“My definition of ‘Thai House’ is simply ‘houses built in Thailand’ regardless of whether they are designed by Thai architects and/or for Thai clients,” responded author Robert Powell when queried about his selection of properties for his new book, The Modern Thai House.

This writer had pointed out to the author that it appears incongruous to have a book title like that and yet feature foreign architects in Thailand whose clients may or may not necessarily be Thai.

Initially flummoxed by my question at a lunch meeting to discuss the book, Powell was given the opportunity to think hard about the question before responding.

An impressive coffee-table book by any measure, the 224 pages feature 25 properties highlighting the creative work of mainly Thai architects and Thai owners with the exception of German-born, British architect Stefan Schlau; Singapore-based “Argentinean” (sic) architect Ernesto Bedmar and Kuala Lumpur-based British architect John Bulcock. The latter’s clients are not Thai either.

From left to right: - House Jang is a 4½–storey tall family home with a built-up of 340sq m on a 160sq m site, owned by Radja Smutkojon and his wife Ravee Purananda. - DKFF House is owned by British-born Canadian, Frank Flatters, and his Thai wife, Duangkamol Chotana. - Retired, septuagenarian architect Sumet Jumsai’s studio is a marvellous Le Corbusier-inspired weekend residence and painting studio.

Xenophobic  Addressing the issue, Powell replied in an e-mail: “I ask myself what criteria I would apply if I were writing about British architecture and I would not exclude buildings by say, Rem Koolhaas or Renzo Piano, or buildings that were commissioned by Sime Darby or the Qatar Royal family. They would still come under the heading ‘British’.

“I know that some critics might argue that a Thai House can only be designed by a Thai but that seems like a desire to protect the local profession and a fear of foreign architects.

“That said 80% of the houses I have featured are designed by Thai architects and are commissioned by Thai owners.”

Having gotten that answer, the next question arises, as to how would Powell define, “modern” in context of the book title?

“I define modern as simply being of ‘now’ – completed in the last five to 10 years. I am not referring to a style but simply being of the current era. There are a variety of modern expressions in response to the influence of globalisation, the Internet, traditional values, etc.,” replied the prolific author, who has 30 books related to architecture to his name, including The New Malaysian House.

Robert Powell is currently project director and head of Ecomasterplanning with Llewelyn Davies Yeang (London).

Professor  Currently, Powell is project director and head of “Ecomasterplanning” with Llewelyn Davies Yeang (London). He is working on several projects with distinguished Malaysian architect Ken Yeang in various countries. Not only is Powell a practising architect and writer but he was formerly associate professor of architecture at the National University of Singapore (NUS).

His association with Thai houses dates back to 1984 when he was with NUS and got acquainted with his then colleague Mathar “Lek” Bunnag, a Thai architect who graduated from Harvard University. With Bunnag’s help, Powell backpacked through Thailand in September of that year. By the early1990s, Powell was commissioned by Select Books to write The Asian House (1993). He included five houses from Thailand. More Thai houses were included in his subsequent books, namely, The Tropical Asian House (1996), The Urban Asian House (1998) and The New Asian House (2001). Altogether, the 16 Thai houses featured in those books were compiled into a single volume, The New Thai House (2003) with four additional houses.

“The twenty houses were together a condensed summary of the development of the modern Thai house from 1980 to 2002,” stated Powell in the introduction to his latest book.

“Fast forward ten years to the current publication – The Modern Thai House. In 2010, I assembled a list of houses, initially seeking advice from the architects whose work appeared in previous books, and in April 2011, I embarked on an extensive journey with photographer Albert Lim KS to visit some forty houses that we had identified.”

Thai credit  By necessity, that figure was whittled down to 25 properties. Out of the 22 houses by Thai architects, one of them – Aroon Puritat – worked in association with Neil Logan, an American architect and a friend of the property owner.

With a title like that, the average coffee-table book reader would be expecting to see the ultimate creativity of Thai architects – a talent that is pure and unfettered by the dictates of foreign “consultants”.

In this book, the author seems to have a fondness for certain architects. For instance, Boonlert Hemvijitraphan as well as Duangrit Bunnag, each has three houses to their credit. And with two houses to their names, are:

• Kanika R’Kul (Spacetime Architects)
• Vasu Virajslip & Boonlert Deeyuen
• Khwanchai Suthamsao & Tanit Choomsang
• Pirast Pacharaswate

Rounding up the list of Thai architects featured, are:

• Srisak Phattanawasin
• Bundit Kanisthakhon
• Somchai Jongsaeng
• Sumet Jumsai
• Pattawadee Roogrojdee & Apichat Sriarun
• Surachai Akekapobyotin & Juthathip Techachumreon
• Ponlawat Buasari & Songsuda Adhibai

The Trop V House (left)  is designed by Pirast Pacharaswate, an assistant professor of architecture at Chulalongkorn University. Designed by Pirast Pacharaswate, the Open House II (right) reflects a strong formal design arranged around a black swimming pool in a central courtyard. A long raking staircase ascends alongside the pool.

What’s so Thai? On the issue of foreign architects like Schlau, Bedmar and Bulcock, designing a “modern Thai house’, it begs the question, what is so “Thai” about their work, other than being located in Thailand? The author offers a rebuttal.

“The question assumes there is a distinct Thai ‘style’. But what would this be? A traditional timber house with pitched roof, inward sloping walls and external verandah’s?

“That is certainly the image that is perpetuated in the houses of Bill Bensley, for example, Camp Howie but is that what the modern Thai client wants?

“I think not – I think the wealthy Thai clients who commissioned the houses in the book were often educated in the US or Europe and share images of modern house with their architects, the majority of whom have also been educated in the US or UK.

“Bedmar and Bulcock have both lived for many years in the tropics and designed houses that are fitted to the location, the topography and the tropical climate. They are simply intelligent responses to the place.”

Distinct difference?  Be that as it may, is there a distinct difference between the modern houses of Thailand compared to Malaysia, or perhaps, Singapore?

“To date, I have not analysed sufficiently the houses of the countries of South-East Asia to identify the distinct differences,” answered Powell.

“I am sure there are subtle differences related to the different cultures of these countries, to the religious beliefs (Muslim/Christian/Buddhist, etc.,) to the place of women in society, to colonial heritage (British/Spanish/Dutch influences) etc., as well as the degree of penetration of global culture.

“Perhaps, I will do this after I have completed my next book on The Modern Philippine House. It could be the subject of a PhD thesis!!”

And among the 25 houses in the book, which are the houses that Powell are most impressed with?

Designed by KL-based British architect John Bulcock, Dama zAmya (left ) is the home of professional photographer Gary Dublanko and his wife, Dea Zoffman. The Aurapin House (right) is designed by Boonlert Hemvijitraphan together with his wife for their own family.

“I love the Soi Wat Umong House (page 152) for its openness to nature, spatial qualities and the obvious thought that has gone into every nuance.

“I enjoy Serenity (page 100) for its cool, clean geometry and incredible views of the ocean.

“And I like the Harirak House (page 54) for its warm colours, timber shutters and clay tile floors.

“But actually it is unfair for me to highlight just three for I am impressed by all the houses – otherwise they would not be in the book.”

If you are intrigued by modern Thai architecture and those who have contributed to its development, then this book is essential to your library. Whether are a critic of modern architecture or just love looking at pictures of “interesting” homes then this book offers a ready reference.

Is there a common or distinct style to “Modern Thai” houses? Except for one or two specimens, it is rather hard to tell from the rest but the selected homes sure are stylish and expensive looking whatever the material used. Comfortable and practical? That’s two other questions that only the owners can answer.

Source by: The Star Property

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