Bangkok Project Studio has completed a woman restaurant by using two major materials that provide the characteristic of the building in a village in Ban Run District, Thailand. 

Named Artisans Ayutthaya: The Woman Restaurant, the 950-square-metre complex is comprised of five right-angle triangular volumes made of glass blocks and framed by wood. Despite the same size, each building has different functions in the program.

In this project, the studio aimed to create a distinctive material language made up of striking materials that take everyone's attention, but when they are put together, it should have created a new value that is worth a second look. 

To achieve this, the studio started design with the unsold glass blocks, whether because of their least attractive pattern or their reputation as bathroom wall blocks. 

"I added value to these disfavored items by planking them with wooden frames so that the color of the wood is reflected into the blocks," said the architect.

The perimeter of each building is 8 x 8 x 11.31 meters. The combined area of the five buildings - with two floors, including corridors - is 310 square meters area. There is a walking path around the complex, including the reception area and the waterfront balcony, is 640 square meters. 

Bordering the bank of the Chao Phraya River in Ban Run District, Ayutthaya, the five glass block buildings are sparkling under the light all day and night.

The layout of the project is drawn with a strong geometry in which all the program elements are solved within this geometry. All volumes are scattered around the pathways, while each volume complements each other.

The studio used a clear PVC sheet instead of giant door panels and glass sheets to reduce the weight and construction budget. "Sling ropes are crossed over the doors and windows to reduce the force of the wind blowing in from the rive," added the office. 

"In addition, the door and window hinges are taken from the hinges of ten-wheel trucks’ doors and adapted to support the weight of the huge doors and windows."

The architect said that "I find the construction method and materials used for these five buildings challenging, both for me and the builders because it is different from how glass block walls are generally built. In this project, we use steel as a mortar and cover it with wood, not to mention how we transform several other items into building materials." 

"Talking about the builders, they are not craftsmen but ordinary local workers who learn to master the construction method I developed taking into consideration the level of their skills."

As the studio explains, the story of construction methodology of this complex and the use of materials are more interesting as the story gave life to The Artisans Ayutthaya. 

The studio continued that "the project is located in a village in Ban Run District. One curiosity of this place is that most of the residents are unmarried or widowed women." 

"Their daily activity is to give alms to monks in the early morning at a small run-down village temple. They try their best to earn money to repair the temple. Each of the cooks a few specialties in large pots and pack the food in smaller individual bags to offer to the monks and exchange among themselves. This is where the project began."

"These modest single and widowed women aged 55-94, who cook delicious dishes but never call themselves “chefs,” join hands with their culinary skills to create the local cuisine for visitors and hope that they will return just like children or grandchildren who come home for food prepared by their mothers, aunts, and grandmothers." 

"Part of the income from food selling will be allocated to the temple’s renovation. These five buildings are named after these women. In addition to the local food, the plates, bowls, and earthenware cups are also locally and meticulously crafted piece by piece by a 60-year-old single woman."

Bangkok Project Studio continued that "this is why the project calls itself "The Artisans Ayutthaya" because these women are the descendants of Ayutthaya people who are determined to preserve the cuisine and craft of Ayutthaya." 

"They are so generous that all recipes and tasty secrets are made public so that everyone can help keep the local food of Ayutthaya alive instead of disappearing with them as they age. I name these women “the breathing scriptures."

1st floor plan

2nd floor plan

Roof plan

Sections

West and North elevations

East and south elevations

Bangkok Project Studio previously completed Elephant Museum - Elephant Worldmade of 480,0000 fired clay bricks in Thailand. 

Project facts

Project name: Artisans Ayutthaya: The Woman Restaurant

Architects: Bangkok Project Studio 

Location: Ban Run, Thailand 

Size: 950m2 

Date: 2021 

All images © Spaceshift Studio

All drawings © Bangkok Project Studio 

> via Bangkok Project Studio