
Heatherwick Studio has unveiled the first design images of Hatai, a new public space and two hotels in the heart of Bangkok's Silom district. The complex marks the studio's first project in Thailand and is located on the historic site of the original Narai Hotel, within a bustling business area. The project envisions 5,200 square metres of new public space, including elevated walkways and a publicly accessible ground level with retail and services. The building design draws inspiration from the craftsmanship of traditional Thai lanterns, featuring a series of stacked, rounded forms.
The new 'Lantern Quarter' ground level by Heatherwick Studio reimagines the area as a public village, incorporating a shrine, an open-air market, event spaces, and a nursery. A green, canopied plaza features native plantings, while a restored canal flows between shops and services. The aim is for this level to be fully open to the public, integrating seamlessly into Bangkok's urban fabric.

There's a richness to Thailand's culture and historic architecture, but the anonymous, blank severity of many so-called modern buildings in Bangkok does not speak to this at all. We wanted to do something that connects with the country's heritage in a deeper way and builds detail, feeling and story back into the city. - Thomas Heatherwick, founder and design director of Heatherwick Studio
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We've designed a series of lanterns stacked on top of one another, collectively forming a much softer silhouette in the skyline, and we have the opportunity to create a major piece of public space - including rain protection, planting and water - all designed to encourage street-level life filled with curiosity and exploration. - Thomas Heatherwick, founder and design director of Heatherwick Studio

Other recent news in urban development includes Carlo Ratti's winning proposal for the urban and architectural design of a major multimodal logistics hub in Alessandria, Italy; a new civic complex in Delfzijl, the Netherlands, designed by Benthem Crouwel Architects in collaboration with Snøhetta; and Foster + Partners' urban regeneration masterplan for Shanghai's Putuo District. Meanwhile, other initiatives aiming to reshaping today's cities include the Swimmable Cities movement, which advocates for the right to swim in urban waterways, and HouseEurope!'s campaign calling for a new legal framework to support renovations across Europe.