Practice’s first project in Thailand includes two hotels and a new plaza with native planting and restored canal
Heatherwick Studio has unveiled plans for its first project in Thailand, a mixed-use development in central Bangkok comprising two hotels and 5,200m2 of public space. The client is Narai Hospitality Group, a hotel owner, operator and real estate investor
The development will include two new hotels, providing more than 300 rooms alongside a wellness centre, conference facilities and a ballroom. According to the studio, the design is inspired by traditional Thai lanterns, featuring a series of stacked, glowing volumes arranged to form a softened silhouette on the skyline.
Named Hatai, the scheme is located in the city’s Silom business district. New ground level public realm is described as a canopied plaza, featuring native planting, event spaces and a canal restoration. A shrine, open-air market and nursery are also proposed.
Thomas Heatherwick, founder and design director at Heatherwick Studio, said: “There’s a richness to Thailand’s culture and historic architecture, but the anonymous, blank severity of many so-called modern buildings in Bangkok does not speak to this at all.
“We wanted to do something that connects with the country’s heritage in a deeper way and builds detail, feeling and story back into the city,” he said.
Heatherwick added that the practice aimed to create a publicly accessible scheme that “gives back to the street”, highlighting the inclusion of elevated walkways and planting.
The project is scheduled to complete in 2028.
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