around the block

About Me

2010-06-10T22:46:00.002+10:00

¡Un saludo a todos!

My name is Sai Wongcongsawat. I was born in Thailand and raised in Melbourne (Australia), where I now live.

I am a young and experienced architect.

I hold two architectural degrees from the University of Melbourne, Australia. In June 2009, I registered with the Architect Registration Board of Victoria, Australia. I speak fluent English and Thai and I am currently studying Spanish as a third language.

(I did study Japanese and French for a year, in two separate occasions. Unfortunately I never really get to use them much, and naturally what the brain doesn´t use, the brain doesn´t remember).

I am now working for a local architectural firm in Melbourne. This blog is a showcase for my body of work - past, present and future.

I am always looking for more... more to contribute, more inspiration and more good things to be created in the world. I hope you enjoy my work, and should you like to get in touch please check out the¨contact me¨ page for more information.

Australian Pavilion World Expo'05

2010-03-13T01:13:00.017+11:00

Conceptual sketches and drawings by me
copyright © 2010 Around The Block

Australian Pavilion | Studio Expo (5th Year BArch)

Aichi, Japan

By looking at the concept of “gaia” and through an understanding of the planet earth as an organism, one learns that we are parts of everything, and everything is a part of us.

The pavilion is designed to deliver to all visitors the idea of “eco-philosophy” (where things hang together) and “Ecosophy” (questions involving ourselves and nature).

The pavilion is perceived as an antithesis of Australian kitsch for that it does not deliver Australian iconic items but rather the experiences of Australia through an engagement with the display spaces (in other words through our instinct and senses).

Like indigenous Australians, the pavilion’s design concerns participation rather than perception.

“Natural and ordinary human environment are neither self-contained aesthetic objects nor specifically designed for convenient aesthetic consumption…our environments are ever presently constantly engaging our senses.”

The knowledge of what is appreciated is essential.

Kiai-chitecture

2010-03-12T22:59:00.024+11:00

Conceptual sketches by me
copyright © 2010 Around The Block

Diagram Plans by me
copyright © 2010 Around The Block

Conceptual model by me
copyright © 2010 Around The Block

Conceptual sketch by me
copyright © 2010 Around The Block

Conceptual model and sketch by me
copyright © 2010 Around The Block

Conceptual sketch by me
copyright © 2010 Around The Block

Conceptual sketch by me
copyright © 2010 Around The Block

Kiai-chitecture | MOST Studio (5th year BArch)

Enterprize Park & Turning Basin, North Bank, Melbourne CBD

Kiai-chitecture is an effort to reactivate a historical site and make it Melbourne’s new “Youth Precinct”. The project combines architecture and landscape to formulate topography of events and programs of which are determined by the users. The topographical built form allows the city and the river to become intrinsically connected. This site is surrounded by a viaduct with heavy traffic, where noises is problematic and provision for pedestrian crossing is an issue.

Kiai-chitecture is an attempt to create a pedestrian viaduct, giving priority to pedestrian rather than vehicles. The project is an attempt to resolve the site’s problematic conditions and draws the concept from Japanese idea of “Do” or “the way”. The project results in a “bridge” which connects “otherness”