ACADEMIC JOURNAL of ARCHITECTURE

A Study of Srinakharinwirot University’s 20-Year Strategic Policy and Executive Perspectives for Developing the Physical and Landscape Master Plan in Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals Toward an Inclusive and Equitable Society: A Case Study of Srinakharinwirot University, Prasarnmit Campus

Suebsai Sangwachirapiban — 2025-12-26

This research is part of the project “Guidelines for the Development of Physical and Landscape Master Plans in Alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to Create an Inclusive and Equitable Society: A Case Study of Srinakharinwirot University (Prasarnmit)”. The study aims to analyze development strategies through literature review and in-depth interviews with 39 university and faculty executives to propose policy-based design approaches aligned with the University’s 20-Year Strategic Plan (2022–2040) under the frameworks of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) Economy.

The findings reveal that Srinakharinwirot University has the potential to develop into a “Green, Digital, and Smart University” by integrating clean energy use, comprehensive waste management, and the design of flexible green and multi-purpose spaces that support both academic and community activities. The application of digital technologies such as Smart Energy Management Systems and Green Data Platforms enhances energy efficiency and resource management, aligning with the Sustainable Campus Guidelines (SCG) and Sustainable Building Guidelines (SBG). In terms of equality and accessibility, the University emphasizes the Universal Design (UD) approach to ensure inclusivity for all users, including persons with disabilities and diverse gender identities, while also providing scholarships for students with economic limitations to foster an “equitable and inclusive academic community.” Additionally, the Human-Centric Design principle has been applied to create healthy, innovation-driven learning environments. The study recommends developing a 5–10-year master plan that integrates SDG, BCG, SCG, and SBG frameworks into university management practices. It further suggests establishing a Smart and Sustainable Campus Committee to oversee implementation and defining measurable Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) related to environmental and sustainability goals. These initiatives will position Srinakharinwirot University as a model institution that advances sustainability, equity, and digital innovation in higher education.

The Insignificant: Curating "Everyday" Lights in Bangkok

Bhuvarin Thaveetermsakul — 2025-12-26

The “insignificant” in this article is not meant unimportant, but a neutral state of the subject waiting to be acknowledged by the observer. This concept is based on the theories of “everyday life,” proposed by Charles Baudelaire and Maurice Blanchot. In “The Painter of Modern Life” (1863), Baudelaire redefined art as the object of everyday, while Blanchot’s “Everyday Speech” (1959) described the everyday as something difficult to grasp, yet existed along the urban streets.

This article is the exploration into everyday lights and darkness in different architectural scales and cultural contexts. The exploration is classified through scholarly texts from Electric Light: An Architectural History by Sandy Isenstadt in Urban Night, “Silence and Light” - Louis Kahn: Essential Texts by Robert Twombly and In Praise of Shadows by Jun'ichiro Tanizaki in Architecture of Light and Shadow, and The Room of One’s Own by DOGMA in Light in Domestic Space.

The findings suggest that the flâneur, as a process of work, can be thought of as a study of urban life. “Splendid moments,” as Blanchot suggested, are curated to represent the everyday of Bangkok’s streets, architecture and domestic spaces. The significance is to exhibit the perception of lights in the mind of Bangkok’s inhabitants in a more sentient way.

Cultural Baggage in Vernacular Architecture : A Case Study of Lao Wiang Houses in Bang Sai Kai, Thonburi, Bangkok, Thailand

Lakkana Anongchai — 2025-12-26

Settlement patterns and vernacular architectural forms are crucial factors reflecting the cultural identity and adaptive strategies of ethnic groups within the constantly changing urban context. The Bang Sai Kai community in Thonburi District, Bangkok-originating from the migration of Lao Wiang people-serves as a significant case study that clearly demonstrates both the continuity and adaptation of architectural heritage.

This research aims to analyze the physical characteristics of Lao Wiang houses in Bang Sai Kai, utilizing comparative data from Lao houses in Vientiane and Luang Prabang. The study focuses on physical components such as structure, materials, proportions, orientation, and spatial arrangements informed by cultural beliefs, thereby explaining the persistence of “Cultural Baggage” and the transmission of identity within a contemporary context.

The concept of “Cultural Baggage” is applied as the main analytical framework, classifying phenomena into three processes: Inheritance, Adaptation, and Transformation. This framework seeks to answer the research question of how Lao house forms are sustained under differing urban contexts. The study employs a qualitative ethnographic methodology through document review and fieldwork, including observation, in-depth interviews, and measured drawings of four case study houses. All data were analyzed by constructing comparative tables of architectural elements and categorizing results according to the framework.

Findings reveal that Inheritance is evident in the emphasis on the orientation of sleeping positions and the placement of sacred spaces dedicated to master artisans. Adaptation is observed through the blending of architectural features, such as incorporating central Thai wall patterns while retaining twin-gabled roofs and sia (semi-outdoor living spaces) typical of the Lao Wiang tradition. Transformation is most pronounced in the decline of the Lao language as a medium of daily communication.

In conclusion, the physical characteristics of Lao Wiang houses in Bang Sai Kai reflect a complex process of cultural adaptation, illustrating the negotiation of ethnic identity through the selective inheritance, adaptation, and abandonment of cultural elements. These processes enable the community to integrate into contemporary urban society. The analysis, conducted through comparative architectural tables and systematically categorized within the “Cultural Baggage” framework, effectively links the persistence and transformation of community identity.

The Concept of Sufficiency in Architecture

Anuwat Toemchoem — 2025-12-26

Sufficiency (phophiang) is a cultural term that Thai people are familiar with and understand through the Philosophy of Sufficiency Economy (PSE). Beyond its use as a national development policy, the principle has also been widely applied to various sectors, including architecture, hence the term "sufficiency architecture (SA)." However, SA has not been adequately studied over time. This article aims 1) to present a study of the concept of sufficiency and its application to architecture, 2) to expand on its meaning and proposes a definition of SA, and 3) to identify the design factors of SA. This study utilized a qualitative approach within a conceptual research framework. A non-systematic literature review of diverse sources was conducted, followed by thematic analysis to extract key conceptual principles or components that could be synthesized to further define the design factors of SA. The study revealed that sufficiency is a universal concept and a sustainability strategy that overlaps with the PSE. Although its roots differ, they share three common goals: well-being, social justice, and ecological balance. Applying the concept of sufficiency to architecture serves as a strategy for managing existing buildings to their full potential, avoiding new construction and reducing unnecessary resource consumption. In this study, sufficiency is used as a conceptual design approach. SA is defined as "architecture that adequately meets architectural basic needs, using space, materials, and energy resources in moderation, and constructed appropriately for the context." This is reflected in the synthesis of design factors, comprising three architectural formation factors: basic needs, personal condition, and context, guided by the sufficiency factor, namely, enoughness, moderation, and appropriateness, respectively. To achieve each goal and achieve sufficiency architecture, a diverse range of architectural knowledge and design strategies are required. This study presents design factors that are an important part of the sufficiency architecture design framework.