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HAS Design and Research: A Boundary-Crossing Studio Where Research Drives Design

HAS Design and Research: A Boundary-Crossing Studio Where Research Drives Design

/ Bangkok, Thailand /

/ Story: MNSD, Kor Lordkam / English version: Bob Pitakwong /

/ Photographs: Nantiya /

HAS Design and Research by Architects Jenchieh Hung and Kulthida Songkittipakdee likens their design work to running a marathon. From the starting line, they navigate a long and challenging path of research and experimentation before reaching the finish line, which represents the final outcome. The end result is always unpredictable, adding to the journey’s intrigue.

HAS design and research
(Left) Jenchieh Hung and (Right) Kulthida Songkittipakdee, founder of HAS Design and Research

Living ASEAN takes you on a visit to their home studio located in a residential area on Phetkasem Road, Bangkok. Led by Kulthida Songkittipakdee (Poh) and Jenchieh Hung (Jerry), this small space is where they focus on architectural design.

They emphasize thorough research into the background of each project to gain a comprehensive understanding before beginning the design process.


Founded by a duo of architects

Poh – Kulthida:HAS Design and Research. The office name is from the last name of Jenchieh Hung, and Kulthida Songkittipakdee. Combine H and S. You get HAS Design and Research. Our work emphasizes data research, conducting systematic investigations to produce the outcome needed to do design.”

Jerry – Jenchieh Hung: “The two of us lived outside of Thailand for over 10 years. We set up our first office in Shanghai. When we came back to Thailand, our first impression was we wanted this space to be different from Shanghai.

HAS design and research

“If you look at this community, you’ll find the people are truly locals. They do many activities together as community. It’s the reason we combine home and office in one. In Phetkasem area.

“Home office offers many benefits because it’s a perfect balance between life and work. When our way of life become ONE with the surrounding community. I believe our work of architecture can provide pictures of life in the future. The same is true for Thai society.”

HAS design and research
The home-office’s location in the Phetkasem area, Bangkok.

Integrating a workspace into a townhouse

Poh – Kulthida: “I grew up in this kind of environment. After having lived abroad, we decided to return here. The question is: Where do we begin? We started with the place we’ve lived before. The challenge was if it was the old place, we would know what the problem was, especially if it was a townhouse.

“It’s a narrow front building with an elongated shape. It doesn’t have much light. In any case, we wanted to use it as an office, and as a residence, too. The question is: Does the fence have to still be a fence when we can build it in another shape or form? Or can we make the fence a part of the space.

“Can it turn into an area that brings light and fresh air into the interior? The fence will no longer be a fence wall. It will transform into a space providing transition room for people arriving at the office. It’s like making their way through a garden first, and then gradually arrive at the office. Meanwhile, we had to find ways to bring light into the building as much as possible.”

HAS design and research
The office space within the home-office.


Research is fundamental

Poh – Kulthida: “As for the research process, we think it’s fundamental, very important to us. Take for example MoMA, the Museum of Modern Aluminum that we did. Initially, the clients came to us saying one sentence. They wanted us to design a building with a wow factor that creates an impact. That was it.

Museum of Modern Aluminum (MoMA) ©W Workspace

“We looked for the best way to go about it making it stand out from the crowd on Ratchaphruek Road. People driving by won’t take notice of the buildings. Interestingly, there are lots of posters and signboards.

HAS design and research
Museum of Modern Aluminum (MoMA) ©W Workspace

“Meanwhile, the daytime and the nighttime are different types of scenes, which gives us an idea of what to do. We integrated natural features in the surroundings in building design, which resulted in the building façade as you see.

“It makes the building stand out for people driving by. They feel this one is interesting. In the daytime, people will see an image of trees and leaves of grass rustling in the wind. In actual fact, it’s all aluminum. In the nighttime, it’s a light show. We worked with lighting designers to make it look like fireflies flashing on building walls.”

Museum of Modern Aluminum (MoMA) ©W Workspace

Jerry – Jenchieh Hung: “As for MoMA, the Museum of Modern Aluminum, actually, we want to show a dense urban space that blends into the natural environment. But our method is different. We used industrial building materials to create a result resembling a cave in nature or a forest in nature.

Museum of Modern Aluminum (MoMA) ©W Workspace

“Actually, it’s the story about the way people live in an urban context, but still keep in touch with nature. This is our main target. Nature and urban areas can coexist. I think our research and design are something that illustrates our imagination about the world. Think about the world we’re living in and our living behavior.

HAS design and research
Nonthaburi Ratchaphruek Road ©HAS design and research

 

Bangkok Yaowarat Road Chinatown © HAS design and research

“Our design and research are the key to open up the road ahead. They open the way for our life, and for the world. And it allows for architecture and research to connect with each other.”

HAS design and research
Bangkok Railway Dust Village © HAS design and research
Bangkok Nai Mong Hoi Thod © HAS design and research

Results beyond expectations

Poh – Kulthida: “Actually our work makes us feel like we are marathon runners because as we leave the start point, we don’t know where it will end.

“In many projects, for example the Forest Villa, the clients told us they wanted a home, that’s fit for Modern Chinese Living Styles. In the past, people might think a Chinese style home must have the quality of being Chinese in it. When we knew what they wanted, plus, details of the project site and the homeowner’s vision, it helped to create the kind of home they wanted. It’s a picture that differs from the Chinese style home it used to be.

HAS design and research
Forest Villa ©Fangfang Tian

 

Forest Villa ©Fangfang Tian

 

Forest Villa ©Fangfang Tian

“Only then did we know we have arrived at the finish line. We started running, not knowing where it would take us. But in the end, the project was accomplished.

“Another example is The Glade Bookstore. After careful consideration, we succeeded in creating something that exceeded their expectations. It’s a bookstore with a cultural space in it. There are art activities on the premises. We succeeded in creating an image of The Glade Bookstore in a style that showcases Chinese architectural heritage in the interior.

HAS design and research
The Glade Bookstore © Yu Bai

 

The Glade Bookstore © Yu Bai

 

HAS design and research
The Glade Bookstore © Yu Bai

“We used materials that people didn’t expect. That is, for every project that we do, we think that our way of working is capable of producing an outstanding result for the project. And we did. Plus, it adds value to the design that we created in ways that exceed project owner expectations.”


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The Journey of Studio Miti: An Atelier Expert at Materials and Design Integrations Fit for Tropical Climate

The Journey of Studio Miti: An Atelier Expert at Materials and Design Integrations Fit for Tropical Climate

The Journey of Studio Miti: An Atelier Expert at Materials and Design Integrations Fit for Tropical Climate

/ Bangkok, Thailand /

/ Story: Kor Lordkam / English version: Bob Pitakwong /

/ Photographs: Nantiya June /

Studio Miti is founded by Prakit Kanha and Padirmkiat Sukkan, two architects who have been friends since college. They attended the same school of architecture at a university. Since 2010 the architectural firm has won acclaim for its expertise in materials science skills and ability to integrate knowledge of design with the circumstances that form the setting of worksite surroundings. Having earned many architectural design awards over the years, Studio Miti is clearly living up to his name.

The story of Studio Miti had its beginnings at a workbench inside a rented room that doubled as their humble abode. As the amounts of work increased, the pair thought it wise to move into a decent workplace. They moved several times to different places, among them a rental space on the ground floor of an apartment block that, albeit small, became their first design studio.

The turning point in their career as architects came as the company grew and grew to the point they decided to move again, this time to a permanent home with a brick façade showcasing materials that speak volumes about their ideals and corporate identity.

Studio Miti Padirmkiat Sukkan
Studio Miti’s new office showcases the building’s principal face capable of staying open and shut as needed as one of its main design features.

For almost 15 years, Studio Miti has kept firmly to its guiding principle in design, one that combines knowledge of design with an understanding of the context that forms the setting of a place, plus the ability to research the structure and properties of materials used in construction.

In the fewest possible words, it’s about knowing what the materials are made of and how they can be used so as to achieve the best results and aesthetic appeal. Equally important is the ability to create design that’s conducive to improving the quality of life plus charm, good looks that inspire.

Studio Miti Padirmkiat Sukkan

The company’s unflinching determination to stand by its design principle and beliefs is reflected in the looks of its new office set amidst the bustle of the Lad Phrao Soi 71 neighborhood in Bangkok where it moved into in 2024.

It’s an old townhouse that has since been lovingly restored as an office. It showcases the front façade covered in lightweight concrete blocks in dark gray that conveys a great deal about Studio Miti’s ideals and in-depth visions guiding its actions.

We have the pleasure of meeting with Padirmkiat Sukkan, co-founder of Sudio Miti, and getting to know more about the company’s design concept, plus taking a tour inside their new office. Join us in discovering the secrets behind the building façade crafted of gray concrete blocks, plus the design concept and beliefs that have put Studio Miti in a class in itself.


Q: Tell us about your journey, design principles and beliefs that guide your actions.

A: “As you know, Studio Miti has moved office several times over the years. Every time we moved, we did some experiments on the materials that we used. We tried to weigh the work we did to determine its essential quality. We believe in using real materials. By that is mean that we use pure materials in their original visual shape, color and texture without over embellishments.”

Studio Miti Padirmkiat Sukkan
Flashback: Studio Miti’s old office building showcases brick façade ideas in every direction.
Despite its solid brick exteriors, Studio Miti’s old office building feels open and airy, thanks to skylight systems that turn the interior into a well-lighted place.
Enclosed workspace inside Studio Miti’s old office provides freedom from external disturbances, making it easy to stay focused during the work day. Plus, it’s adequately lit by overhead skylight systems.

“At our current location, we used mostly bricks as the material of choice. We experimented on brick constructioon as well as bricks and steel. This time, we tried using lightweight concrete blocks as the main material instead.

“In fact, we found it by chance at a worksite. We were using the product and, out of the blue, it broke at the seams at the midpoint. We discovered a curving contour inside it.

“It looked interesting when touched by light. So we took it apart and looked inside it. The effect was good by a touch of light. I thought we could build the entire building facade using this material. And we did. The same applied for other parts of the building, too.”

Studio Miti Padirmkiat Sukkan

“We implemented this project, renovating an old townhouse built some 30 to 40 years ago. There were site limitations that we had to deal with. The external envelope was opaque, being built entirely of brickwork. It came with one restriction; a complete teardown was not permitted.

“So we created a building façade that’s capable of being open and shut as needed so as to control the amounts of natural daylight shining into the interior, thereby making it easy to stay focused during the work day.”

“Actually, we are interested in the design process. We look for ways, by which the tools that we use in designing diagrams can also be applicable or relevant to the materials being used as well.

“Oftentimes we put the materials to the test ourselves. It gives us confidence in doing designs, plus the benefits that come from touching it and getting the feel of the materials. It’s an important approach that we use.”


Q: What’s your thought on using real materials and creating Tropical design?

A: “On real materials and Tropical design, I regard the two concerns as being part of one cohesive whole.

“In a warm and humid climate like ours, first, I say we have to understand and be able to use the sun and the winds prevailing in the region to our benefit. It’s very basic to begin with. If we have the opportunity and the owner agrees and likes what we do, then we can develop the materials that we need together.

“And when it comes to using pure materials, I feel they are beautiful without being over embellished. We just need to find out how design can be used to make them look beautiful with little or no modification. To us, understanding the materials and how to them is of the utmost important.”

Studio Miti Padirmkiat Sukkan
A meeting room-cum-recreation space on the ground floor feels bright and breezy, plus it’s easily modified to respond quickly to changing needs and activities.
Studio Miti Padirmkiat Sukkan
A meeting room for receiving clients is glazed using clear glass to admit natural daylight into the interior.

“Speaking of knowledge of a Tropical climate, I feel it’s a must-have for architects. Thai architects, especially, must have a good understanding of sunlight, the heat, humidity and the cold. They are the basics. To create designs, knowing all the basics takes priority over any other matter.

“But more than anything else, me have to make sure the kind of architecture that we create represents the owner. If not, at least it must speak volumes about the place, about the site and the context that forms the setting around it.”


Q: Help me understand some of the work you did in the past? A few examples, perhaps?

A: “To show you some of our past achievements and the results of our experiments, I say we used bricks. Bricks were the material that we used often. As for wood, we used that often, too. We used brickwork mixed with wood in the construction of Athita the Hidden Court Chiang Saen, a boutique hotel in Chiang Saen District of Chiang Rai Province. It’s a hybrid of brick and timber.”

Studio Miti Padirmkiat Sukkan
Athita the Hidden Court Chiang Saen, a boutique hotel in Chiang Saen District of Chiang Rai, Thailand’s northernmost province. / Courtesy of Studio Miti
Athita the Hidden Court Chiang Saen / Courtesy of Studio Miti
Athita the Hidden Court Chiang Saen / Courtesy of Studio Miti
Athita the Hidden Court Chiang Saen / Courtesy of Studio Miti

“If I may show you a project built entirely of bricks, or brickwork mixed with steel, it’s the “High Brick House” or “Baan Look Moo”.

Studio Miti Padirmkiat Sukkan
High Brick House / Courtesy of Studio Miti
High Brick House / Courtesy of Studio Miti
High Brick House / Courtesy of Studio Miti
High Brick House / Courtesy of Studio Miti

“In fact, we’re working on another one, too. I believe bricks release the heat faster. We’re working on a house project called “Baan Yoo Yen”. It’s built entirely of bricks. The wind blows through it, keeping the interiors nice and coo. It benefits from traditional beliefs about Tropical design. By creating indoor thermal comfort, we can rely less on air conditioning.”

Studio Miti Padirmkiat Sukkan
Baan Yoo Yen / Courtesy of Studio Miti
Baan Yoo Yen / Courtesy of Studio Miti

“Every piece of work has its distinct character. It’s a quality of being aesthetically pleasing that lies deeper than traditional beliefs per se, even deeper than knowledge of a Tropical climate. I’m referring to an understanding of human nature, and knowledge about the circumstances around a worksite. They are the mystery we’re trying to unravel, leading to further development.”


Q: Tell us about the Goal of Studio Miti, or the object of your ambition.

A: “As for the goal of Studio Mini in ten years from now, I want to provide an idea foundation for younger members on the team today. I believe we have the capacity to develop further.

“There’s still a lot to learn. There’s more to it than design in and of itself. It may involve understanding the context that forms the setting of a place, be it socially or economically. There are lessons to learn going forward. The transmission of knowhow from us to younger members on the team is important. We want to provide the tool they can take with them.”

Studio Miti Padirmkiat Sukkan
High ceilinged workspace inside Studio Miti’s new office is well-lit by natural daylight. Among others, the redesigned building facade can open and shut as needed to provide privacy and freedom from external disturbances, making it easy to stay focused on the task at hand.

“If I get lucky, we will move forward together. If I get luckier, they may move on to their future undertakings, where they continue to grow in their line of work. But everyone must have the basic knowledge to begin with, knowledge about the climate prevailing in Thailand, knowledge about the context that forms the setting of a place.

“It’s something that’s more than meets the eye. That’s the basics that will help them grow and mature and, at the same time, give us the old guards at Studio Miti the impetus to grow and develop as well.”

“I believe the future of our office isn’t up to me alone. Rather, it comes from younger members on the team who must understand this, and work together toward a common goal.”


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