The urban economy has seen an accelerated transformation across the planet the past two decades, and it hasn’t left Bangkok unaffected. As one of Southeast Asia’s major international gateways, the Thai capital has quickly adopted global standards and this includes the physical aspect of doing business in the 21st century. We’re talking the rapid growth of freelancing professionals and the increased necessity of co-working space where they not only prefer to work, but also mingle and relax at any time of the day. Anticipating this demographic’s flexibility is Samyan CO-OP, a newly opened co-working space in the Pathumwan area. Embedded in Samyan Mitrtown, a mixed-use complex with shops, offices and a hotel, the co-working space measures 1,400 sqm. (15,069 sq.ft.) spread across two floors and sees an interior design by Bangkok-based architecture practice Onion. Interestingly, Samyan CO-OP is a non-profit organisation within the realm of education, and as such, the 500-seat venue is completely free of charge and open 24 hours a day.
Needless to say, it’s an unprecedented venture, but also one which has yet to be duplicated elsewhere on the planet. Divided into five separate sections, the core of the venue comprises of a three-storey Focus Zone encased in transparent glass. Each floor is furnished with a variety of communal worktables and chairs where visitors aren’t allowed to chat and instead can get work done without being disturbed. Right next door a café can be found. Dipped entirely in blue, the facility is equipped with vending machines, communal tables and café-like seating in the lofty atrium space. Lining the glass façade on three levels is the Sky Reading Zone, another workspace, but one with views of the bustling city. Situated opposite the glass box, set across two floors are cozy booths which make up the Open Reading Zone. Last but not least, there’s the Amphitheatre where performances, lecture and presentations can be held. Samyan CO-OP comes with WiFi, shareable computers, and stationery service, and as said, it’s open all day and all night.
Samyan CO-OP
Samyan Mitrtown, 944/1 Thanon Rama IV, Third Floor (Pathumwan)
Bangkok 10330
Telephone: +66 2 2196999
Open 24 hours
Publishers Note
Just to be clear – superfuture® is a design blog and not a political commentator. No surprise there. The scope of our content has always been global and borderless, however that can often mean covering projects in countries where we will not agree with the politics or actions of those countries. In a world that’s as screwed up as ever right now, the focus of our support is to those designers, architects and other creatives who aim to make the world a more liveable one – as opposed to people that try their hardest to destroy it. So if a project hits our desk and we like it based on its design credentials, we may choose to publish regardless of its location or creators nationality. superfuture® has always been inclusive and hopes for all current wars, aggression, violence, hate and extremism to end.
