bangkok project studio constructs grand gable roof pavilion for thailand festival

Bangkok Studio builds Neramit Pavilion for Wonderfruit festival

Thailand-based architecture practice Bangkok Studio, led by Boonserm Premthada, has undertaken the design of the Neramit Pavilion, a triangular steel structure at the heart of the Wonderfruit year-end festival. Taking shape as a vast gable roof spanning 30 by 30 meters, Neramit embodies the principles of non-architecture, focusing on simplicity, affordability, local sourcing, functionality, climate adaptability, and commonality. ‘A building with a gable roof is an example of a commonplace non-architecture, particularly in rural areas. Each element of the structure makes sense and supports one another. Each piece is intertwined and connected to optimize load bearing capacity with gravity and joints,’ describes the architect. This roof acts as a versatile space for various activities throughout the festival’s four-day duration, serving as a communal gathering point for relaxation, socialization, talks, and performances.

all images by Spaceshift Studio

Innovative Roof Design with Steel Tubes

The roof’s design is based on a grid of standard square steel tubes, each measuring 100 mm x 100 mm and 6 meters in length. Boonserm Premthada sought to integrate these tubes to minimize construction waste, an approach that not only highlights the structure’s efficiency but also reflects the commitment to sustainability. The corrugated zinc sheets that form the roof extend unevenly at their ends, preventing rainwater from splashing into the user area. This roofing method allows the roof to function as both a shelter and a wall while also providing excellent ventilation. During the day, sunlight filters through the gaps in the ceiling, creating captivating layered patterns. At night, the pavilion transforms into a giant lantern, with the interior light shining through these openings, illuminating the surrounding area.

Sustainable Steel Usage and Resource Optimization

The Neramit Pavilion stands out for its flexibility, as it allows for dynamic configurations, enabling the creation of interior and exterior spaces to accommodate various festival activities. The choice of steel square tubes as the primary construction material is both practical and symbolic. Steel, known for its strength and durability, has been an integral construction material for centuries. These square tubes are lightweight and easy to assemble, demonstrating the potential for aesthetic elements to emerge from industrial materials. ‘I took this as a challenge to create aesthetic elements out of industrial materials, as in The Walk (2019), where deformed bars were transformed into a walking path. Designing ordinary square tubes to deliver beauty of the structure and the material itself is something I learned from non-architecture,’ explains Premthada.

For the studio, efficiency is a priority, with every piece of steel used judiciously to minimize waste. The use of steel aligns with sustainability principles, as it is recyclable and can be disassembled and repurposed in other projects. This approach reflects a commitment to waste reduction and resource optimization. ‘We started by designing the structure that perfectly fit the standard size square tubes to avoid creating metal scrap. And when cutting the square tubes was unavoidable, we used them to compose the uneven edge of the roof, eliminating what otherwise would be considered an untidy part of the construction,’ describes the team. The design evokes emotion through its roof system, characterized by overlapping, overhanging, and untidy pieces. Precise calculations are made for materials, and it adds value to common materials like corrugated zinc sheets, transforming them into a versatile, mobile structure with innovative shapes and adaptable spaces. ‘Not creating waste and making the most of what we have is what we learned from this building.’

each sheet’s uneven protrusion prevents rainwater from splashing into the users’ space

Neramit’s roof structure can be adjusted to create spaces for various activities, both inside and outside

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during the night, light from inside Neramit creates a lantern effect, illuminating the surroundings

a communal gathering point for socialization, talks, and performances

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

project info:

name: Neramit
architects: Bangkok Project Studio | @boonserm_premthada

lead architects: Boonserm Premthada
completion year: 2022
gross built area: 900 sqm
location: the Fields at Siam Country Club Pattaya, Siamcountry 3 at 50 Moo 9 T. Banglamung, Pong, Bang Lamung District, Chon Buri, 20150, Thailand

photography: Spaceshift Studio