The Urbanist Tall Stories 490: How renovations stripped Bangkok’s Robot Building of its personality
Jan 5, 2026
Tomás Pinheiro, a dedicated reporter and storyteller, delves into the fascinating history of Bangkok's Robot Building. He highlights how the structure, originally designed as a whimsical representation of technology, became a cultural icon. However, recent renovations have stripped it of its unique charm, transforming it into a bland glass tower. Pinheiro emphasizes the importance of preserving architectural heritage and shares insights about the efforts to maintain the Robot Building's legacy through archives. A compelling exploration of urban erasure!
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Birth Of The Robot Building
- Sumet Jumsai sketched the Robot Building after seeing his son play with a Japanese robot toy and sent it to the client as a joke.
- The playful design debuted in 1986 as the Bank of Asia headquarters and became an early symbol of postmodern architecture in Asia.
Playful Design With Architectural Rigor
- The building combined whimsy with geometric clarity, making technology feel friendly rather than intimidating.
- Its anthropomorphic features and elegance made it a forerunner of postmodern architecture in Asia.
Local Landmark Turned International Icon
- The Robot Building became a local landmark, visible from the SkyTrain and beloved by children and adults who looked out for it.
- It gained international recognition, appearing in books, exhibitions and TV shows like Modern Marvels.