ASA JOURNAL Vol.2 | 2018

solution to soak the wood is the most interesting alternative.
The solution manifests the ability to effectively prevent
wood-boring beetles and its environmentally friendly quality
(the experimental process takes place with fresh bamboo
wood being soaked in the solution before they are placed
in the container with the wood- boring beetles inside). Because
certain local households may not have sufficient funds to
build their own well to soak the wood, the working group
alters the process by proposing the method in which the
solution is poured into the hollow stems of the bamboo.
The wood is drilled with the solution being directly injected
into its texture including the joints, allowing the wood to
thoroughly absorb the solution before it is used as the
house’s structural compositions (columns, beams, joists, rafters
and strips of bamboo used for the construction of a house’s
floor and walls).
2.2.2 Bamboo as a Substitute Structural Material
While Paka-kyaw Karen homes were constructed using
predominantly hardwood due to its strength and long
lifespan, with the current situation where the procurement
of hardwood is restricted, particularly in the national parks’
areas, the working group proposes the use of bamboo
columns as the house’s main structural member. The house’s
foundation is improved from the original construction method
where holes are dug for hardwood columns to be erected
in. Such method causes the columns to be directly affected
by the humidity from the soil and ultimately deteriorate
the columns’ lifespan. After the idea of replacing the
hardwood columns with bamboo is proposed, to strengthen
the durability and solidity of the foundation columns,
cement is poured into the hallow stem of the bamboo
(with the length equivalent to 4-5 sections of a bamboo’s
internode). Inserted inside of the cement-filled internodes
is a bamboo part, which is cut into a 45-centimeter long
piece with 1-2 cm. section.
2.2.3 Use of Bamboo Wedges to Substitute Rattan
The working group finds that rattan is used as the
material that helps fasten the joineries of different structural
members (roof, floor) of a Paka-kyaw Karen house together.
With rattan becoming scarcer and growing far deeper into
the forest, the working group proposes the idea of joining
the bamboo parts by drilling holes on the wood with
wedges employed to reinforce the joineries to replace the
use of rattan (this particular process is utilized in the
construction of modern bamboo architecture). After several
consultations with the Paka-kyaw Karen artisans, bamboo
wedges are applied to help strengthen the joineries. A
dowel is hammered into a drilled hole before another
smaller and sharper dowel is driven into the previous
dowel, causing it to expand and better fit the drilled hole
on the bamboo’s stem.
3. Conclusion and Suggestions
3.1 Conclusion
The construction of the prototype of Paka-kyaw Karen house
at Pongluek area is an experiment on the combined elements
between Paka-kyaw Karen people’s local wisdoms in materials
and construction methods and the more contemporary process
of bamboo wood’s lifespan extension. The experiment encompasses
the material preparation, design and lifespan extension
process using natural, environmentally friendly pesticide. The
adjustment of the building’s structure creates more efficient
functional space such as the development of the house’s foundation,
the use of bamboo wedges, which are achieved through
collaboration with Paka-kyaw Karen artisans. The methods can
be referenced and applied to develop the construction methods
of vernacular homes in the area where construction tools and
resources are limited.
3.2 Social, Ecological and Cultural Benefits
(1) Bamboo is a sustainable and substitutable natural
material. The role of the community forest can generate a
sustainable cycle of self-regenerating resources, which allows
locals to grow the wood that will be used for the construction
of their own homes without the need to rely on
outsourced materials. Such approach to material use prevents
any negative effects on the ecological system of the forest
while the absence of transportation can potentially minimize
the carbon footprint to zero.
(2) Paka-kyaw Karen houses use locally available
materials, which offer only a limited lifespan of only 4-5
years and require constant maintenance. The application
of modern-day body of knowledge to extend the material’s
life expectancy to 5-10 years can significantly reduce the
burden over maintenance issues, which fits better with
locals’ changing way of life. It offers a more practical
alternative to maintain traditional construction and restoration
methods, which will be passed on to the later generations.
(3) The integration of local know-how and modern
knowledge resonates with the changing context of Paka-kyaw
Karen community as it proposes a more practical and
compromising solution that better corresponds with the
contemporary world.
3.3 Suggestions
Throughout the construction process of Paka-kyaw Karen
homes, there are certain issues that can be pointed out for future
improvements.
(1) A collaboration between Paka-kyaw Karen people and
local authorities such as the National Park should be carried out
to find a practical solution for bamboo reforestation program
to take place in a suitable and properly operated land. The
development of a natural material bank should be done to
handle other natural materials after they have gone through the
lifespan extension process.
(2) No substantial study and solution has been provided on
the lifespan extension of the traditional roofing material
(Ta Kror leaves) of Paka-kyaw Karen homes. There has not been
any experiment done on a substitute material that can withstand
the sun and rain, which can be a more challenging and timeconsuming
process.
Bibliography
Acknowledgements
The study and construction of the prototype of Paka-kyaw
Karen house cannot be achieved without the help and
invaluable knowledge of the Paka-kyaw Karen artisans, and
support from the Pidthong Lungpra Foundation, Local
Formation Foundation Community Organizations Development
Institute, Kaengkrachan National Park, and Chulalongkorn
University, which have been significant resources of information
throughout the entire process of the project, including the
dedication and contribution from the students from the 2014
and 2015 Basin Architecture Morphology and Environmental
and Architectural Conservation class.
Anupanphong, Akaraphong. (2007). Paka-kyaw Karen homes: Sustainability and Adjustment under Eco-Culture culture of
Cyclic agriculture. Masters Thesis of Master of Arts Program). Silpakorn University.
Olarnratmanee, Raweewan. (2017). Dynamics of Vernacular Architecture of Ethic Groups: A Case Study of Tai Yai Ethic Group
in Khun Yuam, Mae Hongson Province and Karen Community in Mae Lha Temporary Shelter in Tak Province.
Built Environment Inquiry Journal. Faculty of Architecture. Khon Kaen University.
Pancharueng, Ularn and Olarnratmanee, Raweewan. (2015. Patterns and Formations of Paka-kyaw Karen Architecture in
Mae Lha Temporary Shelter in Tak Province. Environmental Design Academic Journal.
Wichaidit, Soraphong. (2004). Formation of Identity of Karen Migrants: A Case Study of Mae Lha Temporary Shelter in
Tak Province. Masters Thesis of Master of Arts Program in Anthropology. Chulalongkorn University.
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วารสารสถาปัตยกรรมของสมาคมสถาปนิกสยาม
ในพระบรมราชูปถัมภ์ Issue 02 / 2018
Academic Journal of The Association of Siamese Architects
under the Royal Patronage
วารสารสถาปัตยกรรมของสมาคมสถาปนิกสยาม
ในพระบรมราชูปถัมภ์ Issue 02 / 2018
Academic Journal of The Association of Siamese Architects
under the Royal Patronage