ACADEMIC JOURNAL of ARCHITECTURE

Sustainability Bonds Issuance for Affordable Housing Development: Case Study of National Housing Authority

2024-10-15T07:50:23+07:00

This research aims to study the concept and framework of sustainability bonds issuance for affordable housing development of the National Housing Authority (NHA). The research method was applied documentary approach which collected data and information from secondary sources and using content analysis methods. The results of the study revealed that NHA has been the first organization to issue sustainability bonds for housing projects. There were 2 bond types including social bond and sustainability bond which were spent for developing 2,956 units of houses (11.4% of NHA’s housing stocks) and serving the Housing Finance project for Low-income Groups. The value of such bonds was only 45 % of the total bonds which issued by NHA during 2019-2024. The bond period was 5-15 years with an interest rate of 1.02-1.90 % per year. The sustainability-bond issuance had been aligned with national and international requirements such as Thai National Strategies, UN-SDGs, Sustainable Financial Framework, Green Building Certifications, and Sustainability Bonds Principles in approval process. ADB recommended that NHA should select green building standard which meet international standard in order to extend opportunity for fund raising through sustainability bonds issuance. Due to small scale of sustainability bond issued recently, therefore Thai government should encourage the relevant organizations to issue more bonds for affordable and energy-saving housing projects.

The Utilization of Vernacular Architectural Styles in Contemporary Design within the Changing Context of Phuket's Old Town Conservation Area

2024-11-25T09:58:28+07:00

Phuket has long been an area of significant economic importance, transitioning from its historical tin mining industry to a tourism-driven economy. One of the most prominent cultural features of Phuket Old Town is its vernacular architecture. This leads to a study of the renovation, extension, and architectural styles in the conservation area of Phuket Old Town, focusing on the front space and design of building façades. Divided into two groups, the first group includes vernacular architecture with physical modifications that retain more than 70 percent of the original structure. These modifications include additions to the facades, adjustments to the proportions of openings, and changes in building materials to meet economic and functional needs. The second group consists of contemporary architecture that replicates vernacular architectural styles and demonstrates a process of replicating traditional buildings and borrowing architectural elements such as openings and decorative features for conservation purposes. There is a process of borrowing architectural elements, simplifying components, and reinterpreting designs for commercial purposes, resulting in a physical form that harmonizes with vernacular architecture. This approach achieves a balance between conservation and value enhancement, contributing effectively to the economic vitality of Phuket’s Old Town district.

Relationships between Residential Distribution and Urban Development of Bangkok, 2002–2022

2025-03-03T07:28:08+07:00

The article aims to (1) explore housing development in Bangkok, and (2) analyze the relationships between residential distribution and urban development of Bangkok during 2002–2022. This documentary research collected data from the National Housing Authority, Real Estate Information Center, Government Housing Bank, and the Urban Planning and Development Office. Data was analyzed through the creation of distribution maps and development charts. The results show that the relationships between residential distribution and urban development can be shown from the rate of increase in the quantity and density of residential units by location. The increasing number of residential units has spread out from the city center, while the density of residential units is still concentrated in the center and inner suburbs. The distribution was divided into horizontal residential units distributed along main roads in the suburbs, while vertical residential units were clearly distributed along the BTS and MRT routes. This research shows that housing is related to the urban development of Bangkok as an important urban area, but there is still a lack of integrated planning from both the public and private sectors. Therefore, a housing plan should be included in the Town Planning Act to set guidelines for urban development, improve housing situations, and create an inclusive city.

Du Din: Architecture’s Contact with the Ground through a Theory of the ‘Scape’

2025-05-06T09:45:34+07:00

This article is an investigation into architecture’s contact with the ground. What should this relationship prioritise or enable, what architecture do we find when looking down? The study is a short set of questions about the ground discussed around the theory of the ‘scape’, which describes systems through the arrangement of knowledge rather than individual ideas.

A description of the history and definition of the scape, outlined by Mark Cousins and others, frames questions about the ground, derived from literature reviews and visits to architecture in Thailand. The research results are sorted and approached through three categories. ‘Historical ground’ discusses the ruins and traces of the past which make up the ground, particularly at Chiang Mai’s Chang Peuk Gate. ‘Raised ground’ considers artificial, manmade floors as a kind of ground at Mrigadayavan Palace in Phetchaburi. ‘Phenomenological ground’ describes human and animal experiences of the earth and soil, and a visit to Elephant Village in Surin.

These categories both reinforce and contradict each other, they frame and reframe the broad problem of the ground, arguing simply for a greater sensitivity to how we consider the earth beneath us when designing. The act of combination and arrangement itself is presented as a way of looking at architecture.

Interior Space Design Guideline of Condominium Room for Kindergarten Children in Epidemic Situation (COVID 19)

2025-05-15T10:25:12+07:00

This research is an exploratory and design-oriented study that investigates the behavior and spatial needs of preschool-age children living in condominiums, particularly during pandemic situations. The study is based on the hypothesis that condominium spaces are insufficient and misaligned with the needs of preschool-age children during such emergencies. Recognizes the importance of learning and development for children in limited living environment, the study surveys 100 parents with preschool-aged children residing in condominiums.The survey is conducted in two phases.The first phase gathers detailed information on available space, activities, and spatial requirements to analyze the resulting impacts. The analysis informs design recommendations that align with children’s needs, leading to the creation of two alternative residential designs solutions. The second phase involves conducting satisfaction surveys with another group of 100 residents to collect feedback on the proposed design. The final results will inform interior design proposals for condominium living spaces that better support the need and activities of preschool-aged children during pandemic conditions.

A survey of children’s behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic revealed significant deviations from pre-pandemic patterns. Screen time involving mobile phones and tablets increased by 62%, while 45% of children exhibited noticeable changes in emotional, including reduced concentration and emotional instability. Additionally, 32% of children were reported to be more irritable than before. The study also investigated spatial requirements within households in response to these behavioral changes. It was found that most parents preferred a spatial layout organized along the longitudinal axis of the bedroom and living room. Approximately 62% of parents expressed a need for additional space to accommodate children’s daily activities, particularly for online learning and creative tasks such as coloring. Design recommendations suggested the integration of multifunctional or overlapping spaces between the bedroom and living room to enhance usability and flexibility in limited residential environments.

“It’s the Economy, Stupid!”

2025-05-26T13:52:16+07:00

This paper revisits the principle of “Good Design is Good Business,” a concept often associated with industrial design, and explores its application within architectural practice. While examples such as Pruitt-Igoe and the Guggenheim Bilbao represent the pitfalls and triumphs of this idea in architecture, the Prada SOHO Epicenter suggests a more expansive interpretation. By intentionally delaying the design process, OMA and its research arm AMO undertook an in-depth investigation into shopping behavior and the evolving landscape of retail. This research-driven detour ensured that Prada SOHO did not become obsolete upon completion. To illustrate the uniqueness of OMA’s approach, the project is compared with three other flagship retail stores from the same era, including another Prada location. The comparison reveals that OMA’s method transcends conventional definitions of good design. Amid economic uncertainty and the predicted decline of brick-and-mortar retail, OMA/AMO collaborated with firms like IDEO and 2x4 to rethink the retail experience. Their effort to reduce purchase pressure while increasing cultural engagement positions Prada not just as a brand but as a curator of experience. This case study sheds new light on how architectural design can contribute meaningfully to business strategy and cultural relevance.

The Faith Symbols: Applied Art for Home Decoration Inspirited from Cultural District Essence of Talad Noi

2025-05-20T15:04:37+07:00

This article aims to discuss the process in design method that led to applied art creation as a part of thesis research named “Cultural district’s essence the sustainable development of Bangkok: a case study of Charoenkrung district”. Authors aims to study the information related to design to create products and service by adapting the cultural essence within the targeted district. By study identities of the scoped area as a design challenge from contemporary cultural essence, this research has a study method in a qualitative way from analyzing the essence or the essence of beauty. In addition, from studying papers related to history and sociocultural dimensions, including collecting data through observation onsite. The collected data was classified, extracting the data that relates to the context of targeted area visually, then merging with the data based on locals’ feedback. The result was set as a hypothesis to design applied artworks by taking the contrary of visual and abstract elements as a factor that influence one another to interpret metaphorically and portray as a home decoration based on creating, changing, and overlapping shapes, languages, symbols, and architectural elements of the shrine within Talad Noi area. The diverse relationship of the faith symbols as an essence of cultural district is truly a new knowledge for the creative process.