Digital Modelling for Urban Design

Chapter 5

Schizoanalysis

The twin escalators glide silently up from opposite sides of King Rama I Road, rising three storeys to the passenger mezzanine of the Siam Central Interchange Station where the two lines of the Bangkok Transit Systems (BTS) Skytrain meet. The escalators bring passengers up from the hot and crowded street, under the massive concrete viaduct where the lines torque, to converge two levels above. Arriving at the crowded mezzanine before the electronic entry, there is a profusion of small shops and advertisements. A call on your cell phone tells you that your friends are waiting by the fountain in the square in front of Siam Paragon. Descending half a flight of stairs leads you through the giant glass wall of Siam Center, where your bags are checked by security guards. Another stair to the right leads down again to the second-level plaza of Paragon. The crowd has swelled in anticipation of the grand opening of Siam Paragon. A rock band is performing in front of the giant glimmering blue aluminium Christmas tree sponsored by Visa cards. Cell phones are recording digital photographs of the event broadcast live on TV.

Grand openings of new or renovated malls in Bangkok are usually timed for the beginning of December when the King's birthday can be honoured and the stores readied for Christmas and New Year holidays. February brings sale banners emblazoned in red to celebrate both the lunar Chinese New Year and Valentine's Day. April brings Songkran, the Thai New ...