The consultant team for the controversial Chao Phraya riverside promenade project on Wednesday scrapped design plans for a proposed museum from its feasibility study after the design came under heavy criticism on social media this week.
Critics of the proposed Wiman Phra-in museum said the design, presented at a seminar two weeks ago resembled plans for a building project in Moscow, Russia.
Speaking at a press briefing yesterday, project spokeswoman Antika Sawatsri denied the allegations, saying her team did not copy Crystal Island, the planned project in Moscow.
The design in question, which has a sharp chedi-like pointed spiral for a roof, was for a Bangkok museum to be located near Rama VII Bridge. It was expected to be one of four new landmarks along the Chao Phraya River.
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has hired King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang and Khon Kaen University to conduct a feasibility study on the promenade, called "Chao Phraya for All" which is expected to be completed this month.
The first phase of the project is a 7km riverside promenade, stretching along both sides of the river between Rama VII and Pinklao bridges. It is part of a 57km project that runs through Bangkok.
Assoc Prof Antika said the consultant team was responsible only for the first 7km phase. However, it also did work on the proposed design for the museum which was part of the second phase of the project.
The institute claims the design for the museum, to be called Wiman Phra-in or Paradise for Indra, was based on Thai history, culture and beliefs.
The bell-shaped pagoda element is a basic architectural design which has been used by many architects, Ms Antika said.
She said her team were worried about the comments from critics so decided not to include the design in the feasibility study for the BMA to consider.
Ms Antika said her team had not been aware of the existence of Crystal Island until images of it were shared online.
Architect Duangrit Bunnag had criticised the team's design for its lack of integrity and professionalism, saying it was an architect's responsibility to learn about other work in the industry and the danger of copyright infringement.