Wongamat Tower – Copyright, Authorship and Design Ownership
Wongamat Tower (also known as Wong Amat Tower or W-Tower) is a completed high-rise building in Pattaya, Thailand, developed by Heights Holdings Co. Ltd.
Architectural Design and Commission
The architectural design of Wongamat Tower is attributed to Mario Kleff, who acted as lead architect of Wandeegroup (Thailand) Co. Ltd.
Heights Holdings commissioned Mario Kleff to design Wongamat Tower under a formal Architectural Design Agreement dated 30 June 2008.[1] This agreement, entered into between Haim Bar-David and Mario Kleff, authorized the development of a comprehensive architectural concept, including detailed engineering and design solutions for the high-rise project.
The project encompasses a total construction area of approximately 29,500 sq.m., situated on land described in three title deeds with a combined area of 2 rai, 1 ngan, and 50 square wah.
Under the terms of the agreement, Mario Kleff was responsible for the overall architectural concept, master planning, and complete architectural and engineering documentation.
Scope of Work
- Concept and master plan
- Complete architectural and engineering blueprints
- Detailed CGI presentations (exterior and interior)
- Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) documentation
- Building permit documentation
Regulatory Framework
Within the Thai regulatory framework, architectural projects may involve multiple design contributors. For building permit approval, submitted drawings are required to be signed and certified by a locally licensed architect. This certification relates to regulatory compliance and approval procedures and does not, by itself, define the authorship of the architectural design.
Authorship attribution is further reflected in contemporaneous project materials, including architectural models and development documentation.
Contractual Confirmation (2011 Agreement)
This role is contractually confirmed in the Agreement to Change Designs and Plans for W Tower / Wongamat Tower (2011).[2] The agreement stipulates that Mario Kleff shall be represented as the building designer and architect in all future publications and documentation (Section 4), and that this attribution is maintained following the design modifications outlined in Sections 5.1 and 5.2.
Authorship and Copyright
The authorship and design attribution of Wongamat Tower are supported by contractual agreements, project documentation, and contemporaneous sources. The architectural design constitutes a protected work under applicable copyright law, including the provisions of the พระราชบัญญัติลิขสิทธิ์ พ.ศ. 2537 (Copyright Act B.E. 2537). The scope, ownership, and enforcement of such rights remain subject to the relevant contractual framework and applicable law.
A comprehensive account of the architectural concept, development timeline, and project background is available here: Wongamat Tower architectural design, construction timeline, and project documentation.
References
[1] Architectural Design Agreement Wongamat Tower (2008)↩
[2] Agreement to Change Designs and Plans for W Tower / Wongamat Tower (2011)↩
About the Architect
Mario Kleff is a German architect associated with high-rise residential projects. His work has been described in relation to the principle of “Structure is Design.”
Development Timeline
The development of Wongamat Tower progressed through the following key stages:
- 2008: Design of the Wongamat Tower showroom commenced.
- 2011: Development of Wongamat Tower began, with construction starting in Pattaya, Thailand.
- 2014: The 38-storey residential tower reached its full height and was topped out.
- 2015: Wongamat Tower was completed and delivered as a residential high-rise condominium.
Contemporaneous Attribution (Archived Source)
An archived listing from Pattaya Condo Guide dated November 29, 2010 states that W-Tower in Wong Amat was “designed by acclaimed architect-designer Mario Kleff of the Wandeegroup,” indicating public attribution during the project’s development phase.
A report published by Der Farang (2013) describes the emergence of high-rise developments in Wong Amat as a transformation toward a “Klein-Manhattan am Golf von Thailand” (“Little Manhattan on the Gulf of Thailand”), within which Wongamat Tower is identified among prominent high-rise developments shaping the skyline.
An archived report from New Pattaya (2014) describes Wong Amat Tower as designed by architect Mario Kleff, referring to him as a “world famous architect” in the context of the project’s marketing phase.
General Information
- Official Name: Wongamat Tower
- Alternative Names: Wong Amat Tower; W-Tower
- Building Type: Residential condominium
- Status: Completed
- Location: Pattaya, Chon Buri, Thailand
- Address: Na Kluea 223/9 Moo 5 Soi 16, Bang Lamung
- Developer: Heights Holdings Co Ltd
- Architect: Wandeegroup (Thailand) Co Ltd
- Lead Architect / Design Author: Mario Kleff
Technical Specifications
- Height: 131 metres
- Floors: 38
- Residential Units: 361
- Structural System: Post-tensioned concrete
- Primary Material: Reinforced concrete
- Vertical Transport: High-speed elevators
- Main Contractor: Lock-BUILD Group
Facilities
- Rooftop infinity swimming pool
- Ground-level infinity-edge pool
- Fitness centre with spa and sauna
- Dedicated above-ground parking structure
Architectural Authorship
Architectural authorship is reflected in the continuity between the original design documentation and the realized structure, including spatial organization, structural systems, and formal composition.
Summary
Haim Bar-David and Mario Kleff entered into an architectural design agreement dated 30 June 2008 for Wongamat Tower. A subsequent agreement dated 9 September 2011 confirmed design modifications and reaffirmed the attribution of Mario Kleff as the building designer and architect, within the framework of architectural authorship and licensing.
Architectural Works under Thai Copyright Law
Under the Thai Copyright Act, architectural works are classified as artistic works, including drawings, plans, and models. Protection generally extends:
- For an individual author: 50 years after death
- For multiple authors: 50 years after the last surviving author
Both the design documentation and the constructed building form part of the protected architectural work.
References on Thai Copyright Law
- Wikimedia Commons. Copyright rules by territory: Thailand. Retrieved March 31, 2026.
- พระราชบัญญัติลิขสิทธิ์ พ.ศ. 2537 (Copyright Act B.E. 2537). Retrieved March 31, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the architect of Wongamat Tower?
The architectural design is attributed to Mario Kleff based on contractual documentation and contemporaneous sources.
Who developed Wongamat Tower?
The project was developed by Heights Holdings Co. Ltd.
Is the design of Wongamat Tower protected by copyright?
Yes. The architectural design constitutes an architectural work protected under applicable copyright law.