Bangkok
Artists
Retreat

Competition introduction

Competition organisers

Buildner architecture competition organisers are asking architecture enthusiasts to repurpose a very special site in Bangkok, the vintage shopping mall called the ‘Nightingale.’ What was once a thriving shopping destination for both locals and tourists, this iconic building within the heart of the Bangkok old town has long been left to ruin.

In an effort to help restore some of the tourism that Bangkok has lost in recent months - due to a combination of political unrests and violent bombings - we would like to propose a new use for the Nightingale mall, as an artists retreat. Bangkok has long been a haven for artists and creative types to come and work. Thailand’s capital has a unique ambiance along with a very low cost of living that makes it attractive to artists looking for a place to come and be inspired.

The proposed new function of the Nightingale would be to offer artists studios in which they could work, accommodation in the form of a hostel and an exhibition space in which to show their work. Designs for the Bangkok Artists Retreat should be such that it would have the potential to be on the same level as the city’s other cultural icons and landmarks, in addition to improving the quality of neighbourhood as a whole.

Participants have full creative freedom with regards to the current structure - they are free to leave it as it is, add to it or even demolish it completely. Buildner architecture competition organisers would ask participants to thoroughly research different artists retreats around the world, the Bangkok lifestyle and Bangkok architecture in order to create designs that are unique and compelling.


1 - The competition site; 2 - The old Siam plaza; 3 - Rajamangala University of Technology Rattanakosin Poh Chang Campus


Eligibility:

Competition is open for all. No professional qualification is required. Design proposals can be developed individually or by teams (4 team members maximum).


Language:

- Correspondence with organizers must be conducted in English.
- All information submitted by participants must be in English.