KHON KAEN UNIVERSITY SPOTLIGHTS SIX ARCHITECTURE STUDENT THESIS PROJECTS
(For Thai, press here)
The architecture thesis at Khon Kaen University is the final design project in the Bachelor of Architecture program. It focuses on preparing students for the architectural profession and applying their learning to adapt to current changes. Four design guidelines are established to align with individual learning skills and interests: experimental design, design emphasizing anthropology and context, design consistent with professional practice, and design focused on energy and the environment.
The thesis work reflects the diversity of these guidelines, from defining project details and scope to producing architectural designs that tangibly demonstrate the transfer of knowledge. This year’s projects range from community-level initiatives to large, complex buildings with varied environmental conditions and intricate project components, both in design programs and abstract concepts. The six selected projects represent this diversity, including the Toh Daeng Peat Swamp Forest Awareness Center, Craft-Kaen Community Craft Village, Lighting Art Museum, Aircraft Museum in The Indochina Wars, Whale Sharktopia Aquarium & Learning Center, and Seaside Hotel.
Toh Daeng Peat Swamp Forest Awareness Center
by Natthanit Somros
The Toh Daeng Peat Swamp Forest, Thailand’s last remaining peat swamp forest, is a unique wetland that contains soil enriched by sediments from hundreds of millions of years of life. It is also linked to the marine ecosystem and plays a critical role in regulating the climate in coastal regions.
The Toh Daeng Peat Swamp Forest Awareness Center aims to preserve the natural beauty and original context of the peat swamp forest. Through storytelling and designed architecture, the project seeks to highlight the importance and special characteristics of this forest, allowing visitors to appreciate its value from ecology and unique features through an architectural perspective.
Student: Natthanit Somros
Advisor: Asst. Prof. Dr. Chantanee Chiranthanut
More info: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/8Tmi4Pd4rSvxMM11/
Email: Nss20270@gmail.com
Craft-Kaen Community Craft Village AT Kangsadarn Khonkaen
by Wasin Kitpongpraphan
Thailand, having passed through many eras and now entering the modern age with influences from foreign cultures, has had to adapt its traditional handicrafts to align with contemporary styles. At the same time, younger Thai makers may not see the value in preserving handicrafts without advancing the knowledge needed to keep pace with modern life. Since handicrafts were originally created to serve daily needs, if lifestyles change, why can’t the form of handicrafts evolve as well?
This is the driving idea behind the ‘Craft-Kaen’ project, which aims to create a space for people to study, exchange, and trade handicrafts of interest. It also provides opportunities for new generations of artisans to pursue their own dreams in handicraft production. The project’s design concept focuses on showcasing detailed structural design elements that will be integrated to meet the specific needs of each area. The project will consist of four main zones; textile & craft Studio, ceramic studio, craft central lab, and craft exhibition.
Student: Wasin Kitpongpraphan
Advisor: Dr. Warat Lacharoje
More info: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/6i4qAbig7do7ZYVT
Lighting Art Museum
by Kantika Sathorn
‘Lighting art’ is a form of art that uses light as the central medium for expression, with the key focus being the meaning the artist intends to convey. While Thailand has numerous museums, none are specifically designed to support activities related to light art. Many existing museums may not fully meet the needs of those interested in studying both natural and artificial light.
This Lighting Art Museum aims to become a hub for collecting information and exhibiting light art, providing a space where visitors can learn, engage in various light-related activities, and appreciate light art in its diverse forms. It will also allow them to interpret and critique their experiences, deepening their understanding and enjoyment of this unique artistic medium.
Student: Kantika Sathorn
Advisor: Assoc. Prof. Kunlasri Thungsakul
More info: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1qEUDmdModuV6WzP/
Email: kantika.sathorn@gmail.com
Aircraft Museum In The Indochina Wars
by Thanaphat Kunkittiphat
The Aircraft Museum In The Indochina Wars project focuses on designing a museum to showcase aircraft used during the Indochinese War. Udon Thani Province was chosen as the location due to its historical significance, particularly during the period when the United States established a base at Udon Airport. This museum aims to preserve aircraft and military equipment from that era, serving as a hub for historical research and education about the war.
The museum will be located within Udon Thani International Airport, a site linked to this history and one that can draw attention from airport visitors. The location is easily accessible from the city and offers ample space for the project. Key features of the museum include a permanent exhibition, a temporary exhibition, a souvenir shop, a cinema, a library, and an activity area. The design focuses on environmental sustainability and creating green spaces around the area. The building’s shape is inspired by the concepts of flight and aircraft wings, with the layout reflecting the functional components of the museum.
Student: Thanaphat Kunkittiphat
Advisor: Asst. Prof. Dr. Chumnan Boonyaputthipong
More info: https://www.facebook.com/share/FBhoAJrrpNcfV6SK/
Email: Ut.thanaphat@kkumail.com
Whale Sharktopia Suratthani Aquarium & Learning Center
by Phoptorn Kittipreeya
Currently, whale sharks are classified as a threatened species on the IUCN Red List. The Whale Sharktopia Suratthani Aquarium & Learning Center project aims to provide public education and services about whale sharks while offering various outdoor activities to raise awareness and contribute to the conservation of whale shark populations for the present and future. The exhibition is designed to reflect the depths of the ocean, with the building layout inspired by the natural patterns of air bubbles on the sea’s surface. The exhibition journey begins at the deepest ocean level and gradually ascends to the surface. Green spaces are incorporated to simulate the ecosystem, based on the belief that where whale sharks are found, nature thrives in abundance.
Student: Phoptorn Kittipreeya
Advisor: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nopadon Thungsakul
More info: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/yc1ee6f6syXiJpH2/?mibextid=WC7FNe
Email: phoptorn.kt@gmail.com
Seaside Jomtien Hotel
by Tathsma Trisahd
The Seaside Jomtien Hotel project is a luxury high-rise hotel situated on Jomtien Beach, offering a total of 335 units with starting sizes of 49.5 sq.m. The hotel boasts full facilities, including a sea viewpoint and a Sky lounge on the rooftop, allowing guests to enjoy their entire stay within the hotel.
The building’s design follows a sustainable concept, utilizing a photovoltaic shading device on the façade to harness sunlight and employing wind turbines to generate electricity from sea breezes. To further reduce energy consumption, passive design strategies are used to naturally ventilate the expansive structure. For example, the atrium is partially air-conditioned, with only the reception area and small air-conditioned pots provided in the large hall for guests waiting. These design elements give the Seaside Jomtien Hotel a distinctive identity, setting it apart from other hotels and positioning it as a potential landmark of Jomtien Beach in the future.
Student: Tathsma Trisahd
Advisor: Asst. Prof. Dr. Thanun Srithongchai
More info: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/Sf6mrkFMvyeeKNEN/
Email: Tathsma.tri@gmail.com