Ritratana Office Building

Design Team：Urban Praxis
Size：4900 m²   
Location：Bangkok, Thailand

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Feature：
Project - In a densely populated residential area of Bangkok, Thai architecture firm Urban Praxis has completed the striking Ritratana Office Building. The 4,900 square metre tower aims to revitalize the neighborhood around the Ramkamhaeng-Rama9 intersection by introducing a modern workplace with ample public spaces. The building's design draws inspiration from gemstones, with dramatic angled facades clad in glass forming eye-catching crystalline forms at the corners. These faceted protrusions create a unique identity while also paying homage to the original Ritratana office building constructed 30 years prior. "The name 'Ritratana,' derived from Sanskrit, translates to 'power' and 'gemstone'," explained the architects, "the design proposes prominent gemstone-inspired facets adorning the building's facade corners." Prioritizing occupant wellbeing, the office floors feature communal areas flooded with natural light from large north-facing curtain walls. An exterior staircase designed as an elevated urban "street" guides people to their workplaces while incorporating greenery. On the ground level, a public plaza connects the new building to its predecessor, activating the compact site as a privately-owned community space. With its crystalline form and amenity-filled interior, Ritratana sets a bold precedent for contemporary workplace design in Bangkok.

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Design Team - Established in 2015 by Suchada Kasemsap, Urban Praxis operates as a collaborative platform for multidisciplinary design talent in Bangkok. With over two decades of professional and academic experience in architecture and interior design locally and internationally, Kasemsap's approach consistently seeks innovative yet pragmatic solutions to real-world challenges. In 2019, Sasiwimol Utaisup joined as co-founder, reinforcing Urban Praxis' commitment to leveraging cutting-edge BIM technologies to streamline design, documentation, and coordination processes. Utaisup's seven years of BIM expertise, including two years as a BIM Architect in London, complements Kasemsap's leadership.

Under their joint direction, Urban Praxis has cultivated a multi-faceted repertoire encompassing architectural, interior, and urban design projects that prioritize occupant well-being through intentional space planning and material choices. With a steadfast focus on functional, sustainable design interventions tailored to client needs, Urban Praxis continues pushing disciplinary boundaries in Thailand's capital.

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