwat Wongchompoo
Thailand Creative Design Center Khon Kaen
© Chalermwat Wongchompoo

This is enabled by rotatable, reflective panels which not only act as shades, but also function as mirrors providing a glance into the activities going on within, and vice versa.

These panels can also be used to announce activities within the center through words and patterns on the façade in a creative, card-stunt fashion.

Thailand Creative Design Center Khon Kaen
© Chalermwat Wongchompoo


Thailand Creative Design Center Khon Kaen
© Chalermwat Wongchompoo
Thailand Creative Design Center Khon Kaen
© Chalermwat Wongchompoo
Thailand Creative Design Center Khon Kaen
© Chalermwat Wongchompoo
Thailand Creative Design Center Khon Kaen
© Chalermwat Wongchompoo


Thailand Creative Design Center Khon Kaen
© Chalermwat Wongchompoo
Thailand Creative Design Center Khon Kaen
© Chalermwat Wongchompoo
Thailand Creative Design Center Khon Kaen
© Chalermwat Wongchompoo
Thailand Creative Design Center Khon Kaen
© Chalermwat Wongchompoo
Thailand Creative Design Center Khon Kaen
© Chalermwat Wongchompoo
Thailand Creative Design Center Khon Kaen
© Chalermwat Wongchompoo


Thailand Creative Design Center Khon Kaen
© Chalermwat Wongchompoo
Thailand Creative Design Center Khon Kaen
© Chalermwat Wongchompoo
Thailand Creative Design Center Khon Kaen
© Chalermwat Wongchompoo
Thailand Creative Design Center Khon Kaen
© Chalermwat Wongchompoo


Thailand Creative Design Center Khon Kaen
Plan - Ground Floor
Thailand Creative Design Center Khon Kaen
Plan - First Floor
Thailand Creative Design Center Khon Kaen
Plan - Second Floor
Thailand Creative Design Center Khon Kaen
Plan - Roof
Thailand Creative Design Center Khon Kaen
Concept Diagram 01
Thailand Creative Design Center Khon Kaen
Concept Diagram 02


Thailand Creative Design Center Khon Kaen
West Elevation
Thailand Creative Design Center Khon Kaen
North Elevation
Thailand Creative Design Center Khon Kaen
East Elevation
Thailand Creative Design Center Khon Kaen
South Elevation


Thailand Creative Design Center Khon Kaen
Section 01
Thailand Creative Design Center Khon Kaen
Section 02
Thailand Creative Design Center Khon Kaen
Section 03

Architects 49 Ltd.
T +66 2 2604370 F +66 2 2593872
Architects 49 Ltd.
81 Soi Sukhumvit 26, Khlong Tan, Khlong Toei, Bangkok 10110, Thailand