International architecture firm Snøhetta has completed Cloud 11, an innovative creative hub in Bangkok, Thailand, featuring what the studio describes as "Thailand's largest elevated lawn." The 250,000-square-meter complex, developed in collaboration with local firm A49 Architects, is scheduled to open in March in Bangkok's South Sukhumvit innovation district and aims to bring together creative companies and entrepreneurs in Thailand's capital city.
The centerpiece of Cloud 11 is a public park that forms the heart of the development, designed as a large glazed volume raised above a central courtyard that remains open to the public. The project represents an urban regeneration initiative created for local property developer Magnolia Quality Development Corporation (MQDC), specifically addressing Bangkok's critical shortage of public green space, which currently provides less than seven square meters per resident.
Snøhetta's design directly responds to Bangkok's pressing environmental challenges, including rising heat, air pollution, and flooding issues. The central courtyard incorporates not only the massive elevated lawn but also pocket parks and elevated gardens strategically designed to filter air, minimize heat, and support local biodiversity. "Cloud 11 represents a transformative vision for sustainable urban regeneration," said Richard Wood, Snøhetta's managing director. "It presents an innovative adaptation model designed for Bangkok and other cities in the region, where environmental resilience is embedded into the urban fabric through an inclusive cultural park that will nurture both social and ecological synergy."
The architectural concept draws inspiration from Bangkok's distinctive urban fabric, incorporating elements from the city's traditional shophouse streets, elevated skytrain lines, and emerging high-rise towers. Snøhetta describes the development as a "horizontal landmark" with a layered composition that integrates a diverse mix of residential, working, and leisure facilities, including creative studios, hotels, market halls, and dining establishments.
The main courtyard is strategically positioned between a tower and podium structure to provide natural shading and is elevated above ground level as a flood prevention measure. The giant lawn serves multiple purposes, designed for everyday recreational activities while also functioning as a versatile venue for festivals and performances. Additional amenities include sports courts, playgrounds, therapy gardens, and dedicated rest areas that foster what Snøhetta calls "intergenerational and intercultural exchange."
Sustainability features prominently throughout the development, with green roofs, shaded walkways, and accessible circulation routes integrated into the design. The complex includes bespoke seating crafted from wood and recycled plastic materials, while natural ventilation systems are prioritized throughout the building to reduce energy consumption. A comprehensive stormwater management system incorporates porous pavements and bioswales to handle Bangkok's intense rainfall.
Snøhetta, founded by Kjetil Thorsen and Craig Dykers in 1989, first revealed the Cloud 11 design in 2023. The Norwegian architecture and design studio has recently completed several other notable projects, including an extension to the Hopkins Center for the Arts at Dartmouth College in the United States and an innovative fish-farming facility that bridges rocky outcrops in Norway. The project photography was captured by Justin Szeremeta of StudioSZ.
