honey-colored gravel walls delineate PHTAA’s restaurant by river kwai in thailand

phtaa's design emphasizes the preservation of natural scenery along the waterfront.

PHTAA edited by christina vergopoulou May 9, 2024 3 min

PHTAA’s Restaurant by The River Kwai blends with natural scenery

PHTAA‘s design for Restaurant by the River Kwai in Thailand prioritizes the preservation of natural scenery along the waterfront while integrating seamlessly with local activities. The restaurant aims to create an engaging user experience and stimulate local employment and economic growth in the area.

The design incorporates retaining walls to address the three-meter elevation difference between the land and the river. These walls prevent erosion of the riverbank over time and support the weight of the main building. By creating a water-level area around the riverbank, the design facilitates outdoor activities and maintains key local practices along the River Kwai.

honey-colored gravel walls delineate PHTAA's restaurant by river kwai in thailand - 1 — all images courtesy of PHTAA

PHTAA utilizes locally sourced natural materials for the design

Local materials play a significant role in the design, such as fist-sized honey-colored river gravel used instead of artificial materials. This choice offers durability and resists water penetration, while also showcasing a unique mineral from Kanchanaburi Province, harmonizing with the surrounding environment.

The building’s roof is kept below the surrounding tree line to blend with the context, while the balcony area extends beyond the roofline to provide a dining and observation space overlooking the Bridge over the River Kwai. Translucent roofing materials allow natural light to enter, moderated by slats to control heat and light levels.

PHTAA utilizes steel and wood sourced from local suppliers. Some original elements from the previous building on the site, such as wooden pillars, have been repurposed and incorporated into the new design, paying homage to the site’s history.

honey-colored gravel walls delineate PHTAA's restaurant by river kwai in thailand - 2 — retaining walls address the three-meter elevation difference between land and river, preventing erosion

honey-colored gravel walls delineate PHTAA's restaurant by river kwai in thailand - 3 — the roof is designed to stay below the surrounding tree line for context blending

honey-colored gravel walls delineate PHTAA's restaurant by river kwai in thailand - 4 — steel and wood sourced from local suppliers are featured in the structure

restaurant-by-the-river-kwai-phtaa-thailand-designboom-1800-3 — original elements from the previous building, such as wooden pillars, are repurposed in the design

honey-colored gravel walls delineate PHTAA's restaurant by river kwai in thailand - 5 — translucent roofing allows natural light, moderated by slats to control heat and light levels

honey-colored gravel walls delineate PHTAA's restaurant by river kwai in thailand - 6 — an extended balcony provides dining and observation spaces with views of the Bridge over the River Kwai

honey-colored gravel walls delineate PHTAA's restaurant by river kwai in thailand - 7 — the design creates a water-level area around the riverbank, enabling outdoor activities

restaurant-by-the-river-kwai-phtaa-thailand-designboom-1800-2 — PHTAA’s design emphasizes the preservation of natural scenery along the waterfront

honey-colored gravel walls delineate PHTAA's restaurant by river kwai in thailand - 8 — local materials like honey-colored river gravel are used, offering durability and water resistance

honey-colored gravel walls delineate PHTAA's restaurant by river kwai in thailand - 9 — for the flooring, PHTAA applies pink-colored slate, a mineral stone specifically mined in Kanchanaburi Province

project info:

name: Restaurant by The River Kwai
architect: PHTAA | @phtaalivingdesign

location: Thailand

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