MEKONG RIVER ROCK MUSEUM - a new national Geological museum and learning center

MEKONG RIVER ROCK MUSEUM - a new national Geological museum and learning center
the project is under the government’s country development plan to register as UNESCO Global Geopark,
Mekong River Rock Museum and Research Center design experiential space from the important phenomenon of the place where Earth [mainly rock part] and Mekong river made reaction together along more than 100 million years to enhance a sense of respect and pride to the site with local people and tourists.

As the first-place tourist must visit before going to another Geopark natural tourist attractions,
The museum design permanent exhibition that tells stories of River Rock space by space itself and also smoothly increasing connection space between people and beautiful site surrounding. The way that people seeing exhibited elements and also seeing real act outside will make more interesting and impact on respecting to the site.

Research center providing space that main concern in collaborative work between researcher, tourist, and community. Library, Researcher room, classrooms, tent space for temporary camping designed to reach better-transferring knowledge. Permanently for the local community and temporary for a Global community.

Analysis of using tangible earth element [water, rock, soil] combined with basic intangible and natural elements [ wind, light] happen through each zone to fulfill the main substance of space.

All in all, a concept of connection inside space to surrounding can create space that better support easier transfer information and also makes sense of contribution, respect to something that has hidden important row on large natural site. This result will protect nature and village to be living with sustainable development in future.

Geopark – a UNESCO project that are single, unified geographical areas where sites and landscapes of international geological significance are managed with a holistic concept of protection, education, and sustainable development.

Location: Thailand, Ubonratchathani province
Main programs: museum, tourist center, research center, gathering space ex. community park, new pier.

MEKONG RIVER ROCK MUSEUM - a new national Geological museum and learning center by Pongchan Maiyarat in Thailand won the WA Award Cycle 28. Please find below the WA Award poster for this project.