We are delighted to announce that our Open House project in Bangkok has won the Design For Asia GRAND AWARD - one of the most prestigious design awards in the world. Congratulations to the whole team here in Tokyo and Bangkok. Such an amazing project is not possible with out an amazing client so a huge thank you goes out to Barom Bhicharnchitrand the Central Group for such vision and trust. We look forward to receiving the award in Hong Hong in December.
PRESS RELEASE
1st November 2017
Tokyo
Klein Dytham architecture is pleased to announce that their project Open House, in collaboration with the Central Embassy team and a part of the Central Embassy complex in Bangkok, has won the prestigious Design For Asia GRAND AWARD. Mark Dytham said, ’We are delighted that Open House has been recognized by one of the most important design competitions in the world, Design For Asia, and being awarded the GRAND PRIZE is very special’. Barom Bhicharnchitr (Managing Director of Central Embassy) said, ‘The Central Group is extremely proud that Open House has received this important international award as it really reinforces that Bangkok is one of the Design Capitals of the world.’
Open House is located in the Central Embassy complex 50m above Bangkok. Within this vast 4,600sqm double-height interior, a village of spaces has been created each with a familiar human scale - restaurants, lounges, galleries, stores, pop-ups, co-working spaces and bookstore that all work seamlessly together. It is a space that anyone can feel at home in, spend all day in, relax and be inspired in. A place to hang out, a place to play, a place to catch up on work and a place to eat and drink.
Today's mega cities, especially in Asia, have turned their back on the people who visit, live and work in them. People are either working, shopping, eating or in transit between spaces. There is nowhere to pause, take a breath, sit or simply get back in control of your senses, especially in the stifling heat of Bangkok. Open House was seen very much as the antidote to this – it is an oasis, a getaway – a place where you can feel at home.
Since opening Open House has been a huge success, it is used by locals and tourists alike. Open from 10am to 10pm Central Embassy are now looking to extend opening hours. The most common social media comment is: ‘Why doesn’t every city have an Open House?’
The DFA Design for Asia Awards is the flagship programme of the Hong Kong Design Centre, celebrating design excellence and acknowledging outstanding designs with Asian perspectives. Since its launch in 2003, the DFA Design for Asia Awards has been a stage upon which design talents and corporations can showcase their design projects internationally. Other DFA Grand Award recipients have included NENDO and Apple