archive auto by PHTAA unfolds angled mesh panel facade in bangkok

PHTAA Transforms Row House into Multi-use Automotive Hub

Archive Auto, a project by PHTAA Living Design, combines automotive services with a coffee shop, located in the Bangna area of Bangkok. The renovation transforms an old row house into a multi-functional space that includes car washing, detailing, and a ‘vehicle hotel’ for car storage. The service area, originally a warehouse for car parts, features high ceilings and multiple mezzanine levels. To optimize access to these mezzanines, a movable staircase was installed, reducing the need for multiple fixed staircases and contributing to efficient space usage.

The design of the vehicle hotel incorporates semi-transparent walls, which define spaces while maintaining an open and spacious atmosphere. The roof has been modified for natural light and ventilation, adding to the overall functionality of the space. In the front of the building, a coffee shop is integrated into the design, offering customers a place to relax while waiting for their vehicles. The coffee shop emphasizes the reuse of materials, including roller shutter doors repurposed as a feature wall behind the coffee bar. This design choice not only reduces waste but also adds an industrial aesthetic that complements the building’s original structure.

all images by Kukkong Thirathomrongkiat – Windowphotostudio

Archive Auto features Adaptive Facade and Functional Layout

The layout of the coffee shop is designed to optimize traffic flow, aligning the main counter and entrance with the movement of customers from the main road. The second and third floors of the front building are designated for rental spaces, expanding the building’s utility beyond its primary automotive function.

The building’s facade, facing the busy Bangna-Trad Road, features stacked wire mesh panels that provide both ventilation and security. The designers drew from the previous use of the building as a garage, where wire mesh was used for hanging equipment. The facade’s diagonal and vertical arrangement of mesh panels allows for transparency while creating a modern, layered appearance. The mesh also functions as a shading device, with angled sections forming an overhanging eave that mimics the function of an awning, adding both aesthetic and practical value to the structure. The renovation carefully blends old and new elements, creating a functional and visually engaging space that serves both practical and social purposes.

the angled arrangement of the wire mesh panels allows for an overhanging eave, providing shade

Archive Auto combines car care services with a coffee shop in Bangkok’s Bangna area

walls with semi-transparent properties delineate spaces while maintaining an open, airy feel

a high-ceiling service area with mezzanine levels repurposes a former car parts warehouse

second and third floors of the front building are designated for rental spaces, adding versatility to the project

a movable staircase optimizes access to mezzanines, reducing the need for multiple fixed staircases

roller shutter doors are repurposed as a feature wall, emphasizing material reuse

the modified roof provides natural light and ventilation, enhancing the space’s functionality

the integrated coffee shop offers customers a space to relax while waiting for vehicle services

the combination of old and new elements creates a visually engaging and functional space

the layered pattern of the facade features openings for ventilation, enhancing the building

project info:

name: Archive Auto

architect: PHTAA Living Design | @phtaalivingdesign

lead architect: Ponwit Rattanatanatevilai | @ponwit

location: Bangna, Bangkok, Thailand
photography: Kukkong Thirathomrongkiat | @kukkong – Windowphotostudio | @windowphotostudio

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edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom