งานออกแบบสถาปัตยกรรมไทย เจ้าฟ้ากรมพระยานริศรานุวัดติวงศ์

In 1892, after he had directed the Ministry of Public
Works for a short period, he was requested to move on to
direct Ministry of Finance for another two years. In 1894,
when Department of Army Training Command and Department
of Defense were converted into one institution: a newly
established Ministry of Defense, responsible for both Army
and Navy, Prince Naris was appointed to its Minister. He
resumed his position as Minister of Defense for the second
time in 1899, but this time it lasted only for five months, after
which he was ordered to direct Minister of Royal Household.
Later on in 1896, when Chao Fa Krom Phraya Panupan
Wongworadej resigned from the director of Departments of
Army Training Command, Prince Naris was then invited to
take charge of his job temporarily. In 1905, when the Minister
of Royal Household,
Phra Chao Nongya Ther Krom Kun Pitayalarp
Phruetthitada, left for another job, King Chulalongkorn needed
somebody who knew tradition and custom well to take charge
of the Ministry. Naris was then appointed to its Minister once
again for the second time. While he collected a succession
of prestigious posts, nowhere did make him a better known
for his work than Ministry of Public Works, due to his
exceptional ability to handle building business excellently.
Consequently, between 1899 and 1905, he was requested
to direct the Public Works Department once again for the
second time - the fact that indicated how great his ability was
in leading this department.
The Architect & The Artist
Apart from his management skill, Prince Naris was
a highly competent architect and artist. His design works
were varied, but almost everything he touched has been
praised highly, especially for its creativity and distinctiveness.
His first architectural design was Tuk Thawon Watthu of 1894.
His exceptional design skill made him “King’s Architect”
since every monarch he served trusted him with essential
responsibilities on architecture. Distinguished and particularly
well-known examples are Wat Benjamabophit and Wat
Rajathiwad.
Naris’ habit of hard-working had nevertheless affected
his health. In 1909, he began to struggle with diseases of
an enlarged heart. However, despite being unwell, he did not
retire from work, as his doctor had suggested, immediately,
but continued working. It was not until he realised himself
unproductive at work, that he was unable to give his full service
to as before, that he appealed to King Chulalongkorn to
resign from the job. The King permitted him to retire.
Nevertheless, his retirement existed only in theory.
In the next reign of King Vajiravudh era, (on the throne
between 1910 and 1925), Prince Naris, while in the course
of retirement, still served the court. Apart from being
a member of several governmental committees, he never
stopped working on design and, of course, architecture.
Amongst his exquisite works of architecture built during
the sixth reign are royal pyres for the cremation of Queen
Mother Sri Bajrindra (Saovabha Phongsri) and that of
Somdet Krom Phraya Vajirananavarorasa (Prince Manusyanagamanob).
With his outstanding service to the royal court,
King Vajiravudh made Naris’ rank to Somdet Phra Chao
Boromma Wong Thoe Chao Fa Krom Phraya Narisara
Nuvadtiwongs.
Due to poor health, Prince Naris decided to live in
Bangkok suburb, following Chao Phra Ya Teves Wongwiwat’s
advice, for better health. He brought a piece of land in Khlong
Toei neighbourhood and a group of traditional Thai houses
before converting them into his new residence. He thought
he would only come to live in Khlong Toei during summertime,
but every time he came back to stay in the urban palace of
Wang Tha Phra, he became ill, presumably because of
the dampness in the buildings. Thus he decided to move
46 The Architectural Works of Prince Narisara Nuvadtiwongs: A Transition of Thai Architecture