Mahanakhon is an iconic 985 ft (300 m) tall high-end residential tower that stands prominently against Bangkok’s skyline. Designed by OMA and Buro Ole Scheeren, the pixelation of the facade produces engaging internal spaces while modulating the scale of a large building in the urban context. The typically monolithic nature of tall buildings is challenged with a unique texture which enhances the visual connection to the fabric of the city.

Front helped develop a number of key façade systems to resolve the architectural design intent. The building’s pixelated language demanded sharp and seamlessness between the cladding, the staggering, stepping, and cantilevering geometry, and the prominent interior-to-exterior transitions. Through iterative design investigations, Front supported the architects to produce tender information which considered  two crucial project considerations: the budget and the local façade industry’s capabilities. This included a highly detailed pre-tender façade cost validation exercise which verified project-specific quantities, delivery constraints, and schedule demands with potential local tenderers. Through this study, many options for glazing performance and appearance were explored to find the optimum visual configuration for the project.

The project received the 2019 Award of Excellence for Best Tall Building: 300m to 399m Category by the Council for Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat.