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

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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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 Partners

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Cite:"Sala Visitor Centre / Soh

Design Studio" 08 Oct 2010. ArchDaily. Accessed 6 Sep 2015. <http://www.archdaily.com/80741/salavisitor-centre-soh-design-studio/>
Location to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.

This wine visitor centre in Thailand has us itching for to sit under the cool
veranda with good glass of grape-infused goodness overlooking a beautiful 200
acre vineyard. The Sala Visitor Centre is part of the Hua Hin Hills Vineyard, about
3 hours south of Bangkok in the coastal resort town of Hua Hin. Designed by
Sylvia Soh of Soh Design Studio, the Sala is a gorgeous traditional Thai building
with a sweeping roof that showcases local natural materials like bamboo, rattan
and wood. Efficient cooling is a necessity in the hot and humid Thai climate, so
traditional passive cooling strategies were implemented as well.
Read more: Thai Vineyard Showcases Natural Materials and Passive Cooling Sala
Visitor Centre Inhabitat - Sustainable Design Innovation, Eco Architecture,
Green Building

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 Thai-inspired pavilion is characterized by the large curving Cedar shingle
roof a traditional design seen throughout the region that helps with passive cooling. Local
materials like brick, bamboo, rattan, and wood are also used to invoke traditional Thai
architecture.

To keep the visitor centre cool, strategies like large, open walkways, 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. Large windows are used to draw in natural
daylighting and to provide excellent views of the vineyard below. Wine is stored underground in
a cellar to keep it cool with minimal energy use.
Soh Design Studios pavilion for the winery is a beautiful piece of architecture that serves its
purpose beautifully while artfully utilizing natural techniques to achieve a low energy building.
The Sala Visitor Centre is also one of the winners of 7th World Architecture Awards.

Read more: Thai Vineyard Showcases Natural Materials and Passive Cooling Sala
Visitor Centre Inhabitat - Sustainable Design Innovation, Eco Architecture, Green
Building
http://blueantstudio.blogspot.com/2010/11/sala-visitor-center-soh-designstudio.html
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