# Bamboo Pier Creates New Waterfront for Pattani Fishermen Traditional life meets contemporary architecture by the river. - **Source:** [architecture archives | designboom | architecture & design magazine](https://brifing.si/source/1e716da2-18e6-4704-96a6-818e7860b99f) - **Published:** 2026-08-06 - **Topic:** [Design & UX](https://brifing.si/c/design) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/f56071f2-080e-4554-b8a6-0a3147f889d9 ## Riverside living The new bamboo pier in Pattani, Thailand, centers around the daily routines of the fishing community and the river's ecology. In this region marked by Malay-Thai culture, the river serves as both livelihood and identity. HAS Design and Research developed this project by exploring how fishing infrastructure could offer more to the city. Built on a steel platform, the structure provides both functional and public spaces. ## Ecological design The pier's hollow bamboo sections create small aquatic habitats while durable coatings protect the structure. Large openings in the platform maintain visual connections to the river water. Submerged stones and bamboo elements provide shelter for fish and shellfish populations. This design approach demonstrates how architecture can support both human and aquatic life simultaneously. ## Multipurpose use The space transforms throughout the day - serving fishermen in early morning, swimmers and children during daylight, and evening visitors enjoying river views. Unlike conventional designs that separate work and recreation, this project brings both to the river's edge. The 148-square-meter structure also hosts religious gatherings and Pattani's annual long-boat racing festival, becoming a true civic space. ## Community participation Constructed with active involvement from the Sabarang community, the project integrates local knowledge into its design. The pier also functions as an outdoor classroom. Architects Jenchieh Hung and Kulthida Songkittipakdee referenced the city's trade and faith-shaped history. The open structure allows different cultural layers to meet at the water rather than compressing them into symbolic gestures. ## Architectural details The steel platform elevates above river currents and sediment flow. Bamboo elements at water level create both aesthetic and functional layers. Lighting utilizes products from Creative Lighting Asia and Best Architectural Lighting. The project embodies the idea of creating space that supports fishing activities while serving as public infrastructure - all within view of the boats and water that sustain the community. ## Cultural context Pattani's location near Malaysia's border carries traces of Muslim heritage and Malay-Thai history. The pier aligns between the City Pillar Shrine and Pattani Mosque, reflecting this cultural fabric. The architects adopted an open, porous design to integrate the region's identity shaped by trade and faith. This approach allows different cultural layers to converge at the river naturally. ## Sustainable materials Bamboo, the project's primary material, is abundant and renewable in the region. HAS transformed the bamboo's hollow sections into small aquatic habitats while special coatings enhance durability. This integration of traditional materials with modern techniques sets an example for ecological architecture. The design shows how construction can actively contribute to the river's ecosystem. ## Urban transformation The Pattani Fishermen Community Hub demonstrates how infrastructure can become urban focal points. Scheduled for completion in 2026, the project introduces new public space without disrupting fishing activities. Designed as a way for both locals and visitors to reconnect with the river, such initiatives create models for sustainable waterfront development. The pier represents architecture that makes room for public use while preserving its original function. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.designboom.com/architecture/bamboo-pier-pattani-fishermen-community-hub-thailand-has/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._