“Insight | Thai | Architecture”

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.

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-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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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 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

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

Pedestal

Decorative pattern for Royal coffin

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 by Mr. Chareon Maboot, Fine Art Department