In the heart of Chiang Mai, a city rich in history and the cultural heritage of northern Thailand, the Panyaden Hall, completed in 2017, carries a story of technical innovation and reverence for tradition, brought to life through bamboo. Combining centuries-old Thai craftsmanship with modern design solutions, the project reflects the ethos of Chiangmai Life Architects, a firm devoted to elevating natural materials to their highest potential. In this article, we will explore some of the contemporary structural solutions applied to this iconic project, further revealing bamboo's true potential and inviting a fresh perspective on sustainable architecture and bamboo engineering.
The Structural System
The structural system of Panyaden Hall is based on a vaulted configuration, where 15-meter-wide arched trusses form the main components of the system, distributed at 3-meter-wide intervals. These trusses support a roof that also functions as a roof diaphragm, playing a crucial role in the lateral stiffness of the system. The integration of this diaphragm into the structural system adds significant stability to the overall structure, efficiently distributing the displacements caused by wind and seismic activity.
