Parjaree Manuch
Architect
Address: Aspliden 23, 431 69, Mölndal, Sweden
Mobile: +46 73 705 79 51
Email: parjaree.manuch@gmail.com
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/parjaree-manuch
Website: https://parjaree.myportfolio.com
Cover: The Vapour Trail
Public Buildings Studio, Chalmers, 2023
Master’s Thesis
Gothenburg, Sweden
2024 Jonas Lundberg
Type Greenhouse Supervisor
Course ACEX35 Master’s Thesis in Architecture (30 ECTS Credits)
Program Master’s Program in Architecture and Urban Design
School Chalmers University of Technology
The thesis aims to explore the design of medium span structures entirely composed of non-standard timber components derived from the inherent forms of local wood and demonstrates the potential of a raw timber structure for an architectural application for public use. It makes a contribution to the field of sustainable architecture by presenting an alternative to conventional timber construction that relies on the use of standardized materials produced through an industrialized process. Using non-standard found material to create architecture provides complexity and constraint to the design and fabrication process, but at the same time, it enables more sustainable material practices. By incorporating raw wood components into design, it is possible to not only diversify the design and construction methods according to locality but also create a new form of architectural expression.
Three stages overlap in the development of “Inherent Form,” formalizing knowledge of tools and techniques to materialize architecture. Prototype involves using digital tools for structure design and also the use of point-cloud processing and photogrammetry to compile data from collected physical raw wood. Timber Detail Design is the process of crafting raw wood connections to learn joinery techniques. Architectural Application showcases the potential of raw wood as a durable and functional material for architecture.
Link to the full thesis.
Prototype 1 is concerned with realizing geometric and spatial properties with regard to scale and structural design optimized for an open-plan layout. Iterations of the structure were explored during the development of this prototype. These iterations aimed to investigate different geometric configurations of the structure, all comprising relatively similar framing members. Each one targeted a uniform structure size of 15 x 30 x 8 meters. The arch frame structure emerged as the most promising design for further development into Prototype 2. This particular structure was selected due to its ability to emulate the natural parts of a tree, with members that closely resemble branches and trunks.
2
Prototype 2 is characterized by a shift from uniformity to variability in both the shape and size of the framing members. They’re diverse in shape and size based on position and the way they carry the loads.
Prototype 2 retains the global geometry and structural repetitive patterns established in Prototype 1. However, a deeper level of systems thinking was applied to the structural components. This involves the division of components into units, each strategically designed with the sequences of assembly in mind.
The structural units are composed of a variety of parts in an effort to optimize structural performance.
Prototype 3 tests tree inherent forms’ ability to adapt a predetermined structural geometry realized in the previous prototypes and their potential to freely self-organize to directly inform the refinement of a structure. With the goal of applying inherent forms of tree parts to create a non-standard structure at an architectural scale, the workflow of the subsequent prototypes (Prototype 3 and 4) assumes a collection of physical local raw wood as the departure point and structural design agents.
4
Prototype 4 exploits the structural capacity of the fork junction. The final structure is an interplay of many curvatures, consisting of forked pieces weaving together. The Prototype stage results in the final development of a structure built from 140 distinct raw wood components connecting directly to each other by way of milled connections. The final structure is made up of seven arched frame units that land at fourteen points.
The design proposal illustrates how local resources can be effectively utilized for sustainable architectural applications, with a particular architectural language coming from the appearance of found elements. This final design proposal incorporates the use of two layer inflated ETFE membrane cushion, highlighting the raw timber structure’s capability to support such membranes. The integration of these panels presents a significant challenge, as it involves designing the membrane to complement the structure aesthetically and functionally. The ETFE outer layer is a significant benefit of the membrane design because it protects the raw timber structure from the weather.
The approach to membrane design begins with the strategic placement of anchor points for individual cushions to be fixed, which are distributed across the structure in accordance with the arrangement of the raw wood pieces. Following this, the outlines for the membrane panels are designed to ensure a cohesive and visually appealing integration with the underlying timber structure.
Proposal for Gothenburg Central Station Gothenburg, Sweden
2023
Type Transportation Architecture
Supervisor
Course ACE110 Public Buildings (22.5 ECTS Credits)
Program Master’s Program in Architecture and Urban Design School Chalmers University of Technology Kengo Skorick
This project is a transformation of Gothenburg Central Station. The design emerged from an attempt to translate human and vehicle movements into an overarching architectural gesture that defines a new, memorable user experience of a train station.
The proposal features the architecture of wooden ribbons and waves rising and wrapping around the old station buildings. It looks like the architecture is giving a warm embrace to its surroundings. The structures are sculpted to be immersive and engaging, encouraging visitors to move through the spaces and experience curves and shadows. With the seamless transition of architectural elements, the undulating forms give the impression of movement and flow, orchestrating people.
The design process involves making sketch models of experimental forms with sublime spaces at the human scale and geometry that demonstrates natural rigidity. It entails adapting each prototype principle and element, in order, to satisfy the particular problematized site without any preconceived ideas.
Link to the full project.
Design & Build Workshop
Gothenburg, Sweden 2022
Type Temporary Pavilion
Supervisors
Jonas Lundberg, Kengo Skorick, Karl Åhlund
Course ARK338 Material and Detail (22.5 ECTS Credits)
Program Master’s Program in Architecture and Urban Design
School Chalmers University of Technology
Reciprocal Shell is a research project and international design and build workshop between Chalmers University of Technology and Augsburg University of Applied Sciences. The project investigates the interaction between material and detail in a project designed and developed on a digital platform and constructed on a full scale. It targets the implementation of a complete project cycle, encompassing concept, design, and analysis through to digital fabrication and assembly. The project is a grid-shell structure optimized for fabrication and assembly, spanning up to 7.5 meters and composed of 144 wood elements in each of its polygonal and reciprocal configurations. The robotic fabrication process was optimized for quick and simple construction. The entire production is completed using only a saw blade, enabling precise cuts.
As part of the Assembly and Construction team, my main role was to design and develop the communication tool for the simulated construction that allowed others to understand the sequential assembly. I made a demountable small-scale shell demonstrator, reproducing each cassette of the pavilion with a 3D printer in 1:10 scale to explore possible ways of constructing the pavilion. I also participated in the full-scale manufacturing, focusing on assembling timber joints for the pavilion components.
Proposal for Bangkok Public Library
Bangkok, Thailand
2011
Type Cultural Architecture
Supervisor
Ekapob Suksudpaisarn
Course Architectural Design III
Program International Program in Design and Architecture (INDA)
School Chulalongkorn University
The project’s territory is a left abandoned area in the middle of the Ratchathewi district, one of Bangkok’s bustling transport hubs. RATCH is a public library holding together book and media collections, reading areas, study spaces, exhibition spaces, restaurants, and indoor and outdoor cafés. Gathering, working, and studying together are the objectives of the building design. These interventions are planned to open up the building and introduce natural light, transparency, visual connection, and fluidity of internal space, and spaciousness. RATCH offers various configurations of the reading area and a variety of communal terraces, promoting a dynamic atmosphere and healthy well-being.
The building’s overall design is characterized by a stack of recessed volumes. The design seeks to create an inviting ambiance. The building’s volume in which levels slide to each other develops stimulating exterior spaces on every floor and creates a green reading environment with sufficient natural light, ventilation, and shade.
The internal atrium was designed to introduce natural daylight into the main circulation zone and most of the library floors. To enhance spatial continuity between parts of the building physically and visually, the building is designed with large terraces functioning as walkways, informal meeting areas, and outdoor café that allow for animated public interaction and provide both the internal spaces view and the surrounding city view, but are also screened behind planted trees. The façades are articulated differently to respond to the bookcase arrangement and the layout of the study area.
Link to the full project.
BLINK Design Group
Abu Dhabi, UAE 2020
Type
Mixed-Use
Project Team
Kaokrai Angklomkleaw
Jun Foong
Supangvan Vungvira
Nattawan Supanan
Bongkodpast Tantipisanu
Parjaree Manuch
Area
57,600 Sq.m.
Status
Concept Design
The development consists of a pair of asymmetrical 120-metertall towers, a 26-story hotel, and a 29-story residential tower, with a combined total floor area of 57,600 m². Set on Reem Island, a natural island near Abu Dhabi, the project was designed by BLINK Design Group as a concept integrating diverse programs, including hotel and hospitality services, branded residencies, retail, offices, and recreation, which features a pool, spa, gym, and kids’ club.
The geometry of the buildings presents a refined interpretation of the regional vernacular and the natural forms of sand dunes, expressed through a fluid architectural language of a partially undulating facade mimicking the land contours and the domes of mosques. The towers’ sinuous facades feature an interplay of colors with contrasting hues. The main facade element consists of clear panels interspersed with coppery panels that form an inwardly concave arc. The curvilinear shape prominently forms at the towers’ lower floors, where the curved form creates slightly different plans on each level. Their glass facades feature smooth, reflective surfaces thoughtfully designed to withstand and perform in the dusty desert environment of Abu Dhabi.
BLINK Design Group
Flores, Indonesia
2019
Type
Residential Architecture
Project Team
Pietro Campanella
Nattawan Supanan
Bongkodpast Tantipisanu
Parjaree Manuch
Area 20,138 Sq.m.
Status
Concept Design
BLINK Design Group has completed the concept design for the Alila resort anticipated to be built on the island on the west coast of Flores in the southern part of Indonesia. The project comprises 33 keys of villa and one main guest room building linked to an event pavilion, a pool bar, and beachfront facilities. The design embraces the rich local culture, taking influence from the indigenous village of the Bena people. The topography is a determining factor for positioning the volumes that comprise the project. The resort is also designed to respond to the local weather, favor natural ventilation, reduce heat gain and eliminate the need for air conditioning, offering guests a sustainable luxury experience.
The hotel building runs parallel and gently cradles within a natural valley. This five-storey building houses 86 guest rooms overlooking scenic surroundings and also accommodates a lobby, restaurant, multi-purpose pavilion at the top level, with a gym, spa, and kids club at its lowest floor. The project strives to reduce the building’s environmental footprint using wood, the most critical renewable structural material. In order to support five stories of mass timber, the structure will comprise a concrete podium with two concrete cores. With timber superstructure carrying vertical loads, the reinforced concrete will provide the building with lateral stability.
The building will be primarily constructed from glue-laminated columns and beams, with cross-laminated timber (CLT) floor slabs and CLT wall panels. On its exterior, the exposed mass timber elements of projecting balconies form layers of vertical and horizontal members, augmenting the façade’s characteristic of this five-storey building. Taking influence from the Bena people’s traditional fabric, their weaving tools, and the way they hang their woven fabrics at their house terraces, the textile shades on the façade are a decorative design feature with a sun protection function. The screen comprises a fabric stretched between members of a support steel frame.
Site section through the Hotel Building and Pool Villas
1 Glue-Laminated Timber Structures (Event Pavilion)
2 Reinforced concrete structures and concrete cores
3 Non-Structural Fabric Façades
4 Glue-Laminated Timber Structures (Hotel Building)
Five exclusive units of the villa offer more privacy and connections to nature. The contour of the terrain defines the villa’s volume. The dynamic forms of green roof, deck, and pool are the elements that merge the massing volume into the landscape. The villa can be accessed from the back at its roof level. Each villa is unique as they are designed to respond to their specific locations.
BLINK Design Group
Shanxi, China 2018
Type Hospitality Architecture
Project Team
Patri Vienravi
Chaitawat Jirunyakul
Parjaree Manuch Area
35,876 Sq.m.
In collaboration with an architecture practice based in China, BLINK Design Group has completed a façade design for Hyatt Place. The project involves designing a hotel drop-off and new façades integrated into a completed concrete structure of a mixed-use building combining hotel, retail space, and office. The primary issue related to the design of the façades was the physical constraints of an existing frame structure. In addition, the design intends to reduce the solar heat gain and regulate the amount of light entering the interior space. We optimized the angles of the façades to respond to building orientation. As a result, the façade incorporates repetitive modules of angled, full-height tinted glass windows with their symmetric pairs.
Loftus Overseas Management
Calais, France
2015
Type
Theme Park
Project Team
Yann Tranlong
Santi Sombatwichatorn
Rittipong Tiandum
Supalak Puebang
Parjaree Manuch
Land Area
450,000 Sq.m.
Status Concept Design
Loftus Overseas Management is a group that creates a turnkey theme park project. Calais Theme Park, one of the LOM’s undergoing projects, will be taking place in Calais, the northern city of France. The park will dominate more than 30 attractions within the park’s 45-hectare area. Theme Park is not just about its showstopper, the ride. Architecture builds the visitor’s experience and completely reinforces the unique characteristics of each themed area. The theming of the attractions combines Science fiction genres with Steam Punk world, Gothic world, and 3 other imaginative worlds. The core of the architectural concept lies in these themes. In addition to the atmosphere, architectural design considers the park operation—service areas, back-ofhouse functions, and other facilities.
Chiang Mai, Thailand
July 2021 - June 2024
Type
Residential Architecture
Project Team
Palita Simapaisal
Parjaree Manuch
Area
290 Sq.m.
Status
Completed
Chiang Mai House is a renovation project to rework the residence’s two existing floors to accommodate new bedrooms and a new multi-purpose room and look at the emerging element at the upper level to inform the design of the new façades. The owner intends to introduce distinct design language to the house while preserving its concrete frame structure and original roof. External timber-clad façades feature wooden shutters formed to define the house’s overall appearance.
The project started by expanding the footprint of the ground-floor level. The new frame structures comprise reinforced concrete columns, steel columns, steel beams, and concrete slabs supporting the additional space and the wood façade. The façade support system, consisting of steel tubes and truss sections, was fabricated in the house owner’s workshop and transported to the job site for final assembly. The façade made of Resak wood surrounds the entire house, variously punctuated by windows and framed openings. The opening is designed to serve as a medium space situated between nature and the interior, giving both visual and functional advantages.
50x100mm mild steel box section
Resak timber cladding
10mm plasterboard
Steel purlin; 25x25mm box section
Steel rafter; 38x75mm box section
Primary steelwork; 100x100mm H-beam
Stainless steel gutter
Resak wood screen
6mm plasterboard installed at angle
Primary steelwork; 175x175mm H-beam
50x145mm mild steel L-section
Powder coated aluminium flashing
50x100mm mild steel box section
10mm plasterboard
Steel purlin; 25x25mm box section
Steel rafter; 38x75mm box section
Primary steelwork; 100x100mm H-beam
Stainless steel gutter
Primary steelwork; 175x175mm H-beam
50x50mm mild steel box section
Resak timber cladding
100x135mm mild steel C-section
Resak wood screen
6mm plasterboard installed at angle
50x145mm mild steel L-section
Customized steel connector
Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand
Dec 2022 - Present
Type
Parking
Project Team
Palita Simapaisal
Parjaree Manuch Area
6,200 Sq.m.
Status Under Construction
The KSG Parking project is an ongoing development designed for a glass manufacturing company that aims to showcase its glass products through architectural applications. The client’s vision guided us to explore a range of glass panel options, experimenting with variations in color, pattern, and shape for the roof structure. To maximize the plot area, we designed an employee parking facility that accommodates 109 cars and 190 motorcycles. The layout includes different spatial units tailored to vehicle type, featuring both doublesided and single-sided parking for cars and designated spaces for motorcycles. The canopy structure will be constructed with customized steel frames, featuring an inverted trapezoid roof with all surfaces sloping inward towards the passage. The roof’s material is patterned translucent glass panels, allowing natural light to filter through.
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