Financed with taxes on tobacco and alcohol amounting to 2 billion baht annually, the Thai Public Broadcasting Service (Thai PBS) is Thailand’s first free-to-air national public broadcaster.

It began operating in January 2008 with a grand vision: to promote a just and informed society.

What then, one may wonder, would it require of its new head office architecture on Viphavadi Rangsit Road, Bangkok? Would its operational vision be translated into built form?

Bangkok-based architects Plan Associates were asked to consider three things when planning the 40,000 square metres of head office accommodation and studios. Besides wishing to help improve societal quality, Thai PBS also divulged that it aims to present the image of a modern television station, and provide opportunities for public participation in the presenting of TV programmes.

Plan Associates addressed the request for a modern image by adopting an ‘industrial’ style for their architecture. It emphasises the essence of materials such as bare concrete, steel (for the structure), aluminium and glass, and also puts different systems on show.

The societal aspect is reflected in the ‘office in a garden’ concept. Open green areas are provided between the four buildings, which house office spaces, studios, a car park, and a learning centre. The latter is open to the public for the purposes of research into mass media work and other topics. Environmentally friendly materials were used wherever possible.

The architects addressed the matter of public participation by providing large spaces for activities, and by creating a considerable amount of physical transparency so that workers can be seen from the outside.

The creation of an ‘industrial’ quality was aided by the implementation of elements such as long-span steel trusses, lengthy walkways, bridges, and a celebration of steel framework.

Plan Associates
planassociates.co.th