The Urbanist – Tall Stories 490: How renovations stripped Bangkok’s Robot Building of its personality

Monocle | Host: Andrew Tuck | Reporter: Thomas Pinero | Date: January 5, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode of "Tall Stories," part of Monocle’s Urbanist series, examines how recent renovations have erased the whimsical identity of Bangkok’s iconic Robot Building. Thomas Pinero tells the tale of a beloved landmark that bridged technology and friendliness, analyzing the cultural and architectural loss tied to modern redevelopment.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Bangkok’s Playful Skyline (00:09–01:00)

• Bangkok stands out for a skyline dotted with eccentric buildings.
  • Elephant Building: Shaped like the animal, complete with “head,” “ears,” and “tusks.”
  • Pixel Building: A glass skyscraper with terraces and skyboxes that appear pixelated.
  • Robot Building: Inspired by retro robots, its boxy form and details (antennae, “eyes,” “joints”) were anthropomorphic and lively.

The Robot Building’s Origins and Significance (01:00–03:14)

• Designed by architect Sumet Jumsai in 1986 as new headquarters for the Bank of Asia.

  • Inspiration: Jumsai’s son playing with a Japanese robot toy—initially a light-hearted sketch sent as a joke, which the client loved.
  • The building symbolized the automation era in banking and stood as a postmodern emblem in Asia.
  • Notable Quote [02:07]:
    “To Jumsai, this was, in his words, a happy project. A robot that smiled at people who smiled back. It represented technology as a part of life, the robot as a friend.” — (Thomas Pinero)

• The robot motif was nearly fully realized—plans even included a nightly light show with the building “winking” across the city.

Cultural Impact and Recognition (03:14–03:54)

• The Robot Building became a city icon:

  • It was the first high-rise in Sathorn, towering above the then-low-rise landscape.
  • Children and adults alike would admire it from the passing Skytrain.
  • Gained international fame through media, exhibitions, and even a History Channel feature.

• The building exemplified the “symbolism, imagination, and humor” of postmodernism without sacrificing elegance.

Fading Appeal and Renovation Announcement (03:54–04:40)

• Architectural tastes evolved, and people saw the building as outdated.
• UOB Bank (Singaporean bank) announced in 2023 it would remodel the building:
  • Aimed at “wellness and environmental sustainability,” stripping the building’s unique facade for a glazed skin.
  • Notable Quote [04:22]:
    “The remodel prioritized people's wellness and environmental sustainability. The new project introduced a complete reworking of the exterior, replacing the original facade with an all glazed skin… to reduce carbon emissions and promote eco friendliness.” — (Bank President, as paraphrased by Thomas Pinero)

Preservation Efforts and Outcome (04:40–05:16)

• Jumsai and conservation group Doko Momo campaigned to save the facade, proposing updates only to the interior.

  • Their pleas were ignored; now, “another glass office tower” stands in its place.
  • The city mourns the loss, especially after other icons like the art deco Scala Cinema were demolished.

• Notable Quote [05:07]:
  “Today, as the train glides past, something remains—another glass office tower. But something is missing, too. Bangkok's robot has disappeared from the skyline.” — (Thomas Pinero)

A Legacy Preserved Elsewhere (05:16–05:47)

• While the building is gone, its memory lives on at M+ Museum in Hong Kong, housing Jumsai’s sketches, models, and photographs.
  • The museum acts as a sanctuary for lost Asian architectural icons, situating the Robot Building alongside pieces like Tokyo’s Nakagin Capsule Tower and Hong Kong’s neon signage.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Design Intent [02:07]:
  “A robot that smiled at people who smiled back. It represented technology as a part of life, the robot as a friend.” — Thomas Pinero

• On Cultural Impact [03:50]:
  “For decades, kids glued themselves to the window to catch a glimpse of the robot as the train glided past. And a fair few adults did it, too.” — Thomas Pinero

• On the Renovation [04:22]:
  “…complete reworking of the exterior, replacing the original facade with an all glazed skin… to reduce carbon emissions and promote eco friendliness.”

• On the Loss [05:07]:
  “Today, as the train glides past… something is missing, too. Bangkok’s robot has disappeared from the skyline.”

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:09 – Introduction to Bangkok’s playful architecture
• 01:00–03:14 – The origins, design, and backstory of the Robot Building
• 03:14–03:54 – The building’s role in the city and culture
• 03:54–04:40 – Announcement and motivations for renovation
• 04:40–05:16 – Preservation efforts and outcome
• 05:16–05:47 – The legacy at M+ Museum

Summary Tone

The episode balance nostalgia with quiet protest, expressing sadness over the loss of architectural identity to modernization, and highlighting the lasting importance of preserving city character.

For those who never saw Bangkok’s Robot Building, this episode is an evocative lesson on the character that playful urban design can lend to a city—and what disappears when it’s stripped away.