Landscape Design of "Forest Pavilion" by TK Studio, in an Urban Forest "Forestias" 

TK Studio, a landscape design studio in Bangkok, has completed the landscape design of the Forest Pavilion, located in "The Forestias",  one of the largest property development projects in Thailand. The highlight of the project is a 48,000 square meter of urban forest at the center of The Forestias, connecting all developments within the site (residential, retail and office, 6-star hotel, health facilities, cultural and community centers, educational and learning institutions) to create a healthier and happier living for all residents. The Forest Pavilion is an entrance gateway to the broad forest zone of The Forestias, providing a prototype of living with nature. Including the Forest Pavilion, Foster + Partners have designed the whole project of "The Forestias", with an "intergeneration" concept to build family bonds and connect all generations and living beings within a forested oasis.

Forest Pavilion, Photo credit: Mr. Rungkit Charoenwat

Masterplan of The Forestias development, Photo credit: TK Studio, Google Earth

TK Studio's commitment is to support happiness and wellness of the users and create an immersive experience of living with nature, which is achieved by utilizing the research as design strategies. From those findings, they decided to dedicate majority of area as green space that can be seen from every angle of the Forest Pavilion, and demonstrates potential benefits of nature that integrates and encourages users to access to nature to support human interaction with nature.

Canopy walk and waterfall, Photo credit: Mr. Rungkit Charoenwat

Waterplay area at stepped water feature, Photo credit: Mr. Rungkit Charoenwat

The landscape concept is “Symbiosis with Nature” which embraces three objectives: planting the future of symbiosis with nature, immersing the wilderness, and balancing human activities and the growth of urban forest – by transforming rigid form of pavilion into the natural freeform of central forest, maximize privacy for all users and residents, provide the authentic experience of living in the forest, and provide happiness of living with nature.

Masterplan of Forest Pavilion, Photo credit: Mr. Weerapol Singnoi, TK Studio

The Forest Pavilion is intended to be a testing lab for symbiosis with nature, so the essences of nature have been integrated with landscape design at the Forest Pavilion, where users can have a unique experience of nature in an urbanized form. Plus, delightful walkway and skywalk are designed to attract people go outdoor and to enjoy the quality of natural environment with tranquil picturesque landscape.

Canopy walk, Photo credit: Mr. Rungkit Charoenwat

At Forest Pavilion, the scale of natural environment has been extended further beyond any typical urban environment. By creating Miyawaki Eco Forest, this dynamic forest-like landscape is a living paradise creating biodiversity that will grow and evolve along with the current and future generations.

Grand entrance and drop off, Photo credit: Mr. Rungkit Charoenwat

International standards of SITES, WELL, and LEED were implemented. Residents will enjoy a refreshing living experience with nature among the urban fabric, which integrated sustainable design with high-quality modern lifestyle.

Forest Pavilion in natural setting, Photo credit: Mr. Rungkit Charoenwat

"Happiness" is a simple yet powerful manifesto advocated in The Forestias. It is the ideal living sanctuary that demonstrates happiness of dwelling within the urban forest. A good quality of environment will lead to good health and longevity of residents, and it also create a kind and warm society for generations of families. Residents will share mutual benefits with nature harmoniously, learning to be part of nature and raising awareness to create a better and more sustainable world. Hopefully, this can be a turning point of housing developments in the country and lead to a series of high-quality housing projects.

Biodiversity in Forest Pavilion, Photo credit: Dr. Anong Chanamool, Research and Innovation for Sustainability Center (RISC)

About TK Studio Co. Ltd.

Based in Bangkok, Thailand, TK Studio Co. Ltd. specializes in landscape design, passionate in delivering natural landscape that creates resilient habitats, aiming to minimize environmental impacts and advocating sustainability in design. In order to foster healthy ecosystems, the firm believes that humans and other living species must be equally considered in the design process, resulting in a variety of landscape functions which TK Studio refers as Productive Landscape. It is a functioning landscape design that enhances human wellbeing, where landscape performs as infrastructure, provides production and mental healing power, and be flexible for both human activities and resilient design. At the same time, TK Studio pursues the practice of establishing ecosystem services in landscape projects, which eventually will bolster a sustainable growth, balancing social, economic and environmental developments. TK Studio gathers a group of staff with different expertise, from landscape architects to technicians, in-house artist, horticulturists and research & development that contribute thoughts and ideas throughout the design process, from conception to construction.