MahaNakhon, Bangkok
See the rest of the Unusual building of the week series here.
On 29 August 2016, MahaNakhon officially opened with a spectacular lightshow in Bangkok, Thailand. With 77 storeys reaching a height of 314.2 m (1,031 ft), the luxury mixed-use skyscraper is the tallest building in Thailand.
MahaNakhon houses multiple levels of restaurants, cafes and retail space, as well as a luxury hotel, 200 condominium units, a multi-level roof-top Terrace Bar and an observation deck.
The tower had to adhere to a setback line that angles inward as the elevation increases. This meant that the top of the tower had to be cut away on the east side. This planning requirement inspired the architect Buro Ole Scheeren to design the ‘pixelated’ façade, with 30% of the tower’s floor plates in cantilever.
The building has the appearance of a rough spiral with cuboidal surfaces cut into the side in a ‘ribbon’ that wraps around the exterior. Adding to the ‘pixelated’ aesthetic, the glazing is divided horizontally and vertically.
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
Demographics, digital tech, climate change, AI - all challenges facing the built environment. Enter our ideas competition.
Affordable and sustainable housing
Lessons from Australia on how to make affordable, sustainable housing a reality.
Adjaye Associates reveal their designs for a new espionage museum in New York.
CIAT response to Grenfell inquiry
CIAT submit their recommendations to the government's Grenfell Tower inquiry. See the summary here.
Read our introductory article on collaborative practices for building design and construction.
Read about the history behind one of Italy's most recognisible buildings.
Roland Busch of Siemens AG looks at how cities can fight climate change.
Every home and small business in Great Britain will be offered a smart meter by the end of 2020.
Conservative conference - industrial strategy
The PM’s speech stole the headlines but what was said about infrastructure at the Conservative Party conference?
We interviewed the photographer Jade Doskow about her new book documenting the strange architecture of World's Fair sites.
Industry leaders join CIOB and Stronger Together to tackle modern slavery in construction.
Earthquakes and resilient cities
Drawing on the recent Mexico earthquake, a collection of free journal articles has been assembled.