Megha-Structure, Blog #04
Bangkok’s Skyline Glows Brighter with ‘Lantern Quarter’
Heatherwick Studio’s Vision
As one navigates the unyielding urban landscape of Bangkok, unexpected organic, luminescent shapes appear, reminiscent of a fairy tale. This is precisely the vision that Thomas Heatherwick is introducing to Thailand’s capital with his studio’s inaugural project in the nation – the Hatai development, commonly referred to as the Lantern Quarter.
Breaking Bangkok’s Rigid Skyline
The design is inspired by traditional Thai lanterns and features vertical structures designed as stacked volumes. These textured surfaces diffuse light and create a softer silhouette for the development against the sharp commercial skyline of the city. “We have created a series of lanterns that are stacked upon each other, which together form a much gentler outline in the skyline,” Heatherwick explains.
This is not just architectural tourism. In Thai culture, traditional lanterns are carriers of light, symbols of celebration, and points of congregation for the community. That is captured physically in Heatherwick’s design.
The development spans 10,500 square meters and houses two hotels – Six Senses and Narai Hotel – offering more than 300 rooms, as well as conference spaces and wellness amenities. Rather than fit this program into the conventional shapes of rectangles, Heatherwick has designed what resembles a vertical village.
Each lantern-like volume houses different functions, creating natural breaks in the building’s massing. The textured surfaces aren’t just decoration – they’re designed to diffuse light, creating that lantern-like glow that will make the building come alive at night. Think about how traditional paper lanterns cast soft, warm light through translucent surfaces. Heatherwick is achieving something similar at architectural scale.
Ground-Level Revolution
The ground level reimagines the area as a communal village, featuring a shrine, an open-air market, event spaces, and a revitalized canal that flows between the shops. This reference to the canal is particularly astute – Bangkok was once known as the “Venice of the East” due to its waterways, many of which have since been covered for urban development. By reintroducing water, Heatherwick is connecting the site back to the historical heart of the city. The project incorporates nearly 56,000 square feet of public space, which is a much-needed commodity in the densely populated Bangkok. But at its core, it’s about creating environments that nurture the street-level life that makes Southeast Asian cities so alive.
This initiative emerges at a pivotal time for Bangkok’s architectural identity. The city has spent many years adopting generic glass-box designs. Heatherwick’s Lantern Quarter presents an alternative approach – it is globally sophisticated yet locally significant.
These lantern-like towers, as they light up Bangkok’s skyline, will lead the way towards architecture which is globally pertinent yet deeply rooted in its locale. This is not just another hotel project; it acts as a model for how contemporary architecture can relate to cultural contexts well while pushing the boundaries in densely populated urban settings
