American architects like what they see


Keane O'Dell Thailand sees potential in localising contemporary international designs

NINA SUEBSUKCHAROEN

Two American architectural designers have winged into Bangkok to launch a high-rise project in Bangkok as it awakens from the dormant years of the economic crisis with a sudden burst of construction activity.

Stephen O'Dell and Patrick Keane, of Keane O'Ddell Thailand, see Bangkok as an exciting metropolis with diverse culture and hope to apply their US experience to the local setting.

``I think people have great taste here, everything is here. I think people are really open to new ideas, new ways to reinterpret old classic trends,'' Mr Keane said, adding that in terms of resources everything is available here to create a class A international building.

This should ensure that their current project, a 24-storey apartment building in Sukhumvit Soi 11 with construction due to start in July, will be top-notch. Being developed by M.R. Amarnath with an investment of 620 million baht excluding land, Chaiyos Mansion 2 will have two units a floor, each over 300 metres.

Architecturally, what differentiates this high rise from the local trend is that it will not have a stepped structure that is common in the Sukhumvit area.

``I wanted to get away from the Sukhumvit model based on the zoning analysis where you see these stepped buildings, where there are maybe four to five units per floor on the lower levels and then they step back to two-three, and one per floor,'' Mr O'Dell said. ``We prefer to make a smaller footprint which would allow more garden space.''

Rohit Sachdev, managing director of Keane O'Dell Thailand, said: ``I think in the end that is really one of our differentiations, our ability to bring contemporary concepts and designs, but the skill is really how to localise that.''

Mr O'Dell said Bangkok and other Asian cities where there was practically no construction for five years during the dark days of the economic crisis are catching up very fast.

However, where construction quality is concerned both American architectural designers agree that it is on par with the West. ``You only have to look down Sukhumvit. There is, for example, the Bed Supper Club, the construction there is international. It's not always that way; we have seen some really bad quality construction,'' Mr Keane said.

The latest design trend in US is adapted reuse of buildings from the 1950s and 1960s. ``There are a couple of good examples. One is in New York, it's called the Maritime Hotel. It used to be an old boys' school. There is a classic, timeless '60s aesthetic to it and when you update it and adapt it you have a really winning mixture,'' Mr Keane said.

Mr Sachadev said there was a huge opportunity to bring a similar concept to Bangkok as it has a lot of these timeless buildings. However, he noted a key problem in that Thais generally do not want anything old, just the newest and the latest of everything available, so the challenge will be to change this mentality and deal with these sensitivities.

Mr O'Dell said Bangkok had a number of buildings from the era before air-conditioning that were designed around the use of ventilation and light. ``There was a purpose to them, they were blocking the sun and creating privacy. It became a design cliche{AAC} but they did serve a purpose aesthetically.''

Condo buyers are advised to choose buildings that are timeless and elegant, with simplicity of design. Materials should be natural and low-maintenance such as stone, slate or rocks, lending resilience over time, Mr Keane said.

``Something that is classic. You can't take a piece or add a piece. Classic means it's timeless. What it really means is `of its time' which is equally important as timeless, and you can't add to or subtract from it,'' Mr O'Dell said.

``Think of it as a nice reference to international design culture, contemporary society, but also a little reference to the past, and where it is, very site-specific Bangkok. I think that is very important,'' added Mr Keane.

A trend that started in New York many years ago is catching up here and is likely to stay for a while. It involves opting for openness and not just tiny, boxy spaces that a condominium layout often entails.

``It has a feel of openness, loft-like, you get natural light and ventilation, and I think in Bangkok, capture some of the skyline,'' Mr O'Dell said. ``Space is also adaptable.''



Source : Bangkokpost : June 7, 2004

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/1310070604_yourmoney05.jpg

With a small footprint that allows more of the site to be used for garden space, the 24-storey Chaiyos 2 apartment building in Sukhumvit Soi 11 will have just two units per floor, each with more than 300 square metres. Construction of the 620-million-baht project is due to start in July.

Not bad at all!!, another 24 Storey for Sukhumvit Soi 11 !!....Now, This cozy Soi is getting extremely dense !!!!!

Construction of the 620-million-baht project is due to start in July.......:)

looks like it's white thou :? but from what I read the article,I hope they won't disappoint us!!

Not bad at all!!, another 24 Storey for Sukhumvit Soi 11 !!....Now, This cozy Soi is getting extremely dense !!!!!

Construction of the 620-million-baht project is due to start in July.......:)

how goes the project? we are a month in :)

I think it's U/C, I'll go to the 11th soi soon...:)

Interesting article.. well at least it means they are putting some efforts in making a nice tower.

I'm looking forward to see what you found at soi 11 Chad :okay:

Oct 25, 2004 :

Note : Pilling was finished not long ago.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v171/chady/DSC08549copy.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v171/chady/DSC08552copy.jpg

The site is just right next to the Chaiyos Mansion

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v171/chady/DSC08553copy.jpg

I will soon change it's name to the Official name "Andaman Place"

Feb 4, 2005 :

Note : Pilling

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v171/chady/Bangkok2/DSC00494.jpg

Mar 7, 2005 :

Foundation underway

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v171/chady/Bangkok2/DSC01047.jpg

is it the one near colony and sukhumvit city resort

Yeap., in order from the Soi entrance.

Andaman Place-The Colony-Sukhumvit Citi Resort.

May 26, 2005 :

Tower crain being installed, Foundation has finished and the tower is ready to rise

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v171/chady/veranda/DSC03880.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v171/chady/veranda/DSC03882.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v171/chady/veranda/DSC03889.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v171/chady/veranda/DSC03890.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v171/chady/veranda/DSC03890.jpg

what's that tower for??

It's a tower crain being erected.

tha's cool.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v171/chady/veranda/Chaiyos-2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v171/chady/veranda/Chaiyos-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v171/chady/veranda/Chaiyos-3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v171/chady/veranda/Chaiyos-4.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v171/chady/veranda/Chaiyos-8.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v171/chady/veranda/Chaiyos-9.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v171/chady/veranda/Chaiyos-10.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v171/chady/veranda/Chaiyos-6.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v171/chady/veranda/Chaiyos-7.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v171/chady/veranda/Chaiyos-11.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v171/chady/veranda/Chaiyos-12.jpg

nice.......
quite big.......
i think the ceiling is too low........

This is might be my biggest mistakes ever, but I'm not sure which is the render of this project now Between The above ones and the design below, but we will see

AS a result of The floor number of it has been changed to 33 Storey.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v171/chady/veranda/suk-garden-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v171/chady/veranda/suk-garden-5.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v171/chady/veranda/suk-garden-6.jpg

June 2, 2005 :

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v171/chady/veranda/Alucon/DSC03973.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v171/chady/veranda/suk-garden-4.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v171/chady/veranda/suk-garden-3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v171/chady/veranda/suk-garden-2.jpg

I hope it is that one!

From the article posted by Chad..
``Think of it as a nice reference to international design culture, contemporary society, but also a little reference to the past, and where it is, very site-specific Bangkok. I think that is very important,'' added Mr Keane.

A trend that started in New York many years ago is catching up here and is likely to stay for a while. It involves opting for openness and not just tiny, boxy spaces that a condominium layout often entails.

``It has a feel of openness, loft-like, you get natural light and ventilation, and I think in Bangkok, capture some of the skyline,'' Mr O'Dell said. ``Space is also adaptable.''
^Difficult to say, but it sounds a bit like the new one.
``I wanted to get away from the Sukhumvit model based on the zoning analysis where you see these stepped buildings, where there are maybe four to five units per floor on the lower levels and then they step back to two-three, and one per floor,'' Mr O'Dell said. ``We prefer to make a smaller footprint which would allow more garden space.''
I agree with that thinking, although it might be slightly more expensive to construct :)

Nah, The article was cleary mentioned to the design I posted earlier. but I'm not sure if this "is" the same project with that article, since both are really close in relations, owner, location and floor number!! :dizzy:

i really like that idea actually..

I really like the design...actually :D

Jul 16, 2005

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v171/chady/London/DSC04881.jpg

Farest crain

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v171/chady/London/DSC04878.jpg

Aug 5, 2005


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v171/chady/London/DSC05319.jpg

The farest crain in this cluster.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v171/chady/London/DSC05324.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v171/chady/London/DSC05322.jpg

its finally risen out of the ground! :happy:

I quite like the design of this one, something different.

I think it's my falty mistake again Raffles...:D

This, Below...Is the Design..:)

Appologised.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v171/chady/Alan/andaman.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v171/chady/Alan/andaman_07.gif

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v171/chady/Alan/adaman_pic06.gif

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v171/chady/Alan/adaman_pic02.gif

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v171/chady/Alan/adaman_pic04.gif

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v171/chady/Alan/adaman_pic03.gif

Aug 27, 2005 :

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v171/chady/London/DSC05521.jpg

The most distant crain

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v171/chady/London/DSC05518.jpg

I hope this (whatever project it is) will still go up somewhere!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v171/chady/veranda/suk-garden-1.jpg

That one called "Sukhumvit Garden" Jo, and also located in same soi...Soi 11 (Thats why I got confused) :)

Aha.. great! :)
When will they begin constructing Sukhumvit Garden?

I have absolutely noidea :D

There is also anther 21 Storey wired shape Hotel Tower proposed for Soi 11 aswell.

Sep 22, 2005 :

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v171/chady/Alan/DSC05874.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v171/chady/Alan/DSC05879.jpg

Oct 26, 2005 :

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v171/chady/Silent/IMG_1165.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v171/chady/Silent/IMG_1164.jpg

Nov 4, 2005 :

http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/1527/img14328mx.jpg

Oh!!It's looking good now.

Nov 30, 2005 :

http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/6964/img18689ee.jpg

What is The tall building at the right end of this pic?

What is The tall building at the right end of this pic?

Sukhumvit city tower?
The tallest in nana area just very close to Ambassador hotel.

Sukhumvit city tower?
The tallest in nana area just very close to Ambassador hotel.
Oh! Thank you, Pon. :)

Dec 25, 2005 :

http://img379.imageshack.us/img379/9628/img28947ym.jpg

^^^^^Oh! Man. I was stunned. It rises so fast that I can't catch up. See, It's dominating the skyline.

I like the curve :)

Jan 5, 2006 :

http://img374.imageshack.us/img374/8913/img29509hd.jpg

This one is looking good right now.

yay!

Feb 15, 2006 :

http://img105.imageshack.us/img105/2494/img35426wy.jpg

http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/5138/img35456rj.jpg

Seem like, It is about to be topped out soon. How fast it is!!!

Feb 25, 2006 :

http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/2695/p10200063ry.jpg

It's topped out now, oh! wow!!! look at the curves.

The Curve looks great :okay:

Mar 8, 2006 :

http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/6224/img38538wx.jpg

http://img107.imageshack.us/img107/8819/img38558jp.jpg

very busy for this soi :D

It's just a small soi but look, there are many high-rise buildings, just can't be underestimated

April 23, 2006 :

http://img161.imageshack.us/img161/1386/img40954jw.jpg

So, it's been topped out, right?

yeap.

Good, Thank you, Chad.

May 16, 2006 :

http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/1473/p10306253mv.jpg

Oh!! Gosh!!!! How dense Sukhumvit is!!!! Can't believe my eyes.

June 27, 2006 :

http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/9450/p10402338wp.jpg

from this angle it looks kind of like a huge car park building.

almost done :)

I like it - very pure and uncluttered, and lots of good outdoor living on the terraces. I believe it's only two apartments per floor. Would be interested to see the floor plans - anyone have the website?

Its terace is very outstanding, the tower itself looks so neat and very new.

Jul 15, 2006 :

http://static.flickr.com/51/189843529_0b5980aa5f_o.jpg

Even it's too white, it still looks so lovely. :cheer: :cheer:

Jul 18, 2006 :

http://static.flickr.com/70/192375003_29b7d6b262_o.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/45/192375004_d50160e0b9_o.jpg

Gosh!! it looks so tall from the back side.....what a pity! they painted it white.

I think this is from the front na.

Yep.

Aug 20, 2006 :

http://static.flickr.com/59/220063882_d27df9c2a1_o.jpg

Personally I think this is a good design of its kind. Unlike the Le Raffine' II project that looks as if the design were halfway done, the consistent appearance of the balcony's open space on the Andaman Place's building gives it a more complete feel.

ดูดีครับ แม้ไม่น่าตื่นเต้น :)

Sep 20, 2006: :)


http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l269/mosaic_tu/2006-09-18/P9200007.jpg


http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l269/mosaic_tu/2006-09-18/P9200003.jpg


http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l269/mosaic_tu/2006-09-18/P9200005.jpg

Oct 2, 2006 :

http://static.flickr.com/94/263509360_db489ac064_o.jpg

The Name has been Changed to Fraser Suits Sukhumvit

Is this a condominium or is it serviced/rental apartments? The new name would seem to suggest the latter.

i did not hear any apartment for sale in that building.. but not certain.

Nov 21, 2006 :

http://static.flickr.com/116/303256668_1a2d8fb3d8_o.jpg

Dec 30, 2006:


http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l269/mosaic_tu/2006-12-30/PC300003.jpg

Feb 17, 2007:


http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l269/mosaic_tu/2007-02-01/P2170025.jpg

Mar 10, 2007:


http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l269/mosaic_tu/2007-03-10/P3100003.jpg

May 13, 2007:


http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l269/mosaic_tu/2007-04-03/P5120002.jpg

They should paint it light yellow or something.

Fraser Suites to open Sukhumvit location


The property developer Chaiyos Land Development Co Ltd tomorrow will open Fraser Suites Sukhumvit, a serviced apartment worth one billion baht, said managing director Rohit Sachdev.

He said the company targeted to break even within eight years at expected occupancy rates of 65%, 80-85% and 90% respectively in the first three years while the internal rate of return was targeted at between 10% and 11% per year.


''Thailand's tourism industry remains strong, as it is one of the best tourist destinations in the world. With a clearer political situation, business outlook in the country will resume,'' he said.


Fraser Suites Sukhumvit is located on Soi Sukhumvit 11, comprising 118 rooms at rates between 4,500 and 10,500 baht per night or 90,000 to 240,000 baht monthly for sizes ranging between 52 and 160 square metres.


It is the third apartment managed by the Singapore-based serviced residence management firm Frasers Hospitality, following the 129-room Fraser Place Urbana Langsuan and the 142-room Fraser Suites Sathorn. The three serviced apartments have a combined value of about four to five billion baht.


Chaiyos Land also has some plots of land in the Sukhumvit area, on Suksawad Road and in Lop Buri province. It plans to develop new serviced apartments on a one-rai site near its Sukhumvit project over the next two years.


Set up in 2004, Chaiyos has registered capital of 400 million baht, with Fraser Suites Sukhumvit as its first project, said Mr Sachdev, who is the third generation of the Sachdev family.


The company is a subsidiary of the 50-year-old holding firm MR Amarnath Group, a family-owned business that operates trading, textile, chemical, hospitality and property businesses.


Source: Bangkok Post: 31 Aug 07

They should paint it light yellow or something.

I agree...way too pale..like its been in the hospital a long time without any sun :hahaha:

Feb 17, 2008

Completed now?

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a307/cHemon2/2008-02%20Update/IMG_7176.jpg