The third branch of King Power duty-free shopping complexes is located in Srivaree, some 15 kilometers from Thailand’s main international airport, and was conceived to accommodate the increasing influx of tourists, especially those from China.

The project boasts a total area of 37,000 square meters with retail space; a 1,400-seat cafeteria; office spaces and a large parking lot. The design concept drew inspiration from local handicrafts, also featured in the preceding two branches (Headquarters and Pattaya complexes), resulting in a visual motif that reinforces the brand image.

Hexagonal screens on the front and back facades, and a pair of square wicker-like structures above internal courtyards on both sides of the soaring 12-meter high foyer replicate the pattern of traditional Thai bamboo baskets used for carrying goods, a reference to the function of the shopping complex. At night, when the building is lit up, the two baskets transform into a pair of illuminated lanterns.

Gold screens, together with an array of gold and silver columns symbolizing a bamboo forest, also function as a sun-shades, while their color reflects the high-end nature of the merchandise within.

The internal courtyards draw in daylight and provide green space, bringing nature deep into the building to create a pleasant interior atmosphere. Outdoor landscaping, with large, green lawns and ponds, serve as a buffer reinforcing the tranquil character of the project.

One of the biggest challenges on this project was time constraint. As the building had to be designed and completed in less than a year, the design was therefore based on a fixed grid system, which allowed for the structural design and piling works to commence almost immediately. It also meant that material sizing was dictated by the grid system, facilitating the extensive use of prefabricated building elements to reduce construction time and ensure that the project was delivered on schedule.