Cr : Archdaily.

com 8 agustus

 Architects
Department of Architecture
 Location
Bangkok, Thailand
 Lead Architects
Twitee Vajrabhaya, Amata Luphaiboon
 Design Team
Peerapat Singkalvanich, Penlada Somjaidee, Komkrich Thonglaem, Tanasab Apiwannarat,
Worrawit Leangweeradech, Tanapat Phanlert, Phasit Rattanachaisit, T-mah Chaivuthigornvanit
 Area
9950.0 m2
 Project Year
2017
 Photographs
W Workspace
 Manufacturers
Knauf, Evonik

Text description provided by the architects. Thailand Creative and Design Center (TCDC) is a
government agency with a mission to inspire creative thinking in the society and to propel the
country’s creative economy. It provides a broad range of resources and services. The main
components are a design library, a material library, and a co-working space. Other components
include a makerspace, exhibition spaces, and workshops.

Save this picture!

 © W Workspace
TCDC is now moved to its new place in the side and back wing of the historical Grand Postal
Building. The design of the space is intended for the new intervention to have a dialogue with the
old building and at the same time to answer to TCDC’s mission to be the country’s creative
incubator.

Save this picture!

 Exploded
Floor Plans
A creative space is not ‘creative’ because of how it looks but it is a place that inspires. It is about
creating a space where people can connect, discuss, and work together. It is a place where people
can see and be seen on the activities they do to inspire one another. It is a place that would allow
for the new and the unknown events to happen, a reprogrammable space. It is a place that
surrounds us with inspiring resources and knowledge, with books and digital media, and rotating
exhibition spreading throughout.

Save this picture!

© W Workspace
The resource center is not planned as traditional silence libraries. Instead, a large portion of space
is designed to encourage conversations in a setting more like a cafe or a co-working space. These
work spaces are spread throughout the building mixing with other programs where work and
discussion can happen everywhere. The openness of the space brings people together and allows
for them to start to interact with a spontaneous conversation. The main circulation cut through
the section of the building bringing people to flow pass different facilities to be inspired by what
others are doing. Most of the spaces are flexible with movable furniture and adjustable systems to
allow for flexible situation and various creative activities to happen.
Save this picture!

©W
Workspace
Exhibition nodes are integrated into all spaces - with shelving systems, wall systems, spaces along
corridors, corner spaces, central spaces. Fresh ideas are always presented within reach and always
surround us for inspiration.

Save this picture!

 © W Workspace
Within the historical building, the new is inserted as an object, placing within and offsetting from
the existing envelope, clearly revealing architectural features from the 30’s. The present-day
material in its light, translucent, blurring, and glowing quality is having a dialogue with the massive
character of the historical shell. The new and the old are interestingly contrasting, enhancing and
complementing one another.

Save this picture!

© W Workspace
This translucent architectural system wrapping around and inserting throughout the facility is
holding the essence of what TCDC provides - inspiration and knowledge. It is designed to contain
everything from books, magazines, material samples, digital media, mini exhibition, brainstorm
boards, announcement, etc. The inspiration runs through and encompasses all the creative spaces.

Cr : http://wdo.org/a-creative-design-hub-for-thailand/ 8 agustus
Imagine a place where students, designers and entrepreneurs can go to be inspired, to
learn, to develop and test their ideas, where they can even present their products to the
public. Now, step into the Thailand’s Creative & Design Center – a world-class
playground for creativity.
The chairman of the Thailand Creative & Design Center, Pansak Vinyaratn had said
that Thailand will not be able to compete with other nations when it comes to lower
labour costs. He believes that in order to succeed in the global market there is a
growing need to stay competitive and to capitalize on the ability to design products and
services to better meet market demand. And that the Thai people should have better
access to knowledge to inspire their creativity and to allow them to develop original
products. As a result, the TCDC has become a major initiative of the Thai government
to turn Thailand into a knowledge-centric society.
The TCDC originally opened in Bangkok in November of 2004 and was relocated in
May of 2017 to the Grand Postal Building in Charoenkrung, the area of the city that is
being developed as Bangkok’s creative and economic district for a whole new
generation. The first design resource and learning facility of its kind for the Asian
country, the center was created in order to foster the creative potential of the Thai public
and to inspire innovative ideas among entrepreneurs and design professionals.

The new center now spans five floors in a 9000-meter space which is divided into six
zones: Resource Center, Exhibition Gallery, Creative Co-Working Space, Creative
Business Center, Maker Space and the Design Innovation Center. The Resource
Center is a well-designed library and silent study area which occupies the entire fourth
floor and features more than 18,000 art and design references. FabCafe Bangkokset up
and manages the Maker Space, where designers and entrepreneurs can turn their
ideas into products using cutting-edge technology. Tools available are: a prototyping
machine, 3D printer, CNC router and a laser cutter. The fifth floor hosts the Creative
Space where co-working areas and a business center are in place. Staff are there to
answer questions about the creative and design industry, crowd-funding sources and
how to make important business connections.

Aside from the resources offered, visitors are invited to experience a wide range of
activities, such as lectures, workshops and networking events, as well as exhibitions
held in the ground floor’s exhibit space. Throughout the center, the user can find
examples of classic design, including functional furniture. Clients are also encouraged
to present their innovations to the public at no cost. The TCDC also boasts a rooftop
garden, designed by the architectural firm Shma, which offers stunning views of the city.
At WDO, we’re proud to count the TCDC as one of our members for it is a shining
global example of how implementing a creative space in a developing country to
support research, innovation and production will add value to the country’s design
culture and subsequently increase its export potential.
If you have the chance to visit Bangkok, be sure to make a stop at the TCDC! Visitors
from outside of Thailand can access the center by presenting their passport or I.D. for a
trial visit, while the exhibition space, restaurant and shop have no admission fee. The
center even offers a 10-day tourist pass for a small fee.
Cr : http://www.richardbarrow.com/2017/05/thailand-creative-design-center-is-now-open-on-
charoenkrung-road-in-bangkok/ 8 agustus

The brand new Thailand Creative & Design Center (TCDC) is now open at The Grand Postal
Building on Charoenkrung Road in Bangkok. This new location for TCDC has 5 floors with
approximately 9,000 square meters, covering six functional zones; three former zones with the
expansion and improvement including Resource Center, Exhibition Gallery, and Creative Co-
working Space, and three innovative zones including Creative Business Center, Maker Space, and
Material & Design Innovation Center. Additionally, TCDC Bangkok provides more space and
seating twice from 120 seats to 300 seats.
 The six zones in TCDC Bangkok are as follows:
1. Resource Center – Thailand’s largest creative and design resource center, containing extensive
design and creative books, journals, magazines, multimedia, and database.
2. Exhibition Gallery – the functional space for exhibiting temporary exhibitions from both domestic
and international.
3. Creative Space – the co-working space area for generating productive works with the creative
atmosphere.
4. Creative Business Center – the business corner for business consulting, exchanging ideas and
connection in order to expand business with higher value.
5. Maker Space – the functional room with a number of tools and specialists, facilitating designers and
entrepreneurs to turn their ideas into prototypes.
6. Material & Design Innovation Center – Thailand largest material and design innovation center,
gathering various materials and up-to-date innovation for being a useful good resource for designers
and entrepreneurs to develop products.
Those interested can experience the brand new TCDC Bangkok without any entrance fee during May
2017 at The Grand Postal Building, Charoenkrung Road, from 5th May 2017. The opening hours are
Tuesday – Sunday (closed Mondays), from 10.30 – 21.00 hrs. For more information, please contact
Thailand Creative & Design Center Bangkok (TCDC Bangkok) The Grand Postal Building, 1160
Charoenkrung Road, Bangrak, Bangkok 10501, TEL +662 105 7441
Cr : https://onarto.com/tcdc-things-to-know/ 8 agustus

The Thailand Creative and Design Centre or TCDC is the first design
resource and learning facility in the continent. It was started in order to foster
the creative potential of the country and inspire the growth of innovative ideas
among entrepreneurs and design professionals.

#1. Governing Bodies and Mission

The TCDC Bangkok is a part of the government’s attempt at building
Thailand as a knowledge centric society. It is supervised by the Office of
Knowledge Management and Development. The TCDC Chairman, Pansak
Vinyaratn, has said that the country will not be able to compete with other
nations when it comes to lower labor costs. To capitalize in the global market,
there is a growing need to stay competitive and capitalize on the ability to
design products and services for meeting the market requirements better.
Moreover, there is a need for the country to enhance the export revenues to
maintain a surplus trade position. This is why the people should have more
access to knowledge to inspire their creativity and allow them to grow product
originality. As a source of knowledge, the Thailand Creative and Design
Center stimulates creativity and imagination.
#2. TCDC Sprawling Location
Measuring 4490 sq. m. the facility is located on the 6th floor of the TCDC
Emporium Shopping Complex. It is home to sophisticated art facilities such
as Asia’s largest design library with more than 15000 books related to design,
relevant publications and a large collection of videos, films and other work in
the field of multimedia. A permanent exhibition offers basic design knowledge
from all parts of the world and important design centers.
There is a convention facility of 130 seats, a creative space for contemporary
designers to display their work for free, a shop and a restaurant.
#3. National Funding
The emporium Bangkok is a nationally sponsored public organization that has
been created under the initiative of the Royal Thai Government. The MCB or
Material Connexion Bangkok is an extensive material library which is the only
Asian and 4th branch of the globally famed Material Connexion. In tune with
the understanding and utilization of latest and innovative methods,
the TCDC has sought to offer the Thai people with the international standard
materials resource center. This will allow the interested manufacturers and
designers of the country to access the most extensive and updated materials,
to influence the development of fresh products and ideas.

#4. Establishment and Philosophy

The Thailand Creative & Design Center or TCDC was set up in the year
2004 under the governance of the then Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to
promote and connect creativity, cultural asset, business and skills that are
suitable for the creation of quality products and services that meet the
demand of the world. The organization pushed ahead the task of the
development of a creative economy in 2008 to promote the creativity of
entrepreneurs as the main element in the Thai economy.
The organization has also built a network of knowledge management through
the creation of 14 mini TCDCs all over the country. The TCDC Chiang
Mai was set up in 2013 as a place for the exchange of creative ideas and
preparing the local entrepreneurs to meet the changing demands all over the
world. The purpose of the TCDC is to constantly manage knowledge through
new ways and connect and share creativity with their business approaches.
Hence, it is possible for imagination to alter your life.
#5. TCDC Exhibitions
The exhibition area has a dimension of 800 sq. m. it is created to meet the
global museum standards and houses Permanent as well as Temporary
exhibitions.

• Permanent Exhibition: This gallery of 300 sq. m. is home to the “What Is

Design?”, which explore how 10 nations known for their innovative design
have interpreted their ethnic uniqueness to adopt to the 20th century industrial
design classics. It also represents the ‘genius loci’ of Thai industrial design.
• Temporary Exhibition: The gallery of 500 sq. m. is presents the
international exhibitions and those that are sponsored by the TCDC with the
aim to generate design know how and inspire the visitors by highlighting
globally acclaimed designs with meticulous descriptions of their origin and
concept.
The economic crisis faced by the country had raised questions about its
economic viability. The TCDC is an inspirational force to handle the
challenges the country faced. It relies on creativity and knowledge and creates
an advantage in the international podium.
[dt_divider style=”thin” /]

About TCDC
622 Sukhumvit Soi 24
www.tcdc.or.th