The Aluminum Grotto and Public Ground is a meticulously designed architectural work installed in Bangkok, Thailand. The structure integrates a three-dimensional interior and a beautifully crafted façade.
Created on the 90th anniversary of the Association of Siamese Architects under Royal Patronage (ASA), the grotto project was initiated by S-ONE Group and KIN Thailand, two suppliers of aluminum architectural products in Thailand. The company commissioned Hung and Songkittipakdee (HAS) Design and Research, the acclaimed architectural firm (known for designing the façade of the Museum of Modern Aluminum), for the design of the structure.
Jenchieh Hung and Kulthida Songkittipakdee, HAS founders and architects, developed and proposed a unique concept that would not only reflect Thailand’s status as one of the most significant metal manufacturing exporters in Southeast Asia, but also to provide a public resting place at the ASA 90th Anniversary Architect Expo. This innovative design creates a valley-like grotto with a natural impression amidst the busy and densely packed exposition.
The Aluminum Grotto is ultimately constructed from hundreds of thousands of aluminum rods in what HAS calls a “Total-ness Design” that cohesively integrates the façade, the space, and the structure with the space’s diverse functions. None of these aluminum rods are of the same length — and each rod is meticulously cut and assembled by craftsmen, reminiscent of the intricate craftsmanship seen in Thai temples. Amid rapid industrial development, the Aluminum Grotto integrates both tradition and the future with an unconventional concept, allowing Thai people to rediscover the potential of local craftsmanship.
The final space allows the public to participate in non-profit activities, such as public learning, art exchanges, and educational lectures. As a result, the Aluminum Grotto and Public Ground became a center for free public access, devoid of commercial operations and promotion, and dedicated to idea exchange and learning.
The average green open space per capita in Bangkok is only 6.99 sq m, much lower than the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended 9 sq m. So, the Aluminum Grotto reflects this current scenario, while also recreating past scenes where Thai people relied on natural landscapes for their dwellings and lives.
During regular times, the elevated structure creates an open space underneath, generating more “gray space” to attract the public and extend the indoor and outdoor environments. This design also echoes the multifunctional “Tai toon” space of traditional Thai stilt houses. At special moments, the natural light illuminating the grotto-like space not only provides functions for education, learning, and forums but also creates a sense of ceremony, offering an unprecedented sensory experience.
