PAVA

Reviving I : Lopburi Heritage

PAVA Teaching : Design Studio

INDA, International Program in Design + Architecture, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok
Year 4 Architectural Design V, Option Studio, Semester 2, January-May 2024

Instructors : Pacharapan Ratananakorn and Varat Limwibul

The studio “Reviving” works with students to explore the definition of “heritage conservation” in Lopburi context by working through the process of research, fieldworks and design. The students learn the past legacy of rich Lopburi history as well as propose an alternative design approach to revive selected heritage sites.

Lopburi is a unique province in the central plain of Thailand which has a long history, dating back into the prehistoric period since the Bronze Age, Ayutthaya empire, Prime Minister Marshal P. Piboolsongkhram era to a modern time. With complex layers and unclear development plans, people's livelihood in Lopburi is now facing the global and local phenomena of economic crisis, climate change and rapid urbanization. Ranging from urban design discipline, landscape architecture to architectural scale, the “Reviving” studio explores and revives Lopburi, which calls past memories and proposes constructive design intervention for the challenging future.

With an opportunity to discuss with experts, historians, and ecologists, students are guided to understand Lopburi province as a complex historical setting intertwining with various invisible layers socially, economically, politically and environmentally. Based on studio field works with the wisdom from locals, the studio envisions students to project a critical observation, form their own thesis and propose design which instills a sense of stewardship for cultural heritage, natural resources, and the preservation of local ecologies.