Forest Pavilion at the Forestias

Forest Pavilion at the Forestias is a welcome centre to greet residents and guests who will visit the Forestias project which is a mixed-use development in Thailand focusing on creating a happy community that is a Family and Multigenerational Destination. The objectives in the Forestias project are to dwell with the nature and to integrate four intergeneration community so it becomes a role model for sustainable development in Southeast Asia. Forest Pavilion concept was derived from how to create a place to welcome the community for family and multigeneration and how to ensure a comfortable microclimate as well as respect the long rich history of Thai vernacular architecture (Thai traditional house). With these objectives, the overall massing and roof design have been evolving to resemblance the shape of “butterfly” to ensure that there will be less solar heat gain through building facades with external canopy roof and external shading system. The massing has a central open-air corridor, which represents the body of a butterfly and follows the concept of Thai traditional house with open court for a family living room, to allow residents and guests walking toward the entry of the central forest area of the masterplan. Moreover, the rain event in Thailand can be severed from time to time; therefore, the roof structure and canopy extension, which resemblances the antenna of a butterfly, provides a rain shadow dry zone for residents and visitors to spend time outdoor in the corridor without getting wet during the rainy season. To further blending in the building with its next-door neighbour which is the main green area “Forest Heart” of the overall Forestias Masterplan, the butterfly roof structure houses two green roof areas which assists to lower the urban heat island effects while enhancing flora and fauna with the development. By combining vernacular Thai traditional house concepts with a natural concept of butterfly, the final outcome showcases a beautiful and respectful building design that naturally blends in with the Forest Heart environment and healthy community at the Forestias.