With an investment budget of over six billion baht and the combined efforts of Saha Group and its Thai and international construction, architectural, and design partners, the project applies circular economy models to all aspects of its development in an effort to create a quality of life that will enable understanding and smiles for everyone.
“KingBridge Tower, as a building with office space for rent, was conceived with the intention to develop the community of Rama III area and provide it with jobs and happiness, as this is the community Saha Group is part of and has been growing with throughout its history,” said Ms. Thaninthorn Chokwatana, Project Director for KingBridge Tower. Rama III is a significant commercial location that connects Sathon and Silom, two major thoroughfares in Bangkok, and it is anticipated that demand for office and residential space would rise. As a result, we decided to build KingBridge Tower, which will stand next to the Bhumibol Bridge and serve as a source of pride for the local populace.
In its more than 80-year history, the Saha Group’s KingBridge Tower is its first skyscraper. In order to promote business prospects and growth for everyone, it is designed to serve as the home and location for firms within the group and their tenants. In order to help them connect with one another and achieve success that is lasting, we developed the idea of “The Spirit of Synergy,” she said.
Additionally, we are committed to making KingBridge Tower the hub where businesses, organizations, and their partners come together to support the neighborhood and society. People from the neighborhood and society as well as enterprises will have access to the facilities. According to our vision, KingBridge Tower’s architecture promotes social interaction between groups of people and organizations while remaining compatible with the Bhumibol Bridge’s surrounding environment and community, without interfering with them, the director added.
The KingBridge Tower project has attracted a number of professional partners with specialized skills, including Architects 49 Limited (A49), the primary architecture firm in charge of the building design, Mott MacDonald, a renowned engineering consultancy that also created the engineering structure of the Bhumibol Bridge itself, Thai Obayashi Corp., Ltd., the primary construction contractor, Stonehenge Inter Plc. for project supervision, and YSH group for engineering.
According to Maythin Chantra-ou-rai, Executive Director of Architects 49 Limited, when designing KingBridge Tower, the architects must consider the idea of an iconic structure that will be the “architecture alongside Bhumibol Bridge” and that “does not interfere but is harmonious” with the nearby areas and the beauty of Bhumibol Bridge.
“In our opinion, an attractive building is a requirement for being iconic. It need not immediately grab your attention in order to lure you into looking at it. When seen together, the skyscraper and the Bhumibol Bridge must both appear magnificent. This strategy, which we refer to as the harmonic method, means that we are not erecting the KingBridge Tower to detract from the beauty of the Bhumibol Bridge but rather to strengthen one another.
“As for the principle of ‘not interfering,’ we first considered having a structure that does not have an impact on the environment, as this would promote sustainability. As a result, we used the passive design method to build a skyscraper that can coexist with the environment.
We take into account the actual conditions of the surrounding area, such as wind effects on buildings at varying heights and the usage of open spaces to enable people to experience nature through a variety of senses. Aerodynamics-based design concepts led to the building’s tilted shape with a curve at the top, and two sizable open spaces between floors will also aid in lowering wind resistance.
Another consideration in the design of KingBridge Tower is the hot climate. According to the amount of sunshine received, the architects intended for horizonal fins around the building that were different lengths. The building’s incoming heat will be shaded and reduced by the fins, which will lessen the requirement for air conditioning and heat emission from the structure.
The common area known as “Re-Tell” (Retail), which will be used as an open space for learning and other activities, was also created with the idea of synergy in mind. To provide a stunning perspective of the river, the city, and the bridge, a canteen and a full variety of amenities will be constructed on the third story, which will be the same height as Bhumibol Bridge. Additionally, there will be natural gardens all around the area that people can use for lunch, informal meetings, brainstorming sessions, or nighttime jogs while feeling happy and content.
Another location created for synergy is the Water Scape at the top of the structure. It will offer one of the best vistas in Bangkok and an elevated bridge that may be used as an event platform.
The design also gives special consideration to the building’s users’ quality of life. A MERV 14 air quality system, which can remove more than 90% of PM2.5 and other small particles, will be used by KingBridge Tower. The structure will meet a number of internationally recognized standards, such as LEED Gold and the highest Fitwel 3-star Multi-Tenant Base Building Design certification level. It will also be the first building in Asia and Thailand to be certified for universal health, as well as a CECI pilot project for energy and environmental preservation.
The various approaches and design techniques used for KingBridge Tower will ensure that it becomes the iconic architecture alongside Bhumibol Bridge and represents the idea of the Spirit of Synergy, reflecting the steadfastness of Saha Group to create organizational growth along with the joy and smiles of the community and country, which the group has always strived to achieve.
