Ten Six Hundred, Chao Phraya Bangkok

Concept Design :

The postal code ” ๑๐๖๐๐ ” corresponds to the Khlong San district, a designation embraced by the Ten Six Hundred Chao Phraya River Hotel. This chosen name aptly captures the distinctive essence of this boutique hotel. Situated on Charoen Nakorn Soi 39, the hotel boasts 31 rooms with convenient accessibility via both car and boat, facilitated by the hotel’s dedicated riverboat service. Covering an expansive area of approximately 1,835 square meters, the hotel comprises two buildings: a four-story accommodation block and a two-story structure along the river. The hotel’s diverse and well-crafted spatial program includes a Drop-off and Arrival court, Lobby, Multi-function room, The main restaurant, Two swimming pools situated on different levels, a rooftop bar and restaurant, a Function Lawn, outdoor lounge seating, a pier, a Spirit House, back-of-house facilities, and more. This comprehensive layout ensures a multifaceted experience for guests, catering to various needs and preferences throughout their stay.

Positioned alongside the Chao Phraya River, the hotel offers stunning views of the expansive and vibrant watercourse. The design takes cues from the historical riverfront setting of the site and the traditional residential communities in Bangkok, where homes were strategically located near rivers and canals and daily life revolved around boat travel. The architectural style of these dwellings often incorporates expansive openings, allowing residents to bask in the beauty of the golden hours when sunlight delicately caresses the water’s surface, creating a shimmering spectacle with subtle reflections. Drawing inspiration from the intricate patterns found in these historical residential structures, the architects integrated similar motifs into the hotel’s architectural design, echoing the charming flower pots commonly seen hanging in front of traditional riverside homes. Such attributes help shape the hotel’s landscape architecture where various elements including hardscape materials are devised to form unique pattern, collectively contributing to the hotel’s distinct identity. The design aims to evoke a sense of tranquility, aligning with the hotel’s purpose as a haven of rest and leisure. It ensures a seamless and aesthetically pleasing integration with the functional areas across the various sections of the hotel.

 From the drop-off area, the arrival court welcomes guests arriving by car. The front showcases a water feature with the soothing sound of flowing water, creating a relaxed ambiance as guests walk past. The side walls are designed to render glimpses of the surrounding trees, embellished with small metal pieces that induce a reflective spectacle when interacting with the water, introducing an interplay of light at the entrance. As guests move through the hallway, they will pass by the multi-function room, which provides views of a feature wall and a line of trees surrounding the function lawn area visible from the dining area, as well as a large swimming pool. The lower-level pool rests along the building, offering an extended swimming area. Furthermore, flanking both sides of the pool are seating spaces, a jacuzzi, and stairs, catering to events such as hotel-hosted pool parties.

 The Function Lawn serves as a central open space, connecting the pool deck and lounge seating area, where outdoor furniture is arranged for guests to unwind and relish the river view. On the opposite end, sun loungers and a pathway beckon towards the hotel’s boat pier. Along the route to the pier, towering trees proffer intermittent patches of shade. Additionally, the Function Lawn transforms into a versatile venue, accommodating an array of activities during special events and festive seasons, from presenting Khon performances during the Loi Krathong Festival to metamorphosing into an open-air cinema within the garden and beyond.

The hotel’s waterfront area hosts a small shrine devoted to the Tubtim Goddess, whose name derives from the Thai word for pomegranate, likely inspired by her red attire. Positioned to face the river, the shrine sits beautifully in the garden, with its exterior adorned in ornate contemporary Chinese patterns and the wall materials mimicking pomegranate seeds for decoration.

 On the fourth floor, functioning as the hotel room roof, a sizable rooftop pool provides guests with elevated vistas of the hotel and river. The pool features a children’s section, poolside stairs, and a Jacuzzi corner where guests can relax in the water while enjoying the view of the river. Inspired by the floral arrangements typically found hanging from the windows of traditional Thai houses, the pool’s unique pattern, crafted from small white and black tiles, extends to the third-floor Jacuzzi Pool. The tiles, sourced from the northern region of Thailand, contain distinctive textures, with the formation of patterns being a result of the design’s commitment to minimizing material cutting and construction waste.

 The landscape design not only strives to cultivate a lush atmosphere within the project’s diverse spaces but also entails the meticulous selection of various plant species tailored to specific functions and areas. For instance, palm trees arethoughtfully incorporated to enhance green connectivity between different levels for the way they can grow and flourish even in relatively confined spaces. Additionally, a deliberate selection of plant varieties that thrive in areas with high groundwater levels ensures easy, long-term maintenance.