Pichet Vanitcharoenthum
Abstract :
Bunpak-Eli Thai-Esaan Fusion Restaurant is located in the commercial and entertainment area of Wisdom Valley, Kao Mai Kaew, just a 10-minute drive from Pattaya via the motorway. This 560-acre sanctuary comprises Rugby International School, a luxury residential estate, campgrounds for indoor and outdoor sports activities, agricultural gardens, and forest areas. The restaurant is beautifully situated within this scenic environment and vibrant hub, which also features an amphitheatre capable of hosting outdoor concerts on special occasions.
The first Bunpak restaurant opened in the estate’s food zone nearby. It consisted of small cottages, each containing four dining tables and a small kitchen. During busy periods, tenants shared a communal dining area in the garden. Although this space offered a great view of the large lake and concert island, the limited seating and outdoor exposure caused discomfort under the hot sun and heavy tropical rain.
To solve these problems, the founder invited me to propose a new design that could be completed within four months, in time for the high season (December 2024). The new program required a capacity of 100 guests, fast construction, low maintenance, and a pleasant dining atmosphere with beautiful scenery. The outcome had to be both striking and memorable.
Objectives :
- To design a stylish and comfortable dining space for 90–100 persons.
- To create a good interior atmosphere while maintaining a visual connection with the surrounding scenery.
- To design an attractive building that blends harmoniously with its landscape and context.
- To develop a construction method that allows completion of the entire project within four months.
Conceptual Framework :
Given the tight project schedule, a prefabrication system was chosen for the main structure. The transparent steel frame allows an excellent view from both inside and outside, creating the desired “outside-in / inside-out” spatial experience. Humidity and temperature are automatically controlled by sensors to maintain a comfortable indoor climate, similar to that of a plant conservatory.
Process / Methodology :
Due to the 3–4 month time frame, a glass pavilion with a steel structure was selected to accommodate approximately 90 persons (120 sqm). The suitable size was 8 × 16 m with a height of 5 m and a vintage appearance. It took three months from the start of manufacturing to the pavilion’s installation on a concrete platform, which was built on-site in parallel with factory production.
During the site planning stage, the long side of the 8 × 16 m box was aligned along the street. One end of the 8-metre side, located at street level, serves as the main entrance, while the opposite end provides service access via a ramp leading to the main kitchen at a lower level. The secondary entrance connects to the 16-metre side along the road, and the opposite 16-metre side faces a cluster of trees and links to the kitchen area.
A wooden deck surrounds the pavilion, serving different functions on each side — transitional spaces for entrances and service access. The raised concrete platform also accommodates condensing units for the air-conditioning system and other M&E equipment necessary for operation.
A prefabricated vintage glass pavilion was selected from a reliable manufacturer, with only minor modifications. The contract was signed on the same day the design process began. While the pavilion was being manufactured, the on-site team constructed the concrete base and the steel structure for the surrounding wooden terrace. The site was ready for pavilion installation within two months.
The manufacturer coordinated closely with the on-site team, completing the installation in three months and leaving the final month for interior work. Interior tasks included M&E installation, lighting systems, surface finishing, built-in seating, dining tables, blinds for both walls and skylights, as well as props and plant arrangements.
Techniques and Materials :
● The key challenge was the tight schedule (3–4 months). The project team decided on a hybrid method combining prefabrication with limited on-site construction. A reliable manufacturer’s vintage glass pavilion was chosen as soon as interior design began, ensuring that on-site foundation work could proceed immediately and opening deadlines would be met.
● Precise preparation of the site was crucial to properly install the manufacturer’s pavilion.
● For any glasshouse in a tropical climate, careful putty techniques were required at the steel-and-glass joints to prevent both water leakage and thermal expansion problems caused by temperature variations between day and night or during rainy periods.
● Thermal comfort was achieved by studying humidity and temperature levels within the comfort zone. An air-conditioning system combined with thermal roller blinds was installed to control heat gain on all sides throughout the day.
Initially, the engineers planned to install four 30,000 BTU air-conditioning units, keeping the glass walls transparent to preserve the view and the outside-in visual connection. However, we later added four more units and installed roller blind curtains all around the glass-roof (skylight) to maintain a stable indoor temperature of 24 °C at full 100-person capacity.
Result / Conclusion :
Bunpak-Eli Wisdom Valley glass pavilion opened its doors two weeks before the New Year 2025. The fully capacity of 100-guest pavilion welcomes diverse groups of visitors seeking greenery and a relaxing dining atmosphere. It also serves as a venue for various events such as business seminars, academic gatherings, and wedding parties.
The pavilion stands as a focal point within its surroundings — blending seamlessly with the landscape and offering magnificent views of Wisdom Valley. Especially during the evening and nighttime, guests enjoy dining under glass while gazing at constellations and stardust through the skylight above.
The building successfully serves both the owner and users as intended. While the vintage glasshouse aesthetic continues to attract attention, achieving comfort in Thailand’s tropical climate posed a major challenge— a charming, vintage-style conservatory offering a delightful “dining under glass” experience.
References :
Tresidder, Jane & Stafford, Cliff (1986). Living Under Glass: Conservatories & Sunrooms. London: Thames and Hudson.
Taguchi, Yasuhiko and Tao, I.M. (1996). American Shopping Centers 2. Japan: Shotenkenchiku-Sha.
Muto, Shoichi. (1993). Commercial Space in Europe ‘93. Japan: Graphic-sha Publishing.