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Located on Surawong Road in Bangkok's Bang Rak district, voco Bangkok Surawong is the renovation and revival of the former Tawana Hotel, a fixture of the neighborhood for decades. It reopened as the first voco hotel in Thailand under IHG Hotels & Resorts, and the project was completed in 2025. The hotel offers Deluxe, Grand and One-Bedroom Suite, restaurants, an outdoor pool, a fitness centre, a spa, a grand ballroom and 280 parking spaces. The design concept turns back the pendulum to revive the spirit of Brutalist modernism, the defining era of the Tawana Hotel. Brutalism favors honest expression of structure and raw concrete over decoration. The original building repeats simple geometric forms, from its waffle-grid concrete floor slabs to its folded-plate concrete roof, and these elements give it a sense of strength and permanence.
To reconnect the hotel with street life, the design team enlarged the entrance and added a proper drop-off. The podium is clad in patinated aluminum panels arranged in a repetitive folded-pleat pattern, a direct reference to the original roof. By day, it recalls the hotel's mid-century character. By night, it comes alive with a subtle vibrancy, echoing the dual personality of Surawong Road as a business district by day and a lively destination after dark. The tower's original façade, with its vertical fins and small, evenly spaced windows, has been preserved for its uniform and timeless quality, serving as a large canvas that carries the essence of its era. Inside, a new atrium draws natural daylight deep into the public spaces, and a grand spiral staircase links the two main guest levels to create a sense of openness and continuity. voco Bangkok Surawong shows how a building can honor its heritage without being bound by it, giving a landmark of the past a new life within the city.
In 1980, Prabhakorn received his Bachelor of Architecture degree from Chulalongkorn University. He continued his education at the Catholic University of America in Washington DC, where he graduated with a Master of Architecture degree in 1984. Whilst in Washington DC, Prabhakorn worked at Robert Schwinn & Associates in Maryland before returning to Thailand and joining A49 in 1985. At A49, he has been responsible for a wide range of projects ranging from mega complexes and high-rise buildings to houses. Most of these are located in Thailand, whilst others are located in other countries in the region, including: China, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam. His work has also extended outside that region, for example, to the United Arab Emirates and India. All add breadth to the A49 portfolio of work. His main role has been to establish major policies, design concepts and strategic planning initiatives. He was appointed as President of Architects49 Phuket in 2005 and President of Architects49 International in 2006.
Prabhakorn actively served the Association of Siamese Architects (ASA) as its Head of Public Relations from 1992 to 1994, as its Vice President of Foreign Affairs from 1995 to 1997, and as the President of ASA during 2002-2004. He has also participated in many subcommittees for both the ASA and the Architect Council of Thailand (ACT). He is an active Council Member of the ACT, with his present duties for them extending into 2018. He has been an Honorary member of the Japan Institute of Architects (JIA) since 2003.
Prabhakorn has been a key member of A49 since its foundation, and has the honour of being trusted by Nithi Sthapitanonda (the Founder of A49) to be President and Managing Director of 49Group.
In 1980, Prabhakorn received his Bachelor of Architecture degree from Chulalongkorn University. He continued his education at the Catholic University of America in Washington DC, where he graduated with a Master of Architecture degree in 1984. Whilst in Washington DC, Prabhakorn worked at Robert Schwinn & Associates in Maryland before returning to Thailand and joining A49 in 1985. At A49, he has been responsible for a wide range of projects ranging from mega complexes and high-rise buildings to houses. Most of these are located in Thailand, whilst others are located in other countries in the region, including: China, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam. His work has also extended outside that region, for example, to the United Arab Emirates and India. All add breadth to the A49 portfolio of work. His main role has been to establish major policies, design concepts and strategic planning initiatives. He was appointed as President of Architects49 Phuket in 2005 and President of Architects49 International in 2006.
Prabhakorn actively served the Association of Siamese Architects (ASA) as its Head of Public Relations from 1992 to 1994, as its Vice President of Foreign Affairs from 1995 to 1997, and as the President of ASA during 2002-2004. He has also participated in many subcommittees for both the ASA and the Architect Council of Thailand (ACT). He is an active Council Member of the ACT, with his present duties for them extending into 2018. He has been an Honorary member of the Japan Institute of Architects (JIA) since 2003.
Prabhakorn has been a key member of A49 since its foundation, and has the honour of being trusted by Nithi Sthapitanonda (the Founder of A49) to be President and Managing Director of 49Group.
In collaboration with Landscape Architects 49, we have extensive experience in master planning and urban design. We have worked for both government and private sectors from large urban development to planning of new university campus.
