This project, BANK+OK, attempts to redefine a resilient boundary between land and water along the Chao Phraya riverfront in Bangkok through innovative design proposals, driven by the need to mitigate and adapt to flooding and subsidence. It provides a segmentable solution to transform the current unaccessible, separating river boundary into an accessible, attractive public infrastructure within the urban renewal process.

In order to protect the city, the flood wall has been constructed along the Chao Phraya riverfront by the government. This wall has been playing a significant role in protecting the city riverfront from flood damage, even during the 2011 flood. However, the flood wall not only prevents the flood, but also cuts off the connection between the city riverfront and the river. Moreover, with land subsidence and sea level rise, the flood wall may need to be constructed higher. Therefore, it is urgent to re-envision the river front to protect the “water city” identity of Bangkok as well as to meet with the need for more public places because of growing population density in the area.

The project aims to transform the single function protective riverbank into a multi-functional riverbank, with a process we call “thickening”. “Thickening” will enhance the riverfront in multiple aspects, such as higher water resilience, more public spaces, better ecological system, connection between land transportation and waterway, higher economic value, tourism and commercial attraction. In order to achieve this aim, the design of the river bank will compound with the existing buildings and facilities such as houses, public buildings, parks, transportation nodes (piers) in the riverfront in respond to limited space. As a result, they will enhance each other and serve as components of a more open, dynamic, resilient riverfront.