first look at ACPV ARCHITECTS’ sculptural tower that will redefine bangkok’s skyline
‘Sukhumvit THIRTY-EIGHT’ to rise next to bangkok’s vibrant thong lo district
Italian practice ACPV ARCHITECTS Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel unveils its geometric design of ‘Sukhumvit THIRTY-EIGHT’, a luxury residential high-rise in Bangkok, Thailand. Neighboring the city’s vibrant Thong Lo neighborhood, known for its trendy bars, boutiques, and bistros, the tower redefines Bangkok’s skyline with its unique and sculpturally stacked volumes, adding new architectural qualities to its context.
‘Sukhumvit THIRTY-EIGHT’ will rise in a densely populated area and combine the benefits of urban life with private living. A two-minute walk from the Thong Lo station of the Bangkok Skytrain will also ensure fast and easy access to the rest of the city, making its location exceptionally strategic for future residents.
The 20,000 sqm high-rise will introduce 216 new residential units and a glass facade that changes color in different lighting conditions. ‘The large, reflective glass surfaces alternate between blue and silver hues, providing an elegant and pared-back design that stands out from the urban context,’ says architect Antonio Citterio, Chairman of ACPV ARCHITECTS.
all images © Wison Tungthunya
a geometric tower defined by a color-changing glass facade
Specifically, the glass facade features panels painted in a blue color that was custom-formulated to accentuate the precision, rigor, and accuracy of the design process. Following a new definition of luxury based on a rich mix of experiences, the glimmering building skin offers residents a new way to interact with the city through far-reaching panoramic views.
‘We drew inspiration from the masterful craftsmanship of Italian Renaissance sculptures,’ states Patricia Viel, CEO of ACPV ARCHITECTS (see more here). ‘The building’s massing strategy followed a process of iterated elimination of volumes that started from a simple cuboid shape.’ Therefore, the tower’s resulting modular mass offers several dual-aspect residential units where corner windows can be installed to provide exceptional views of the city.
adopting a ‘Building-as-a-City’ approach
The architecture of ‘Sukhumvit THIRTY-EIGHT’ follows the practice’s Building-as-a-City approach that diversifies the experience of living spaces. To start, ACPV ARCHITECTS envisioned an arrival path leading from a 500 sqm outdoor garden on the ground floor to the residential units – ranging from one-bedroom to 85 sqm two-bedroom apartments and a two-story penthouse at the top.
‘The apartments ensure privacy and integrate seamlessly with the amenities – such as the shared lounge, game room, library room, fitness, and spa clubs,’ comments architect Sara Busnelli, ACPV ARCHITECTS’ partner in charge of the project. ‘The high-rise is designed to reproduce the complexity of the urban environment, where residents and guests can easily access state-of-the-art services.’
The tower was designed using BIM (Building Information Modeling) digital tools to optimize the process and facilitate real-time collaboration among multiple consultants, allowing for the management of the building through its entire life cycle.
