The new ASA Center makes room for architecture in a designoriented mall.

If you’re into design then Siam Discovery is already the place to shop. Habitat, Room Interior and Anyroom are among the many interior and decor stores that occupy this mall. So it should be no surprise that The Association of Siamese Architects decided to open its first public community center here.

To put it simply, what TCDC does for design, ASA aims to bring to architecture. Solely funded by the association and built and designed by volunteer members as a special project for their 25th anniversary, it might not be able to match its Emporium-based rival for size (it’s only 460sq.m.), but at least it offers aspiring architects and enthusiasts of the discipline access to a pool of resources and facilities.

The center is roughly divided into five zones, with the entrance housing a rotating ASA exhibition, showcasing anything from awards to new projects. In the middle of the space is an area for seminars and temporary exhibitions. Towards the back, the library-cum-bookstore features beautiful tomes on architecture and landscape design, at a 20% discount for members. To finish things off, what’s a design center without shiny internet enabled iMacs and a coffee shop?

The center is open to the public, with only the library restricted to members. Their service counter can also hook members up with top architects—in case you need help remodeling your home or finishing your thesis project. The good news is membership is available to anyone, architecture degree or not, for just B1,000 a year. Alisara Chirapongse

ASA Center. Room 502, 5/F Siam Discovery Center, Rama 1 Rd., 02-658-0560/1. www.asa.or.th. BTS Siam.