BKK 703

Type

Global

Location

Asia

Services

Project team

Charlie Kentish
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Charlie Kentish
Associate Director

Charlie has over 10 years’ experience in practice. He studied at Birmingham School of Architecture,

Manchester University and the Bartlett UCL, graduating with a First Class hons and Distinction then

registering with the ARB in 2015. Charlie’s student work was award winning and recognised within

the universities and externally by the Manchester society of architects for his final thesis project.

Whilst working in his year in industry Charlie and a colleague competed in a RIBA international

competition beating 400 entries for a redesign of the prestigious Pushkin cinema in Moscow.

Charlie spent over 7 years with Heatherwick Studio, holding key roles on several prestigious projects

including Bombay Saphire Gin Distillery(£25 Million), Eden residential tower(£40 Million) in Singapore

and Changi Airport Terminal 5. Roles included design guardian and resident site architect for Eden,

delivering the architecture and interiors on site for the high end residential tower, and workstream

lead for Changi T5 that involved coordinating complex design with specialist consultants for a

transportation hub along with acting as design guardian of interiors and look and feel for Heatherwick

Studio. Charlie worked closely with the client team,consultants and contractors travelling extensively

to factories, quarries and showrooms in Europe and Asia to ensure quality for these projects.

Following working in Singapore Charlie joined Snøhetta Hong Kong and worked on a luxury private

island residence in Greece before moving to Snøhetta Oslo. During his time in Oslo as senior architect

he held key lead roles in architecture and interiors for a Palace renovation in the UAE and the tallest

timber office tower in Finland for a Norwegian Developer. Charlie worked closely with the clients and

consultants to develop the design and ensure quality proposals.

Now at Rigby and Rigby, Charlie’s focus is on developing and supporting great design and growing

the international architecture side of the business.

Iain Johnson
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Iain Johnson
Chief Executive Officer

Rigby & Rigby CEO Iain Johnson has been a pivotal part the growth of the firm since its inception, dynamically executing the vision of a truly integrated design and delivery studio with full-service capabilities. A champion of the studio’s expansion, he has helped it to become a leading multi-award-winning name in ultra-prime delivery. Accredited in every division, the firm’s extensive expertise extends across development management, architecture, interior design, construction delivery and private client services, to create the most exceptional properties in the world.

Rigby & Rigby is a founding member of the luxury design group Allect, alongside Helen Green Design and Lawson Robb. Johnson’s vision was to bring together some of the finest names in architecture, interior and product design with the mission to foster an unrivalled level of creativity, innovation and excellence. Rigby & Rigby’s research and development-influenced architecture and interior design strikes a fine and complimentary balance with Helen Green’s elegantly British sensibility and Lawson Robb’s unique and vibrant interiors and yacht design. Johnson leads and oversees the group’s operational strategy and creative division – ensuring the brands individual identity, heritage and expertise is maintained and delivered as a complimentary offering, he is also creating collaborations with some of the world’s best architects and interior design studios providing clients a unique opportunity of choice within the full-service delivery model.

At the heart of Rigby & Rigby’s approach is Johnson’s profound commitment to the client experience. Architecturally trained with 20 years of industry leadership and experience, Iain’s ability to understand every facet of the design process ensures he is perfectly positioned to support clients throughout their development journey. This includes Rigby & Rigby’s award-winning Special Projects division, where Iain leads a dedicated development and delivery team undertaking the most complex signature new build and heritage restoration projects, requiring an additional level of attention and care.

Creatively Iain’s passion lays in driving innovation through research-based methodology, influencing the architectural and interior design studios to be more experimental and to maximise the client experience and enrich the user journey. The product being perfectly resolved residences, with a style defined as understated refined luxury, delivered with a service that is second to none.

Edouard De-Caussin
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Edouard De-Caussin
Architectural Designer

Edouard de Caussin studied architecture at the AA Architectural Association in London before completing his Master degree at the University of Cambridge.

He joined Rigby & Rigby in 2021 at their London office, where he is currently involved in international projects in Thailand and Japan. Edouard has gained extensive international experience, beginning with David Chipperfield Architects in Milan, and later joining BIG - Bjarke Ingels Group BIG in London. While, he worked on a wide variety of projects, including high-end retail spaces, private residences, and listed buildings.

He has experience across all stages and scales of cultural and residential projects, with a strong attention to detail and a creative approach that blends art, landscape, and architecture.

Stephen Harrison
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Stephen Harrison
Senior Architectural Technologist

Rigby and Rigby were commissioned to conduct a comprehensive feasibility study for a new landmark campus for the award-winning private family office, based in Bangkok. As one of Thailand’s foremost producers and distributors of wine and lifestyle beverages across Asia, this private family office has played a pivotal role in shaping the region’s wine culture since its founding in 1986. The company’s vision has always been to offer healthier beverage alternative to traditional alcohol, with a strong commitment to environmental sustainability and social responsibility.

Currently, the private family office's business operations are scattered across multiple locations. The objective of this project was to consolidate all departments into a unified headquarters at a new site in Bangkok, along the busy Vibhavadi Don Muang Expressway. The brief also emphasized the importance of creating a green space that would act as a buffer between the expressway and the new headquarters, enhancing the working environment for employees and embodying the company’s commitment to sustainability.

In keeping with the private family office's emphasis on balance and harmony, we consulted a Feng Shui master to guide the orientation of the buildings and entrances. The goal was to align the architectural layout with the natural flows of energy on the site, optimizing the placement of structures to promote positive energy. This input was instrumental in planning the zoning of the buildings, ensuring that the development would not only be functional but also harmonious with its surroundings.

Drawing inspiration from the company's legacy, particularly its historic operations in the Hua Hin region, we sought to integrate the principles that have defined the company’s ethos into the design of the new campus. One of the most significant aspects of the office's production process is its symbiotic relationship with the environment. The company uses only rainwater to irrigate its produce, storing it in ponds for use during the dry season. This approach fosters biodiversity and creates a balance between industry and nature, which is integral to the production of their unique beverages.

We aimed to reflect this philosophy in the architecture of the new headquarters, embedding principles of sustainability and environmental harmony into the design. The architectural concept embraces the symbiotic nature of the company's operations by incorporating green elements that enhance the building’s relationship with the environment.

The design includes a podium level that accommodates over 100 parking spaces beneath two office towers, optimizing both the flow of vehicles and pedestrian movement throughout the site. An overflow parking block, heavily planted with greenery, frames a central landscaped park that serves as the heart of the development. This green space not only provides a tranquil area for employees but also acts as a visual and physical buffer from the urban environment.

The total Gross Internal Floor Area (GIFA) for Tower 1 is 7,512 square meters, while Tower 2 offers 3,455 square meters of space. Due to the proximity to Don Muang International Airport, building heights were limited by air navigation regulations, capping the maximum allowable height at 49.29 meters.

The new headquarters is designed to accommodate over 250 employees, with expansive office spaces that promote well-being through thoughtful design. A large atrium allows natural light to flood the interiors, creating a bright and well-ventilated environment that supports both physical and mental health. This aligns with the private family offices' dedication to fostering a positive work culture that reflects their core values.

The design also integrates advanced technology and embraces biophilic design principles, connecting occupants to nature through the use of natural materials, greenery, and abundant daylight. This focus on biophilia enhances the overall working environment, contributing to employee well-being while reinforcing the company’s sustainable mission.

Additionally, the campus has been designed with future expansion in mind. The layout allows for the possibility of accommodating additional tenants or extending the current office spaces as the company grows. The architectural façade is characterized by ordered elevations that form a colonnade under each office tower, framing the central green park for employees to enjoy. This park not only provides a serene environment but also reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to sustainability, creating a space where the natural and built environments coexist in harmony.

In summary, the new headquarters for the private family office is more than just a consolidation of offices; it is a manifestation of the company’s core values of environmental stewardship, employee well-being, and innovative design. The project harmonizes with the company’s long-standing tradition of working symbiotically with nature, ensuring that this landmark campus will stand as a testament to the private family offices' legacy for years to come.

It was a pleasure to work with the client team and understand the core principles of the business and capture that in the architecture – Charlie Kentish Project Leader

Charlie Kentish
Associate Director
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Charlie Kentish
Associate Director

Charlie has over 10 years’ experience in practice. He studied at Birmingham School of Architecture,

Manchester University and the Bartlett UCL, graduating with a First Class hons and Distinction then

registering with the ARB in 2015. Charlie’s student work was award winning and recognised within

the universities and externally by the Manchester society of architects for his final thesis project.

Whilst working in his year in industry Charlie and a colleague competed in a RIBA international

competition beating 400 entries for a redesign of the prestigious Pushkin cinema in Moscow.

Charlie spent over 7 years with Heatherwick Studio, holding key roles on several prestigious projects

including Bombay Saphire Gin Distillery(£25 Million), Eden residential tower(£40 Million) in Singapore

and Changi Airport Terminal 5. Roles included design guardian and resident site architect for Eden,

delivering the architecture and interiors on site for the high end residential tower, and workstream

lead for Changi T5 that involved coordinating complex design with specialist consultants for a

transportation hub along with acting as design guardian of interiors and look and feel for Heatherwick

Studio. Charlie worked closely with the client team,consultants and contractors travelling extensively

to factories, quarries and showrooms in Europe and Asia to ensure quality for these projects.

Following working in Singapore Charlie joined Snøhetta Hong Kong and worked on a luxury private

island residence in Greece before moving to Snøhetta Oslo. During his time in Oslo as senior architect

he held key lead roles in architecture and interiors for a Palace renovation in the UAE and the tallest

timber office tower in Finland for a Norwegian Developer. Charlie worked closely with the clients and

consultants to develop the design and ensure quality proposals.

Now at Rigby and Rigby, Charlie’s focus is on developing and supporting great design and growing

the international architecture side of the business.

Iain Johnson
Chief Executive Officer
Close Icon
Iain Johnson
Chief Executive Officer

Rigby & Rigby CEO Iain Johnson has been a pivotal part the growth of the firm since its inception, dynamically executing the vision of a truly integrated design and delivery studio with full-service capabilities. A champion of the studio’s expansion, he has helped it to become a leading multi-award-winning name in ultra-prime delivery. Accredited in every division, the firm’s extensive expertise extends across development management, architecture, interior design, construction delivery and private client services, to create the most exceptional properties in the world.

Rigby & Rigby is a founding member of the luxury design group Allect, alongside Helen Green Design and Lawson Robb. Johnson’s vision was to bring together some of the finest names in architecture, interior and product design with the mission to foster an unrivalled level of creativity, innovation and excellence. Rigby & Rigby’s research and development-influenced architecture and interior design strikes a fine and complimentary balance with Helen Green’s elegantly British sensibility and Lawson Robb’s unique and vibrant interiors and yacht design. Johnson leads and oversees the group’s operational strategy and creative division – ensuring the brands individual identity, heritage and expertise is maintained and delivered as a complimentary offering, he is also creating collaborations with some of the world’s best architects and interior design studios providing clients a unique opportunity of choice within the full-service delivery model.

At the heart of Rigby & Rigby’s approach is Johnson’s profound commitment to the client experience. Architecturally trained with 20 years of industry leadership and experience, Iain’s ability to understand every facet of the design process ensures he is perfectly positioned to support clients throughout their development journey. This includes Rigby & Rigby’s award-winning Special Projects division, where Iain leads a dedicated development and delivery team undertaking the most complex signature new build and heritage restoration projects, requiring an additional level of attention and care.

Creatively Iain’s passion lays in driving innovation through research-based methodology, influencing the architectural and interior design studios to be more experimental and to maximise the client experience and enrich the user journey. The product being perfectly resolved residences, with a style defined as understated refined luxury, delivered with a service that is second to none.

Edouard De-Caussin
Architectural Designer
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Edouard De-Caussin
Architectural Designer

Edouard de Caussin studied architecture at the AA Architectural Association in London before completing his Master degree at the University of Cambridge.

He joined Rigby & Rigby in 2021 at their London office, where he is currently involved in international projects in Thailand and Japan. Edouard has gained extensive international experience, beginning with David Chipperfield Architects in Milan, and later joining BIG - Bjarke Ingels Group BIG in London. While, he worked on a wide variety of projects, including high-end retail spaces, private residences, and listed buildings.

He has experience across all stages and scales of cultural and residential projects, with a strong attention to detail and a creative approach that blends art, landscape, and architecture.

Stephen Harrison
Senior Architectural Technologist
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Stephen Harrison
Senior Architectural Technologist

Let's work together

If you would like to discuss a future project, or learn more about Rigby & Rigby, please contact us.