This gut renovation for the Faculty of Commerce and Accountancy at Chulalongkorn University integrates three distinct academic programs into a cohesive, agile workplace. Centered on the concept of “Subtle Elegance,” the project serves as the faculty’s interface to the world, reflecting the institution’s vision through a refined user experience.
To materialize this concept, the project redefines the workspaces as a “habitable archive,” where user well-being intersects with efficiency. As the transition to paperless data management reduces the need for dedicated storage rooms, small-scale solutions are integrated into the peripheral acoustic walls, providing convenient access to resources from every workstation. This approach also maximizes floor area and opens workspaces to natural lighting.
Moreover, to accommodate diverse user groups—students, parents, administrative staff, visiting scholars, professors, and deans—the space planning establishes clear public, semi-private, and private zones. By considering the requirements of all academic programs collectively, the new layout prevents cross-circulation between transient visitors and staff and eliminates spatial redundancies. This reclaimed space enables the introduction of a shared recreational area that connects the offices and serves as a place for spontaneous interdisciplinary encounters among staff, thereby strengthening the sense of community within.
