Bangkok
Chameleon
PROJECT I
POST GRAD. DESIGN STUDIO
CHULALONGKORN UNIVERSITY
Students are tasked with selecting a topic related to the area of The Grand Palace, Rattanakosin Island, or
the Chao Phraya River, and identifying a keyword connected to the theme “Bangkok Chameleon - Identity
in a Shifting, Adapting, and Evolving Bangkok.
To create a sanctuary where mindfulness and community coexist. Inspired by how klong balconies adapt
to shifting needs, the design fosters reflection, connection, and inner peace. It’s a space where architecture
guides visitors from urban chaos to quiet equanimity, anchoring Bangkok’s evolving identity in its cultural
roots.
This project stands out because it deeply integrates local culture and architecture with a universal practice
of meditation. It merges vernacular wisdom (adaptive balconies, Charn spaces) with contemporary func-
tion, demonstrating how architecture can embody cultural identity and emotional resonance. The integration
of meditation states into spatial design using light, openness, and materiality sets a benchmark for con-
text-sensitive, human-centric architecture. It’s a model of how to respect a city’s historical identity while
creating spaces that serve modern needs.