Project Type : Institutional

Location : Bangkok, Thailand

Status : Phase 1 Complete

The NIST Giving Tree is the first in a series of phased installations planned for the atrium of NIST International School. The projects follow a major renovation and expansion of the school, marking a new chapter in campus life. The atrium, now serving as the reception area for the Black Box Theatre, is also set to become a main entrance through a future bridge connection as part of the wider campus plan.

For this first phase, we were commissioned to create a commemorative wall honoring past and present donors, drawing inspiration from the school’s "Giving Tree" campaign.

The design alludes to the tree image through a vertical, forest-like composition. A simple, modular system of plaques was developed to display donor information, with careful attention given to maintaining visual coherence as the number of donors grows over time.

Local Mahka wood was salvaged from the floorboards of the demolished portion of the school and used as a key element in the wall. We flipped the floorboards to expose its’ backside, and allowed the randomized, hand-hewn patterns to striate the wall at a loose rhythm. These varied, weathered surfaces contrast playfully with the newer wood finishes, bringing depth and memory into the architectural language of the atrium.

Lighting Consultant : LightIs

Photography : Bkkgrapher