Bangkok, a city renowned for its vibrant street life and bustling markets, is undergoing a transformation. PRC Magazine recently spoke with the team at Lead8, one of the firms involved in the development’s design, to delve into their vision for reimagining the retail experience at the heart of this new destination in Thailand’s capital.
Urban Green – Lead8 Reimagines Retail at One Bangkok
Set over an impressive 17 hectares of prime central real estate, One Bangkok has created a new city ecosystem featuring five office towers and five luxury lifestyle hotels – including the city’s first Ritz-Carlton and Andaz – all complemented by three dynamic retail precincts nestled within lush, expansive greenery.
Lead8, collaborating with a multi-disciplinary international design consortium, partnered with local firms to lead the vision on various retail scopes, including architecture, interior design, and retail planning across two of the retail precincts: Parade and The STOREYS.
A Vision Embedded in Nature
The Lead8 team has watched One Bangkok come to life over the last nine years, from the early pencil sketches to the living development that stands today.
Simon Chua, Lead8 Co Founder & Executive Director, describes those early conversations and the vision that set the tone for the initial designs, revealing
how the design philosophy has always been deeply rooted in biophilic principles.
“What we understood clearly from our clients in our first meeting was their desire for One Bangkok to be a unique destination, distinct from a typical financial centre filled with towers and hard surfaces. We spent time discussing the character of the districts, the architecture and interiors, and how our design could enhance the surroundings of this incredibly large and significant scheme in the centre of the city,” explains Chua.
“Our conversations led to One Bangkok’s incredible location, essentially nestled between the city’s ‘green lungs’ – Lumphini Park and Benjakitti Park. We saw the opportunity to extend the park into the development, create active green spaces in the air, and break down the scale of the buildings by weaving living gardens and vivid landscaping into the very fabric of the retail precincts.”
A New Paradigm for Retail
From the very beginning, One Bangkok has been dedicated to enhancing the urban experience in the city centre, a first of its kind in Bangkok. “Our design philosophy is anchored in three fundamental principles: People Centricity, Green Sustainability, and Smart City Living. Each of these elements plays a vital role in shaping the retail precincts that serve as essential connectors within One Bangkok,” explains Russell Kim, Chief Design and Innovation Officer at Frasers Property Holdings Thailand.
By embracing these principles in the retail design, Lead8 prioritised the visitor experience, crafting an intuitive layout that is rich in lush green spaces. Notably, 50% of the total land area at One Bangkok is devoted to open and green spaces, offering a tranquil refuge from the bustling urban environment.
“This wasn’t just about adding a few plants here and there,” Chua notes. “It was about fundamentally rethinking how people interact with retail spaces and creating environments that promote well-being and a sense of community.”
The development’s retail precincts, including Parade and The STOREYS, each anchor multiple towers and serve as a vibrant interface between the bustling major roads and the public One Bangkok Park, the heart of the development.
“Our intention for the architectural design of Parade, our main retail scope, was to extend the landscape to the edges of the building, ensuring that balconies, terraces, and elevated gardens are not merely decorative but form thriving ecosystems to be experienced,” shares David Buffonge, Co-Founder and Executive Director at Lead8.
This thoughtful integration fosters a multi-dimensional connection between One Bangkok’s indoor and outdoor environments. A pedestrian-friendly journey weaves through the façade of Parade, creating a continuous series of semi-open spaces adorned with lush greenery, inviting visitors to enjoy breathtaking views of the city.
“We have crafted a green urban playground for entertainment, retail, dining, and socialising that allows visitors to immerse themselves in the city,” continues Buffonge.
Extending the Visitor Experience
Inside, the connection to nature continues with a strong emphasis on biophilic design that permeates the retail and dining experiences within Parade and The STOREYS. This approach goes beyond aesthetics, creating a collection of tranquil spaces that foster a deeper connection to Bangkok’s natural landscape.
Thai craftsmanship, regionally sourced materials, and an embrace of local pride are also evident in Lead8’s design where curated material palettes and artistic expressions reflect the rich cultural heritage of Thailand.
The development also capitalises on its prime connectivity to Bangkok’s MRT network with direct access to the popular Lumphini MRT Station. Lead8 extends these transport connections to the retail interiors, allowing visitors to experience One Bangkok before even stepping inside. The design language immediately engages, with LED screen passageways and bold design detailing that draws on organic and leaf-like forms.
A New Benchmark for Thailand
Officially opened in December 2024, One Bangkok has set a new benchmark for urban developments across the country. It is the first project in Thailand to achieve the prestigious LEED for Neighborhood Development (LEED-ND) Platinum certification and alsoaims for a WELL Platinum standard. This commitment to sustainability and wellness is a testament to One Bangkok’s vision, creating a place that not only serves its function but also enhances the quality of life for the people it serves.
“As Lead8’s first completed project in Thailand, we are incredibly grateful to Frasers Property and TCC Assets for the opportunity to contribute to such a defining destination for both the city and the country. Our teams across the Hong Kong and Singapore studios have had the pleasure of collaborating with clients, local design firms, and international consortium members to unite the best of Thailand with a world-class vision,” shares Buffonge.
As Bangkok continues to evolve, developments like One Bangkok are crucial in shaping the future of urban living. Lead8’s innovative approach to retail design not only enhances the lifestyle experience but also fosters a deeper connection between people and their environment.
In the words of Frasers Property’s Russell Kim, “Working with Lead8, our goal and collaboration together was to create a space that resonates with the community, where nature and urban life coexist harmoniously. One Bangkok is not just a retail destination; it is a new way of experiencing the city.”
Project Details:
- Location: Bangkok, Thailand
- Client: TCC Assets (Thailand) Co., Ltd. and Frasers Property Holdings (Thailand) Co., Ltd.
- Parade – Architecture, Interior Design, Retail Planning: Lead8
- The STOREYS – Interior Design, Retail Planning: Lead8
- Other Design Consortium Members: Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), Kohn Pederson Fox (KPF), A49, P Landscape Co., Ltd
