Nextech Headquarters / Skarn Chaiyawat

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Text description provided by the architects. Nextech is a company that provides Information Technology infrastructure and data-storage solutionservices. Their previous office was at the heart of Bangkok’s business district and after a long period ofpaying the costly rental prices in an office building, they decided that it was time to build their own headquarters. During the time that tech industries are the leader in moving towards a paperless working environment, online working and cloud storage have proven that work can be done from anywhere. This new concept has challenged traditional office space design and utilization.

The new headquarters is situated on a 400 square meters plot of land, tucked inside a small soi nearPunnawhiti BTS station. With some distance away from central Bangkok, building codes regulate the heightat a maximum of 15 meters. The floor plans are maximized but not for conventional reasons. The buildingis divided into two masses: office space and service core. Separating between the two is a breezeway thatruns through the whole height of the building, letting in natural light and ventilation. This creates a pleasantatmosphere in open-air spaces which not only greet visitors before entering the office but also provideleisure areas for small breaks between working hours or casual discussions. It also acts as a space thatarchitecturally divides the building, connects workers from different floors, and breaks the rigidness typicallyfound in standard office blocks. Another key element that passively creates comfort in the building is theplacement of the service core, which is strategically oriented to face the south to provide a buffer from directsunlight. This also keeps the excessive heat away from the main occupiable space of the building.

On the interior, the 2nd - 5th floor provides flexible open-plan spaces for various usages. The spaces supportdiverse activities to suit the need of a modern working environment where the need for individual desks nolonger dictates the whole floor. Multi-purpose space can accommodate workshops, events, and changes inthe future. Apart from the flexibility, the key architectural element of the office space is the double-heightceiling. Sacrificing half of the floor area on the 3rd and 5th floors, the high ceiling creates a bright and airyatmosphere, taking full advantage of natural light. The dynamics between low and high ceiling heights offera pleasant change of scale as well as spaces for different functions. Where privacy and enclosed space arerequired, rooms are placed between spaces with lower ceiling height, while multi-purpose and lounge areascan take the full benefit of the higher ceiling spaces. Air-conditioning units are carefully placed in the mosteffective location, avoiding any interruption to the openness of the space. Built-in furniture with a ventilationgrille was carefully crafted to conceal the AC units to achieve aesthetic quality and allow convenientmaintenance.

Externally, metal sidings wrap the building on almost all areas of the exterior wall, especially around theservice core. Not only keeps the inside temperature balance, but also provides aesthetic touch whichwithstands the weather and requires minimum maintenance. The surface quality and vertical ridges of thestanding seams create patterns that come together with the other two exterior elements of the building. Onthe east side, U-Glass channels blurred off undesired views of nearby apartment blocks while allowing naturallight into the building. On the west side, stainless steel mesh screens off direct sunlight and provide apleasant view of the outside.