aswa completes eye-catching Khao Niao + Onda cafe in bangkok
In Bangkok, Thailand, sits the new Khao Niao + Onda cafe with an eye-catching facade. Designed by ASWA, the restaurant reveals a precast concrete exterior with corrugated surfaces that angle sharply at the front and bend softly like a wave at the back. Its L-shaped structure houses a one-story cafe and an eatery, both set to become popular destinations in the area. Punctuating the solid gray facade is a series of arched openings and windows to let light and wind pour through.
all images courtes of ASWA
a sculptural concrete volume hugging a central courtyard
Spanning 290 sqm and reaching six meter high, the Khao Niao + Onda cafe by ASWA (see more here) hides a private courtyard on the opposite side of the main street. Surrounding that semi-outdoor space are the building’s L-legs. The first leg hosts the main restaurant and kitchen while the second welcomes guests into a cafe and includes all service areas. Both sections enjoy pleasant views towards the courtyard where small events and gatherings can take place.
Material-wise, the structure is mainly built out of a precast concrete mold prepared and mixed on site by a contractor. Using a corrugated roof tile to create a modular 1.20 x 2.4 m mold cast, he later assembled the module into a larger, 6×8 sqm mold to cast all facade panels. The arched openings were then carved out, revealing a wood-clad and light-filled interior space.
ASWA wraps the restaurant in a corrugated precast concrete facade
continuous lines wrap sharply at an angle from the front side of the restaurant
the inner courtyard is hugged by a bent facade
