[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] have unveiled Central Embassy, a 30-storey retail and hotel project in Bangkok, Thailand.

The tower will be built in the former gardens of the British Embassy in the city.

Amanda Levete Architects was formed after Levete and former partner Jan Kaplicky, who had previously worked together as [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] architects, went their separate ways.

Kaplicky [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.].

Here’s some info about the Bangkok project provided by Amanda Levete
Architects, followed by an announcement on the formation of the office
sent out earlier this month:
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Amanda Levete Architects Announce Architectural Landmark for Bangkok
Amanda Levete Architects is to develop a major retail and hotel
complex in central Bangkok, Thailand. Central Embassy, located on
Bangkok’s primary commercial artery Ploen Chit Road, will be a new
architectural landmark for the city and region.

The 1.5 million sq ft project will occupy the former gardens of the
British Embassy in Nai Lert Park, and will consist of a 7-storey retail
podium and a 30-storey 6-star hotel tower. Work on site is scheduled to
begin in 2010 and to complete in 2013.
“Central Embassy will be the first contemporary landmark building in
Bangkok. It is demonstrably of its time but rooted in Thai heritage and
culture. Our architectural ambition is matched by the ambition of
Central to create the best and most exciting retail and hotel
destination in Thailand.” - Amanda Levete
The design merges the distinct features of a podium and tower into a
sinuous and continuously twisting coil. The form wraps around two
vertical light wells in the retail podium and at the same time encloses
and exposes a series of exterior courtyards and roof gardens for the
hotel. Internal spaces break apart to reveal stepped terraces and
vertical gardens.
“Our design for this project has been underpinned by two strands of
parallel research. We carried out extensive studies in Thailand
exploring and documenting traditional patterns, materials and
fabrication methods. In tandem, we’ve experimented with the application
of advanced digital design techniques such as scripting and parametric
modelling as a means of abstracting our hands-on research to create an
innovative synthesis of technology and heritage that is specific to the
context of Bangkok.” - Alvin Huang, Project Director, Amanda Levete
Architects
Drawing on motifs and patterns found in traditional Thai
architecture, the facade of the building is composed of a dynamic and
fluid three-dimensional array of ceramic tiles. Changes in gradient,
rotation and spacing break the long spans of continuous frontage into a
rich pattern.
On regarding the facade, this design element will draw attention to
the building’s coiling form and give varied impressions of the depth,
shape and colour of its skin with each step taken. Conceived with the
intention of reinterpreting Thai heritage and culture in a modern
context, the project is a unique opportunity to merge traditional
craftsmanship with contemporary digital design.
Renowned for attention to detail and with a track record in
delivering iconic architecture for retail and leisure, Amanda Levete
Architects will produce a stunning landmark for the city of Bangkok.
–
PRESS ANNOUNCEMENT
12 March 2009
AMANDA LEVETE ANNOUNCES FORMATION OF NEW OFFICE
We are pleased to announce the formation of Amanda Levete Architects
following the late Jan Kaplicky and Levete’s decision in 2007 to pursue
independent interests.
Amanda Levete has formed the new office together with directors
Alvin Huang, Kwamina Monney and Ho-Yin Ng on a strong foundation of
established and new projects and a reputation for work of originality
and integrity. The ethos of the office is rooted in design research. As
an extension of this agenda, we use the design of furniture to explore
architectural ideas and test material possibilities at a smaller, more
intimate scale. The team is a talented multi-national group of
architects, designers, graphics specialists and engineers working at
the intersection of design, technology and materiality, whose work is
groundbreaking and thought provoking.
The new office begins with the prestigious international projects
won by Levete in recent years. Among them is the redevelopment of media
giant News International’s headquarters in east London to create a
campus for its UK operations including the Times, Sunday Times, News of
the World and the Sun newspapers and other News Corporation businesses
including Dow Jones, Harper Collins, MySpace and 20th Century Fox.
In Thailand Amanda Levete Architects has been commissioned to design
a resort and private collection of villas for private investors and a
1.5 million sq ft retail and hotel development in Bangkok for Central
Retail Corporation. The office has recently won a competition to design
a mixed-use complex in East London for developer Londonewcastle.
Projects currently under construction include Spencer Dock Bridge in
Dublin, a subway station in Naples in collaboration with artist Anish
Kapoor, as well as offices in Oxford Street and a City Academy in
Southwark.
The formation of the new office follows the end of Levete’s 20 year
partnership with Jan Kaplicky at the influential Future Systems. One of
the most innovative practices of its time, Future Systems completed
award winning and internationally recognised buildings including
Selfridges department store in Birmingham and the media centre at
Lord’s cricket ground which won the prestigious Stirling Prize.

From Dezeen.com