ICONSIAM MIXED-USE COMPLEX - Bangkok - Thailand
On the banks of the Chao Phraya, Thailand presents itself to the world
Inaugurated at the end of 2018, ICONSIAM is a large-scale mixed-use complex overlooking the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok.
The development is comprised of three main projects: retail represented by two large shopping malls, ICONSIAM and ICONLUXE, that together occupy an area of 525,000 m2; residential, with two skyscrapers housing the Magnolias Waterfront Residences and The Residences at Mandarin Oriental Bangkok, which rise 70 and 52 floors, respectively, housing 379 and 146 luxury apartments; and entertainment, represented by a series of attractions and services called the “Seven Wonders”.
RETAIL
The two shopping malls ICONSIAM and ICONLUXE are a synthesis between innovation and tradition, between technology and artisan craftsmanship, conveying even in their forms a bond with the traditions tied to the Chao Phraya River.
Starting from the krathong, traditional floating decorations wrapped with folded banana leaves, the Urban Architects designers studied the pleated pattern of the façades, with its ultimate expression seen in the façade of the three buildings that comprise ICONLUXE. The sculptural façade in self-supporting glass 24 meters high stretches 300 meters along the river bank, creating an evocative symbiosis between the interiors and the surrounding cityscape and riverscape.
ICONSIAM comprises 500 shops representing the best products at the national and international levels. Over 20% of these businesses are present in Thailand for the first time, including the Apple Flagship Store and the Japanese Takashimaya Department Store.
Seven food zones offer different ambiences and settings, including areas on the river bank, green zones, indoors and on the roof, that host a vast range of venues, with more than 100 local and international restaurants.
The interiors of ICONSIAM were arranged with an intense and productive collaboration that involved numerous Thai and international artists, who brought the principal elements of Thai traditions and beliefs into their creations: statues, paintings, etchings, and light fixtures are arranged in a spectacular way inside the shopping mall, in the common spaces, as well as in the individual shops.
In its iconic stores, ICONLUXE brings together the best luxury brands in fashion, jewellery, and watches.
For both shopping malls FMG Fabbrica Marmi e Graniti of Iris Ceramica Group supplied the flooring materials, covering a total of 11,000 m2 and the materials for exterior façade, for a surface area of 1000 m2.
Inside White Calacatta MaxFine, marble effect panels were used, chosen in the 10 mm thickness for the 150x150 cm size, with bright finish, and in the 6 mm thickness for the 300x150 cm size with matte finish.
White Calacatta ACTIVE panels were used for the covering created on the exterior façade.
RESIDENCES
Near the two malls, the residential skyscrapers represent a high-end offer, directly overlooking the bank of the Chao Phraya River.
The Magnolias Waterfront Residences stower rises 70 floors and holds 379 residential units of various sizes, from one to four bedrooms.
The luxury condominium offers its residents a wide array of services, such as a large green space, swimming pool, gym and wellness centre, a common terrace, home theatre, spaces for children, and a river shuttle service.
The Residences at Mandarin Oriental Bangkok otower has 146 units distributed over 52 floors, divided between two and three-bedroom apartments and penthouse suites that have private swimming pools. All the apartments benefit from the high-end services offered by the Mandarin Oriental Group, which owns the condominium.
ENTERTAINMENT
The ICONSIAM project is completed by the so-called “Seven Wonders”, services and spaces of culture and entertainment situated along the riverside.
River Park
The River Park occupies an area of over 10,000 m2 on the riverside, on frontage that extends for 500 m. Open to the public daily, the park takes advantage of the picturesque landscape of the Chao Phraya River to create a large public space benefitting visitors and tourists, but especially the people who live in the neighbouring areas.
ICON Fountain
The play of light and water of the ICON Fountain create a magnificent show along a stretch of 400 metres on the river bank.
It is the longest multimedia water feature in Southeast Asia, easily competing with England’s London Eye and the Botanic Gardens at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore.
SookSiam
A sort of “happiness town” that embodies all the elements that represent Thai culture and tradition, divided into four main parts corresponding to the four regions of Thailand. Distributed over 8000 m2, SookSiam represents a business platform and a cultural space for local communities from the 77 provinces of Thailand, a stage for local entrepreneurs and artisans from all over the country.
True ICON Hall
True ICON Hall is a 3000-seat auditorium designed to host international conferences, shows, and events of all types, enhancing the arts and culture offerings of ICONSIAM. It is scheduled to open in July 2019.
Gold Line Monorail
The Gold Line monorail will become an important element of connection and interchange among the road, rail, and water transport systems.
It is the first time in Thailand that a private developer working on a large-scale project has supported the creation of a public mass transit system to mitigate the potential traffic problems related to the new development. The ICONSIAM project includes 4 docks for transport connectivity, which increase the travel opportunities for the people who live along the Chao Phraya River.
River Museum Bangkok
The River Museum Bangkok, slated to open in July 2019, will display works that represent the historical and cultural tradition of the entire country, along with temporary exhibitions of an international level.
Art Synergy Phenomenon
ICONSIAM hosts masterpieces created specially for this project by more than 100 artists from all the different disciplines, coming from Thailand as well as other countries.
Not only figurative artists but also musicians, who composed dedicated musical pieces and songs. The complex also has more than 400 photographs by Thai artists on display.
DESIGNERS
Urban Architects
Founded in 1988, Urban Architects began as an architectural firm and gradually extended its services to interior design and graphic design.
Its portfolio includes projects of all types and sizes: commercial buildings, educational institutions, industrial and residential complexes, as well as graphic, branding, and corporate identity design.
GENERAL CREDITS
Name: ICONSIAM
Place: Bangkok, Thailand
Completion: November 2018
Type: Mixed-use complex
Site surface area: 46,888.40 m2
Gross surface area: 336,390 m2
Owner: Siam Piwat
Main contractor: Thai Obayashi
Contract for foundation systems: Seafco
Contract for façade systems: GEL General Engineering, seele, KAMA, MBM, PP, YHSI
DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION CREDITS
Architect, graphic design and interior design: URBAN Architects
Landscape design: PLandscape
Lighting design: With Light, Dazzle Design, L’Obsevatoire International
Structural design: KCS & Associates
Transportation planning: Systra MVA (Thailand)
Electrical, mechanical and hydraulic systems: EM Sign
Electrical, mechanical and hydraulic system management: Mitr Technical Consultant (MITR)
Project management: Projects Asia
Cost and schedule control: Arcadis
Façade consultant: Ove Arup, Carpenter | Lowings, Eckersley O’Callaghan Engineers
MATERIAL SPECIFICATIONS
Mall flooring (11.000 m2): MaxFine White Calacatta Bright 10 mm - 150x150 cm; MaxFine White Calacatta Matte 6 mm - 300x150 cm
Semi-covered façade(1.000 m2): White Calacatta ACTIVE
