ab rogers designs sustainable structures for thailand's wonderfruit festival

from december 13-16, 2018, the hills west of pattaya on the gulf of thailand hosted a carbon neutral four-day celebration of the arts. this year’s edition of ‘wonderfruit’, which designboom previewed in october, features a series of sustainable structures by ab rogers design. these interventions celebrate the region’s indigenous craft, using local materials and a family of red finishes to complement the area’s lush greenery.

all images courtesy of wonderfruit

‘the masterplanning for the site has been evolved to hold dialog with its context — the landscape and its adjacencies,’ explains ab rogers design. ‘its forms have been derived from a collection of sensual radiating circles that connect the different activities in sympathy with to the fact that sound does not move in lines but circles and as a metaphor for sustainability, which underpins every element of the brief.’

the eco pavilion consists of 124 hand-made, hand-painted cotton umbrellas

the masterplan for wonderfruit 2018 comprises three primary aspects: the eco pavilion, the theatre of feasts, and the bath house. described as a temporary structure that can appear and disappear at will, the eco pavilion consists of 124 hand-made, hand-painted cotton umbrellas in shades of red, pink, and orange sheltering a man-made crater. the structure is capable of hosting a range of programs, from lectures and events, with the audience sheltered in the shade of the umbrellas.

the audience sheltered in the shade of the umbrellas

meanwhile, the theatre of feasts is a permanent structure designed around the ritual of eating. fully open to the elements, its roof is woven from palm leaves to keep diners cool. a hole in the center acts like a sundial, maintaining connection to the wider site and the shifting light of the day passing outside. inside, an uninterrupted circular table curls its way around the perimeter of the tent, allowing 275 people to dine together under the giant bamboo dome.

the theatre of feasts is a permanent structure designed around the ritual of eating

in the center of this ring of tables is a kitchen made from stained red bamboo, which establishes a performative relationship between the chefs, the diners, and structure that contains them. under foot a dusty orange pebble floor creates a tangible sense of arrival, of crossing a threshold into a warm, vibrant and intimate social space. this giant tent is concealed by re-used fabrics.

275 people can dine together beneath the giant bamboo dome

nearby, the bath house has been conceived as an oasis of calm, with dedicated environments that support drinking, bathing, performing, relaxation, massage, and contemplation. made up of a connected network of pontoons and floating pavilions, inspired by thai fishing villages, it offers an opportunity for quiet reflection, taking visitors on a journey through the power of water via various nurturing bathing rituals. each structure one has been designed to filter light out or let in an optimal amount light, depending on the treatment it hosts.

the roof is woven from palm leaves to keep diners cool