_{Students of the Masters of Tall Buildings and Vertical Urbanism (MTBVU) program, alongside Dr. Antony Wood, Director of MTBVU Program,
gather at the rooftop of King Power MahaNakhon — Bangkok’s tallest tower.}

The Masters of Tall Buildings and Vertical Urbanism (MTBVU) program at the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) in collaboration with the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH), embarked on an extensive exploration of Bangkok’s evolving urban and architectural landscape in January 2025 as part of their semester curriculum. This immersive experience, kindly sponsored by Dusit International, took students through developments such as Dusit Central Park, MahaNakhon Tower, and One Bangkok, where they engaged directly with industry leaders, architects, and developers. From hard-hat construction tours, helipad visits atop skyscrapers, visits to architectural practice offices and in-depth discussions on sustainable urbanism, the trip provided unparalleled insights into the complexities of designing and developing high-rise environments in a rapidly growing metropolis.  

The trip blended high-rise innovation with cultural heritage, offering the students firsthand insight into both the modern and historic aspects that make up the city of Bangkok. Students were able to walk through tall building construction sites and newly completed developments. They also experienced the city’s rich landscape of historic temples and local traditions, providing a holistic understanding of Bangkok’s architectural identity.

An emphasis on sustainable and integrated urban design was a critical part to the travel program and many of the site visits and pioneering projects demonstrated this. Meetings with renowned architectural firms, including A49 and Somdoon Architects, provided valuable perspectives on the intricacies of contemporary high-rise design, from environmental strategies to cultural influences. Additionally, the trip fostered professional connections and enriched the students’ understanding of global urbanism, leaving them inspired.  

Thank you to all the groups and firms who made this an inspiring and successful trip for the MTBVU students and the program: 

- Dusit International
- Central Pattana (CPN)
- Vimarn Suriya Co Ltd
- Frasers Property Limited
- One Bangkok
- King Power International
- A49 Architects
- Somdoon Architects
- WOHA Architects

_{Left: A view from Lumpini Park captures the ongoing construction of Dusit Central Park, showcasing the scale;
Right: Students receive an exclusive tour of Dusit Central Park’s construction site, exploring the vision behind Bangkok’s transformative mixed-use development.}

Day 1 (January 20, 2025) - Immersive Insights into Dusit Central Park: Students engaged with executives and designers from Vimarn Suriya Co Ltd, a joint venture between Dusit Hotels & Central Pattana (CPN), to understand the vision behind Dusit Central Park. The project is the driver behind a tall building design exercise for the students that will occur afterward. The session covered the project’s master plan, followed by an exclusive site visit through the under-construction office and residential towers. The day concluded with a tour of the newly completed Dusit Thani Hotel.

_{Left: King Power MahaNakhon, the tallest building, stands prominently as we enter the site;
Right: Up in the clouds at King Power MahaNakhon! Standing on the glass floor with Bangkok spread out below us was equal parts thrilling and terrifying.}

_{Left: Students marvel at the intricate architecture of the Grand Palace, discovering the blend of spirituality and artistry at Wat Phra Kaew;
Right: A night stroll along Khao San Road introduces the group to Bangkok’s energetic street culture, capped off with a traditional Thai massage.}

Day 2 (January 21, 2025) - The Best of Bangkok Towers, Temples & Tradition: The day commenced at King Power MahaNakhon, where students explored its high-end hospitality and residential spaces before ascending to the observation deck, with its incredible projecting glass floor. After, the students returned to the ground and took a boat ride along the Chao Phraya River and led to experiencing the cultural immersion of Bangkok’s Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew. The evening ended with a visit to Khao San Road, including a traditional Thai massage experience!

_{Left: Russell Kim, Chief Design and Innovation Officer at One Bangkok, explains the intricate master plan model in the Prelude One Bangkok;
Right: Russell Kim walks students through the site, explaining the overall design.}

_{Left: Students experience the unique thrill of being on top of the helipad at One Bangkok – a one-of-a-kind experience;
Right: At the historic Jim Thompson House, students explore the intersection of Thai tradition and modern architectural preservation.}

_{An action-packed evening at Ratchadamnoen Stadium with Dr. Antony Wood gives students a taste of authentic Muay Thai culture.}

Day 3 (January 22, 2025) - A Vision of Bangkok’s Future: On this day, the students took a guided tour of One Bangkok developed by Frasers Property and learned about  the city’s largest integrated development, emphasizing urban planning and sustainability. Russell Kim, Chief Design and Innovation Officer of One Bangkok, led the students and shared his insights of the complex and included visiting a helipad atop one of the skyscrapers. The day also included a visit to A49 Architects, followed by a study of the historic Jim Thompson House, a fusion of traditional and modern architecture. The day concluded with an evening at Ratchadamnoen Stadium for a Muay Thai (Thai kickboxing) match.

 

_{Left: Students met the founders of Somdoon Architects and started the day with a visit to Hansar Hotel by WOHA Architects;
Right: Students visited another project by WOHA Architects, The Met, and explored the planning of the residences, focusing on privacy and natural airflow.}

_{Left: Punpong Wiwatkul, founder of Somdoon Architects, explains the concept of 'Ideo Morph 38' to students during the site visit;
Right: Students ended the day with a visit to Ideo Morph 38 by Somdoon Architects, exploring its unique design and architectural concept.}

Day 4 (January 23, 2025) - Exploring Green High-Rise Design with Somdoon Architects: The day was spent going out around Bangkok with Somdoon Architects, led by founders Punpong Wiwatkul and Puiphai Khunawat, and reviewing projects focused on sustainability-driven designs. Formerly with WOHA Architects (Singapore), Punpong and Puiphai gave personal tours of The Hansar Hotel, The Met Residences, and Ideo Morph 38. Discussions centered on innovative approaches to urban greenery and passive cooling strategies. The trip concluded with a final discussion session at the Somdoon Architect’s studio.

_{Students visited Wat Arun, hoping to climb the stairs to the top, experiencing the temple’s intricate carvings along the way.}

_{Left: Students enjoying the local ride, 'tuk tuk,' on the nights of Bangkok;
Right: The trip ends with a visit to Chatuchak Market, where students experience local crafts, street food, and Bangkok’s night market scene.}

Day 5 (January 24, 2025) - Cultural Wrap-Up: On the final day, the students visited Wat Arun to admire its intricate architecture and rich history. In the evening, they explored the lively Chatuchak Market, experiencing local crafts, street food, and the vibrant night market scene. The time in Bangkok ended with student’s relaxing before their departure from the city.

OTHER CITIES: Once the trip to Bangkok ended, the students had the opportunity to experience a second high-rise city on the return journey to Chicago and learn about that city’s architecture. Those who took this opportunity went to the locations like Singapore, Abu Dhabi and Tokyo, as below.

_{Left: Mun Summ Wong, founder of WOHA Architects gave the visiting students a signed copy of his book Garden City Mega City to during a visit to his office;
Right: Parkroyal as seen from the ground floor, showcasing how two forms come together.}

_{Left: View from below of Pan Pacific Orchard, standing parallel to the front facade, appreciating the open-to-close proportions;
Right: Street-level view from a distance, approaching CapitaSpring.}

_{Left: Marina Bay Sands as seen from the rooftop of CapitaSpring;
Right: Students visited Gardens by the Bay and spent a full day learning about the marvelous architecture.}

Singapore: Students engaged in an insightful session with Mun Summ Wong, Founding Principal at WOHA Architects in Singapore. They explored iconic buildings such as Parkroyal Hotel, Pan Pacific Orchard (CTBUH 2024 Best Tall Building Worldwide Award), CapitaSpring by BIG, and the iconic Marina Bay Sands. The visit also included visiting Gardens by the Bay, and focusing on the sustainable features and landscape architecture design.

_{Left: Students spent time exploring the iconic Louvre Abu Dhabi, floating above the serene waters;
Right: The unique Al Bahar Towers against the Abu Dhabi skyline were visited and studied.}

_{Students exploring explored the stunning Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque at sunset.}

Abu Dhabi: In Abu Dhabi, students explored the city’s architectural and cultural landmarks. They visited Al Bahr Towers, known for its innovative adaptive facade, the majestic Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, showcasing Islamic architectural grandeur, and the iconic Louvre Abu Dhabi. The site visits gave them an increased knowledge and multiple insights into the methods behind how architecture balances the extreme heat in the region while still providing natural light.

_{Left: At the historic Sensō-ji Temple, students admire Tokyo’s oldest and most significant Buddhist site;
Right: Students explored the vibrant streets of Shinjuku in Tokyo.}

_{Students enjoyed learning about the cultural aspects of Tokyo while exploring the Fish Market street.}

Tokyo: In Japan, the students who traveled to this city visited the architectural firm Nikken Sekkei in Tokyo and gained insights into their practice andinnovative designs. Additionally, they explored the historic Sensoji Temple and experienced the vibrant Shinjuku Street. Traveling outside of Tokyo, the students went to Kyoto or Nikko and studied the traditional architecture and cultural heritage of this area, gaining a deeper understanding of Japan’s balance between modernity and tradition.

Learn more about IIT's MTBVU program here.