Finals - HIstory of Architecture

• Architecture in Asia and the Pacific Region is the fourth study topic
• Prepared by Ar. SF Estrella

Architecture of Thailand

Geography

• Thailand has a total land boundary of 4,863 km
• Thailand used to be called Siam, derived from the Hindi word shyam, which means "brown race"
• Thailand translates "land of the free", also known as Prathet Thai

Climate

• The climate is tropical, dry, and hot
• There is consistently shortage of water
• Biomes are made up of temperate grasslands, savannahs, and shrub lands

Religion

• Buddhism is the most prominent religion, accounting for 93.9% of the population
• Buddhism first appeared in Thailand in the 3rd century B.C.
• Buddhist temples feature tall golden stupas
• Islam makes up 5.2% of the population
• Islam was introduced by Arab traders
• People are allowed to practice the religion of their choice
• Christianity accounts for 0.70% of the population
• Christianity was introduced by European missionaries

History

Dvaravati Period (6th-10th centuries)

• Burmese Buddhist forms characterized this period
• Only fragments of building foundations were found in Nakhon Pathom, also known as Lopburi; the earliest capital
• Plinths were made of bricks and stones with mouldings similar to those found in Buddhist structures in Sri Lanka and northern India
• Structures featured granite bases with holes for pillars supporting timber superstructures

Khmer-Lopburi Period (10th-13th centuries)

• Central and Eastern Thailand Architecture prevailed
• Provincial forms reflected the Khmer-Angkor style
• The Khmers introduced stone to replace traditional brick or rubble bonded with vegetable-based mortar

Thai Period (13th-16th centuries)

• Sukhothai, Ayutthaya, and Chiangmai are the regions
• Sukhothai featured eclectic inspiration; Indian, Mon-Dravidian, Mon-Pagan, Sinhalese, and Khmer motifs
• Decorations and buildings display Buddhist faith
• Wat SI Chum or the Temple of Bodhi Tree is the largest and most historic temple from this period
• Known for the enormous stucco Buddha, which measures over 11m wide and almost 15m high
• The Buddha figure is known by two names
• ‘Phra Achana’ translates to ‘Buddha who is not afraid’
• ‘Phra Poot Dai’ translates to ‘speaking Buddha’
• Ayutthaya featured circular plan, ring base, and bell shape
• The society comprised builders rather than sculptors
• Buildings were intended to display might and riches, indicated by great size and appearance
• Chiangmai was less ornamented with a more subtle design
• The architecture of Chiangmai focused on the enormous size of shrines and a small sermon or temple hall, example is Wat Chaiwatthanaram

Rattanakosin or Bangkok Style (late 18th-19th centuries)

• The style came into being when King Rama I ascended the throne in 1782
• Construction during King Rama III had either of two distinct characteristics
• "in": structures had traditional gable ends decorating the roof
• "out": gable ends of the roof were plainly constructed with bricks and stucco
• Surfaces were finished with porcelain tiles
• Walls composed of white stucco bricks contrast with the brightly colored glazed tiles of multi-level, overlapping timber roofs
• Door and window shutters were carved from wood lacquered in black and gold or painted inlaid with mother of pearl
• Motifs depicted guardian divinities, enchanted forests, ferns, flowers, and still life
• Angkor Hindu iconography such as 'nagas' was used to decorate Gables and bargeboards
• Vishnu on a garuda, shiva on a bull, and so on

Geology

• Sandstone was used for door parts, lintels, and rectangular windows
• Brick replaced sandstone for preferred mortar, bounded with vegetable glue and then sheathed in carved stone
• Stucco includes of sand, lime, and a glue mixture, strengthened by terracotta armature, later used to cover brick walls
• Wood was used in temple construction
• Porcelain was used for ornamental decorations
• Glass mosaic was used to highlight gables and pillars
• Lacquer, inlaid mother of pearl, and gold leaf were used to obtain gleaming elegance

Architectural Character

• Reflects influence from Buddhist countries and various groups Thailand associated with for over two millennia
• Cultures of Burma, China, Khmer, India and Sri Lanka significantly shaped Thai architectural styles
• Notable features consist of swooping multi-tiered rooflines, intricate ornamental decorations, stunning interior murals, vibrant colors, and gold-adorned Buddha images

Traditional Houses

• Houses are raised to prevent heavy flooding or deter predators
• They were made with wood and thatch
• Usually built as a cluster of physically separated spaces arranged around a large central terrace

Central plain houses

• They're found in the lowlands
• Constructed elevated on stout round posts
• Features a steep roof with curved bargeboards
• Paneled walls lean slightly inward
• Consists of a single unit with an outside veranda
• Larger families had several separate units around a central platform
• Features a Ngao or Roof Gable, a curved gable decoration

Floating House

• Early Bangkok had many floating shop houses where families lived and traded
• Floorboards are fitted loosely for movement when the water rises

Northern Houses

• Walls lean outward giving it a sturdier look
• Windows are commonly smaller
• Features a Kalae, a V-shaped decorative structure seen at the ends of the roof
• A rice barn, a tall construction having a few windows, stores grain

Kamthieng House

• An 18th century house in Changmai
• The entry is marked with a water jar which leads to detached buildings
• Main house, Kitchen, Granary, Spirit House and Water storage are the features
• Includes a combination of steep pitched cable roof that connects to a valley gutter

Religious Structures

• Known as "Wat"
• Tai Buddhist temple or monastery, places of worship other than Islamic Mosques
• Complex set of construction, shrines, and monuments in a park area enclosed by a wall
• Walls are commonly white-washed, usually encloses a rectangular area
• Ideally, the main entrance faces east

Wat Pho

• A Buddhist temple complex also referred to as the “Temple of the Reclining Buddha”
• Complex houses Thailand's largest collection of Buddha images including The Reclining Buddha measuring at 46m.
• It is ranked first of the six temples in Thailand considered to be the highest grade of the first-class royal temples.

Wat consists of two parts:

• Phuttha-wat includes temple complex
• Ubosot or Bot means "Ordinary Hall"
• Ubosot is a place where monks hold religious ceremonies, meditate and sermonize
• Has an east orientation, features main Budda image
• Phra Rabieng are galleries around the Bot

Wat Benchamobopit

• Known as the marble Temple
• Exemplifies Bangkok's elaborate style of high gables, stepped-out roofs and intricate finials
• Has Carrara marble pillars, a marble courtyard, and two large singhas guarding the entrance to the bot.
• Ornate decorations of lacquer and gold crossbeams, and in shallow niches and in the walls are stupa paintings from all over the country

Structural features

• Panlom is a bargeboard that covers the gable end preventing tiles from falling
• Decorated with a downward sloping serpent body with head reared up
• Projecting serpent scales are the Bai Raka
• Chofas, also known the "Sky Cluster", are horn or bird-like finials frequently seen on the roof ridges on temples
• Decorated with small bells that tinkle in the wind
• Kong Khieu is a decorative pelmet that forms arches
• Hu Chang means "elephant ears"
• Eave brackets seen along the outer wall of a Viharn
• Chedi, also known as Stupa means "Reliquary tower'
• It is a domed edifice
• The relics of Buddha or revered religious teachers are buried in it
• Bell-shaped and Square Chedi can be seen in northern Thailand with a smaller dome and square base
• Sala Kan Prian, meaning "Preaching Hall"
• It is an open-sided pavilion
• The style is a Bangkok style only be seen in northern Thailand
• Kuti is a small structure, built on stilts to house monks and measures around 12x7 keub (or 4.013 x 2.343 meters)
• Monasteries are made up of a group of multiple kuti grouped together on a shared terrace
• Hor Tri is a separate used to store scripts
• Bat is an oordinary hall
• Viharn, or teaching hall is an area for preaching