DOB Building - Bangkok, Thailand

During a heavy downpour in Bangkok, I found shelter under a tarpaulin alongside a couple of tuk-tuk drivers. We stood there quietly, surrounded by the sounds of traffic, the smell of rain hitting hot pavement, and the thick, humid air.

In the distance, I caught sight of the DOB Building, designed by Kiat Chiwakul. I’d seen it in photos, but there was something special about spotting its silhouette in real life.

The building’s parapet rises into two curved concrete fins, giving it a sharp, sculptural presence. Its bulbous forms soften the Brutalist lines, creating this strange balance of strength and softness. Originally built with raw concrete, it’s now covered in thick layers of paint, but the bones of the structure still speak through.

I was happy to stand there, under the tarpaulin, soaking wet.