Front Soldier Barracks: Architectural phenomenon in Thailand.

Abstract

A study of the front barracks: the phenomenon of architecture in Thailand is a study of factors that had impacts on architectural design concept of the front barracks. The objectives of this study focus on derivation and architectural influences that impacted design concept of military barracks in Thailand since the beginning of Thai military reforms in modern epoch by studying physical features, theories of architectural phenomena, important architectural nonfigurative features, and architectural design concept of military barracks in Thailand. There are two main study questions: 1) What are the design concepts of military barracks in Thailand, and 2) What are factors that affect design concepts of military barracks?The study results have shown that since the beginning of Thai military reform in the modern era during the reign of King Chulalongkorn, the design of the front barracks, which could be considered as the first military barracks in Siam that would emphasize on simplicity, amiability, and nobility representing civilization, military power, and symbol of military in modern period. As such, this architectural phenomenon emerged for the first time in Siam. The front barracks has been influenced by the western architectural design concepts that are Neoclassicism and Palladianism. Based on Andre Palladio’s Four Books of Architecture, the mainstream architecture movements that nations with great military power used to design and construct military architectureIn addition, the architectural style of the front barracks also influenced architectures within inner Rattanakosin area that are located around the front barracks and it also influenced the design of the regional military barracks in later times.