Co-create Charoenkrung wins the “highly commended” (second place) awards in the future masterplanning category at the recent World Architecture Festival
Last month witnessed one of the largest architectural gatherings in the world, the World Architecture Festival, in which three projects from Thailand successfully won the “highly commended” awards: the Hong Rean Por Dee Por Dee poject by Vinvaravan Architects in the school category, The Commons by Department of Architecture in the commercial building category, and, the one we’re most excited about, Co-Create Charoenkrung by Shma SoEn in the future masterplanning category.
Why are we so enthusiastic about Co-Create’s Charoenkrung’s win? Because, while commercial Thai structures and buildings have won international awards in the past, not too many public-space projects have made the cut. Co-Create Charoenkrung is an urban planning blueprint initiated by the Thailand Creative and Design Center (TCDC) and stylishly implemented by Shma SoEn. The project looks to develop Charoenkrung, one of Bangkok’s oldest neighborhoods, into a new “creative district.” But instead of employing a top-down approach like most governmental projects, Shma SoEn opted for an inclusive design strategy that requires closely working with TCDC and engaging with the community to ensure long-term and sustainable development. In simple words, the plan is to create a trendier Charoenkrung without making local residents feel like aliens in their own hood.
