BERKELEY INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

The Berkeley International School was the first major commission of Atelier of Architects and remains one of its defining milestones. Commissioned in 2008 by the Summit Group, the project marked the beginning of a long-term relationship between the firm and one of Thailand’s largest industrial conglomerates . The school was conceived as an international institution with a clear symbolic identity—an architectural expression of permanence, tradition, and academic prestige. To achieve this, the design draws inspiration from the Châteaux architecture of France’s Loire Valley, adapting Renaissance-era motifs to the tropical conditions of Bangkok. The resulting form is one of clarity and recognition: a campus that feels immediately institutional and dignified, yet responsive to its climate and context. Beyond stylistic reference, the project raised profound questions about the purpose of architecture. At a time when Thai architectural practice was dominated by modernist expression, Berkeley’s period-inspired architecture stood as a counterpoint—provoking debate about value, relevance, and temporality in design. What emerged was a building that transcended architectural fashion by focusing on use, adaptability, and the lived experience of students and teachers. Over time, the school has proven its resilience. While many buildings from that era have been demolished or replaced, Berkeley International School has continued to expand and evolve. The original campus has since grown to include an Olympic swimming pool, indoor sports complex, and dining facilities, demonstrating the project’s capacity to adapt to the changing needs of the community . Today, Berkeley International School stands as more than an academic facility. It is a living framework for learning, a place where architecture supports the growth of generations, and a reminder that the value of a building lies not only in its stylistic language but in the happiness, purpose, and continuity it provides to its users.