THE ESSE Sukhumvit 36, a luxury residential tower located in one of Bangkok’s most desirable neighborhoods, brings a distinct and powerful architectural vision to the city. The building comprises 338 residential units and offers a range of private amenities, including a gym, infinity pool, rooftop gardens, and landscaped outdoor terraces. SOM is leading the design of the project in collaboration with local and international designers.

The iconic geometry of traditional Thai architecture is embedded into the facade of the building, creating a harmony between time-honored architectural principles and contemporary materials. The result is a timeless and visually compelling addition to the city’s skyline. The tower is conceived as three slender masses that stack and shear against one another. The ascending geometry and well-organized floor plates prioritize views and clearly express the building’s program.

The intense tropical climate of Bangkok requires a different approach from high-rise buildings designed for more temperate climates. By orienting the building to take advantage of prevailing winds for natural ventilation, among other strategies, SOM sought to incorporate passive building techniques found in Thailand’s traditional architecture into a project that defines contemporary luxury living.