Nestled deep in an intimate alley in the Creative District is ATT 19, an elegant mixed-use compound that marries old and new. ATT 19 is now in the space of what once was Arthorn Suksa, a retired old Chinese school that used to serve the children of the community. The structure of the compound was constructed close to the turn of the 20th century, making it more than a hundred years old. After the school stopped operations, the space was restored in a way that honored the old teak wood materials. Using only reclaimed wood, tiles, and bricks, it was redesigned to become a modern yet classic locale. ATT 19 fuses together art, design, lifestyle, food, and fashion harmoniously. And all of it is the doing of one family.
The Attakanwong family is a creative force. The patriarch and matriarch, Pornthep (Lek) and Janya, have been running Lek Gallery Art in historic Bang Rak since 1975. When the Chinese school closed and ATT 19 was created, the family’s two daughters, Porntip (Mook) and Puntip (Cher) spearheaded the new space’s operations as Creative Director and Events and Hospitality Director respectively. In addition to their current roles, Mook is also an experienced fashion designer with her own atelier studio in the back of ATT 19 while Cher is a trained Le Cordon Bleu chef co-running Bad Ass Asia Bar and Mad Beef that bring exciting foods and beverages to the compound.
ATT 19 is divided into two floors. The first floor displays unique contemporary art, vintage clothing, selected brands, antique and modern home decor and furniture that are conversation pieces for buyers. The second is an exhibition and rental events space where ATT 19 curates its own rotating exhibition every 1-2 months. The family aims to give and support young emerging artists and students with a platform to showcase their talents. With ATT 19, they wish to excite the contemporary art scene in Bangkok and make independent art spaces a norm by providing an open and alluring space that inspires Thais creatively.
