“Insight | Thai | Architecture”

Explore the design process of King Rama IX Royal Crematorium which reflects the value of Thai traditional architecture in the exhibition “Insight | Thai | Architecture”.

The significant philosophy of Thai architecture (2017-11-16)Thailand Creative & Design Center

The significant philosophy of Thai architecture

Insight |Thai  | Architecture reveals Thai traditional architectural and decorative arts, also the royal crematorium of King Rama IX as an architecture in Rattanakosin era through 4 pieces of knowledge including religious cosmological belief into architecture, an enlarged virtual drawing atelier, fine art and architecture, and masters of Thai architecture.

Wat Arun Ratchawararam: An Inspired Universe of Siam (2), 2017-11-17, From the collection of: Thailand Creative & Design Center
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From the Core of the Universe to the Heart of Architecture

Symbolic system in traditional Thai architecture carries the belief of an afterlife, heaven and hell in cosmology theory and transforms them into physical display.

The notion of Trai Bhumi (three worlds) in Buddhism teaching believes the universe is round with Phra Sumeru Moutain situated in the core of the universe. The mountain is where Narai God resides and later reborn as king in order to create a peaceful world to humanity. The King, which resembles godlike figure, will then return to his palace on Phra Sumeru Mountain after passing away.

Phra Sumeru Mountain, 2017-11-17, From the collection of: Thailand Creative & Design Center
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Phra Sumeru Mountain, situated at the heart of the universe, 80,000 Yot deep under the ocean and 8,000 Yot above the water surface. The Mountain is surrounded by seven Sattaboribhan Moutains and Si Than Dorn oceans with four different continents. One is Jambudvipa, where half was inhabited by human and the other half was occupied by mythical creatures.

A mural painting of Trai Bhumi theory in Buddhism belief (2017-11-17)Thailand Creative & Design Center

A large painting decorating from the front to the side of the Dhamma book cabinet is considered one of the most complete piece of work from Ayuthaya Realm.

The concept of the image emphasized on Phra Sumeru Mountain belief located at the core of the universe. The sacred mountain appeared to be surrounded by Sattaboribhan Mountains. The top section of the painting illustrates homes to the divine beings and the solar and lunar cycle circling around Phra Sumer Mountain.

The bottom of the painting displays an image of Anodard pond and a great current flowing through Himmabhana mythical forest to all four continents of the world. The painter drew infinite river line crossing over to the side of the cabinet which situates a large picture of a capital city. The bottom and side corner of the cabinet displays an array of wall embracing the whole universe.

Wat Arun Ratchawararam: An Inspired Universe of Siam (2017-11-15)Thailand Creative & Design Center

Cosmological belief into architecture

Thai architecture does not only represent cosmological beliefs, it also displays cultural inspiration and creativity. A troop of mythical creature statues was placed around Phra Prang or Chedi of Wat Arun Ratchawararam including outer Prang, Mondhopthid and principal Prang. This distinguishing layout represents symbolic belief in a troop of mythical soldiers protecting Phra Sumeru Mountain keeping by Sattaboribhan Mountain upon Indra God’s order. Despite a long history of decorating statues of mythical creature troop in a monastery in Thai architecture, it has never been any outstanding display of mythical creatures supporting the Prang as many as the ones found in Wat Arun.

The exhibition “Insight | Thai | Architecture” (2017-11-15)Thailand Creative & Design Center

Philosophy of Impermanence: Architecture of an Afterlife

Cremation of the remains is the way to return to the Mother Nature and a reminder of ephemeral cycle of life.

The philosophy of impermanence behind royal crematorium is to show reminiscent, buildings and structures can be dissemble at the end of the ceremony. This practice is an appropriate expression of the architectural monument to honour the royal. The design of royal crematorium must represent a scene of heaven with ornaments decorated in gold colour, called Phra Meru Mas. The term refers to Phra Sumeru Mountain, with design imitating cosmological theory on mural painting, architecture and all components of the ceremony.

Hence, the architectural design of after death must concise of temporary materials, technique and structure.

Traditional Thai Architecture: A heritage in denial of creativity?

The building of the royal crematorium, a bid of eternal farewell to the King, consists of the main Meru which resembles the mythical Sumeru Mountain in heaven. Artists use their creativity and imagination to create different levels of heavenly beauty by surrounding the structure with statues of angels, garudas, nagas and mythical creatures according to the Trai Bhumi beliefs. Therefore, creativity is never considered a conflict to traditional Thai structure if artisans present the artwork with careful and appropriate presentation.

Witanasatapakasala: an enlarged virtual drawing atelier (2017-11-16)Thailand Creative & Design Center

An enlarged virtual drawing atelier

To design and build the Royal Crematorium of King Rama IX, Fine Arts Department has built an architectural drawing atelier called “Witanasatapakasala”, named by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. Witanasatapakasala means a workshop space used for architectural purpose. It is used to support the drawing of the top of Phra Meru Mas that has 28 metres height in actual size. This atelier has 15 metres width with 60 metres in length. It also consists of 14 temporary assemble halls next to Phra Meru Mas.

Fine Art and Architecture (2017-11-16)Thailand Creative & Design Center

Full-size detailed plan is the key in perfecting Thai architectural proportion. Building royal crematorium is one of the most elaborative works which show architect’s master in scaling.

Full-sized scale Architectural drawing (2017-11-16)Thailand Creative & Design Center

Full-size scale architectural drawing

For traditional Thai architectural design, the accuracy of shape and scale is a real challenge. The unique pattern and composition detail, which must abide by the rules and through perspective distortion state. The perspective distortion state means perspective associated with visual perception of object, making them appear smaller as they recede in the depth of field reducing the aesthetic quality of the structure.

Architectural enlarged virtual drawing tools, 2017-11-16, From the collection of: Thailand Creative & Design Center
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Architectural enlarged virtual drawing tools

Owner: Fine Arts Department of Thailand

Process of making architectural artwork (2) (2017-11-16)Thailand Creative & Design Center

Fine Art and Architecture

Architecture and fine art is a mean to tell stories, beliefs giving symbolic meaning through physical structure. An imitation of heaven, hell and the earth shown in various decorative forms is an important component to express the value of Thai architecture.

Process of making architectural artwork (1) (2017-11-16)Thailand Creative & Design Center

Temporary architecture such as Phra Meru Mas and Phra Meru values an interpretation of structure building to honour the king and the royal lineage. Thus, the work of art is complex and graceful as found in many pieces of craftsmanship nowadays.

Wood Layering: CNC cutting (2017-11-16)Thailand Creative & Design Center

The Art of Wood Layering

The art of wood layering is a technique of building temporary construction which articulates flat wood sheets to create a shallow-depth dimension of the element and design. It is the most complex technique of creating an element in temporary architectural art. With restriction as a temporary structure, certain patterns of decoration technique have been compromised. For example, the traditional work of wood carving and colour glass fitting is replaced by wood layering, creased gold textile stencil and colour paper fitting for temporary construction.

Cutting material by Computer Numerical Control (CNC) (2017-11-16)Thailand Creative & Design Center

This technique starts with an architect drawing a pattern with actual scale indicating number on the depth of pattern on each level. The drawing is later pasted onto a wax sheet allowing the carpenter the work according to the drawing. The wooden piece will be embedded by another piece until a dimensional perspective is created. New technology is brought in by new generations of architects in order to compensate the use of wood. However, the concept of original craftsmanship remains unchanged including using fibreglass casting for a number of 3 dimensions work pieces, casting resin of stacking wood forming, and minimizing the casting resin procedure by using machine controlled by Computer Numerical Control (CNC) to core each object.

A Decoration of Star: The Art of Wood Layering (2017-11-16)Thailand Creative & Design Center

A star decoration of every ceiling indicates ranking of the users of that building or pavilion. The principal star will be placed in the middle of the ceiling, surrounded by smaller stars. They are framed by a bat-shaped triangle. A decoration of beams must also represent appropriate ranking of building users. For example, Phra Meru Mas, Phra Thinang Song Dhamma and Phlab Phla Yok are also presented with a fine craftsmanship such as wood-layering technique, gold textile stencil, colour-fitting and colour-tapping art, which can be found in less important pavilions.

Phra Kos Chan: : The Art of Wood Layering (1) (2017-11-16)Thailand Creative & Design Center

Phra Kos Chan or Sandalwood Funerary Urn is an urn designed to indicate the high ranking of the deceased. Over ten thousand pieces of sandalwood is stenciled into a thin sheet according to the design by the artisan. Every piece is then embedded to shape the urn. The colour of the wood will be designed and embedded into different layers outshining natural beauty. An interior was made of plated iron allowing wooden pieces to adhere.

Decorative pieces of stenciled sandalwood in Krud pattern (2017-11-28)Thailand Creative & Design Center

Decorative pieces of stenciled sandalwood in Krud pattern

The Art of Wood Layering:Garland-like decorative pattern for Royal coffin (2017-11-16)Thailand Creative & Design Center

Elaborated Layering woodcraft technique on Royal coffin and urn with different depth creates 3D visual effects.

Pedestal (2017-11-28)Thailand Creative & Design Center

Pedestal

Decorative pattern for Royal coffin (2017-11-28)Thailand Creative & Design Center

Decorative pattern for Royal coffin

The Art of Creased Gold Textile Stencil and Colour Paper Fitting (2017-11-16)Thailand Creative & Design Center

The Art of Creased Gold Textile Stencil and Colour Paper Fitting

Creased gold textile is a replacement of creased gold paper used in the past complimenting similar quality. The art of gold texile stencil and colour paper fitting is a component of temporary architecture including creating starry ceiling, applying the texture on columns and beams of Royal Dhamma Pavilion or Phra Thinang Song Dhamma. The pavilion is used for the king and other members of the royal family to listen to a dhamma sermon prior to the royal cremation, and for members of the privy council to have an audience with the king.

The method includes a design of consistent pattern in order to provide an even stencil. The gold texture will be repeatedly layered and adhered to a wooden plank. The artisan will then perforate the pattern using chisel. After completing this step, colour paper will be fitted at the back of the textile called “Sod Waew” embedded with a large colour paper at the back. Once all steps are completed, the piece can be used for further decoration.

Creased gold textile stencil and colour paper fitting on Krud and Naga pattern

Colour-Tapping Art (2017-11-16)Thailand Creative & Design Center

Colour-tapping technique starts by perforating plastic sheets into desired pattern. A compress ball or a sponge ball will be tapped onto a colour and pressed on the stenciled plastic sheet to create a pattern on the material. This technique favours a smooth handmade work creating consistent decorated surface. Colour-tapping art is similar to stencil technique. This art has been practice since the past by using paper sheet instead of plastic and tap it with gold leaf.

Colour-Painting Art (2017-11-16)Thailand Creative & Design Center

Colour-Painting Art by Mr. Chareon Maboot, Fine Art Department

Piercing on wax sheet to trace designed pattern, 2017-11-16, From the collection of: Thailand Creative & Design Center
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Piercing on wax sheet to trace designed pattern

Acrylic paint on corrugated paper (1), 2017-11-16, From the collection of: Thailand Creative & Design Center
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Krud with frame pattern sketch

Acrylic paint on corrugated paper (2), 2017-11-16, From the collection of: Thailand Creative & Design Center
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Krud with frame pattern sketch

Krud with frame pattern sketch, 2017-11-16, From the collection of: Thailand Creative & Design Center
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Krud with frame pattern sketch

Painting tools & equipment, 2017-11-16, From the collection of: Thailand Creative & Design Center
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Painting tools & equipment

Owner: Fine Arts Department

From the master to the student in Thai architectural field (2017-11-16)Thailand Creative & Design Center

From Master to Master

Are teachers still needed after university? Only five years of Thai architectural learning will not be sufficient to cover all forms of arts. Teachers allow their students to start learning by practicing until they can, one day, be called “proficiency.” There is no end to learning from the master of art. New techniques are taught and shown to sharpen the skills of their students by working and teaching. Students then really learn from the real circumstance. Teachers teach everything including their mistakes and their success until their students accomplishing the beauty in the eyes they behold and through the hands they create. 

From Masters to their Masters: Behind the making of Phra Meru Mas of King Rama IX (2017-12-08) by TCDCThailand Creative & Design Center

A great master of artisans and Thai architecture (2017-11-16)Thailand Creative & Design Center

A master never chooses his students, but will look into each of their exceptional skills to put them in the right job. This allows students to feel comfortable and able to create the work well under time constraint.

Prince Narisara Nuwattiwong

who designed Phra Meru Mas of King Rama VI and the master of all artisans

Phra Bhrombhichit

Who designed Phra Meru Mas of King Rama VIII and set up a foundation of Thai architectural education

Professor PravesLimpharungsri

Who designed Phra Meru of Her Serene Highness Princess Rambai Barni Svastivatana. A traditional Thai architect with creative works.

Vice Marshal Arwut Ngernchuklin

Who designed Phra Meru of Princess Galyani Vadhana. A master who offered opportunity

Training to draw on a dashed line (2017-11-16)Thailand Creative & Design Center

Pursuing Thai Architecture

Pursuing Thai ArchitectureThai artisans and architects are trained to draw the same pattern repeatedly until their hands and eyes collaborate. This creates the delicate beauty of Thai architecture. Every teaching is meaningful. Sharpening one’s pencil will teach students to know and look after their equipment as well as to train their mind to focus at the beginning.

Insight | Thai | Architecture (2017-11-16)Thailand Creative & Design Center

Thai Architecture: Knowledge of Ephemerality

A careful admission to the transformation and change is key to existence of traditional Thai architecture. Replacing an old with new knowledge or adapting an artwork to a new circumstance can be considered a natural learning of Thai architectural knowledge.

Credits: Story

Insight | Thai | Architecture

Organized by
Office of the Prime Minister
Office of Knowledge Management and Development
Thailand Creative & Design Center

An exhibition by
Thailand Creative & Design Center (TCDC)

Collaboration & Resources by
Fine Arts Department
Faculty of Architecture, Silpakorn University

Exhibition designed by
Banana Studio Co., Ltd.

Lighting designed by
Chingchai & Sons Engineering Co., Ltd.
Triple S Technology Co., Ltd.
FOS Lighting Design Co., Ltd.
Lighting & Equipment (Public) Co., Ltd.
Endo Lighting (Thailand) (Public) Co., Ltd.
I Built Automation Co., Ltd.

Lighting and Audio Visual production by
An Ant AV Service LP.

Objects and artifacts by
Fine Arts Department
Faculty of Architecture, Silpakorn University
The South East Insurance (Public) Co., Ltd.

Projection mapping designed by
Pug-in Studio

Documentary produced by
Jaraslak Thavorntaveewong
Nob Productions Co., Ltd.
Inspired Media Co., Ltd.
Marked Creativity
Wardphan Diloksambandh

Exhibition text edited and proofed by
Creative Thailand

Exhibition content and artifacts consultants by
Charinee Arthachinda

With thanks and appreciation to
AGC Flat Glass (Thailand) (Public) Co., Ltd.
Epson (Thailand) Co., Ltd.
Korkiet Thongpud
Charoen Marboot
Narongrit Thongsang
Thanarat Sodsup
Sivakorn Karn Chang Co., Ltd.
S.BOONMEERIT ENGINEERING Co., Ltd.
Pramook Banjerdsakul
Parinya Sornjai
Asst. Prof. Supitcha Tovivich (Ph.D.)
Asst. Prof. Pongpon Yasri
Patcharapong Kulkanchanachewin
Peerapat Sumran
Leenavat Teerapongramkul
Waraporn Kaewsri
Sarinya Tonasukumarn
Surachet Khaewsakhun
PVC Likhitkarnsrang LP.
Atiwat Punwaewngam
Athit Limmun

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
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