KASIKORNBANK (KBank) has teamed with six leading partners including Chulalongkorn University (CU), Property Management of Chulalongkorn University (PMCU); PTT Global Chemical Public Company Limited (GC); Cement-Building Materials Business, SCG; Advanced Info Service PCL (AIS); and Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organization (Public Organization) (TGO) in the launch of the 'Innovative Iconic Green Building' under the name 'KLOUD by KBank' to enliven all ideas and represent the prototype of a 'Green Area' in the heart of Siam Square.
The building comes with functions that connect lives with creativity while applying innovative technologies that can spark inspiration under the "create YOURNiVERSE" concept. KLOUD by KBank aims to attract the new generation to use this area for knowledge sharing, learning and participating in fun-filled activities to open up new opportunities and challenges for 'green' citizens in the digital era. The general public is invited to come and join in creating value for other people, thus contributing to sustainable growth for the society.
Ms. Kattiya Indaravijaya, KBank Chief Executive Officer, said, "With KBank's intention and commitment to advancing a balanced business, we have adopted the strategy of investing in technologies and joining forces with our partners to elevate the organization while creating a sustainable value for the society, environment and the nation, alike. Of late, we have unveiled 'KLOUD by KBank' - an innovative 'green' building in the heart of Siam Square under the 'create YOURNiVERSE concept - which represents an element of creativity. KBank is ready to realize all ideas and invite the new generation to unleash the fun and showcase their positive energy in order to foster the sustainability of nature and the environment for a better future world."
"The 'KLOUD by KBank' project has been created to be the 'Innovative Iconic Green Building' that will be a prototype of a 'Green Area' in Siam Square. With the use of a green building management system, the building fully utilizes renewable energy under the International Renewable Energy Certificate (I-REC) along with effective energy management in accordance with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) and Fitwel certified. Moreover, its waste management system focuses on comprehensive recycling by moving up the waste hierarchy to ensure the zero waste-to-landfill. As concerns its functionality, the KLOUD by KBank building introduces connectivity of creative lifestyles and offers free usage of space to customers, students and the general public, so that they can all benefit from cutting-edge technologies and innovations."
Ms. Kattiya Indaravijaya added that "KLOUD by KBank" is open for all to enjoy the following three highlighted services:
The building will also provide spaces for small merchants. For example, under the "KLOUD Top Picks" project, a 3D screen of the KLOUD by KBank building in the heart of Siam Square will be used to promote merchants that may not be able to buy advertisement media in Siam Square to increase public recognition, leading to greater sales opportunities. This is in line with KBank's determination to use our resources to support communities, take care of the environment and promote economic growth in a sustainable manner."
Professor Bundhit Eua-arporn, Ph.D., President of Chulalongkorn University, said, "The KLOUD by KBank building has been based on the design concepts of students of Chulalongkorn University, who are part of the new generation with outstanding creativity. The design contest for KBank's Siam Square Branch in the 'Sustainable Building: The 'Right Cycle Living' project, which was under cooperation of the Faculty of Architecture and the Faculty of Engineering of Chulalongkorn University with the aim of creating a new landmark building, was the starting point that ignited the development of building design to match the users' lifestyles, specifically. Chulalongkorn University hopes that the KLOUD by KBank building, with its state-of-the-art quality contributed by students of Chulalongkorn University who are deemed as Future Leaders, will brighten up the Siam Square area and respond perfectly to the users' demands in this era."
Assoc. Prof. Jittisak Thammapornpilas, Ph.D., Vice President for Property and Physical Resources Management, Chulalongkorn University, said, "Siam Square is not only one of Bangkok's hustle and bustle CBDs, but also a shopping and educational mecca. The current collaboration with KBank offers a good opportunity for CU to develop Siam Square as a unique walking street in terms of its scenic landscape and modernity, thus providing opportunities for young people to express their diverse range of talents. CU is therefore ready to promote this CBD and KLOUD by KBank because they are important landmarks that create opportunities for various businesses so that they can thrive together."
Mr. Kiatchai Maitriwong, Executive Director, Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organization (Public Organization), said, "We are proud to be part of KLOUD by KBank project that aims to establish a standard for measuring GHG emissions rates. This building manifests various achievements, which include the project itself, as it infuses new policies and guidelines of the world. Related stories of this building serve as a new learning tool, and the building itself sets a good example for society, particularly a new form of low carbon society for a sustainable future."
Dr. Kongkrapan Intarajang, Chief Executive Officer & President, PTT Global Chemical Public Company Limited (GC), said, "GC attaches importance to using the principles of sustainability, which helps create a balance between the environment, society, good corporate governance and economy, in its business operations. The circular economy concept has also been used as an important tool in achieving the company's sustainability target. Over the years, GC has helped promote awareness of plastic waste management, ranging from the right ways of segregating plastic waste to collection, recycling and upcycling. The company is ready to upgrade its collaboration with its strategic partners, including educational institutions, religious establishments, communities, public and private sector organizations in a wide range of missions. Today, we are pleased to have expanded the cooperation with KBank through unveiling the KLOUD by KBank building, which is one of Thailand's sustainable building prototypes. Under such collaboration, GC has offered KBank support which includes a comprehensive plastic waste management innovation, called the YOUTURN Platform. This platform deals with waste management at sources, with machines that turn food waste into biofertilizer, drop points for the collection of used plastic bottles, and YOUTURN Reverse Vending Machines, which all help in the transportation and collection of plastic waste for further recycling and upcycling into value added plastic products. A new experience has been created for users via a recycling machine that can process plastic waste into upcycled wall decorations in buildings. Moreover, Upcycling by GC machines will be provided for product redemption such as clothes, bags, furniture and other items through the YOUTURN application, including a comprehensive report on recycling waste management. The KLOUD by KBank building aims to achieve the goal of 'Zero Waste to Landfill' and to become a prototype of sustainable buildings to expand in other areas accordingly."
Mr. Nithi Patarachoke, President of Cement-Building Materials Business, Siam Cement Group (SCG), said, "In the KLOUD by KBank project, SCG has adopted technology to create a full range of smart building standards, such as the SCG HVAC air scrubber - a system which helps save energy by up to 20 percent, while also treating pollution and carbon dioxide, together with SCG Bi-ion - a system which helps eliminate airborne pathogens by up to 99 percent, to ensure clean and secure surrounding air. The KLOUD by KBank project is the latest cooperative effort between KBank and SCG which aims to achieve LEED and Fitwel building standard certifications, which reflect our goal in making energy-saving buildings while also being concerned for the health and well-being of all building users."
Mr. Somchai Lertsutiwong, Chief Executive Officer of Advanced Info Services Public Company Limited (AIS), said, "We believe that co-working to achieve the sustainability target is the most important aspect of this era. The collaboration of business partners will strengthen and transfer energy to Thai society as well. Therefore, AIS, as a digital service provider, is willing to team with KBank in driving the idea of 'Sustainable Green Community and Society Development'. In the KLOUD by KBank building, we establish the best digital infrastructure from our smart network of AIS 5G and AIS Super Broadband, including AIS WIFI throughout the building. This is to encourage everyone to use this space for creative innovations as well as for premise management using technologies such as loT, so as to achieve the goal of being a 'Digital Intelligence Space'".
Ms. Kattiya noted in closing that KLOUD by KBank is now ready to welcome everyone at Siam Square Soi 7, open daily from 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.; more information is available at LINE: @KLOUDbyKBank.