Introduction
Visiting the architectural landscape of Thailand is like touching the pulse of alive and innovative ancient and modern genius. The adoring public, always at hand, is a backdrop to architectural open-mindedness being nurtured by influences that work wonders with our imagination.. Talent and imagination are exploding, with some of the country’s most exiting firmsᅳthose that come up with audacious, futuristic, even funny ideasᅳleading our way into new possibilities of the future.
And what a diverse group they are. They range from upstart Chinese American and Israeli architecture firms with offices in Bangkok to Thai hometown hero Boonserm Premthada, whose work with bamboo sets a blueprint for the future, to the celebrated landscape architect Kotchakorn Voraakhom, whose work with urban runoff systems has been internationally acclaimed.
1. Changing the Way We See Structures in the Land and People of Thailand
There is a major change taking place in Thailand’s architecture, and its latest generation of designers is at the forefront. Working in the Thai tradition, they are breaking new ground in ways that are transforming the built environment with stunning, visionary, and sometimes just plain fun new buildings. Two of the most visible architects leading this charge are Duangrit Bunnag and Boonserm Premthada. From the Central Embassy office tower to the studio of artist Rirkrit Tiravanija, what they are doing pushes and sometimes even knocks down local conventions.
Duangrit Bunnag is a famous architect. Renowned for using space most effectively, he incorporates thoughtful lighting as a component of his designs. Two of his most noteworthy achievements are “The Jam Factory ” and “The Vana,” both located in the city of Bangkok. “The Jam Factory is a combination of reclaimed modern and industrial structures that sail alongside the Chao Phraya River. Within this ensemble, not unlike a Gesamtkunstwerk, is a place that is both public and private—well, as private as any grocery or basement resale venue might be, I suppose.
2. Simplicity and functionality are the two main concepts embraced by the minimalists.
Architecture embracing minimalism has become popular in Thailand, and its proponents—architects, contractors, and a sizable array of home buyers—seem to enjoy noting its positive effects: clean lines, unadorned spaces, and an attention to the beauty of the unadorned. Minimalist designs often feature open floor plans, neutral colors, and passages for the serenity of natural light and ventilation. Two design teams in the neighboring provinces of Bangkok and Chiang Mai—Idin Architects and Onion—show the breadth of what is possible within the minimalist frame.
3. The Eco-Champions: Pioneering Sustainable Design
- Sustainable architecture is a cause célèbre in today’s Thailand, with architects and designers leading its charge. These design pioneers appear to share the major objectives of building homes that use both sustainable and energy-efficient technologies, that harness the power of local materials, and that also strive to create spaces that feed the human soul.
- The following are profiles of some of the standout firms practicing in Thailand’s emerging sustainable design scene.
4. The Collaborators: Uniting Design and Construction
Many successful projects are built on collaboration between all the right people. The same holds true for the home-building industry. Architects design, home builders construct, and neither would be successful without the often-seamless communication between the two. In Thailand, where the word “collaboration” is often oversold to describe inherently underfunded projects, there is a roster of firms that make the designer-homemaking firm work look natural. Two of them are the A49 Architects and the Integrated Field (IF) firm.
A49 Architects is a multi-disciplinary firm that handles everything from concept through construction. If A49 uses the language of integration to describe their process, then Integrated Field (IF) speaks of complementarity—every member of the team is allowed and indeed pushed to add their own expertise to the mix.
Conclusion
The Thailand Architecture is technology and community-driven. There is an increasing number of architecture and design practices in Thailand that are bold, imaginative, and sustain-able, and are seen as pushing the boundaries of Thai architecture. In this chapter, papers from two projects note the importance of imagination and relationship building in these practices, and highlight what architecture meant to the students involved in the projects.
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