International Designers: Observations from Bangkok

Our Studio Director James Ashfield and Associate Tania Blanco were recently on site in Bangkok, Thailand. Working in interior design across the UK and internationally gives us a rare window into how different people live, build, and work. Our recent trip was another reminder of how important it is to stay open and observant when designing projects beyond our base in London.

culture, courtesy & contrasts

One of the first things we noticed in Bangkok was how gestures of respect shape everyday life. There’s a patience and formality to interactions — both on-site and off — that sets a different pace and tone from the UK. It’s subtle, but it changes how you communicate and run a project. Road traffic flows — cars willingly let others cut in without beeping or frustration. There’s patience, even for someone pushing ahead. People seem more tolerant & respectful. Understanding these cues is part of working well with people, wherever you are.

a concrete city, softened by nature

Bangkok’s skyline has a raw, concrete character — parts of it feel straight out of the 1980s. But nature plays a big role here too. Streets are lined with trees, and in many places, small plants are tied to the trunks to bring even more greenery into the city. It’s a thoughtful way to soften the urban landscape. These small interventions show how much nature, trees and plants matter to many Thai people.

getting around & eating well

Bangkok traffic is famously slow, so we mostly used motorbike taxis — quick, slightly chaotic, but the easiest way to move around. Food-wise, the street scene is unbeatable. It’s not just cheap and good; it’s part of the city’s rhythm. That day-to-night food culture, with people stopping to eat at shared tables or tiny stools on the pavement, gives a glimpse into how public space is used differently.

time for design

We had half a day to explore some of the city’s architecture. The MahaNakhon Tower, with its pixel-like twist, feels futuristic against the older, low-rise fabric of the city. Jim Thompson’s house gave a completely different feel — a quiet group of teak buildings with beautiful detailing and garden courtyards. We also visited a Buddhist temple, Wat Arun, which stood out for its sculptural surfaces and riverside setting — rich in history, but still part of daily life.

what we took away

Trips like this give us more than inspiration — they challenge our assumptions. Every city works differently. People build differently. They care about different things. For us, that’s the real value of travelling for work: not to ‘apply’ what we see, but to keep refining how we listen and adapt to each place we work in.