|
When everything was prepared, twenty or thirty neighbours from
the village would then get together to assemble the new house in
a matter of days. "It's was a 'knock down' method
of building. "explains Suchja Pinyochon, Managing Director
of East West Development Company. The process would be finalized
with a party to celebrate the new home.
Thai society has all but lost this idyllic communal lifestyle along
with the knowledge of the technology and skills to build in the
old fashioned way. While aesthetically appealing, "Classical
Thai architecture is not convenient, nor is it practical. "says Suchja, "especially when you consider materials. The contemporary
Thai style house is considerably modified especially when applied
to European tastes. Solid walls instead of dividers provide soundproofing.
The spaces are enlarged, particularly in the kitchen and bathrooms. "Nevertheless, the beauty of Thai style and moreover the Thai identity
is retained in the modern version of these homes.
East West Development stands between old generation Thai architects
and 'Generation X'. Khun Suchja spoke to me of a personal
interest to preserve the old knowledge and a life project to transfer
this knowledge to the next generation, which he fears might otherwise
disappear. He recognizes himself as a transitory force between the
old school of educators and the formation of a mature postmodern
Thai identity.
"The relationship between senior and junior architects within
a firm involves teaching every day, "Khun Suchja notes. "First
you study theory but then you need to practice and receive correction
to master the pronunciation, "says Suchja, drawing a comparison
to language learning. "In my youth, I was overconfident. "continues Suchja. "But as I grew older I realized that there
is much more to learn in order to apply design. You need to learn
about philosophy, psychology, social development and the environment.
Then you have to keep up to date. "
Padcha Sakulsupitch, Director of East West Development Company,
an equal partner in the company, talked enthusiastically about their
urban design research projects for Phuket
Town and Patong Municipal Offices. One outcome of their studies
is the comprehensive 'Phuket Development Guideline', which appropriately
begins with a review of the history of Phuket
development, examining the existing tourist areas, their problems
and proposes suitable improvements.
About sixteen years ago, the first ideas for advancement were borrowed
from sites in Hawaii and California. Designs for buildings were
copied from photographs without considering the specific Thai climate
and requirements. The more recent trend, within the past five to
eight years however, has been to give more attention to the Thai
environment, fitting buildings into the hillsides and contours of
the natural landscape and studying Thai temple architecture and
other edifices in order to aid the development of a Thai identity
in the island's modern architecture.
Long term planning according to the guide, includes the Serena
Park proposal for the north of the island, close to Sarasin Bridge
and the Phuket Harbour concept that involves land reclamation in
order to accommodate a large convention facility. East West Development
Company has designed a Heroines' Monument Historical Park,
covering an area of almost a hundred rai, created to serve social
needs as well as acting as a tourist destination that will bring
in income. The planned cultural village, museum, library, recreation
area, fitness park, outdoor theatre and amphitheatre will be able
to accommodate exhibitions and provide a much needed concert venue.
The company profile of East West Development lists an extensive
record of private homes, commercial properties and government buildings,
mostly of modern design, aside from research and master planning.
The range of their work includes everything from preliminary design,
interior design, landscaping and project management through to the
finished property.
Asked how they manage to fulfill their heavy schedules, Khun Padcha
and Khun Suchja claim, "We work eight days a week. "As Khun Padcha
explains "Thai people don't tend to compartmentalize their lives
the way that westerners do. "Instead, their social life, family
life, and work are intermixed. The partners still maintain contact
with their university fellows through a local Chulalongkorn University
alumni club with year round activities. Besides having graduated
from the same university, Padcha and Suchja have both worked for
a number of years in Malaysia,
where Suchja led award winning design teams. Khun Sudhja also worked
in Singapore early in his career.
"You have to be an expert in something. "Khun Suchja,
remarks, sighting inherited family values. With a numerous private
homes, offices and showrooms in the company portfolio, Khun Suchja
says he aims for "a narrower, more focused goal. Our specialty
is resort and tourism development"
"A current project is a five star resort on Naga Island. Workers
brought down from Chang
Mai where they still have the skills to build in the classical
Thai style will build it entirely of wood in the old style of construction.
It will be a case study for the new generation in ways to preserve
the old knowledge. "
|
