tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62752932973328756402024-03-12T20:10:36.583-07:00Thai Architecture Contemporary and TraditionalPhotos and articles about Architecture in ThailandOPen MIndhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06290169355404859616noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275293297332875640.post-90737083977843872442016-03-08T08:20:00.001-08:002021-03-14T01:13:41.442-08:00Hilton Pattaya Lobby<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K5UlMDUHbtg/Vt765bM5kOI/AAAAAAAAChw/I2jJEgb32KY/s1600/hilton-pattaya-lobby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="170" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K5UlMDUHbtg/Vt765bM5kOI/AAAAAAAAChw/I2jJEgb32KY/s320/hilton-pattaya-lobby.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
It can sometimes be hard to find any examples of excellent modern Thai architectural design. While there are many talented new architects and designers working in Thailand, their work often tends to get obscured, and common perceptions of visitors to Thailand about Thai architecture reflect this.<br />
<br />
Visitors to Thailand want culture, dining, shopping and night life in Bangkok. In other places they want beaches, temples, forests and night life. Coming to Thailand with this mindset means you equate the best of Thai architecture with the spectacle of religious or state buildings such as Wat Pho or the Grand Palace. Or perhaps people embrace the modernity of steel, glass and height found in the skyscrapers around <a href="http://www.silomguide.com/" target="_blank">Silom near Patpong</a>. These skyscrapers show very little that is Thai - they could just as well be placed in Hong Kong or London.<br />
<br />
The Department of Architecture (<a href="http://www.departmentofarchitecture.co.th/">http://www.departmentofarchitecture.co.th/</a>) is attempting to address these perceptions. They are an exciting architectural firm that has several hotel, restaurant and private villa projects under their belt. They bring a playful and eye-catching attention to detail in their work to make spaces really capture the imagination.<br />
<br />
In the Pattaya Hilton the main lobby is on the 16th floor. It is a long space with a stunning ceiling hanging that is repeated on the next floor up in the Drift Bar. The ceilings in these spaces have folded fabric hanging down. The lines flow along the ceiling enticing visitors to travel along the space to the sea views at the floor to ceiling windows. The lines undulate like waves bringing an organic irregularity to counterpoise the hard lines and formality of the hotel lobby setting. The muted tones of the ceiling are reflected in the carpet and colour of the furniture.<br />
<br />
In the Caribbean Drift Bar upstairs the same ceiling motif is repeated. This time the ceiling waves don't travel the length of the room but the width, leading visitors to the outside seating and views. The same colour scheme as with the lobby is repeated.<br />
<br />
The architectural quality of this Pattaya hotel has no doubt contributed to the success of the luxury hotel and hopefully gone some way to changing perceptions of modern Thai architecture<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
OPen MIndhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06290169355404859616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275293297332875640.post-22389878409159042452015-08-19T02:56:00.003-07:002015-08-19T02:56:42.693-07:00Unusual Hotels in Thailand<h3>
The Good</h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y_MtT7YK8HQ/VdRQxDXagJI/AAAAAAAACak/vQ4Vr1zQ6es/s1600/CCs-hideaway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y_MtT7YK8HQ/VdRQxDXagJI/AAAAAAAACak/vQ4Vr1zQ6es/s1600/CCs-hideaway.jpg" /></a></div>
<b>CC’s Hideaway in Phuket</b> is a 4 star hotel with a unique design. The architect has made something more than just a rectangular accommodation block with a pool in the grounds. Instead the effect is open space.
The yellow building has a series of open holes inviting light in at the front. At the back only the bare bones have been kept so that there is a seamless cross over from inside to outside.
Most impressive is the massive curved awning on top of the building. This large space has a wooden floor and serves as a viewing deck for the ocean as well as a place to do yoga.
Rooms feature original art work and the restaurant and bar both have a strong colour motif. This is not the final word in luxury but it is a pleasure to stay at CC’s Hideaway
<br />
<h3>
The Average</h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f0at6khZjTM/VdRRJWfAP1I/AAAAAAAACas/xWflGujjOOI/s1600/rin-beach-resort.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f0at6khZjTM/VdRRJWfAP1I/AAAAAAAACas/xWflGujjOOI/s1600/rin-beach-resort.jpg" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.haadrinhotelreviews.info/rin-beach-resort/">Rin Beach Resort</a> is a 3 star resort near the famous Haad Rin Nai Beach, venue for the famous Full Moon Party. The resort has a pool with accommodation set around the pool as well as a restaurant and bar. The stand out feature of the resort, however, is the boat house option. This is a line of ersatz boats set in a shallow pool. They are rooms.
Inside each boat house is a room with rich wooden interiors curved as the ship’s hull. They are fairly spacious and some feature an indoor Jacuzzi. The roof of the boat house works as a private sunroof. The quality of the boat houses makes them more than just architectural gimmicks. They add something to the resort and to Haad Rin which despite its fame and large cash flow fails in the most part to dazzle in terms of hotel design. The idea is not new however, as the Imperial Boat House in Koh Samui also has boat shaped rooms around a boat-shaped pool.
<br />
<h3>
The Ridiculous</h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tJtjbqi5d64/VdRR1x8zWWI/AAAAAAAACa0/0WHIGkD4rHs/s1600/Baanphasawan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tJtjbqi5d64/VdRR1x8zWWI/AAAAAAAACa0/0WHIGkD4rHs/s1600/Baanphasawan.jpg" /></a></div>
From the average to the downright ridiculous is <b>Baanphasawan</b>, near the Myanmar border. The resort is the brainchild of a major fruit enthusiast. The 80 acre site has over 100 varieties of fruit under cultivation. The rooms are bungalows in the shape of fruits. It looks daft and the builds are not high quality. They look like giant carnival float pieces made of something I hope more than paper Mache.
<br />
<h3>
The Green</h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2pa-FleZClk/VdRSQLktQpI/AAAAAAAACa8/HD3Rrjq-vQg/s1600/casa-de-la-flores.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2pa-FleZClk/VdRSQLktQpI/AAAAAAAACa8/HD3Rrjq-vQg/s1600/casa-de-la-flores.jpg" /></a></div>
<b>Casa de La Flora</b> is on the beach at Khao Lak. It is near the main market area of <a href="http://www.khaolakaccommodation.net/bangniang.html">Bang Niang</a>. This is a modernist eco hotel. The rooms are long and beach facing. The roofs feature immaculate strips of lawn. This is complimented by a large strip of grass leading down to the pool with sea views. The ‘green roofs’ make good sense in Thailand as they help to keep the temperature down inside the rooms. The benefit is that fewer resources are needed to be spent on air-con. This makes the carbon footprint for running hotel lower.
From an architectural point of view, the only disappointment with the rooms is that they are essentially long concrete tubes with grass on top. They look cramped and lacking in complexity. From an aerial view they look like long bunkers with golf greens on top. However, they are unique.
OPen MIndhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06290169355404859616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275293297332875640.post-1916512172123635252015-04-29T05:49:00.005-07:002021-03-14T01:15:43.378-08:00Train Station Architecture in ThailandTrain stations represent towns and cities. They represent a centre, a hub. Often they demonstrate civic pride. In many cases rail stations are well funded building projects used to set the architectural tone of an area. Famous architects have built memorable train stations. With this in mind, what do Thailand’s train stations have to tell us about Thai culture?<br />
<br />
<h2>
Hua Lamphong Train Station</h2>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-whEgYY_ADG4/VUDQ_zm2uLI/AAAAAAAACVM/XLoLuH-mpDc/s1600/Hua-Lamphong-Train-Station.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-whEgYY_ADG4/VUDQ_zm2uLI/AAAAAAAACVM/XLoLuH-mpDc/s320/Hua-Lamphong-Train-Station.jpg" /></a>
<br />
Hua Lamphong Station (opened June, 1916) is the most important train station in Thailand. It was designed by Mario Tamagno, an Italian architect and lecturer who won a 25 year contract from King Chulalongkorn. Mario Tamagno was influenced by Italianate or Neo-Renaissance style. He also combined elements of the baroque in his work. While the central arch that runs through the building is very much in the vogue of train stations at the time, he added ornate buildings to the side, along with columns. There is a certain grandeur to the building but the style which harks back to 15th Century Italy might not be the obvious choice for a train station in Bangkok.<br />
<br />
Perhaps since steam power was a Western innovation, along with mechanised industrialisation (and indeed train station design) it was felt that the train station should reflect this – a new, grand departure for Thailand.<br />
<br />
Mario Tamagno also designed Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall, Makkhawan Rangsan Bridge, Nongkhran Samoson Hall in Suan Sunanda Palace, and the Oriental Hotel. He often collaborated with Annibale Rigotti.<br />
<h2>
Nakhon Lampang Station</h2>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mO4F8mLTkVw/VUDRG8jMm1I/AAAAAAAACVU/So2P7YeQASA/s1600/Lampang-Railway-Station.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mO4F8mLTkVw/VUDRG8jMm1I/AAAAAAAACVU/So2P7YeQASA/s320/Lampang-Railway-Station.jpg" /></a>
<br />
In contrast Nakhon Lampang Railway Station (opened circa 1915) displays a mix of Northern Thai and European architecture styles. It is 600 kilometres north of Bangkok Train station. The main train station building has European arches on the ground floor and then a second floor with ornately designed windows and doors more in a Thai style. The roof has two tiers with a gap for ventilation that is also Thai. In 1993 the train station won the Association of Siamese Architects' Architectural Conservation Award.<br />
<h2>
Hua Hin Train Station</h2>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1pkyU2Skc44/VUDR9zWc_oI/AAAAAAAACVc/k7LYeELTfYg/s1600/Hua-Hin-Train-Station.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1pkyU2Skc44/VUDR9zWc_oI/AAAAAAAACVc/k7LYeELTfYg/s320/Hua-Hin-Train-Station.jpg" /></a>
<br />
Hua Hin Train Station is often called ‘Thailand's most beautiful train station’. The wooden building was previously a royal pavilion in Sanamchan Palace, Nakhon Pathom Province. It was rebuilt at Hua Hin in 1968.<br />
<br />
The main building on the platform is the small wooden pavilion. It is built in classic Thai style. The red and yellow of the pavilion is repeated in the platform awning and columns.<br />
<h2>
Phitchit Train Station</h2>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9xEQARCHurs/VUDSjCVW2EI/AAAAAAAACVk/bh1QZVF6YHQ/s1600/Phichit-Train-Station.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9xEQARCHurs/VUDSjCVW2EI/AAAAAAAACVk/bh1QZVF6YHQ/s320/Phichit-Train-Station.jpg" /></a>
<br />
Phitchit Train Station was also built in the reign of King Chulalongkorn. It is a small square building (not a long one hugging the line) that is in a Neo-Classical style. It is a solid white building with large shuttered windows on the second floor and arches on the bottom floor.<br />
<br />
These four buildings are the more eye-catching stations in Thailand. They reveal two themes. One is that there were no restrictions on building style when many stations were built. The other is that train station design was influenced by the King.<br />
<br />
The royal connection with train stations in Thailand is obvious. Not only was the King often the driving force for infrastructure improvements to the realm but also his arrival at the city was often a cause for the building of a monumental train station. Other stations that he didn’t visit in a public capacity at the start of the rail age in Thailand didn’t receive the same attention or funding.<br />
<br />
<b>Sources</b><br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bangkok_Railway_Station" rel="nofollow">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bangkok_Railway_Station</a><br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nakhon_Lampang_Railway_Station" rel="nofollow">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nakhon_Lampang_Railway_Station</a>OPen MIndhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06290169355404859616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275293297332875640.post-55881879760947019212015-04-10T08:33:00.001-07:002021-03-14T01:16:30.727-08:00Stupa and Chedi<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CY8kKrUn9ok/VSfsGbCJK7I/AAAAAAAACTI/7zT12Wx9_6A/s1600/8-stupas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CY8kKrUn9ok/VSfsGbCJK7I/AAAAAAAACTI/7zT12Wx9_6A/s1600/8-stupas.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div align="justify">
In Thailand the terms stupa and chedi are interchangeable. They refer to the mound shape found in many Buddhist buildings. They are one of the core designs of Thai Buddhist architecture.<br />
<br />
A stupa or chedi looks like a cup upside. Indeed there is a story that the original Buddha’s disciples asked their master what sort of monument they should build for his dead body. The Buddha folded a cloth into a square and placed his begging bowl on top to demonstrate what he wanted.<br />
<br />
This story is relevant because historians believe that the first stupas in India were originally burial mounds. This aspect of stupas is retained in a sense that a stupa is meant to contain relics from Buddhist saints, although some modern stupas are just symbolic and don’t contain any relics.<br />
<br />
Stupas are believed to have derived from burial bounds pre-dating Buddhism. Indeed the word ‘stupa’ derives from the Sanskrit word meaning ‘to pile up’. The stupa was adopted as a key element to Buddhist temple architecture in India. And from India the stupa (along with Buddhism) was exported all over Asia including Thailand.<br />
<br />
The symbolism involved in the Buddhist stupa is complex:<br />
<ol>
<li>The square base is the head of the Buddha</li>
<li>The hemisphere is the Buddha’s body</li>
<li>The top of the spire coming out of the mound is his crown</li>
<li>The base is his throne</li>
<li>The steps below are his legs.</li>
</ol>
The totality represents the Buddha meditating in lotus position on his lion throne.<br />
<h2>
Famous Stupa in Thailand</h2>
<ul>
<li>Phra Pathommachedi – Nakhon Pathom. Tallest stupa in the world</li>
<li>Phra Boromathat Chaiya – Chaiya in Suratthani Province</li>
<li>Wat Arun – Bangkok. Also a representation of Mount Meru</li>
<li>Wat Yai Chai Mongkon – Ayutthaya. UNESCO site</li>
</ul>
The image above shows the 8 different styles of stupa. This gives you a clue to the added significance different designs in stupa have. This picture is based on Tibetan sources but could just as well apply to Thai stupas.<br />
<br />
Resources: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stupa" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Wikipedia entry about Stupas</a> <br />
<br /></div>
OPen MIndhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06290169355404859616noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275293297332875640.post-85596728981923571322015-02-21T05:30:00.002-08:002021-03-14T01:18:21.848-08:00Tree Houses in ThailandIt is curious that although Thais frequently build their homes on stilts they rarely build houses or bungalows in trees. The tree house is an imported idea that is slowly gaining traction in Thailand. It is sometimes broadly interpreted as a building among trees or a roof top room exposed to the elements. Here are a few versions of tree houses in Thailand.<br />
<br />
<h2>
Bangkok Tree House</h2>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pCQU66qubjU/VOiHALl4ZmI/AAAAAAAACPw/A45FIAohDiE/s1600/Bangkok-Tree-House.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pCQU66qubjU/VOiHALl4ZmI/AAAAAAAACPw/A45FIAohDiE/s1600/Bangkok-Tree-House.jpg" /></a></div>
This is a serious attempt at an environmentally friendly hotel in Bangkok. It is next to the river in an area with plenty of trees. The hotel offers various high build rooms including this one with great views and a bed on a viewing platform. It epitomises the indoor / outdoor concept that came to the fore of Thai design in the early 2000s mostly connected to luxury villa and hotel architecture.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.bangkoktreehouse.com/" rel="nofollow">www.bangkoktreehouse.com</a><br />
<br />
<h2>
Khao Sok Tree House</h2>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aeq4wyZnsR0/VOiHQi4du1I/AAAAAAAACP4/mLOI3mZDDL0/s1600/tree-house-khao-sok.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aeq4wyZnsR0/VOiHQi4du1I/AAAAAAAACP4/mLOI3mZDDL0/s1600/tree-house-khao-sok.jpg" /></a></div>
This is a resort set near the National Park of Khao Sok. It is a staging post for safaris in the park. It gives guests the chance to be in a jungle environment. The rooms are bungalows that are on stilts. They are not built in the cradle of a branch but are surrounded by plenty of trees. The resort does well to combine luxuries such as a swimming pool with a forest situation.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.khaosok-treehouse.com/" rel="nofollow">www.khaosok-treehouse.com/</a><br />
<br />
<h2>
Rabeang Pasak Treehouse Resort</h2>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3mHAG9Qt2KI/VOiHlhAvDQI/AAAAAAAACQA/z3cnBcS1wwY/s1600/Longan-House.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3mHAG9Qt2KI/VOiHlhAvDQI/AAAAAAAACQA/z3cnBcS1wwY/s1600/Longan-House.jpg" /></a></div>
This resort is on the edge of Chiang Mai City. It is in a great sylvan location. Longan House is a well-constructed tree house. The main room is built around a tree trunk at elevation. The structure is extended with steps and a walk way to a smaller room near ground level.<br />
<br />
<h2>
Charm Beach Resort</h2>
<br />
On the popular <a href="http://www.baantai.info/parties.html">party beach of Baan Tai</a> you can find one ‘luxury’ tree house. It is built in a tree on the beach. It has TV, air-con and the resort promises room service. It is a bungalow in a tree essentially. It fits very well into the traditional Koh Phangan style of using natural and locally sourced materials for building.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.kohphanganhotelreviews.com/best-tree-house/">www.kohphanganhotelreviews.com/best-tree-house/</a><br />
<br />
<h2>
Sunrise Villa</h2>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hfaZD7MPHcM/VOiH13ZiraI/AAAAAAAACQI/aN_3S5hgpXU/s1600/sunrise-villa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hfaZD7MPHcM/VOiH13ZiraI/AAAAAAAACQI/aN_3S5hgpXU/s1600/sunrise-villa.jpg" /></a></div>
On the same island is Sunrise Villa. It is a modern 3 bedroom private villa. The hillside location means that there is a large distance between the wrap around balcony and the steep hill below. The panoramic sea views and the height give the impression of being in a tree house.<br />
<br />
<br />
<h2>
Koh Phayam</h2>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CkMfCaH8GcA/VOiITOHnMEI/AAAAAAAACQQ/GxZbhsKnrtk/s1600/Koh-Phayam-tree-house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CkMfCaH8GcA/VOiITOHnMEI/AAAAAAAACQQ/GxZbhsKnrtk/s1600/Koh-Phayam-tree-house.jpg" /></a></div>
Koh Phayam is a small island off the coast from Ranong on the Andaman coast. It is very under-developed, in many ways like Koh Phangan was 30 years ago. The main beach had a bar with lots of funky seating including this basic tree house. The platform is made from bamboo and the steps are just bits of wood nailed to the tree. It is simplicity itself.OPen MIndhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06290169355404859616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275293297332875640.post-24886596417954555742014-05-06T05:58:00.000-07:002014-05-16T03:05:43.618-07:00Beach Architecture in Thailand<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_9XUWGRvsZ4/U2jcBr7zIDI/AAAAAAAACEM/7FHE9dqvxFo/s1600/Island-View-Cabana-Bungalow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_9XUWGRvsZ4/U2jcBr7zIDI/AAAAAAAACEM/7FHE9dqvxFo/s1600/Island-View-Cabana-Bungalow.jpg" /></a></div>
<div align="justify">
Two of the main driving forces of construction in Thailand has been tourism and the private residence for foreigners sectors. Thai people tend to stick with the same house and often expand outwards. It is not that they are not house proud, rather it is that the banks are reluctant to lend money for housing projects. Moreover, Thais have a practical attitude to their homes –they are just places to rest your head. In villages people tend to stay on the verandas and porches in the shade but still interact with the world passing by. They love eating outside and being outside. It is not an indoor country in the way that say Sweden is.<br />
<br />
There was a boom in the building of private villas in resort areas in Thailand such as Phuket, Koh Samui and Koh Phangan in the 1990s and first decade of this century. That all changed with the down turn in the world economy in 2008. There has been a small recovery but political uncertainty has held the market back. Many of these villas are now on the market for a reduced price. The problem is that few people want to buy a second hand villa in Thailand when they can get a new one for little more money – plus also estate agents are actually developers and they push their own products rather than their second hand catalogue.<br />
<br />
Villas reflect hotel architecture in many ways in that they focus on outdoor spaces that run into indoor spaces. The focal points tend to be the outdoor pool, Jacuzzi and bedroom with great view. They are selling a lifestyle just as hotels are selling an exotic and pampered experience. The cross-over is complete with many villa rentals offering in-house catering and hotel services. People want their own private luxury but don’t want to clean or cook it seems!<br />
<br />
The other end of beach culture is the traditional Thai beach bungalow made with local wood, bamboo and thatched roof. Back in the day these basic wooden bungalows on stilts didn’t even have a bathroom – it was more practical and hygienic to have a communal bathroom block.<br />
<br />
Now many beach resorts have abandoned the traditional Thai architecture of the beach hut and built concrete units euphemistically called ‘villas’. They sometimes attempt a nod to Thai architecture with a Thai style steep roof or by using hardwood floors and Thai decoration. These are just superfluous flourishes and the process of upping rental prices is turning Thai beaches into soulless corporate hotel locations that embrace fake modernity, ersatz Thai culture and an insidious monoculture.<br />
<br />
Thankfully places such as Koh Chang (off Andaman coast) and obscure beaches such as <a href="http://www.maehaad.kohphanganhotelreviews.com/">Mae Haad in Koh Phangan</a> still keep to the traditional Thai beach architecture which is about upcycling, recycling, using local materials and blending into the environment. The point cannot be made strong enough – upgrading makes the beach ugly and does not bring prosperity to the local community.</div>
OPen MIndhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06290169355404859616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275293297332875640.post-37510878770278673152013-07-25T13:45:00.002-07:002013-07-25T13:45:54.270-07:00Beach Architecture<div align="justify">
The majority of visitors to Thailand head for the beach. They might stop for a few days in Bangkok and Chiang Mai but for most the focal point of the holiday is going to be a beach milieu. It is thus the buildings found at beach resorts that are going to inform people’s ideas of Thai architecture; that and Thai temples.<br />
<br />
The more developed the beach resort area the more the hotels and resorts move away from basic wooden bungalows made of local materials such as bamboo and coconut thatch. It is a shame that the next step up from coconut thatching seems to be the ugly corrugated iron roof.<br />
<br />
Since the weather in beach locations is so clement many public buildings consist mostly of columns holding up a roof – walls are unnecessary and prevent natural ventilation. Often the only architectural flourish is the architrave which might be a feature borrowed from temple architecture or some wooden paneling with a ‘Thai’ motif. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_UdeZEtULP0/UfGNrLoIjWI/AAAAAAAAB7M/mZTsvL72s1Q/s1600/poppiesinsamui.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_UdeZEtULP0/UfGNrLoIjWI/AAAAAAAAB7M/mZTsvL72s1Q/s320/poppiesinsamui.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Poppies Restaurant in Koh Samui</b></div>
<br />
5 Star hotels in Koh Samui and Phuket might use a Chinese column and arch or Thai sala. These are more nods to the location rather than an attempt at exciting Thai architecture. The desire of the architect is to fulfill the guests’ expectations of luxury and ‘tropical living’ spending resources to make big outdoor areas, unusual swimming pools and what is known as ‘indoor / outdoor’ spaces. The ultimate in luxury seems to be a private swimming pool that comes up to the bedroom window and maybe inside the villa. It is all fairly superficial and governed more by fads in fashion than innovation in architecture. <br />
<br />
In places like Koh Phangan where beach accommodation is generally upgrading the focus is still on providing air-con, outdoor baths, swimming pools, hot water and other facilities that can justify a rise in prices.<br />
<br />
At beaches moving from the budget to the mid-range such as <a href="http://www.haadsalad.info/" target="_blank">Haad Salad Beach</a> it is hard to find any structure that stands out architecturally. Perhaps this is as it should be since the star of the show is the white sand, the turquoise sea and the towering palm trees. This might be a better situation as more concrete only increase the heat of an area, and the prices.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cWc5ObzVOT8/UfGN0CVHXjI/AAAAAAAAB7U/fRfkfzjH8cw/s1600/haadlad-prestige-resort-in-haad-salad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cWc5ObzVOT8/UfGN0CVHXjI/AAAAAAAAB7U/fRfkfzjH8cw/s320/haadlad-prestige-resort-in-haad-salad.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Haadlad Prestige Resort and Spa</b></div>
</div>
OPen MIndhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06290169355404859616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275293297332875640.post-72312823263952475222013-04-02T15:11:00.000-07:002013-04-02T15:13:11.381-07:00Bangkok Architecture<div style="text-align: justify;">
The typical experience of <a href="http://thaiarchitecture.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/bangkok-architecture.html">Bangkok architecture</a> is one of randomness and ad hoc alterations as you move around the city. It is a short distance from modernist centers like Siam and Chidlom to shanty housing thrown up along the klongs and the train tracks.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Often the glare and the loud music, not to mention the razzmatazz, of certain places masks old and functional buildings, quickly put up. All over the city you see 'stacking' - blocks of concrete units, often hotels, laid next to each other overlooking narrow roads.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Around the city you see odd attempts at architectural statement. Besides the famous examples of the National Stadium and the famous religious buildings of the capital there are plenty of small details that strike you as not quite successful and perhaps dated.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The boom years in the 2000s when the world property market was bouyed by record high share prices meant a lot of money was available for big building projects. Moreover building condominium units allowed agents to sell to foreigners freehold titles.Along the waterfront of the Chao Phraya River from Khao San down to Sukhumvit and beyond you see skycrapers with modernist and bold touches. Really selling itself and the city.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
There is now an over-supply of top-end accommodation in Bangkok and so major Bangkok commercial projects have slowed down. Investment is down and the Baht is in danger of becoming too expensive for export and so major public works is less.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Despite all these shortcomings, Bangkok remains the benchmark for South East Asian architecture and town planning. The city continues to change and throw up buildings that typify a style and a new trend.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y4PLpXadfbk/UVtVL5jX8gI/AAAAAAAAB0s/VzGFjuV3ofY/s1600/futuristic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y4PLpXadfbk/UVtVL5jX8gI/AAAAAAAAB0s/VzGFjuV3ofY/s1600/futuristic.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Futuristic</b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8Ow1Zs7iZyo/UVtVcHNCGpI/AAAAAAAAB00/BXA1pYfoCFg/s1600/rivershanty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8Ow1Zs7iZyo/UVtVcHNCGpI/AAAAAAAAB00/BXA1pYfoCFg/s1600/rivershanty.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>River Shanty</b></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vSFRVJQj_ek/UVtV8jH8twI/AAAAAAAAB08/lW98sgX4r3g/s1600/stacking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vSFRVJQj_ek/UVtV8jH8twI/AAAAAAAAB08/lW98sgX4r3g/s1600/stacking.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Stacking
</b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5YhJbAgWmYM/UVtWVcuKDdI/AAAAAAAAB1E/EqCI4kY8Fj4/s1600/mockitalian.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5YhJbAgWmYM/UVtWVcuKDdI/AAAAAAAAB1E/EqCI4kY8Fj4/s1600/mockitalian.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Mock Italian</b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jebBYQxIEbU/UVtWoHbYqqI/AAAAAAAAB1M/ZLaJ9zKXE6c/s1600/chao-phraya.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jebBYQxIEbU/UVtWoHbYqqI/AAAAAAAAB1M/ZLaJ9zKXE6c/s1600/chao-phraya.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Waterfront development</b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F9KDSG43cpA/UVtW2SDfkQI/AAAAAAAAB1U/1C7yQdq6vVI/s1600/sukhumvit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F9KDSG43cpA/UVtW2SDfkQI/AAAAAAAAB1U/1C7yQdq6vVI/s1600/sukhumvit.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Sukhumvit</b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OCeTe7kth2U/UVtXAvH43wI/AAAAAAAAB1c/hJNFiHWHIYY/s1600/2000strend.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OCeTe7kth2U/UVtXAvH43wI/AAAAAAAAB1c/hJNFiHWHIYY/s1600/2000strend.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Dated 2000s architecture</b></div>
OPen MIndhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06290169355404859616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275293297332875640.post-42400420448479935942013-01-09T13:40:00.000-08:002013-01-09T13:40:27.599-08:00The Fad with Unpainted Concrete<div align="justify">
I am always surprised when I visit a new place in Thailand. I invariably stumble across a building with unpainted concrete. I can see no evidence of building work so I can only presume that the concrete has been left unpainted deliberately. Why do people do that?<br />
<br />
It is not just in Thailand. I have seen the same thing in Japan as well. I suppose there is a certain appeal to polished concrete. It can pick up quite an attractive sheen. Sometimes polished concrete can work well for flooring areas; however, to build walls using concrete, and then to leave all the concrete bare and unpainted does not appeal.<br />
<br />
The idea I think in many instances is not to save money but to create some type of effect. That is the case, for example, at <a href="http://www.haadyao.info/seethroughboutiqueresort.html" target="_blank">See Through Boutique Resort in Haad Yao</a>. You can see below it is a row of joining hotel rooms on two levels. The architect has used a zigzag design to create a small amount of privacy between each unit. The long pool stretches for the entire length of the hotel building. This is impressive. It harks back to classical ideas of architecture of using water to reflect buildings and to add grandeur.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hTuctgXaMT4/UO3jXfO5TPI/AAAAAAAABv8/ld-Ne7OLBrM/s1600/seethroughboutiqueresort.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hTuctgXaMT4/UO3jXfO5TPI/AAAAAAAABv8/ld-Ne7OLBrM/s1600/seethroughboutiqueresort.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
See Through Boutique Resort markets itself as exclusive and high end. For Haad Yao the design does make it stand out. The interiors of the rooms are comfortable without being accused of being luxurious. The best thing about them from the point of view of interior design is that they use splashes of color.<br />
<br />
It is just a shame that the color motifs were not used on the outside of the building - grey looked cool and minimal about 8 years ago. It is not fashionable or boutique any longer. It just looks cheap. Moreover bare concrete soon gets rain stains and looks very far from boutique. <br />
<br /></div>
OPen MIndhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06290169355404859616noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275293297332875640.post-15215705741392322832012-08-24T10:45:00.000-07:002012-08-24T10:45:37.308-07:00Experiencing Thai Architecture in Hotels in Bangkok<div style="text-align: justify;">
One good way of discovering the variety of architectural styles to be found in Thailand is to stay in carefully chosen hotels in Bangkok that typify certain designs. I am not talking about staying in big ‘identikit’ chain hotels that look the same all over the world; rather I am talking about the numerous ‘boutique’ hotels in the capital. The great thing about Bangkok is that it is great value for 3 and 4 star hotels. If you hunt around websites you can often find promotional prices that let you stay in some truly wonderful places at really reasonable rates.<br />
<br />
<h3>
The Sukhothai</h3>
<br />
The Sukhothai is usually classed as one of the best hotels in Bangkok. It is a riverside hotel near all the famous tourist attractions. The facilities and amenities are very modern but the styling of the buildings is based on the architectural style found in the city of Sukhothai (a former capital). The buildings have sharply sloping roofs; the garden has replica stupas and water features are used to reflect and compliment the look.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D4YNT3cUKLE/UDe65VJol6I/AAAAAAAABrc/uCFSOrJYQAc/s1600/Sukhothai.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D4YNT3cUKLE/UDe65VJol6I/AAAAAAAABrc/uCFSOrJYQAc/s1600/Sukhothai.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<h3>
Chakrabongse Villas</h3>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This used to be the private residence of Prince Chakrabongse. It is just 300 meters from the Grand Palace. It was converted into a small hotel in 2008. The buildings, constructed 1908, are made of teak and present an excellent example of how Thais make wooden houses. There are curved roofs and large eaves. This is the ancient alternative to guttering and necessary during the torrential downpours during the rainy season.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The main building features a marble floor and a carved wooden staircase. The common areas are a treasure trove of Thai antique furniture. By <a href="http://www.bangkokboutiquehotel.info/chakrabongsevillas.html" target="_blank">staying in Chakrabonge Villas</a> you get an insight into Thai royal life; you even get a chance to try royal cuisine at the restaurant.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZQD70xG6404/UDe6-PT7kFI/AAAAAAAABrk/f6p-8wDufmU/s1600/chakrabongse-villas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZQD70xG6404/UDe6-PT7kFI/AAAAAAAABrk/f6p-8wDufmU/s1600/chakrabongse-villas.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<h3>
Ariyasom Villa</h3>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This is a gem of a hotel. It was designed by the famous Thai architect and engineer Kun Phra Chareon. This was the man who designed the iconic National Stadium as well as the first runway at Don Meung Airport.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This hotel represents one of the first attempts to combine indigenous and Western styles of architecture. The large sloping roofs are Thai but the supplemental roofs with windows are a Western touch. The narrow windows to keep out the heat are Thai but the concrete frame is definitely Western. The ideas of Phra Chareon can be seen repeated throughout Thailand. He was a visionary.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j-DR9QcV4Kw/UDe7DL8Zb3I/AAAAAAAABrs/ik5A80Pq35g/s1600/ariyasomvilla.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j-DR9QcV4Kw/UDe7DL8Zb3I/AAAAAAAABrs/ik5A80Pq35g/s1600/ariyasomvilla.jpg" /></a></div>
<h3>
Shanghai Mansion</h3>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The Shanghai Mansion has won several travel awards and has been featured in numerous articles about boutique and original hotels in Bangkok. It is sometimes classified as a ‘themed’ hotel. This is because it replicates in its interior design and furnishing 1930s Shanghai style. The place has an art deco classiness that takes you to the Far East. There is a Chinese water garden, paper lanterns and lots of antique furniture. Some of the rooms have 4 poster beds and the color scheme is both daring and traditionally Chinese.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Shanghai Mansion is located in Chinatown in Bangkok. It is not an area that sees many tourists as the street businesses are not geared towards tourism as is the case in Khao San and the <a href="http://www.sukhumvitguide.com/" target="_blank">Sukhumvit area</a>.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The exterior of the hotel combines modern concrete high rise with a series of small roofs to give a pagoda effect. This is complimented by lantern style lights on the outside of the building. This is one of my favourite hotels in Bangkok partly because I love dim sun.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pirviJOGeNs/UDe7IZr-wnI/AAAAAAAABr0/Hg2cwQTXj0s/s1600/shanghai-mansion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pirviJOGeNs/UDe7IZr-wnI/AAAAAAAABr0/Hg2cwQTXj0s/s1600/shanghai-mansion.jpg" /></a></div>
<h3>
Tenface</h3>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
For a look at modern architecture in Thailand stay at Tenface in Chidlom. It is a very cool hotel with top notch amenities. It is geared at a hip crowd. The bar has a DJ and the hotel makes strong use of stylish branding and eye-catching interior design.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Architecturally what is of note is the front of the building. It is a concrete building using the principles of squares. Each square represents a room with balcony. Clever use is made of floor to ceiling windows to give light to the rooms. The concrete beams jut out and overlap to create a modernist pattern to break up the monotony of the box design. Moreover, wooden struts are used to combine levels of the building. Sadly wooden cladding has been overdone in Thailand and is destined to quickly look out-of-date but here it is used to good effect.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TUEN7a7-uoo/UDe7NV-kqjI/AAAAAAAABr8/k3-mPeAZe3Y/s1600/tenface.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TUEN7a7-uoo/UDe7NV-kqjI/AAAAAAAABr8/k3-mPeAZe3Y/s1600/tenface.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
These are just a few examples of great hotels in Bangkok that give you architectural pause for thought, and should fill you with ideas if you are thinking of designing your own house in Thailand. </div>
</div>
</div>
OPen MIndhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06290169355404859616noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275293297332875640.post-31885036325028180422012-02-12T13:15:00.001-08:002021-03-14T01:21:09.128-08:00Practical Considerations for House Design in Thailand<div style="text-align: justify;">The best architecture is grounded in practicality. It is no use a building looking beautiful if it quickly disintegrates, becomes uninhabitable, infested or otherwise damaged. The challenge of Thai architecture is a lot to do with dealing with the extreme climatic conditions and the problems this throws up for building construction and maintenance.<br />
<h2>Rain</h2>Much of Thailand is in a tropical area that is hot and humid and subject to lots of rain. Moreover, the country experiences a yearly monsoon or wet season when water levels rise quickly. This has had a big impact on Thai architecture. Traditionally, many Thai homes are built on stilts, firstly made of wood and latterly made of concrete. Raising the floor level off the ground protects the house from flooding.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vI8bKR1Tq90/TzgrQPqDBDI/AAAAAAAABmI/vLPhUXDMECQ/s1600/ceiling-damage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vI8bKR1Tq90/TzgrQPqDBDI/AAAAAAAABmI/vLPhUXDMECQ/s1600/ceiling-damage.jpg" /></a></div><br />
The steep roof is a common sight in Thai architecture. The multi-layered steep roof is one of the defining aspects of traditional Thai architecture, especially on temples or wats. The reason for the steep roof is that the rain runs off quicker and so has less chance of seeping through the tiling and damaging the inside of a building. Rain seepage can eventually lead to ceilings collapsing. Nowadays, gutters are a ‘must’ for a lot of building design because water runoff will leave a stain down the side of a house.<br />
<h2>White</h2>The most common color for houses is white. This is connected to the last point: water run-off stains walls; as does car fumes, mold and animals. If you paint a house in a non-white color the patch that has been most recently re-painted will look a different color to the rest of the house. With white this is not the case. When white paint dries it looks the same as the rest of the white paint.<br />
<h2>Wood</h2>One of the great natural resources that Thailand has is wood. There are plenty of hardwoods (including teak and other expensive hardwoods) that can be used for building construction and interior design. Wood looks much better than concrete or tiles. The only problem with wood is that it is food for a number of insects that are indigenous to Thailand. If your new home or holiday villa in Thailand is near a jungle then you have to apply several layers of varnish and sealant to protect the wood from insects. If the wood gets infested you need to spray can after can of insecticide into the wood to kill the wood-eating insects. Wood needs constant maintenance.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u2Gj4F7bPPI/TzgrWLP5p4I/AAAAAAAABmQ/i2be0yUYNMU/s1600/damaged-wood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u2Gj4F7bPPI/TzgrWLP5p4I/AAAAAAAABmQ/i2be0yUYNMU/s320/damaged-wood.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<h2>Windows</h2>Often a Thai holiday villa is near a beach or is perched on a hill to gain a sea view. To make the most of the beautiful natural scenery it is tempting to install lots of windows or floor to ceiling windows. It makes an attractive selling point to the house. However, there are two major drawbacks. Firstly, solar gain means that the sun coming through the windows can make a room very hot. This drives up air-con bills. Secondly, the more windows means the more cleaning. And if the window frames are made of wood (as they normally are) then more maintenance is required to stop the wood cracking, warping or being eaten by insects.<br />
<h2>Turf</h2>A friend recently completed building a holiday villa in Thong Nai Pan. He bought turf for the garden. The grass didn’t seem to grow but lots of pretty butterflies could be seen flitting over the dying grass. It took him a couple of days to discover that the grass had been grown in seaweed, and that butterflies had laid their eggs in the sea weed. He eventually solved the problem, but it was a proverbial pain for him at the time.<br />
<br />
Having a lawn is high maintenance in Thailand. Local grasses grow quicker, as does tropical vegetation. Without constant weeding a lawn can soon be overrun with local plants. Traditional Thai gardens often do not use large expanses of grass or turf.<br />
<br />
These are just a few important ways in which the Thai climate, weather and flora and fauna affect Thai architecture, and how you should design as house in Thailand with these factors in mind.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9Dy0gN4L6ss/Tzgra7n7iFI/AAAAAAAABmY/kYGCzCx7GZo/s1600/grass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9Dy0gN4L6ss/Tzgra7n7iFI/AAAAAAAABmY/kYGCzCx7GZo/s1600/grass.jpg" /></a></div></div>OPen MIndhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06290169355404859616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275293297332875640.post-4784179796318234472011-10-05T09:52:00.001-07:002021-03-14T01:22:35.061-08:00Architecture and Interior Design in Koh SamuiKoh Samui is the second biggest island in Thailand. Since the island was discovered by backpackers in the early 1970s the island has transformed itself from a coconut growing backwater to one of the most popular tourist destinations in Asia.<br />
<br />
There has been a lot of money put into the development of <b>Koh Samui</b>. Besides the money spent on an airport, good roads and a few big hospitals there has also been a serious investment in architectural design and practice as well as care paid to interior design in Koh Samui.<br />
<br />
Many places opt for a contemporary Thai architecture while others go for an ultra modern look. There is a small ground swell in Koh Samui for sustainable design. Some designs are just plain bizarre while other buildings just look plain ugly.<br />
<br />
The island is continually changing the way it looks and the way visitors interact with their surroundings.<br />
<br />
In the few years leading up to the global financial disaster of 2008 there was a private housing boom in Koh Samui. Developers, while usually looking for cheap design that ticked all the boxes of pool, air-con, privacy and view, did sometimes build a few villas with noteworthy characteristics.<br />
<br />
Below are a few photos of <a href="http://thaiarchitecture.blogspot.com/2011/10/architecture-and-interior-design-in-koh.html">architecture and interior design in Koh Samui</a> along with notes. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HQjVeGisPwU/ToyECN6OSOI/AAAAAAAABjc/sqhR-dD4bf0/s1600/Buri-Rasa-Village.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HQjVeGisPwU/ToyECN6OSOI/AAAAAAAABjc/sqhR-dD4bf0/s1600/Buri-Rasa-Village.jpg" /></a></div>Buri Rasa Village has pool villas. This is an example of tick the box luxury. Wooden slating, tiny pool and simple concrete slab with 4 ceramic tiles to give just a hint of design.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QZ5MZxebMAQ/ToyEYJwPW9I/AAAAAAAABjg/Utt9xI_BUDU/s1600/KC-Resort-Over-Water-Villas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QZ5MZxebMAQ/ToyEYJwPW9I/AAAAAAAABjg/Utt9xI_BUDU/s1600/KC-Resort-Over-Water-Villas.jpg" /></a></div> Another example of luxury and poor design. KC Over Water Villas has the original idea to built villas over swimming pools and then ruins the effect with standard housing that is packed tightly together.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5qTsVa6FaMU/ToyE2z_f-hI/AAAAAAAABjk/tkESEd12gUs/s1600/Outrigger-Koh-Samui-Resort-and-Spa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5qTsVa6FaMU/ToyE2z_f-hI/AAAAAAAABjk/tkESEd12gUs/s1600/Outrigger-Koh-Samui-Resort-and-Spa.jpg" /></a></div> A better use of a swimming pool at Outrigger. The semi circular pool increases access and style.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U7DBJdKERbY/ToyFJURGtiI/AAAAAAAABjo/OrTDdrHW8D0/s1600/Sala-Samui-Resort-and-Spa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U7DBJdKERbY/ToyFJURGtiI/AAAAAAAABjo/OrTDdrHW8D0/s1600/Sala-Samui-Resort-and-Spa.jpg" /></a></div>Sala Samui uses natural materials, clever ground lighting and vistas to create striking interior design.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o7rYAL4lIP0/ToyFnm5IcLI/AAAAAAAABjs/5--tTuu18JU/s1600/cake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o7rYAL4lIP0/ToyFnm5IcLI/AAAAAAAABjs/5--tTuu18JU/s1600/cake.jpg" /></a></div> This comes in plain awful category. Some type of pastiche of Louis XVI grandeur.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KkdM3S8NO_0/ToyHOCtRn4I/AAAAAAAABjw/HBjvMUiorf8/s1600/lighthouse-villa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KkdM3S8NO_0/ToyHOCtRn4I/AAAAAAAABjw/HBjvMUiorf8/s1600/lighthouse-villa.jpg" /></a></div>Unfinished private villa next to the beach such a remarkable amount of architectural ambition: round and vaguely reminiscent of a lighthouse.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gSdYrePuzac/ToyHjDwu-FI/AAAAAAAABj0/7cvanUiHF2Q/s1600/Q-Signature-Samui.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gSdYrePuzac/ToyHjDwu-FI/AAAAAAAABj0/7cvanUiHF2Q/s1600/Q-Signature-Samui.jpg" /></a></div>Excellent use of contemporary Thai architecture by the Sala Samui.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uxf50Zy3mNg/ToyHw3U8H4I/AAAAAAAABj4/r7FVzQjn34I/s1600/Solo-Bar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uxf50Zy3mNg/ToyHw3U8H4I/AAAAAAAABj4/r7FVzQjn34I/s1600/Solo-Bar.jpg" /></a></div> Ultra modern by Solo Bar in Chaweng. Featuring huge tinted windows and a curve theme.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-frdzU8gHDqc/ToyIF97hEdI/AAAAAAAABj8/a9Uet_xau30/s1600/buddy-oriental-samui-beach-resort.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-frdzU8gHDqc/ToyIF97hEdI/AAAAAAAABj8/a9Uet_xau30/s1600/buddy-oriental-samui-beach-resort.jpg" /></a></div>Using there curved lines of a pool and a natural corridor of coconut palms to enhance the natural beauty of the sea horizon view at the Buddy Oriental.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mVfLdIkqaHo/ToyIdoYya2I/AAAAAAAABkA/S0gQwAAabaM/s1600/Imerial-Boat-House-Beach-Resort.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mVfLdIkqaHo/ToyIdoYya2I/AAAAAAAABkA/S0gQwAAabaM/s1600/Imerial-Boat-House-Beach-Resort.jpg" /></a></div>An example of the bizarre: a series of boat shaped villas around a boat shaped pool. The villas look like the result from a tsunami. This is the Imperial Boat Villas.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rUAM3fpL2lc/ToyJBWf8zmI/AAAAAAAABkE/wOSHtmICB_Q/s1600/Melati-Spa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rUAM3fpL2lc/ToyJBWf8zmI/AAAAAAAABkE/wOSHtmICB_Q/s1600/Melati-Spa.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Melati Resort uses understatement and the natural beauty of the beach. Nice use of bamboo.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-42QJs-57hEc/ToyJVg92ycI/AAAAAAAABkI/8Gear9x6nzg/s1600/Red-House.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-42QJs-57hEc/ToyJVg92ycI/AAAAAAAABkI/8Gear9x6nzg/s320/Red-House.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Traditional Chinese shop house in Fisherman's Village in Bophut to create a boutique shop. Red is a strong Chinese colour that is found in lots of the interior designs on Koh Samui. Shame about the corrugated iron roof.OPen MIndhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06290169355404859616noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275293297332875640.post-42684153400493960942011-08-10T00:12:00.001-07:002021-03-14T01:23:31.246-08:00Bathrooms in Thailand<div style="text-align: justify;"><h2>The best and the worst of bathrooms in Thailand</h2>Bathrooms in Thailand are vastly varying quality. In cheap hotels, guest houses and bungalows bathrooms are functional and clean at best and awkward, dirty and falling apart at worse. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><h2>Hot water vs. cold water</h2>Although many holiday makers want a bathroom with hot water it is not always necessary in a country where the temperature is in the 30s. It is often the case that a cold shower is preferable as a way to cool down and rinse the sweat off the body.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">One popular way in Thailand to make shower water warm is to put the water storage tank on the roof. The heat of the sun warms the water and makes it a nice temperature for showering. Another option is to run the water through tubes on the roof that allow the water to warm for free.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><h2>Styles of bathroom in Thailand</h2>Part of the glamor of tropical living is being able to luxuriate in a 5 star bathroom. Having space and surfaces to put cosmetics etc. is a great help. Marble or granite surfaces are popular. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The color scheme of a bathroom can make it stand out. White seems sterile and out of date. Black has a stylish minimal feel and small colored tiles bring a playful feel to the room. Bold statements and center pieces can be made with tile mosaics either on the wall or the floor.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The most luxurious item for a bathroom is often a Jacuzzi. A big bath is also attractive. Both, however, use a lot of water. Many hotels now have outdoor rain showers to allow people to wash for the chlorine and salt from swimming in a pool or the sea. Deluxe places often feature a Jacuzzi on a balcony with a sea view.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><h2>Water conservation</h2>One issue for a residential villa is water conservation. Water is not free and sometimes droughts occur in Thailand during the long hot summers. The solution is to install a low flow shower head and low flow faucet aerators in the villa. They mix air with water to halve water flow without reducing water pressure or showering pleasure. Another possibility is to employ a grey water recycling system to use unwanted shower water in the garden.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Below are just a few pictures of bathrooms in Thailand.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-couAJ2btQlA/TkItx-ujSzI/AAAAAAAABgg/5x_qCZpvKlw/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-couAJ2btQlA/TkItx-ujSzI/AAAAAAAABgg/5x_qCZpvKlw/s320/1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4IPwqWQJmFE/TkItyNqlqxI/AAAAAAAABgk/Hwpyn_hm0c4/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4IPwqWQJmFE/TkItyNqlqxI/AAAAAAAABgk/Hwpyn_hm0c4/s1600/2.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V_pY2T0tN_k/TkItyntAkFI/AAAAAAAABgo/zDjsD0OJ1eE/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V_pY2T0tN_k/TkItyntAkFI/AAAAAAAABgo/zDjsD0OJ1eE/s1600/4.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H5W1pcCcOBw/TkItywClerI/AAAAAAAABgs/E3wKFnqiraQ/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H5W1pcCcOBw/TkItywClerI/AAAAAAAABgs/E3wKFnqiraQ/s1600/5.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2W-YWnJdSlE/TkItzLvabuI/AAAAAAAABgw/9Od2f2DKxnQ/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2W-YWnJdSlE/TkItzLvabuI/AAAAAAAABgw/9Od2f2DKxnQ/s1600/7.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Hbox3Aw4CY8/TkItzYU3WjI/AAAAAAAABg0/HPqC99y_I2E/s1600/8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Hbox3Aw4CY8/TkItzYU3WjI/AAAAAAAABg0/HPqC99y_I2E/s1600/8.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JhfjXx6dpCY/TkIt_z6tlDI/AAAAAAAABhI/XVu6wk2nB5M/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JhfjXx6dpCY/TkIt_z6tlDI/AAAAAAAABhI/XVu6wk2nB5M/s1600/6.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--8tdRH2HtVI/TkIuImTr3TI/AAAAAAAABhU/B1mVw8MvGM4/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--8tdRH2HtVI/TkIuImTr3TI/AAAAAAAABhU/B1mVw8MvGM4/s320/3.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tkj9bk1APNI/TkIvrdDPbZI/AAAAAAAABhY/Q4fUDD7HM9k/s1600/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tkj9bk1APNI/TkIvrdDPbZI/AAAAAAAABhY/Q4fUDD7HM9k/s1600/9.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BBI8jUFrQXU/TkIuITpZaSI/AAAAAAAABhQ/KigacdtPyCw/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><br />
OPen MIndhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06290169355404859616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275293297332875640.post-14012981949902391232011-06-15T05:35:00.001-07:002021-03-14T01:24:56.781-08:00Bamboo Fencing<div style="text-align: justify;">Bamboo grows in Thailand and is a great renewable resource. Bamboo takes only 5 or 6 years to reach maturity. It needs less water than trees to grow and thrives without the need for pesticides and fertilizers. Moreover, bamboo produces more oxygen than trees. It is thus a material that is ideal for a Thai villa that seeks to be environmentally friendly.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Bamboo is hard and durable. It is also naturally water resistant and fungal resistant. This is very important for Thailand where the heavy rains and high humidity can quickly destroy hardwoods that have not been properly treated.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">It is often the case that the effect of a Thai home can be undermined by fencing in the grounds that is made of brick or plastic. If the home features hardwood and natural materials such as rattan and water hyacinth it is a good idea to keep the theme of natural materials in the garden too.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The obvious solution is bamboo fencing. It is strong and durable. Bamboo can be cut into half or quarter strips and stacked to make heavy duty fencing. Bamboo can also be cut into thin strips and woven together to make the filling part of the fence. Another possibility is to tie pieces of bamboo together.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Pieces of bamboo can also be laid vertically to make a door or high fence.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Such outdoor buildings and concrete sections as sheds, power transformers and pool equipment can be hidden and beautified with bamboo fencing. It is a low cost and possible DIY option that makes a lot of sense for a Thai home. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">So once you have built your Thai villa and start to knock the garden into shape you should pause to consider how bamboo fencing can help you. Bamboo is a cheap, environmentally friendly and abundant resource perfect for Thailand.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Look at the photos below to give you some ideas about the possible style of bamboo fencing.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I9W_U3jyXV8/Tfil6McpBnI/AAAAAAAABfI/CPUFnN4INws/s1600/bamboo-fence1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I9W_U3jyXV8/Tfil6McpBnI/AAAAAAAABfI/CPUFnN4INws/s1600/bamboo-fence1.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KpH5liGrV1E/Tfil-BV76TI/AAAAAAAABfM/KK_mj_rH39E/s1600/bamboo-fence2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KpH5liGrV1E/Tfil-BV76TI/AAAAAAAABfM/KK_mj_rH39E/s1600/bamboo-fence2.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SeHfTWAFH3M/TfimBpvACwI/AAAAAAAABfQ/qhdHgZSGg3g/s1600/bamboo-fence3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SeHfTWAFH3M/TfimBpvACwI/AAAAAAAABfQ/qhdHgZSGg3g/s1600/bamboo-fence3.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--UyMkJZLPfQ/TfimE8zZs7I/AAAAAAAABfU/QHsfbAK-pZM/s1600/bamboo-fence4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--UyMkJZLPfQ/TfimE8zZs7I/AAAAAAAABfU/QHsfbAK-pZM/s1600/bamboo-fence4.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5HUTXAfqj9c/TfimIluzbnI/AAAAAAAABfY/AerxSJ9h8dQ/s1600/bamboo-fence5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5HUTXAfqj9c/TfimIluzbnI/AAAAAAAABfY/AerxSJ9h8dQ/s1600/bamboo-fence5.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b31j89KU81Q/TfimLSXX4-I/AAAAAAAABfc/n5wqsvYvlsA/s1600/bamboo-fence6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b31j89KU81Q/TfimLSXX4-I/AAAAAAAABfc/n5wqsvYvlsA/s1600/bamboo-fence6.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div>OPen MIndhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06290169355404859616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275293297332875640.post-70837906510508727152011-05-14T01:12:00.000-07:002011-05-14T01:15:19.072-07:00Architecture and Practice in Thailand<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QJpAUeSfdo8/Tc44HNNurRI/AAAAAAAABeo/eGpjDcN3WFI/s1600/villa1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QJpAUeSfdo8/Tc44HNNurRI/AAAAAAAABeo/eGpjDcN3WFI/s1600/villa1.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><h2>The Enjoyable Part of <a href="http://thaiarchitecture.blogspot.com/2011/05/architecture-and-practice-in-thailand.html">Thai Architecture</a></h2>One of the most enjoyable aspects of building a <b><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.amazon.com/How-Land-Build-House-Thailand/dp/1887521712?ie=UTF8&tag=smartcontentz-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">house in Thailand</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=smartcontentz-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=1887521712" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /></b> is designing it. Either you design the house or villa by yourself and just use a professional to draw up blueprints or you use an architectural firm to design your Thai home for you. Either way you will be pouring over the designs making adjustments and imagining the wonderful living space that you will create in the future.<br />
<h3>The Gap Between Design and Building</h3>There is unfortunately a huge gap between thought and action, between plan and practice, between <i>architectural design and building</i>. Even the best builders will find it necessary to make adjustments to the design as a building is being made. Moreover, the workers might not be totally up to speed with the exact specifications of the house and make unwitting changes. This is all part of the organic way that many buildings are constructed in Thailand. Indeed, I’ve seen Thai workers build bungalows and guest rooms in Thailand without any blue prints – they just have an idea in their head and they proceed as they see fit. This is both a strength and a weakness of the Thai building workforce. They know how things work in Thailand and are apt to lapse into traditional building styles.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lE1G3SzLW0k/Tc44SBmREbI/AAAAAAAABes/Ok-4WqeWOyA/s1600/Balcony.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lE1G3SzLW0k/Tc44SBmREbI/AAAAAAAABes/Ok-4WqeWOyA/s1600/Balcony.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><h3>Villa in Koh Phangan</h3>I recently visited a friend in Koh Phangan who has built himself a Thai villa near a popular beach. His experience of building in Thailand was instructive. <br />
<br />
Firstly, he underestimated the strength of the winds during rainy season. Like lots of holiday villas, heavy use was made of glass to highlight the view. The only problem with glass is that unless glass doors are exactly made they can rattle in the wind and the glass can crack. The problem was solved by re-hanging the folding glass doors and replacing some glass panels with wood.<br />
<h3>Thai Roofs and Hardwood</h3>Another problem was the roof. The owner now understands why Thai roofs are steeply sloped. It is so that the rain can run off quickly and not penetrate into the structure. The villa needed the roof tiles resealed, gutters installed and a waterproof membrane installed between the roof and ceiling to stop leaks. This has been one of the biggest headaches for my friend.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nDn9v--Mv4o/Tc44W9yrraI/AAAAAAAABew/SXVZInuAP4c/s1600/lounge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nDn9v--Mv4o/Tc44W9yrraI/AAAAAAAABew/SXVZInuAP4c/s1600/lounge.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Finally, hardwood is another key issue. Thai workers are often very adept at working with wood – it is a traditional material for Thailand. However, builders cut costs by not sealing and varnishing hardwood thoroughly. When you take possession of your villa in Thailand you will not notice for quite a few months the damage being done to the wood by moisture and insect infestation. Keeping the insects away from all that delicious wood is a real challenge.<br />
<br />
Despite all these problems, the villa is now looking great. It has a stunning sea view and offers a peaceful get away from one of Thailand’s best beaches.</div>OPen MIndhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06290169355404859616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275293297332875640.post-12650824655143712282011-03-30T08:58:00.001-07:002021-03-14T01:26:51.415-08:00Outdoor Bamboo Shades<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P_30kGOGHkQ/TZNM-G2dS6I/AAAAAAAABd4/RVa8gCRkTb8/s1600/outdoor-bamboo-blind.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P_30kGOGHkQ/TZNM-G2dS6I/AAAAAAAABd4/RVa8gCRkTb8/s1600/outdoor-bamboo-blind.jpg" /></a></div>In Thailand as in the Far East one of the great materials that is in no short supply is bamboo. Bamboo is the fastest growing plant. In just 1 day bamboo has been known to grow 24 inches or 60 cm. In just 5 to 7 years (depending on the type of bamboo) the bamboo has reached its full height and is ready to harvest. This makes bamboo a great renewable material to use in a Thai building.<br />
<br />
Bamboo can be used for a number of products in a Thai house both for the interior and exterior spaces. <a href="http://wovenbambooflooring.blogspot.com/">Strand woven bamboo flooring</a> is just as hard as most hardwood floors and stands up well to high traffic and the high humidity of Thailand.<br />
<br />
Another good product for a <a href="http://www.thaiarchitecture.blogspot.com/">Thai home</a> is outdoor bamboo blinds. They can be used for large balconies effectively. Outdoor bamboo blinds have a number of advantages.<br />
<br />
Firstly, bamboo is naturally water resistant. Although buying outdoor bamboo blinds that have been treated for outdoor weather is crucial because of the heavy storms and winds that occur in Thailand during the monsoon.<br />
<br />
Secondly, matchstick bamboo blinds are beautiful and they add privacy to a balcony. Those within can see out, but those outside cannot peer in. The privacy that bamboo blinds afford is famous in Asia, especially in Korea where more than one queen regent successfully ruled for her young son thanks to the privacy of <a href="http://hubpages.com/hub/Korean-Bamboo-Blinds">Korean handmade bamboo blinds</a>.<br />
<br />
Thirdly, outdoor bamboo blinds are excellent in creating shade and blocking out the harsh glare of the sunlight. They allow inhabitants to use the balcony even in the height of the midday heat.<br />
<br />
Lastly, outdoor bamboo blinds are easy to install. They usually can be internally mounted. Be sure to allow 1/2 inch when buying outdoor bamboo blinds to allow internal installation. You can find outdoor bamboo blinds in various styles in Thailand: roman style and roll up style. Whichever style you choose make sure they can be secured firmly in the event of a storm.OPen MIndhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06290169355404859616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275293297332875640.post-33035186878233655352010-11-22T18:50:00.000-08:002010-11-22T18:55:43.714-08:00Whole Trees Architecture in Thailand<div style="text-align: justify;">The architecture and builder, Roald Gundersen and his wife, Amelia Baxter set up Whole Trees Architecture and Construction in 2007 in Wisconsin, USA. It was the culmination of Gundersen's fascination with using whole trees to make houses. <br />
<br />
From his 134 acre property in Stoddard he designs and makes houses from whole trees. He chooses trees from his forest carefully and then strips them of their bark. This allows the wood to dry while it is standing. Then the tree is cut down and planks and poles are taken directly from the tree to the construction site. Whole Trees Architecture doesn't send its timber to a mill to be cut to regular pieces.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>This not only saves money in transport and wood, it also changes the aesthetic of the construction entirely. Smooth lines placed into regular patterns are replaced by knobbly, uneven wooden structures. Gundersen also bends tree parts prior to stripping them of bark so he can use curved pieces of wood in the construction. <br />
<br />
So far Whole Trees Architecture has designed 35 structures. Gundersen estimates that he can use his forest to make 15 houses a year without damaging the forest. He is also keen to use trees that are normally overlooked by timber companies.<br />
<br />
If you see the pictures below you will get a good idea of what Whole Trees Architecture is achieving. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/TOsrTGnCZeI/AAAAAAAABbQ/3bVQXO-gVcE/s1600/angelicdetail_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/TOsrTGnCZeI/AAAAAAAABbQ/3bVQXO-gVcE/s1600/angelicdetail_crop.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/TOsre4VTGqI/AAAAAAAABbU/fGSwAMMCi_A/s1600/Chrysalis-Stairs_small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/TOsre4VTGqI/AAAAAAAABbU/fGSwAMMCi_A/s1600/Chrysalis-Stairs_small.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/TOsrfSxd4OI/AAAAAAAABbY/udIKv6KyYiQ/s1600/Driftless-Farm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/TOsrfSxd4OI/AAAAAAAABbY/udIKv6KyYiQ/s1600/Driftless-Farm.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/TOsrgRikMSI/AAAAAAAABbc/ots-mDjQUNY/s1600/Driftless-Farm-Bookend-Downstairs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/TOsrgRikMSI/AAAAAAAABbc/ots-mDjQUNY/s1600/Driftless-Farm-Bookend-Downstairs.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
The question for this post is: is any of this relevant to Thailand and Thai architecture? My immediate answer would be yes. For many Thais building their own homes they cannot afford many building supplies. Instead they must use what is around them to the best of their ability. A good example of this is the traditional coconut thatching used for roofing. This is used ‘straight from the tree’ (after drying) and not taken away to be processed. Similarly all over Thailand you can see structures that use un-milled branches of tree for the integral bones of the construction. The shapes of the tree remain in the building and help give the construction an organic feel that blends in well with the surroundings.<br />
<br />
Also Whole Tree Architecture’s ethos of sustainability and local sourcing is relevant to Thai architecture. It is a country blessed with lots of forestry and a great wealth of hardwood species. Doing audits of the local forest and taking in a sustainable way for building nearby makes a lot of sense in Thailand. It reduces carbon emissions and helps to maintain the health of the forestry. Forests are vital in Thailand to absorb the huge deluges of rain the country experiences. If they are clear cut flooding ensues and top soil is lost, not to mention roads flooded. Living with the forest and benefiting from the forest is a traditional Thai way of life and should not be forsaken because of the lures of modernization and the desire to economically reform the country. Thailand should look to Malaysia as a case in point of what not to do. The Malaysian government has woefully ignored the country’s rain forests and allowed laissez-faire economics to turn most of their primary rain forest into mono-culture: millions of acres of forest have been clear cut to grow palm oil trees. Biodiversity has been lost, the people have lost the forest and environmental damage is irreparable. A few plantation owners get incredibly rich; the local farmers become wage earners. Only a few benefit. Thailand must protect its natural resources and whole trees architecture is one way to do this.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/TOsr5Ge2WwI/AAAAAAAABbg/UGXcUKmTCVM/s1600/bamboo-tree-house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/TOsr5Ge2WwI/AAAAAAAABbg/UGXcUKmTCVM/s1600/bamboo-tree-house.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/TOsr5ZEo2-I/AAAAAAAABbk/Wc5-mv4cz3E/s1600/gallery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/TOsr5ZEo2-I/AAAAAAAABbk/Wc5-mv4cz3E/s1600/gallery.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/TOsr59eG8iI/AAAAAAAABbo/TvuKAsGTJMs/s1600/thai-thatching.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/TOsr59eG8iI/AAAAAAAABbo/TvuKAsGTJMs/s1600/thai-thatching.jpg" /></a></div></div>OPen MIndhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06290169355404859616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275293297332875640.post-87525156888652687192010-09-05T05:20:00.000-07:002010-11-22T18:56:40.111-08:00Mountain Cabin<div style="text-align: justify;">The pictures below are taken of a mountain cabin in Kanagawa in Japan. So this blog post is not strictly speaking about Thai architecture, but when I saw pictures of the mountain cabin below I immediately thought that an adaption of this design would work brilliantly in a Thai setting. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The setting on a hill suits many land plots in Thailand which often are on slopes with sea-views. There is a big balcony with the house to take advantage of the view. And the bathroom with sliding doors to open up the bathroom to the outside looks stunning and really compliments the ethos of modern tropical Asian design.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<a name='more'></a>Furthermore, the extensive use of hardwood would look good in a Thai setting. Perhaps in Thailand some of the timber could be coconut to make more use of renewable materials that can be sourced locally. The design is very modern. It is has an integrated block structure. I'm not sure the rectangular approach is the most attractive approach to architectural design. Nevertheless, it is a very popular and 'now' look that would make a stylish Thai villa. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The mountain cabin is designed by the Japanese architectural company <b>Shun Hirayama Architecture. </b>The kitchen and dining area were placed near the main entrance of the cabin for easy public access. The living room frames the best views; the bedrooms overlook the hill; and the bathroom enjoys privacy and a bright, airy feel.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">The interior of the building was shaped to fit the land form. The walls are set in diverse angles with various ceiling heights. There are 10 different floor levels exist. The changing floor levels and the preponderance of wood is meant to create the feeling of being in a forest. In other words, to bring the outside into the house.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/TIOKiMMWrUI/AAAAAAAABYo/7vofl0BHllE/s1600/mountain-cabin-forest-house-japan-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/TIOKiMMWrUI/AAAAAAAABYo/7vofl0BHllE/s320/mountain-cabin-forest-house-japan-1.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/TIOKm50rcrI/AAAAAAAABYw/V965A8Ow2lU/s1600/mountain-cabin-forest-house-japan-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/TIOKm50rcrI/AAAAAAAABYw/V965A8Ow2lU/s320/mountain-cabin-forest-house-japan-8.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/TIOKqAR5cSI/AAAAAAAABY4/_bgYz0nnZcQ/s1600/mountain-cabin-forest-house-japan-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/TIOKqAR5cSI/AAAAAAAABY4/_bgYz0nnZcQ/s320/mountain-cabin-forest-house-japan-5.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/TIOKt5dNX2I/AAAAAAAABZA/EXlOKh5a4cQ/s1600/mountain-cabin-forest-house-japan-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/TIOKt5dNX2I/AAAAAAAABZA/EXlOKh5a4cQ/s320/mountain-cabin-forest-house-japan-12.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/TIOKxto1tXI/AAAAAAAABZI/TvJaVxUnx4U/s1600/mountain-cabin-forest-house-japan-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/TIOKxto1tXI/AAAAAAAABZI/TvJaVxUnx4U/s1600/mountain-cabin-forest-house-japan-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/TIOKxto1tXI/AAAAAAAABZI/TvJaVxUnx4U/s320/mountain-cabin-forest-house-japan-6.jpg" /></a></div> Photos taken from <a href="http://www.trendir.com/house-design/mountain-cabin-home-plan-for-breathtaking-views.html" rel="no follow">www.tendir.com</a>OPen MIndhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06290169355404859616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275293297332875640.post-35360959135925079652010-07-31T21:12:00.000-07:002010-11-22T18:59:04.509-08:00Color in Thai ArchitectureColor plays an important part in the first impression a house or villa gives. In Thailand the light is very bright and color makes a strong visual impact. In Thailand as in South America using bright colors is part of the local aesthetic. And whereas using pinks might be considered undesirable in the West the color is not frowned upon in the East.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>Color is, however, very much down to an individual's taste. It is really a matter of what works for you.<br />
<br />
Color can be added to a villa in a number of ways. The most common way is to paint concrete. It is also possible to get colored finish for wood. Also colored roof tiles and wall tiles can bring interest to a building.<br />
<br />
Below are a number of photos showing examples of how color is used in Thai architecture.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/TFTzm8kAwwI/AAAAAAAABUQ/yp5UDGbMFY8/s1600/beige-and-brown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/TFTzm8kAwwI/AAAAAAAABUQ/yp5UDGbMFY8/s320/beige-and-brown.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/TFTzq6c7Q7I/AAAAAAAABUY/xXOlk9e4Qq0/s1600/light-pink.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/TFTzq6c7Q7I/AAAAAAAABUY/xXOlk9e4Qq0/s320/light-pink.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/TFTzvz_ku5I/AAAAAAAABUg/M2qNFX2luDo/s1600/red.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/TFTzvz_ku5I/AAAAAAAABUg/M2qNFX2luDo/s320/red.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/TFTz1dFx7eI/AAAAAAAABUo/F14XogHJq8g/s1600/red-stained-wood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/TFTz1dFx7eI/AAAAAAAABUo/F14XogHJq8g/s320/red-stained-wood.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/TFTz4i3XmaI/AAAAAAAABUw/GL1DdKxox3o/s1600/red-stained-wood2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/TFTz4i3XmaI/AAAAAAAABUw/GL1DdKxox3o/s320/red-stained-wood2.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/TFTz8_2xLmI/AAAAAAAABU4/6pD87zCTmbs/s1600/white.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/TFTz8_2xLmI/AAAAAAAABU4/6pD87zCTmbs/s320/white.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/TFT0AoYDq1I/AAAAAAAABVA/veogCKx4GfM/s1600/chinese-patterns.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/TFT0AoYDq1I/AAAAAAAABVA/veogCKx4GfM/s320/chinese-patterns.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/TFT0ER7JhfI/AAAAAAAABVI/YZm0D9P946k/s1600/pink.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/TFT0ER7JhfI/AAAAAAAABVI/YZm0D9P946k/s320/pink.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/TFT0IZtfpXI/AAAAAAAABVQ/BsVh-2cW1gw/s1600/red-roofs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/TFT0IZtfpXI/AAAAAAAABVQ/BsVh-2cW1gw/s320/red-roofs.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/TFT0Nap0ASI/AAAAAAAABVY/Tyr3b93b0go/s1600/yellow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/TFT0Nap0ASI/AAAAAAAABVY/Tyr3b93b0go/s320/yellow.jpg" /></a></div>OPen MIndhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06290169355404859616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275293297332875640.post-68313944596069077952010-06-27T03:39:00.000-07:002010-06-27T03:39:54.495-07:00Suvarnabhumi International Airport Bangkok Innovative Climate Control System<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/TCcp1RVxpDI/AAAAAAAABSM/Jz2aysEblPI/s1600/suvarnabhumi-airport-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/TCcp1RVxpDI/AAAAAAAABSM/Jz2aysEblPI/s320/suvarnabhumi-airport-3.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok has come up with great architectural solutions to the problem of climate control. The challenge was a tough one for architects and engineers because Bangkok has an average temperature of 25 to 30 degrees Celsius and a relative humidity between 50% and 60%. In short, Bangkok is always hot and sweaty and the challenge was to design an airport with a cooling system that was both economical and energy efficient. <br />
<br />
The first thing the architects did was to minimize the effects of solar loads. The terminal sheds on the north side are fitted with fritted glass with a 95% opacity specification that allow diffused light but minimize solar gain. On the hotter south side terminal sheds solid panels were placed on the roof to reduce solar gain to just 1%.<br />
<br />
For the main spaces of the airport architects cleverly designed a zoned building. Thus there are no massive open spaces to cool. Instead cooling systems are directed at essential zones of the building. This prevents a lot of waste.<br />
<br />
Two types of cooling system are deployed in Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok. They are radiant floor cooling which removes radiation striking the floor of the building; and secondly, an air displacement system with a controllable airstream supplying cool air to space at floor level and at low velocity. This is the genius part of the cooling system at the airport. It works on the principal of thermal air stratification. Namely, that cool air is heavier than warm air. So as long as you can prevent the floor heating up then much of the cool air that you pump into the building at ground level will remain cool. It is not necessary to keep the higher reaches of the airport building cool because nobody is at that level. The air heat is stratified so the air is kept at 24 degrees Celsius up to 2.5 meters above ground level and gradually gets warmer the higher up you go, until at roof level the air temperature is basically near ambient temperature.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/TCcp-65gNvI/AAAAAAAABSU/N6uHrUl7E2o/s1600/climatecontrol.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/TCcp-65gNvI/AAAAAAAABSU/N6uHrUl7E2o/s320/climatecontrol.jpg" /></a></div>Finally, the airport building uses an innovative three-ply membrane roof to allow in 1% to 2% diffused sunlight but prevent solar radiation. These membranes consist of Teflon-coated glass fiber, a coated inner membrane and transparent PC sheets on a steel cable and mesh structure. The inward facing side of the inner membrane also has <a href="http://thaiarchitecture.blogspot.com/2010/03/windows-in-thai-architecture-part-two.html">low-e coatings</a> to block solar radiation heat.<br />
<br />
All in all, the architects and engineers at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok have done a great job at energy efficiency for a very large and potentially difficult building to keep cool.OPen MIndhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06290169355404859616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275293297332875640.post-7904420184717532192010-05-08T00:17:00.001-07:002021-03-14T01:35:42.394-08:00Balustrading in Thai ArchitectureBalustrading is a key component of more traditional style <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Classic-Thai-Design-Interiors-Architecture/dp/0794604668?ie=UTF8&tag=smartcontentz-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Thai architecture</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=smartcontentz-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0794604668" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" />. A Thai wooden house is often very open plan with much of the total floor area taken up with outdoor areas. These areas are often elevated from the ground because of the preference in Thai design to build a house on stilts. This means the edges of the outdoor areas often have considerable drops. This is a safety issue that is best rectified with balustrading.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/S-UNwVHxKwI/AAAAAAAABOk/VBTgXwEAueA/s1600/balustrading-on-Thai-wooden-house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/S-UNwVHxKwI/AAAAAAAABOk/VBTgXwEAueA/s320/balustrading-on-Thai-wooden-house.jpg" /></a></div><br />
The same is true for balconies. It is dangerous to not enclose a balcony with some type of balustrading to stop people accidently falling from the second floor. Furthermore, in villa design both traditional and modern it is often the case that the balcony looks out over a sweeping view of a bay with a precipitous drop.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/S-UOAoX63rI/AAAAAAAABOs/xsrJ9-suvrg/s1600/steel-balustrading.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/S-UOAoX63rI/AAAAAAAABOs/xsrJ9-suvrg/s320/steel-balustrading.jpg" /></a></div><br />
There are a variety of styles and materials that are used in Thailand for balustrading. Wood can be placed flush to the building or in slats.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/S-UP5YgrdPI/AAAAAAAABPk/qtRG89Y_3Ng/s1600/wood-painted-black-slats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/S-UP5YgrdPI/AAAAAAAABPk/qtRG89Y_3Ng/s320/wood-painted-black-slats.jpg" /></a></div><br />
The wooden balustrading can be simple with nice clean lines or it can be carved and intricate. Often decorative features such as lanterns are incorporated successfully into a balustrade.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/S-UOIQWxcVI/AAAAAAAABO0/pMSaJrK9570/s1600/decorative-lantern-on-balustrading.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/S-UOIQWxcVI/AAAAAAAABO0/pMSaJrK9570/s320/decorative-lantern-on-balustrading.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Cheap balustrading can be made from concrete which is then 'beautified' with tiles. Tiles gives the option of playing with colour and design.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/S-UONpajCpI/AAAAAAAABO8/wDmj_1gcHuA/s1600/coloured-tiles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/S-UONpajCpI/AAAAAAAABO8/wDmj_1gcHuA/s320/coloured-tiles.jpg" /></a></div><br />
A modern and sometimes far from appealing effect can be achieved with welded iron and light aluminium balustrading. The advantage of aluminium is that it doesn't rust or corrode in wet weather. In contrast wood and timber balustrades need constant treatment to maintain.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/S-UOVzgwqkI/AAAAAAAABPE/lEK55mdues0/s1600/welded-iron.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/S-UOVzgwqkI/AAAAAAAABPE/lEK55mdues0/s320/welded-iron.jpg" /></a></div>Sometimes a mixture of materials is used on balustrading in Thailand often with mixed results. Below is an example of marble and carved wood. Expensive materials that just don't work together.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/S-UO2vZlR8I/AAAAAAAABPU/llx1RqMmwV0/s1600/marble-and-carved-wood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/S-UO2vZlR8I/AAAAAAAABPU/llx1RqMmwV0/s320/marble-and-carved-wood.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Balustrading can be used to define paths and for handrails over bridges. Here is an example of reclaimed hardwoodbeing used in a path through the grounds of a hotel in Thailand. In these eco-conscious times that we live in using reclaimed wood is an excellent idea.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/S-UPZ_7YYmI/AAAAAAAABPc/DRtRQe0cZfE/s1600/reclaimed-wood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/S-UPZ_7YYmI/AAAAAAAABPc/DRtRQe0cZfE/s320/reclaimed-wood.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Finally, balustrading in Thai architecture is sometimes used to define a lower floor open plan space. Rather than walls that restrict air flow, balustrades can be incorporated which provide a degree of privacy while maintaining the delightful sense of openness that is one of the trade marks of good Thai design.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/S-UOc48aycI/AAAAAAAABPM/Yvnq0y3Vgl0/s1600/lower-floor-balustrading-with-greenery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/S-UOc48aycI/AAAAAAAABPM/Yvnq0y3Vgl0/s320/lower-floor-balustrading-with-greenery.jpg" /></a></div>OPen MIndhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06290169355404859616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275293297332875640.post-60078678162654531672010-03-22T04:05:00.001-07:002021-03-14T01:38:58.521-08:00Making the Most of the Things People Discard<div style="text-align: justify;">The green revolution in architecture has many aspects, one of the most important of which is dealing effectively with waste.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Waste is a pressing issue for Thailand. According to the Thai Government Land Development Department agriculture in Thailand produces 58,190,000 tons of refuse annually. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Throughput in the industrial system from source to end consumer ends up in landfills or going to an incinerator. It is estimated that for every one truckload of product with a lasting value there are 32 truckloads of waste.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Revolutionary Thai architect Singh Intrachooto decided to do something about it. He started out by paying construction workers to sort out unused materials. From these materials he started to make furniture for the project under construction. His innovative and attractive creations soon caught the attention of the public. This allowed Singh to set up his own design studio called <a href="http://www.osisu.com/">Osisu</a> with a partner. They set out to expand their vision and to explore how they could best use the waste streams of different industries.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">His efforts have achieved international and domestic acclaim: Singh Intrachooto has won Thailand's Emergent Designer of the Year Award, Elle's Decor's Designer of the Year and Top Environmentalist 2008 Award from Thailand's Department of the Environment.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Singh Intrachooto now lectures in Kasetsart University in Thailand where he has set up his "scrap lab". He is continually getting new donations of every conceivable material - wood, metal, fabric, leather, plastic, glass just to name the obvious materials. With his students he tries to recycle these materials into items of utility and worth. At the same time he is collecting a huge resource library about previous creations made from re-cycled materials to consolidate his revolutionary attitude to waste streams. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">This is a great example of creativity leading the way in <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Green-Building-Z-Understanding-Language/dp/0865715726?ie=UTF8&tag=smartcontentz-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">architecture and the green movement</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=smartcontentz-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0865715726" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" />. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/S6dN4ReFfYI/AAAAAAAABLk/jitX3XMfOFA/s1600-h/Singh+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/S6dN4ReFfYI/AAAAAAAABLk/jitX3XMfOFA/s320/Singh+4.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/S6dN94de5aI/AAAAAAAABLs/Diw6SnTvDIE/s1600-h/Singh+6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/S6dN94de5aI/AAAAAAAABLs/Diw6SnTvDIE/s320/Singh+6.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Based on an article by Chris Tobias</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div>OPen MIndhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06290169355404859616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275293297332875640.post-63064595623172444462010-03-01T18:57:00.001-08:002021-03-14T01:41:14.341-08:00Windows in Thai Architecture Part Two<div style="text-align: justify;">In <a href="http://thaiarchitecture.blogspot.com/2009/12/windows-in-thai-architecture-part-one.html">Part One of Windows in Thai Architecture</a> I looked at the aesthetic impact windows can have on a building. In this part I will discuss some of the more technical aspects of windows.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The primary concerns with windows in Thailand are two fold: the first is light, the second is solar gain. In a way the two factors work against each other. The smaller the window the less the solar gain, but also the less light that will be let into a building.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In Thailand where the weather is really hot <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Smart-glazing-solutions-glare-solar/dp/B000RR6NPC?ie=UTF8&tag=smartcontentz-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">solar gain</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=smartcontentz-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B000RR6NPC" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" /> is a key issue. It is very expensive to run an air-con unit 24 hours a day. A fan or natural ventilation is much cheaper and more eco-friendly. It is not an option to not have windows only have tiny slit windows because then you rely on artificial light. Artificial light does not contain the full spectrum of light and can cause psychological problems such as S.A.D (seasonal adjustment disorder).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In this post I will look at the various methods there are to have windows but to reduce solar gain.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">The first and easiest method is to use roller shades, vertical blinds or venetian blinds. The downside of this is that fabric quickly fades with exposure to the sun and having the curtains drawn all the time creates an unfriendly atmosphere to a house as viewed from outside. An outsider will subconsciously think that the resident is always sleeping or sick or just reclusive.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Another method to reduce solar gain is to use the house or villa construction. Especially for east and west facing windows that get a lot of light, building an awning above the window can reduce solar gain by up to 50%. Another method is to place a window under the over-hang of a roof.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/S4yBy4DSNXI/AAAAAAAABHQ/x3imMhchCUk/s1600-h/wooden-awning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/S4yBy4DSNXI/AAAAAAAABHQ/x3imMhchCUk/s320/wooden-awning.jpg" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/S4yB3qTnqiI/AAAAAAAABHY/AgQDYXcfSaE/s1600-h/floor-to-ceiling-windows.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/S4yB3qTnqiI/AAAAAAAABHY/AgQDYXcfSaE/s320/floor-to-ceiling-windows.jpg" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">A key consideration when planning windows for your villa is the frame material. The lower the conductivity of the frame material the less solar gain. The least conductive material is wood. The problem with wood is that it rots, especially in tropical weather where there is a lot of humidity and rain. To combat the wetness make sure drainage is used and treat the wood. Unfortunately, the chemicals used to treat the wood are not environmentally friendly. To maximize the effectiveness of the treatment and minimize the impact on the environment get the wooden window frames chemically treated in the factory and not on-site. For more on the treatment of wood and its environmental impact check out <a href="http://www.greenspec.co.uk/html/materials/windowframes.html">NGS GreenSpec</a>.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> is becoming a popular frame material. It is low in conductivity (not as low as wood) and is durable. The downside is that it is a type of plastic and can ruin the aesthetic of a window in a Thai villa which might be aspiring to a traditional Thai feel. Finally, there are metal frames - they are the highest in conductivity but are very durable. Metal has a very modern feel and only suits modernist architecture in Thailand. Also it is the most expensive frame material.<br />
<br />
The final way to combat solar gain is through using something other than just plain glass. Glass is tinted by changing the chemical properties of glass. <b>Tinted glass</b> absorbs light and heat considerably better than normal glass. In some cases tinted glass can absorb as much as 50% of the heat coming from the sun. Unfortunately, a lot of that heat later seeps into the room via convection and radiation. And the other downside with tinted glass is that it dramatically reduces the amount of light let into a room.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/S4yK5wbHYUI/AAAAAAAABHg/MzvGRYw8AEA/s1600-h/tinted-windows-with-stained-wood-frames.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/S4yK5wbHYUI/AAAAAAAABHg/MzvGRYw8AEA/s320/tinted-windows-with-stained-wood-frames.jpg" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/S4yLCN-di8I/AAAAAAAABHo/6MoopwCBjz8/s1600-h/stained-windows-with-cross-hatching-surrounded-by-carved-wood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/S4yLCN-di8I/AAAAAAAABHo/6MoopwCBjz8/s320/stained-windows-with-cross-hatching-surrounded-by-carved-wood.jpg" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The latest method to reduce solar gain through windows is to put a <b>low-e</b> coating on the glass. A low-e coating is a layer of metal only a few molecules in thickness. Most window manufacturers now put low-e coatings on all their windows. A low-e coating is very effective against solar gain. One coating is the equivalent of adding another pane of glass between a room and the sunlight. Low-e coatings are also better than tinted glass because they don't reduce the lighting in a room very dramatically.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Windows are a integral part of what makes a villa feel 'luxurious'. The psychology is obvious - windows promote a feeling of light, space and airiness, they provide panoramas of sea, mountain and jungle, they promise the immediacy of decking and pool, they bring the outside into the house and connect the two. A room with a view is a good room. A room without a view or even without a window is a prison cell. No windows equals claustrophobia and depression. The question is how to have windows and light without overheating your living space. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/S4yPGozpScI/AAAAAAAABHw/RDlNgTJO4RI/s1600-h/fan-window.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/S4yPGozpScI/AAAAAAAABHw/RDlNgTJO4RI/s320/fan-window.jpg" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/S4yPUB1kckI/AAAAAAAABH4/oPOgsRUD9q4/s1600-h/wooden-slat-window.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/S4yPUB1kckI/AAAAAAAABH4/oPOgsRUD9q4/s320/wooden-slat-window.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<br />
</div>OPen MIndhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06290169355404859616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275293297332875640.post-26308343408885956612010-02-03T22:21:00.000-08:002010-02-03T22:28:15.812-08:00New Bangkok Icon - The Central Embassy Bangkok<b>Amanda Levete</b>, famous for what critics have called 'blog architecture' has designed a unique and eye catching hotel and commercial shopping space in the heart of Bangkok.<br />
<br />
The building will be called <b>Central Embassy Bangkok</b>. It will be on the primary commercial artery of the city, Ploen Chit Road, in the former British Embassy Gardens in Nai Lert Park. Work is due to start this year and finish in 2013. It is an extremely ambitious project, and not without risk in these troubled financial times. If and when it is built it will in some ways define Bangkok. For like Bangkok it embraces tradition and modernity and tries to produce a synthesis that is startling and aesthetically pleasing. You look at the pictures below and decide for yourself.<br />
<br />
The Central Embassy Bangkok will combine a 7-storey retail podium with a 30-storey 6-star hotel. It will have an incredible 1.5 million square feet of internal space. The key feature of the building is the sinuous and twisting coil that starts at one end of the structure and rises to a peak at the other end. This is the key aspect that has been influenced by Thai architecture, it is a blade runner style <a href="http://thaiarchitecture.blogspot.com/2009/04/chofa-and-naga.html">Naga</a> or snake found in <a href="http://thaiarchitecture.blogspot.com/2009/05/some-notes-on-thai-religious.html">Thai temple architecture</a>. To re-inforce the traditional Thai aspect of the twisting coil, millions of bespoke ceramic tiles are going to placed on the surface to break up the monotony of the vast space.<br />
<br />
Within the coil or naga will be 2 vertical light wells which will connect the retail podium to the hotel complex. The hotel will include courtyards and gardens incorporated into the central naga motif.<br />
<br />
It is, in my lay man opinion, an inspired idea. However, the main base of the building from a side ways angle has a blobby nondescript shape that detracts from the elegance of the dynamic twisting coil. As you can see from the pictures below, the same cannot be said for the bird's eye view which reveals a sleek s-shape in the bones of the building.<br />
<br />
What is certain is that Bankok inhabitants will love it. They love huge shopping malls and take pride in the modernity of their city; and no doubt, they will easily recognise the naga motif and see the justness of its use.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/S2pmF2r8STI/AAAAAAAABEw/TE2RcvH1akk/s1600-h/central_embassy_bangkok1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/S2pmF2r8STI/AAAAAAAABEw/TE2RcvH1akk/s320/central_embassy_bangkok1.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/S2pmLhT92rI/AAAAAAAABFI/A3HkZXU3o3g/s1600-h/central-embassyinside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/S2pmLhT92rI/AAAAAAAABFI/A3HkZXU3o3g/s320/central-embassyinside.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/S2pmJyqqFlI/AAAAAAAABFA/3kw5tD6ziG4/s1600-h/central_embassy_bangkokbirdseyeview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/S2pmJyqqFlI/AAAAAAAABFA/3kw5tD6ziG4/s320/central_embassy_bangkokbirdseyeview.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/S2pmHpjgMaI/AAAAAAAABE4/duyIOwigPDU/s1600-h/central_embassy_bangkok_surface.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/S2pmHpjgMaI/AAAAAAAABE4/duyIOwigPDU/s320/central_embassy_bangkok_surface.jpg" /></a></div>OPen MIndhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06290169355404859616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275293297332875640.post-78568544969781282442009-12-08T06:06:00.000-08:002021-03-14T01:44:25.720-08:00Windows in Thai Architecture Part One<div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">Although cheap bungalows and many open plan restaurants and bars in Thailand don't use windows very much in their architecture, the window is important to Thai architecture. In old Ayutthaya architecture the 'bot' had narrow vertical openings high up on the walls instead of windows. Later windows with wooden panels were added. Nowadays, doors and windows in Bots are decorated with ornamental frames in stucco which are gilded and enriched with glass mosaic.</span>
<span style="font-family:Arial;">For secular Thai architecture windows have become an essential consideration. Most fundamentally, windows let in natural light - turning a dark unfriendly space into an open and inviting area. Conversely, large windows let in alot of heat and contribute to solar gain. Obviously this is where curtains come in.</span>
<span style="font-family:Arial;">Continuing on the theme of energy, windows which can be opened can provide natural ventilation saving the need for 24/7 air-con. At night with the emergence of mosquitos this is less practical.</span>
<span style="font-family:Arial;">Windows often form part of the natural flow of a Thai house, in the sense that they often serve as doors leading onto a balcony or garden. Sliding glass doors and folding windows are thus very popular in modern Thai architecture. They create the illusion of uninterrupted space between indoors and outdoors. This is a key element of the <strong>modern tropical style</strong> found throughout Thailand and South East Asia.</span>
<span style="font-family:Arial;">Another key aspect of windows in Thai architecture is to create interest. A plain wall can be monotonous and uninviting. Windows break up this uniformity. Often windows have interesting shaped frames, coloured glass, shutters and other features to make the building look more desirable.</span>
<span style="font-family:Arial;">In villa design, especially villas with an elevated view, windows are used to highlight and show off the breathtaking vistas of the beach, mountain, river or sunset. In which case the windows are often floor to ceiling constructions.</span>
<span style="font-family:Arial;">To sum up, windows are one of the most noticeable and important aspects of Thai architecture. Windows in Thailand date back to the Ayutthaya period and have remained central to Thai architectural aesthetics ever since.</span>
<span style="font-family:Arial;">Below are a series of photos of various styles of window design. A comment is added <strong>below</strong> each photograph.</span></div>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/Sx5kZm-5vJI/AAAAAAAABAA/zwLstpJqY6c/s1600-h/14.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412874193269800082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/Sx5kZm-5vJI/AAAAAAAABAA/zwLstpJqY6c/s320/14.jpg" border="0" />
<p align="justify"></a>Windows used as a decorative feature of a pagoda style roof. The overhang of the roof reduces solar gain.
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/Sx5kQ9nUGhI/AAAAAAAAA_4/VaoRHa7HdCE/s1600-h/13.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412874044726057490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/Sx5kQ9nUGhI/AAAAAAAAA_4/VaoRHa7HdCE/s320/13.jpg" border="0" /></a> Here opening glass doors below windows set in a teek wooden frame create a beautiful side entrance to a restaurant and allow for dinners to get a breeze and see the view of the beach.</p><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/Sx5kLj_Xm6I/AAAAAAAAA_w/Hj5BeoHlygY/s1600-h/12.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412873951948282786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/Sx5kLj_Xm6I/AAAAAAAAA_w/Hj5BeoHlygY/s320/12.jpg" border="0" /></a>
This house is on an elevation and the series of windows upstairs and downstairs maximise the views and provide a pleasing continuity to the overall feel of the house.
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/Sx5j6KPrlgI/AAAAAAAAA_g/Ge5LAAM9tfE/s1600-h/10.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412873652979602946" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/Sx5j6KPrlgI/AAAAAAAAA_g/Ge5LAAM9tfE/s320/10.jpg" border="0" /></a>
Windows with stucco decorations around a domed upper part to the window. Unfortunately, the pink paint job gives the building an overdone, ersatz quality.
<div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/Sx5jy1s6oNI/AAAAAAAAA_Y/0mihHZQk9wI/s1600-h/9.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412873527205994706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/Sx5jy1s6oNI/AAAAAAAAA_Y/0mihHZQk9wI/s320/9.jpg" border="0" /></a>
This dramatic villa perched on a hill in Koh Samui has a modern feel to it. The plain white walls and right angles are made interesting by the extensive use of oversized windows allowing you to see straight through the house. Furthermore, a small ornamental balcony has been fixed to the side to create a modern tropical sense of intermixing indoor and outdoor spaces.
<div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/Sx5jtsAChCI/AAAAAAAAA_Q/7CnQ6vvYZdg/s1600-h/8.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412873438702502946" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/Sx5jtsAChCI/AAAAAAAAA_Q/7CnQ6vvYZdg/s320/8.jpg" border="0" /></a>
Here European style window design with shutters has been used.
<div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/Sx5jnaxakAI/AAAAAAAAA_I/bBmJdFppkOs/s1600-h/7.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412873330998546434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/Sx5jnaxakAI/AAAAAAAAA_I/bBmJdFppkOs/s320/7.jpg" border="0" /></a>
Windows can be unusual shapes. I presume these windows are intended to provide natural light for a stairwell.
<div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/Sx5jf2NLP5I/AAAAAAAAA_A/3KpD9WQI3lI/s1600-h/6.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412873200923787154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/Sx5jf2NLP5I/AAAAAAAAA_A/3KpD9WQI3lI/s320/6.jpg" border="0" /></a> This window uses a diamond shape in the frame to individualise the property.
</div><div><div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/Sx5jVINe8YI/AAAAAAAAA-w/IfAb-CFZA0M/s1600-h/3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412873016778355074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/Sx5jVINe8YI/AAAAAAAAA-w/IfAb-CFZA0M/s320/3.jpg" border="0" /></a>
Here a series of small opaque windows have been place around the top of the main window for a shower room. Thus providing more natural light while maintaining privacy.
<div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/Sx5jO-k9psI/AAAAAAAAA-o/i2IwhS6nVXY/s1600-h/2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412872911113266882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/Sx5jO-k9psI/AAAAAAAAA-o/i2IwhS6nVXY/s320/2.jpg" border="0" /></a> An example of a minimalist approach to windows. Solar gain was obviously a key consideration in design. The windows you can see in the photo are road facing, and so privacy is protected.
<div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/Sx5jJArhJfI/AAAAAAAAA-g/0fd4xzIN0r0/s1600-h/1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412872808598414834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0CyuFLjFiAY/Sx5jJArhJfI/AAAAAAAAA-g/0fd4xzIN0r0/s320/1.jpg" border="0" /></a>
Finally, here are slightly tinted windows in folding doors that provide access to the decking and pool area.
</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>OPen MIndhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06290169355404859616noreply@blogger.com0