Located at the heart of Central World Square in Bangkok, Apple Central world has officially opened.
Designed by Foster + Partners, the store faces a generous public plaza and the Erawan shrine located across the road. It is connected to the BTS walkway via a new bridge at the upper level. The building itself comprises an 80-foot diameter two-story glass drum that features a conical support with a concave vertical surface that stands on its apex. The central support is clad in timber formed of 1,461 European white oak profiles. The oak timber is split into individual lamellas and bonded onto a spruce core for stability.
A staircase with helical turbine blades that cantilever from the central structure connects the two main sales areas on the two levels. Each tread of the staircase is milled from solid blocks of stainless steel and polished to a reflective shine. The fully glazed drum surrounding both floors provides 360-degree views of the urban area.
The circular roof projects out 10 feet to provide shade to the glazed facade. This glazed facade helps to blur the boundaries between the inside and outside, establishing a new public space for the city that features a ring of trees interspersed with external benches.
Related Stories
Retail Centers | Nov 12, 2020
Concepts’ flagship takes gallery display approach
The streetwear retailer forges its online and brick-and-mortar presence.
AEC Tech | Nov 12, 2020
The Weekly show: Nvidia's Omniverse, AI for construction scheduling, COVID-19 signage
BD+C editors speak with experts from ALICE Technologies, Build Group, Hastings Architecture, Nvidia, and Woods Bagot on the November 12 episode of "The Weekly." The episode is available for viewing on demand.
Warehouses | Nov 9, 2020
Lowe’s rides ecommerce wave by expanding its distribution and delivery capacities
The retail giant will also open four more bulk warehouses, including a 1.2-million-sf DC in Alabama it is building with Clayco.
Retail Centers | Nov 2, 2020
Chick-fil-A introduces modular building program for rebuilding and remodeling existing restaurants
The first location to use this rebuild style reopens on Oct. 15 near Atlanta.
Adaptive Reuse | Oct 26, 2020
Mall property redevelopments could result in dramatic property value drops
Retail conversions to fulfillment centers, apartments, schools, or medical offices could cut values 60% to 90%.
Retail Centers | Sep 17, 2020
The Weekly show: Breaking the rules of retail, and the Household Model for assisted living facilities
This week on The Weekly, BD+C editors spoke with leaders from CallisonRTKL, MBH Architects, and McMillan Pazdan Smith on three topics: breaking the rules of retail, the Household Model for assisted living facility design, and designing labs to address the coronavirus and future health events.
Airports | Sep 10, 2020
The Weekly show: Curtis Fentress, FAIA, on airport design, and how P3s are keeping university projects alive
The September 10 episode of BD+C's "The Weekly" is available for viewing on demand.
Giants 400 | Aug 28, 2020
2020 Giants 400 Report: Ranking the nation's largest architecture, engineering, and construction firms
The 2020 Giants 400 Report features more than 130 rankings across 25 building sectors and specialty categories.
Coronavirus | Aug 25, 2020
Video: 5 building sectors to watch amid COVID-19
RCLCO's Brad Hunter reveals the winners and non-winners of the U.S. real estate market during the coronavirus pandemic.
Retail Centers | Aug 19, 2020
How has shopping changed over the past 100 years? A look at the evolution of retail
From malls and big-box stores to online delivery and mall redevelopment: Here’s how the retail landscape has evolved—and where it’s likely headed.
