Mercure Bangkok Surawong Hotel building photos, Modern Thailand accommodation architecture images Southeast Asia

Mercure Surawong Hotel in Bangkok

17 November 2025

Design: SPACE | STORY | STUDIO

Location: Bangkok, Thailand

Revitalizing Modernism: The Architectural Transformation of Mercure Bangkok Surawong Hotel

Photos by Weeraphon Singnoi

Mercure Bangkok Surawong Hotel Building in Thailand

The Mercure Bangkok Surawong Hotel is a thoughtful renovation project that pays homage to the modernist architectural heritage of its surroundings while introducing contemporary materials and innovative design solutions. Located in a historical district rich with mid-century modernist buildings, the project sought to integrate seamlessly into its context while refining and modernizing the existing structure.

One of the key challenges was the absence of a driveway or service lane — a common issue in older urban developments. To address this, the architects elevated the service area above the parking level, optimizing operational efficiency while preserving valuable ground-level space for an open, welcoming entrance. This strategic intervention ensures smooth hotel operations without compromising the guest experience or disrupting the urban fabric.

A key design gesture lies in the façade, which embraces the geometric precision and sculptural spirit of modernist architecture. Rather than simply cladding the structure, the design team sculpted the massing using a dynamic composition of recessed and protruding forms, adding depth, rhythm, and shadow to the building’s envelope. Central to this composition is the use of white cement precast panels, which establish a tactile, monolithic presence that resonates with the material honesty of mid-century modernism.

However, unlike the often flat and sealed expressions of contemporary facades, these white cement elements were deliberately left with a slightly textured, rustic finish — a nod to the hand-crafted spirit of earlier modernist buildings. This treatment not only softens the starkness of the geometry but also evokes a sense of timelessness and quiet classicism, allowing the building to age gracefully in dialogue with its urban neighbors.

In doing so, the design bridges eras — offering a contemporary reinterpretation that respects and extends the architectural language of its context.

To balance the solidity of the white cement, metallic aluminum composite panels were introduced at key areas such as the lobby and rooftop sky bar. These sleek, reflective surfaces create a contemporary contrast, catching light throughout the day and enhancing the building’s public-facing identity — modern yet rooted, polished yet grounded.

The staggered arrangement of balconies and openings further animates the façade, framing city views while ensuring privacy and architectural rhythm. This interplay of solid and void enhances the building’s engagement with its surroundings and elevates the user experience from within.

By fusing the classic tonality and material warmth of white cement with contemporary construction techniques and contextual awareness, the Mercure Bangkok Surawong Hotel stands as a refined reinterpretation of the past. The project demonstrates how renovation — when approached with clarity and respect — can not only preserve architectural legacy but also project it confidently into the future.

Mercure Surawong Hotel iBangkok – Building Information

Client: Piyasombat Residence
Project: Mercure Bangkok Surawong
Architect: SPACE | STORY | STUDIO
Architecture Team: Pipol Likanapaisal, Tatiya Chuenpreecha, Dara Khowkachaporn
Interior Designer: JRID
Structure Engineer: 1475 Co.,Ltd
MEP Engineer: New Electrical Technology (NET)

Photographer: Weeraphon Singnoi (Foto_momo)

Mercure Bangkok Surawong Hotel, Thailand images / information received 171125 from SPACE | STORY | STUDIO architects

Location: Bangkok, Thailand, southeast Asia.