Rain falls, traffic builds, streets flood—an endless loop that city dwellers often wait for the government to fix. But perhaps there’s another way forward. Stormwater Planter Box, a rain-absorbing planter, offers a new way for people to help respond to flooding.

This project is a collaboration between Monash University and a team of lecturers, staff, and students from the Faculty of Architecture, Art and Design at King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, including Dr. Chaniporn Thamapanichwat, Limpasilp Sirisakdi, Panyaphat Somngam, Pakin Anuntavachakorn, and Taksaporn Petlai.

“The initial idea came from the planter box as a water-receiving system that helps slow down rainwater before it flows into drains or public infrastructure. This is a recurring issue in many parts of Thailand. When we were invited to design this project, the key challenge was to connect it with the context of Bangkok Design Week and Thai identity.”

To create a rainwater planter that fits Thai everyday life, the team began by surveying neighborhoods, observing, documenting, and photographing common elements found along Bangkok’s sidewalks, such as stone benches, advertising boards, and decorative metal fences.

“If we look at everyday objects in Thai life, a simple example is the marble bench in front of a house. What’s interesting is that it’s not only used by people in the household—passersby can also sit and rest. We adapted this idea into our design.

Another important aspect is aesthetics. We drew from forms that Thai people instantly recognize, such as metal gate patterns. These elements were incorporated into the design, especially in the Phra Nakhon area, where colors and motifs are very distinctive.”

Beyond function and appearance, the project required close collaboration with the local community to gather feedback and refine the design.

“The first thing people wanted was for it to be truly usable, not just cool or beautiful. It had to function in real life, as a place to sit, talk, and gather, without drifting too far from the community’s urban practices. That’s why we included a tabletop that can be used for familiar games like chess or checkers.”

Visitors passing by Pachimalikhit during Bangkok Design Week 2026 could sit, chat, or play checkers, and also explore the display explaining how the Stormwater Planter Box system works.

“There was already a drainage system beneath the sidewalk. Normally, rainwater would flow directly from buildings into canals or drains. This planter box acts as an intermediate layer between buildings and the canal, helping us test how we can reduce the impact of runoff.”

The good news is that after the festival, the Stormwater Planter Box will remain in place for around one year. This allows the team to test its performance and collect long-term data in preparation for future development.

“This is a shared expectation between our team and Monash University. We want this piece to serve as a prototype that can evolve further. If multiple units are connected, it could work at a larger community scale or even at the district level.

For Bangkok residents, this solution opens a new path. Traditionally, flood prevention hasn’t been something individuals could address. This project creates an opportunity for one person, one household, or one community to adopt the solution themselves. Even if it helps only a little, it could be the start, and over time, many small points like this could come together to create real impact.”

Learn more about Stormwater Planter Box:

https://www.bangkokdesignweek.com/bkkdw2026/program/150495