Exploring the Vernacular Architecture in the Eastern Commercial and Tourism Districts of Mueang Chiang Mai

Abstract

This research article aims to analyze the vernacular architecture in  the commercial and tourist districts of eastern Chiang Mai, covering the Chang Moi, Wat Ket, and San Pa Khoi districts. The methods of study are field surveys, historical documentation, and architectural analysis focusing on exploring the architectural elements, materials, and design principles that shape the urban environment in Mueang Chiang Mai. The study results identified six vernacular architecture styles in the study areas: wooden houses, wooden shophouses, wooden-concrete houses, wooden-concrete shophouses, concrete houses, and concrete shophouses. First, the vernacular architecture was built mainly from wood, representing the use of natural resources in the settlement area and local wisdom in construction. Second, the vernacular architecture was built with concrete and wood, combining local wisdom in traditional construction with modern construction techniques. Finally, vernacular architecture was built mainly with concrete, which uses both natural and engineering materials, reflecting the adaptation of vernacular architecture to support the popular functional changes over time, resulting in various improvement and developments. Conditions make vernacular architectural styles change from the original but still show the continuity of local wisdom in building, and timeless aesthetics. The prevalence and popularity of vernacular architecture styles found in the study area were 51 wooden houses in the Chang Moi district, 23 wooden-concrete houses in the Wat Ket district, and 8 concrete shophouses in the San Pa Khoi district.