Modern Architecture in Thailand

Authors

  • Pongkwan Lassus

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DOI:

https://doi.org/10.52200/57.A.MC2POIFJ

Keywords:

Modern Movement, Modern architecture, Modern housing

Abstract

The influence of modern architecture became more visible in Thailand after the country shifted from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy in 1932 and also as a result of economic circumstances and world trends. The first generation of Thai Modernist architects (or the pioneers of modern architecture in Thailand) had their education in Europe because of the necessity to modernize Thailand. The second generation were Thai architects who received their architectural education in Thailand as well as some continuing their studies in the USA. Their works reflect the International Style with a concern for a tropical architecture vocabulary and local material utilization based on economics. As the architectural profession was declared a protected profession in 1965 for Thai architects only, there was very little modern architecture in Thailand designed by foreign architects.

How to Cite

Lassus, P. (2017). Modern Architecture in Thailand. Docomomo Journal, (57), 64–73. https://doi.org/10.52200/57.A.MC2POIFJ

Published

2017-11-01

Plaudit

Author Biography

Pongkwan Lassus

(b. 1961, Bangkok, Thailand). Bachelor of architecture from the Silpakorn University in Bangkok (1984) and architect DPLG graduated by the École d’Architecture Paris Villemin (1989). She is currently managing partner and architect at the architecture studio Neovista International co. ltd Bangkok and Head of the Urban Heritage Center at the Association of Siamese Architects under Royal Patronage (ASA). She is also a council member of ICOMOS Thailand Association. Pongkwan Lassus published the following volumes on Thai architecture: Architectural Heritage in Thailand 1 and Architectural Heritage in Thailand 2 (Bangkok, ASA, 2012). At this moment, she is developing some forthcoming publication projects: Architectural Heritage in Thailand 3 (Bangkok, ASA, 2017); Siam Heritage in Myanmar (Bangkok, ASA, 2017) and Following the footsteps of King Udumbara in Myanmar (Bangkok, ASA, 2017).

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