Beyond Ordinary_Living Vernacular Architecture

Message
from ASA President
Of those buildings surrounding us, some are designed by architects, others
are not. The latter seems to be the majority. This building type might, perhaps,
be considered as vernacular architecture.
For Thailand’s context, vernacular architecture is not of temple or palace
type, but more likely of residential type, particularly those houses in the rural
areas. As for the urban vernacular architecture, some shop-houses occupied
as residential, commercial, or mixed-use purposes can be considered ones.
In general, the public tend to understand the style of vernacular architecture
whether in the rural or the urban area.
In the past 20 years, Thai architects are highly interested in vernacular
architecture. There have been a number of studies and researches to establish
knowledges from vernacular architecture and apply those knowledges
on building designs. It might be appropriated to ask, now, of the ways in
which Thai architects perceive vernacular architecture and the extend to which
vernacular architecture design might lead to establish another character of Thai
architecture.
ASA 2018 is a platform to present this design possibility. To what extend can
“Beyond Ordinary” vernacular architecture be preposed and designed? This
might perhaps be another identity of Thai contemporary architecture whist
continuing cultural heritage in vernacular architecture in Thailand.
Dr. Ajaphol Dusitnanond
President of the Association
of Siamese Architects
2016-2018
11 ASA 2018
ASA18_Book_180419.indd 11 24/4/18 16:10