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Chiang Mai Gallery

Enter Projects Asia

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International design fused with local craftsmanship - William Barrington-Binns
Form meets function at an Art Gallery in Chiang Mai - William Barrington-Binns
Art galleries for the future will be living organisms and multidimensional experiences - William Barrington-Binns
International design fused with local craftsmanship - William Barrington-Binns

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Comments
Innovation
Functionality
Creativity
Eco-Social Impact
Total
JURY VOTES
Cultural Space
7.40
6.79
7.31
7.36
7.22
Haijie Hu
Haijie Hu Cofounder and Creative Director at VAVE Studio
6.78
5.43
7.87
7.95
7.01
Christophe Penasse
Christophe Penasse Cofounder at Masquespacio
7.24
7.24
7.54
7.34
7.34
Mijail Gutierrez
Mijail Gutierrez Principal and Design Director at Perkins and Will
A beautiful, expressive project bri...
8
7
9
8
8
Hongchao Wang
Hongchao Wang Creative Director and Cofounder at Benwu Studio
7.25
7.05
7.41
8.19
7.48
Kim Tchai
Kim Tchai Founder and CEO at Tchai International
7.9
7.68
7.13
7.24
7.49
Raquel Machado
Raquel Machado Senior Design Associate at M Moser Associates
7
7
6
7.5
6.88
Miriam Zuurbier
Miriam Zuurbier Associate Partner and Creative Director at TANK
Love that the designers used just o...
7.5
7.5
7
7.5
7.38
Güray Oskay
Güray Oskay Director of Architectural Design at ATÖLYE
A balanced use of an overall theme...
7.5
7
7.5
7
7.25
Madhubala Ayyamperumal
Madhubala Ayyamperumal Design Experience Leader at Gensler
7.03
5.59
7.19
7.03
6.71
Geoffrey Timmer
Geoffrey Timmer Creative director at Colliers
7.2
7.1
7.3
6.9
7.13
Elliot March
Elliot March Cofounder at MAWD
7.2
6.65
7.14
6.84
6.96
Kamna Malik
Kamna Malik Design Curator & Content Strategist at Kamna Malik
7
7.5
7
7
7.13
Rosha Ehsan
Rosha Ehsan Head of Design at Gastronomica Middle East
Stunning Immersive space!...
7.98
7.37
6.75
8.07
7.54
Dan Wang
Dan Wang Cofounder and CEO at Prominence Consulting Group and PLUTO
8.03
5
7.5
6.43
6.74
Comments
Innovation
Functionality
Creativity
Eco-Social Impact
Total
GRAND JURY VOTES
Shortlisted - Cultural Space of the Year
7.40
6.79
7.31
7.36
7.22
Güray Oskay
Güray Oskay Director of Architectural Design at ATÖLYE
7.4
6.79
7.31
7.36
7.22
Chantal Vos
Chantal Vos Associate Partner at Kraaijvanger Architects
the common form of showing art is q...
7.4
6.79
7.31
7.36
7.22
Benjamin Iborra Wicksteed
Benjamin Iborra Wicksteed Partner and Creative Director at Mesura
7.4
6.79
7.31
7.36
7.22
Louise Braverman
Louise Braverman Founding Principal at Louise Braverman Architect
7.4
6.79
7.31
7.36
7.22
Agata Kurzela
Agata Kurzela Founder and Design Director at Agata Kurzela Studio
The compliment I would start with i...
7.4
6.79
7.31
7.36
7.22
Client
Private Collector
Floor area
2000 ㎡
Completion
2022
Budget
1,000,000 USD
Social Media
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Furniture

Enter projects Asia were commissioned to design the display of bespoke art works, using all natural materials. The international collection of silverware, fine china and porcelain includes the largest Wedgwood collection in South East Asia. The owner and avid collector sought to contextualize a lifelong ambition to exhibit the treasures gathered over a 50 year period. 

Traditionally a clinical space in which art objects meet an audience, Enter Projects Asia were challenged to bring life to the gallery, with zoning, lighting and seating in their signature style blending 3D geometries with traditional Thai craftsmanship. "We sought to create an immersive experience, giving the space a warmth and depth uncharacteristic of conventional art galleries" states Patrick Keane, Enter Projects Asia Director. 

The concept centers on contemporary design ideologies of fluid space, parametric work techniques and dynamic forms that cannot be viewed from a single vantage point. Using specialist software to simulate the movement of clouds and steam, the rattan structures thus weave their way seamlessly through the various zones, exterior and interior, culminating in a series of pod structures which serve as armatures for the forthcoming collection. Rattan works commenced during the lockdown period with the fabrication of the three main pods, spanning 5m, 4m & 3.5m high respectively. Each batch of work was then transported from the factory to the site in Chiang Mai, and assembled on-site. 

The rattan lighting structure was the final installment, providing integration between interior and exterior as it floats harmoniously above the different zones, connecting courtyard to dining and through to the display areas. A state of flux can be described of this project: endless change and transformation, a continual passage of movement, guided by nature and the natural forms embodied in the composition of the rattan. In turn, it can be said that nature provides the versatility of natural materials like rattan, grown in abundance all over South East Asia. 

"It is not hard to be sustainable in construction if we adapt to our environment. Why would we use synthetic, toxic plastics when we have all the noble materials we need at our fingertips?" asks Keane. The experience of designing an art gallery, also leads Keane to believe that "designers need to seek alternative forms of art presentation to the clinical, antiseptic displays we are all familiar with. Art galleries for the future will be living organisms and multidimensional experiences, tied more closely to the environments we live in. Art is a representation of life“ states Keane. If it is 'life' that he and his team intended to bring to this project, then the result can be said to be the purist embodiment of this: creative, innovative and evolutionary.