“Revealing of Sanctuary” – Arresting Landscape Design

Info: Pari Syal

Photography: Chaichoompol Vathakanon; courtesy Sanitas Studio

Wyne- front View of  revealing facade

Conceived as a meeting point between natural and man-made, the landscape design for Wyne Sukhumvit condominiums in Bangkok, Thailand, emphasizes the importance of nature in urban life and questions the prevailing scenario…

When Bangkok-based Sanitas Studio was asked to design the landscape for the 27 storey high rise on the pivotal Sukhumvit Road – the important connection between the main road lining the city centre and other parts of the country, the landscape architect decided to project the awareness of the significance of nature in urban lifestyles.

Side view of  revealing facade

Living in a big city comes with its share of stress and grime. If nature were to abound in such a scenario, it would not only enhance neighbourhoods aesthetically but could improve the quality of life to a great extent.

                   Herb garden                                                        Reflection in sculpture garden

Top view of sculpture garden 

Considering the site as a sanctuary and integrating nature – plants, gardens, greenery per se, Sanitas Studio architects have designed a series of rich detailed green spaces – front plaza, a garden walk around the building, a herb garden, sculpture garden, swimming pool garden on the 5th floor and sky garden on the 27th floor. The 4-storey car park building also sports a vertical garden on its front facade to foster a better environment and decrease the temperature of the building by buffering the glaring heat and providing ventilation at the same time.

Elevation from pavilion to landscape

The inherent challenge was that of landscaping a limited space under strict regulations.  Using turf pave on the 6m fire engine setback around the building, the design of the façade and the synchronized landscaping emphasizes the contrast between the contemporary skin of the building with nature.

Pool deck

Trellis at pool

“The Revealing” is in-action the peeling of the architectural skin, whereby the folding-up stainless steel strips reveal the vertical sanctuary on the façade;  peeling strips of timbre trellis reveal the pool; and  the sculpture garden is revealed by crafted topography. The landscaping mimics the building façade, which in turn reflects it in parts, presenting an integrated environment – just what the architects set out to achieve. Additionally a mirror wall simulates the reflective scenario in the sculpture garden, making for a visually enriching experience.

Side view of mirror wall

.

Soft planting plays an equally important role – that of nurturing the space, providing shade for outdoor function space and decreasing temperature, which is crucial in a tropical country.