BANGKOK DESIGN WEEK 2025, 8 –23 FEB

ARCANE / The Thai Ceramic Society

Tilescape

Arcane is a design studio and conceptual platform co-founded by Alexandra Polyakova and Stefano Dal Piva. Operating between London, Berlin, and Bangkok, Arcane explores the creative potential of nature through innovative design practices, focusing on the intersection of architecture, art, and material experimentation. The studio addresses contemporary social and environmental challenges through a multidisciplinary approach, using nature as both inspiration and material to create projects that merge abstraction and functionality across diverse scales and contexts. Arcane’s work delves into the spatial and sensory qualities of public and private spaces, often blending digital and analog techniques. By bridging the boundaries between human experience and the natural world, their projects craft immersive narratives through installations, workshops, and collaborations. Recent highlights include "A Garden Too Secret" at Bangkok Design Week 2023, which investigated the accessibility of green public spaces in urban settings, and "NEXUS" at Bangkok Design Week 2024, which reimagined Bangkok’s canals as dynamic, communal landscapes. These projects exemplify Arcane’s commitment to creating thought-provoking spaces that resonate with ecological and cultural contexts. In addition to its design practice, Arcane extends its ethos into academia, fostering creativity and critical thinking in future designers through experimental workshops and teaching. This dual focus on practice and education underscores Arcane’s mission to champion sustainable, innovative design solutions. Project Title: TileScape: Celebrating Thai Craftsmanship "TileScape" celebrates the artistry and cultural heritage of Kera Tiles while reimagining their potential in modern design. The pavilion serves as a dynamic platform to promote Thai craftsmanship, showcasing the beauty of locally sourced materials and traditional tile-making techniques through a contemporary lens. Visitors will engage with the creative and functional possibilities of tiles by participating in hands-on workshops where they can craft mosaics, experiment with DIY tile applications, and explore sustainable practices. The pavilion itself is a testament to the versatility of tiles, featuring architectural installations and custom furniture that demonstrate their aesthetic and practical applications. Beyond being an exhibition, "TileScape" acts as a collaborative space, hosting panel discussions, exhibitions, and talks that bring together architects, designers, and artisans to explore the cultural and ecological significance of tiles in today’s world. By integrating workshops and discussions into its design, "TileScape" invites audiences to reflect on the enduring relevance of Thai craftsmanship while inspiring new, innovative ways to use tiles as mediums for artistic and sustainable design.
Designer
  • Oleksandra Polyakova