Apple has opened its largest store in Thailand

The central element in the design of the new Apple Central World is a wooden structure in the form of a whirlpool.

The official opening of Apple’s second and currently the most significant retail space in Thailand took place on July 31. The new Apple Store, named Apple Central World, is located in Ratchaprazong, a picturesque area of Bangkok traditionally a shopping destination. 

The design of the store was developed by the architectural company Foster + Partners. The exterior facade is all glass and has a cylinder of glass underneath a wooden roof. The most unusual detail of the interior is the wood frame, which, together with the roof, is a whirlpool-shaped sculptural composition. It is made of 1800 individual pieces of oak. Whether the visitor is inside or outside the building, this structure is visible from everywhere and attracts attention.

Near the central base is a spiral staircase connecting the two floors of the building. There is also an unusual cylindrical elevator. Access to the store is provided not only from ground level but also from the second level, which offers direct access to the city’s largest shopping center and Skytrain station.

Visitors can explore Apple products on free-standing stands, communicate in a separate meeting room or gather in a forum – a particular space with a unique Video Wall screen allowing presentations, meetings with celebrities, and other creative endeavors. Visitors can also visit the square near the building, which is planted with trees and filled with comfortable seats.