ASA JOURNAL Vol.2 | 2018

which was formerly Ban Norasingha, a family residence of
design, as well as main and temporary programming to attract
buildings through restoration and repurpose, giving oppor-
Another familiar pattern of adaptive reuse as tourist
Chao Phraya Ramrakop before being purchased by the
repeated visits. Notable examples are Chiang Mai City Arts
tunities to express themselves to the public to admire values
accommodations is contemporary shop houses turned into
Government since 1941. The Petchburi Branch Office of Siam
and Cultural Center (formerly Chiang Mai City Hall), Museum
that come with age and particular qualities, including history
hostels. Regardless of a lack of historical and architectural
Commercial Bank also demonstrates an attempt to save a
Siam (formerly the Ministry of Commerce), Siraraj Bimuksthan
and physical characteristics. At the same time, the new use
value, the economic potential of the existing structure and
historic noble residence by introducing a new active purpose
Museum (formerly Thonburi Railway Station), Pipit Banglamphu
generates business income through the old artifacts’ potentials
location helps reduce construction cost and speeds up both
accessible by the public.
Museum (formerly Khuru Sapha Printing House, figure 3),
and values irreplaceable by new structures, partly to support
construction and business procedures. The typical long and
Museums in Historic Buildings
Coin Museum (formerly Treasury Department office), Police
Museum (Parutsakawan Palace), Bank of Thailand Museum
conservation and maintenance expenses for their sustenance.
Even though income from hotel business alone may not be
narrow grid structure of shop houses provide flexibility for
spatial and functional adaptation, especially when joining
The hierarchical importance of historic buildings has
(Bangkhunphrom Palace), King Prajadhipok Museum (pre-
enough to cover the high cost of restorations and maintenance
multiple units together. The past 5 years have been a booming
an effect on selecting the right conservation approaches to
viously a store and the Public Works Department), Thailand
in some complicated cases, returning active functional roles
period for shop house hostels for budget travelers, in particular
implement. Most existing buildings with historical values are
Creative & Design Center (a part of Grand Postal Office, figure
to the buildings somehow slows down deterioration and
those in convenient locations easily accessible from mass
permanent religious buildings, palaces or architecture direct-
4), Bank of Thailand Learning Center (formerly Note Printing
additional problems from long-term abandonment. Boutique
transit or close to tourist or commercial districts. To create an
ly related to important figures and history. Transformation for
Works, figure 5), and the adaptations of buildings along
hotels in old buildings encourage transfers of history and
identity distinct from business competitors, hostel adaptations
new uses is then not only for physical conservation but also it
Ratchadamnoen Klang Road following conservation policies
culture to visitors through physical characteristics, commu-
usually pay attention to facade design, shared spaces, and plan
is necessary to consider appropriate protection of the original
and master plan of Rattanakosin Island including Rattanakosin
nications, service and related media designs. (Saithiwa Ramasoot,
and decoration of rooms and shared restrooms. Some case
characteristics and meanings. (Pinraj Khanjanusthiti, 2009:
Exhibition Hall, Ratchadamnoen Cultural Arts Center, and
2014) Most projects involve different levels of treatments from
studies challenge adaptation design with spaces that run free
95) Accordingly, the interventions should respect religious
Bangkok City Library. Such adaptive reuse projects not only
conservation and restoration, to additions, multi-level
from the grid structure of typical shop houses, such as Thrive
beliefs, historical persons or events through appropriate uses
revive old structures through contemporary uses but also allow
physical transformations and infill. It is found that conservation
the Hostel and Lub D Bangkok Silom Hostel. Apart from shop
and physical alterations. As most historic monuments are
the public to experience and learn about the historic buildings
of old buildings become more complicated in order to support
houses, there are small tourist accommodations converted
under supervision of governmental sectors or local adminis-
from a closer distance.
business plan, comfort and convenience, security, and standards
from other building types, for example J No.14 Lodge (for-
trations, bringing back functional purposes of such properties
tends to adopt compromising approaches compatible with
original uses. A common pattern is to repurpose historic
buildings as public facilities related to history, art or culture,
Alternative Accommodations for Tourism
Business
The growth of alternative tourism that wishes to offer
for public buildings and tourist accommodations. The requirements
may risk compromising the original value of the artifacts
if not handled appropriately, but also challenge design creativity
to preserve authenticity of the historic fabric. Case studies
merly vegetarian cafeteria) and Prince Theatre Heritage Hotel
(formerly a stand-alone movie theatre).
Potential of Old Building in Business Districts
especially as museums directly involving important figures,
tourists with unique experiences different from the mainstream
show small-scale old buildings in different types adapted as
Urbanization and economic development increase the
buildings, sites or the property owners. A 2004 research survey
tourism business contributed to the restoration and adaptive
tourist accommodations. Examples of converted single houses
economic potential of several old residential areas in the city
on 41 national museums under the supervision of Fine Arts
reuse of historic buildings in the past 10-15 years. Old buildings
are Baan Pranond, Baan Dinso Hostel, Baan Noppawong
and gradually cause their transformation as a response to
Department pointed out that 13 museums have been adapted
with a range of historic and architectural values as well as
(Figure 6), Praya Palazzo, Baan 2459 and Baannai the Reminiscence
commercial purposes. Existing buildings in old districts receive
from historic buildings, including palaces, city halls, residences
previously-occupied contemporary buildings with remaining
Hotel. Examples of converted row houses or shop houses are
both positive and negative impacts from increasing land value.
of high-ranking officials, elephant hospitals and temples. Such
functional potentials, especially shop houses, have been con-
the Bhuthorn Bed and Breakfast, the Assadang Bed and
Historic buildings with a high cost of conservation and main-
conversions require building restoration and renovation to
verted into tourist accommodations in a variety of levels of
Breakfast, 1905 Heritage Corner and Here Hostel. Location,
tenance are at risk for demolition when it comes to changes
serve a new function as a museum. Regardless of benefits from
comfort, luxury and characteristics. Such alternative accom-
age and qualities of the historic buildings play an important
of land ownership and strong needs for property development
reduced construction cost, protection of monuments and
modations, including boutique hotels to support cultural
part on the hotel business approach as well as type, level and
to meet commercial value of the context, especially tall
historic ambience, the interventions must deal with limitations
tourism and hostels to support low-cost tourism, are frequently
room rate of the accommodations. In many cases, historical
buildings with updated images and higher density of use.
from installation of necessary equipment and building systems,
small-scale businesses with a limited number of guest rooms.
value and special architectural characteristics may compensate
However, several property owners were able to foresee emerg-
humidity, additional load from display and visitors, as well as
While supporting facilities may not be as fulfilling as standard
for limited facilities, difficult access and undesirable context
ing opportunities and chose to adapt to new trends and busi-
size, circulation and original openings that may not be com-
hotels, the model enables owners to foster closer relationships
to create unique experiences for visitors. Appropriate adaptation
ness potentials of the locations in order to gain benefits and
patible with the displays. (The Fine Arts Department, 2004:
and specialized services to guests. The enactment of ministe-
thus provides conservation opportunities for old structures
income via building conversion to be businesses in which
274-275)
rial regulations concerning the use of other building types for
with ranging sizes and importance to be protected by individuals
operation is done by themselves or through space rental by a
hotel business in 2016 points out the expanded implementation
and private parties. Adaptive reuse projects in old communities
third party. Common adaptation patterns are small businesses
Conversions of old buildings into museums and public
of building adaptation for hotel businesses in order to apply
may also attract tourists to come and learn about less known
like restaurants, spas and offices that usually make use of
facilities related to art and culture are widely implemented in
for the legal permission for the practice.
locations and generate income through local activities. Praya
special architectural qualities to support images and uniqueness
order to preserve old artifacts and prevent possible demolition
Palazzo Boutique Hotel (built in 1923 as noble residence and
of the new uses. A number of examples can be seen in Sathorn,
due to a lack of present economic roles. Most of the recent
The adaptive use of houses and small-scale buildings
previously used as a school)is a unique case study that turns
Silom and Surawong Road areas that were locations for
adaptive reuse projects such as museums, learning centers and
with value as small hotels shows an integrated approach
limited access by boat across the Chaophraya River to a dis-
embassies and residential area for diplomats, foreigners and
exhibitions are under governmental sectors, but usually
between conservation and development with mutual benefits.
tinctive feature with a quiet ambience and nostalgic experience
old families. Most converted buildings are western-influenced
become more up to date in terms of physical alterations, display
The conversion into accommodations prolongs the life of old
through both architectural heritage and settings.
colonial residences, especially houses with delicately carved