Sala Visitor Center

7/17/2019 Sala Visitor Center

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Sala Visitor Centre / Soh Design Studio

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Courtesy of soh

design studio

Architects:Soh Design Studio

Location:Hua Hin Hills, Thailand

Architects:Soh Design Studio

Collaborating Partner:OSS Architects and Engineers

Client:Siam Winery

Main Contractor:Effective Construction

Interior Contractor:Pure Thai Decoration

Area:800.0 sqm

Project Year:2008

Photographs:Courtesy of soh design studio
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From the architect.Design Brief

Our vision was to create a building to behold the impressive vineyard against backdrop of picturesque

mountains. The design brief was to capture the beauty of traditional Thai architecture while remaining

contemporary.

Design Process

There were two design impetus. Firstly, we were inspired by local building culture in terms of forms and

materials. Secondly, we were driven by traditional passive cooling system which was widely practiced in

the region.

We travelled around central and North Thailand observing modern and traditional architecture. The

repeatedly seen sensual curvilinear roof on traditional houses and temples caught our attention. The

strong and modern curve feature not only serves as a main passive cooling structure but it also reflects

thai sensuality and elegance. During those visits, we also admired the use of natural materials such as

clay bricks, bamboos, rattan and wood.

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Courtesy of soh

design studio

Building Layout and Passive Cooling Concept

Layout of the building is according to the rules of passive cooling system - large open walkways, platforms

with openable doors and windows, high roofs, generous overhangs, elevated from the ground and plenty

of in-between spaces for natural ventilation. Most critically, it responds to the local prevailing winds to

encourage ventilation and positions the longest elevation away from the afternoon sun. In addition to that,

all spaces have large openings cladded with glass windows for natural daylight. Through these tall glass

windows, users always have the views of lush landscape around them. Wine storage room is purposefully

sunken into the ground in order to achieve a natural cooling effect.

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design studio

Design Features

The main architectural feature of Sala are three overlapping curve roofs made of Cedar shingles, visible

from a distant against the mountainous backdrop. Each curve roof houses a main function - first and

lowest curve houses a mini-exhibition to introduce the vineyard upon arrival, second curve presents the

restaurant while the last and highest curve contains the ultimate designated experience - wine tasting.

Curvilinearity is emphasized by expressing all elements that made up the roofs from cedar shingles to the

strong bended steel purlins.

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Another unique feature is a 3m high brick wall flowing through all main spaces in a linear way. The brick

wall gives a human scale to the tall interior and it is laid with continuous horizontal grooves to further

highlight linearity of the building. Each brick is different and the overall appearance is highly tactile and

organic.

Similarly, bamboo is an organic material aging naturally with time. We used bamboos to clad main

facades, sun shades as well as ceilings. It is a highly versatile material. Local bamboos are small in

diameter and they make intricate bamboo walls.

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design studio

North Carolina Museum of Art / Thomas Phifer and PartnersArticles

Stratford Station Olympic Kios Competition proposal / !"T O#ce

Articles

View location on google maps

Location to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.Cite:"Sala Visitor Centre / SohDesign Studio" 08 Oct 2010. ArchDaily. Accessed 6 Sep 201. !http//###.archdaily.co$/80%&1/sala'

(isitor'centre'soh'design'studio/)

This $ine %isitor centre inThailandhas us itching for to sit under the cool

%eranda $ith good glass of grape&infused goodness o%erlooing a 'eautiful ())

acre %ineyard* The Sala Visitor Centreis part of the +ua +in +ills Vineyard, a'out

- hours south of .ango in the coastal resort to$n of +ua +in* Designed 'y

Syl%ia Soh of Soh Design Studio, the Sala is a gorgeous traditional Thai 'uilding

$ith a s$eeping roof that sho$cases local natural materialslie 'am'oo, rattan

and $ood* #cient cooling is a necessity in the hot and humid Thai climate, sotraditional passi%e cooling strategies$ere implemented as $ell*

0ead more1Thai Vineyard Sho$cases Natural Materials and Passi%e Cooling Sala

Visitor Centre 2 3nha'itat & Sustaina'le Design 3nno%ation, co Architecture,

"reen .uilding

The Sala Visitor Centre introduces visitors to local viticulture and oenology by offering local

wines and fine dining. An exhibition on local wines serves as the entrance to the center, then

visitors are enticed by a wine bar & bistro, a retail shop, an underground wine cellar, and a

meeting facility. The Thaiinspired pavilion is characteri!ed by the large curving Cedar shingle

roof " a traditional design seen throughout the region that helps with passive cooling. #ocal

materials li$e bric$,bamboo,rattan, and wood are also used to invo$e traditional Thai

architecture.
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To $eep the visitor centrecool, strategies li$e large, open wal$ways, platforms with operable

windows and doors, high roofs, generous overhangs, and an elevated structure, were employed to

encourage natural ventilation. The entire structure was oriented to receive the prevailing winds

while shading it from the hot afternoon sun. #arge windows are used to draw in naturaldaylighting and to provide excellent views of the vineyard below. %ine is stored underground in

a cellar to $eep it cool with minimal energy use.

Soh esign Studio's pavilion for the winery is a beautiful piece of architecture that serves its

purpose beautifully while artfully utili!ing natural techni(ues to achieve a low energy building.

The Sala Visitor Centre is also one of the winners of )th %orld Architecture Awards.

0ead more1Thai Vineyard Sho$cases Natural Materials and Passi%e Cooling Sala

Visitor Centre 2 3nha'itat & Sustaina'le Design 3nno%ation, co Architecture, "reen

.uilding

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Documents

Sala Visitor Center