Architecture and Sufffi icient Economy Theory

Abstract

Architecture in Thailand has developed in terms of styles and functions for many years. In many cases, architecture gets overly alluring and complicated beyond its original purpose. In some projects, architects design in order to excessively express themselves; in others climatically-inappropriate architectural styles are used, leading to further problems rather than solutions. In 2517 B.E. (C.E. 1974) His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej proposed a new philosophy called “the Sufficiency Economy” to Thai people. Since then the philosophy has been applied in various disciplines, except architecture, in Thailand. This article is an inquiry on the possibility of adapting the Sufficiency Economy theory, which shares certain common features with Buddhism’s concept of the Middle Way, for the field of Architecture as an alternative design approach.