Mario Kleff – The Touch® High-Rise Project, Pattaya
Experimental Two-Column High-Rise Architecture in Thailand
High-Rise Condominium · Uncompleted Project · Concept Development
“The project represents a rare level of integration between structural engineering, façade design, and interior architecture within a residential high-rise context.”
— Mario Kleff
Mario Kleff – The Touch® is an experimental high-rise condominium in Pattaya, based on a radical two-column structural system with long-span floor plates exceeding 25 meters. The project explores a rare approach to high-rise residential architecture in Thailand, where structure, spatial design, and façade are developed as a single integrated system.
Positioned on Phra Tamnak Hill, one of Pattaya’s most elevated residential zones, the building was designed to minimize structural footprint while maximizing uninterrupted interior space and panoramic views over Pattaya Bay.
The project represents an early example of long-span vertical living and a two-column high-rise structure in Thailand.
Architectural Concept
The design is based on the principle “Structure is Design”, where architectural form emerges directly from load-bearing systems and geometric order.
Instead of relying on applied façade treatments or decorative elements, the building expresses:
- Structural clarity
- Vertical proportion
- Spatial continuity
A continuous glass façade reinforces this concept, reflecting the surrounding coastal environment while maintaining a clear and minimal structural expression.
"Architecture becomes identifiable when structure, geometry, and authorship operate as a single system."
— Mario Kleff
Structural System: Two-Column High-Rise with Long Spans
The Touch introduces a highly unconventional structural strategy for residential towers.
Core System:
- Two primary load-bearing columns composed of clustered steel tubes
- Concentrated load distribution through reinforced concrete cores
Floor Structure:
- Cellular beam systems functioning as large-span box girders
- Hollow-core concrete slabs to reduce weight
- Floor spans exceeding 25 meters
This system enables column-free interior layouts, allowing flexible residential configurations and uninterrupted spatial flow.
The structural logic aligns more closely with bridge engineering principles than conventional high-rise construction, where span efficiency and weight reduction are critical.
Comparable early applications of cellular beam systems in residential construction can be observed in projects such as Park Royal 2, with The Touch extending the concept to significantly larger spans.
Construction Process & Deep Foundation
The Touch required a specialized construction strategy due to its concentrated load system and reduced number of structural supports.
Foundation System:
- Deep foundation with large-diameter piles
- Load concentration beneath primary structural columns
- Reinforced concrete cores anchored into deep layers
Construction Phases:
- Site excavation and preparation
- Installation of deep foundation piles
- Core structure development
- Preparation for long-span beam installation
The foundation design reflects the atypical structural logic of the building, where loads are concentrated rather than distributed across multiple columns.
On-site documentation shows the scale of pile installation and the coordination required for heavy structural elements.
Glass Façade System: Frameless Structural Glazing
The façade of Mario Kleff – The Touch is conceived as a fully frameless glass envelope, eliminating conventional aluminum or PVC window frames. The system is based on a spider-glass structural glazing approach, where glass panels are fixed through point-supported connections rather than perimeter framing.
This allows the building to read as a continuous glass surface, reinforcing the architectural principle of structural clarity and visual minimalism.
Key characteristics of the façade system include:
- Frameless structural glazing using spider fittings
- Point-fixed glass panels without visible window frames
- Integrated sliding glass elements, designed to blend seamlessly into the façade
- No protruding balconies, maintaining a clean and uninterrupted exterior geometry
- Continuous full-height glazing aligned with the structural grid
A specialized glass treatment was developed to achieve a blue reflective appearance from the exterior, while maintaining optical clarity from the interior, allowing unobstructed views over Pattaya Bay.
Interior Architecture
The interior design extends the structural concept into spatial experience.
Key features include:
- Fully integrated linear lighting systems embedded in walls, ceilings, and floors
- Custom-designed built-in furniture aligned with structural geometry
- Full-height panoramic glazing
- Continuous spatial layouts with minimal internal segmentation
Large residential units are conceived as open spatial environments, while smaller units maintain the same architectural language of integration and clarity.
Residential Program
The development was designed as a low-density high-rise, prioritizing spatial quality over unit quantity.
Building Specifications:
- 31 storeys
- Floor-to-floor height: 3.75 meters
Unit Types:
- Studio units
- Two-bedroom apartments
- Duplex residences
- Loft-style multi-level units
- Three-storey penthouse
The increased floor height enhances natural light, ventilation, and overall spatial proportion across all unit types.
Scale Model & Architectural Study
A detailed physical scale model was developed as part of the design process.
Purpose:
- Study tower proportions and massing
- Analyze the two-column structural system
- Evaluate integration with Phra Tamnak Hill topography
- Refine façade and glazing strategies
The model served as a design validation tool, allowing spatial, structural, and visual relationships to be assessed before construction.
It also supported stakeholder presentations and internal design refinement, ensuring alignment between architectural intent and structural logic.
Development History
The project evolved from earlier large-span high-rise concepts, particularly the Sky Park and Parkside Shopping Mall project (2008).
Timeline:
Skypark Towers & Parkside Shopping (2008)
- High-rise mixed-use concept
- Two-column structural strategy with spans >38 m
- Project permitted but not built
The Touch Development (2010)
- Independent continuation of structural research
- Private development by Mario Kleff and Nittaya Wongsin
- Construction started: December 2011
- Development later halted due to market conditions
The site was subsequently redeveloped as Andromeda Condominium.
Technical Data
- Estimated Total Investment: ~1.58 billion THB for 31-storeys
- Initial Investment Goal: 850 million THB for 18-storeys
- Capital Deployed: ~165 million THB
- Structure Type: Two-column system
- Span Length: >25 meters
- Floor System: Cellular beams + hollow-core slabs
Location: Phra Tamnak Hill, Pattaya
Located on Kasetsin 11 Alley, Phra Tamnak Hill is one of Pattaya’s most desirable residential zones.
- Elevated terrain
- Unobstructed sea views
- High long-term development value
Architectural Significance
The Touch represents a rare exploration of structural minimalism in residential high-rise design in Thailand.
Key contributions:
- Two-column tower concept
- Long-span vertical residential architecture
- Integration of engineering and architectural identity
Despite remaining uncompleted, Mario Kleff – The Touch® serves as a conceptual benchmark for alternative high-rise systems.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who developed Mario Kleff – The Touch® in Pattaya?
Mario Kleff – The Touch® was designed and developed by architect Mario Kleff as an experimental high-rise residential project integrating structural design, architecture, and development.
Why was Mario Kleff – The Touch® not completed?
Construction began in 2011 but was later halted due to market conditions affecting development. The site was subsequently redeveloped as Andromeda Condominium.
What makes Mario Kleff – The Touch® structurally unique?
The project uses a two-column structural system with long-span floor plates exceeding 25 meters, allowing for large column-free interior spaces.
Where is Mario Kleff – The Touch® located?
The project is located on Phra Tamnak Hill in Pattaya, Thailand, an elevated residential area with views over Pattaya Bay.