PAM Talk – THE OTHER’S PLACE
11
October 2017
Black
Box, Publika
Ekaphap
Duangkaew
- graduated in Architecture at Chiang Mai University
- the Founder of EKAR (2014-present) and co-founded
NOTDS (Not Other Than Design Studio) (2009-2014)
- the architectural and interior design firm based in
Chiang Mai and Bangkok in 2014; with architectural design experiences in
various typologies both public buildings and residential projects
Awards: -
-
Finalist of WAN awards 2014 (UK) for T-House (a House
of T-Shirt maker in Nontaburee, Thailand)
-
Double finalist of Architizer Awards 2015 (Factory and
Cantilever categories) for The Power house of SCG (the mechanical building in
Bangkok, Thailand)
-
winner of “Baitong 3x3x3”, a steel house design
competition by Iron and Steel Institute of Thailand in 2009
EKAR Architect believes that the architecture is
originated from a perfect mixture of beautiful aesthetic senses and functional usability
occurred through thinking process, analysis and connections based on different
conditions and contexts which are surrounded in every dimension of each
specific location. Nature, society, culture, behaviour, taste and time are
reflected in a unique architectural work. Every piece of EKAR creation is like
a research combining science and art together to bring out proper design
efficiency to create a sense of place which will lead to expand to the whole
society and positive changes.
T-House – NOTDS
According to this project’s owner, Khun Noppawarat Pomputhakul, the original or main functions of this building were created to support her family business, a cloth wholesaler from Pratunam District. To maintain the routine and circulations of the old house, a new space that needed to be built not only for a residence for an expanding family plus a small garment storage, and needed to include an additional space for a new office and an area for a further phase of family extension.
To combined the owner’s aspiration
with a design, NOTDS pulled out the lifeblood of Pornputhakul family and
blended them together with Thai living habit and Western exemplary, a mixture
of a Tropical Architecture with Modernity, to result a simple-formed structure.
As a wholesaler of the undergarment, this cloth line was designed to be simple
and monochrome. This architect introduced this characteristic through the house
with an idea of minimalism.‘Jai Baan’ also known as the heart of the house, locating perfectly at the heart of this two-storey dwell. This cantered piece is composed of two crossing staircases functioning to connect all rooms on the second level. The main working area on the ground floor and the executive office on the second floor. At ‘Jai Baan’, the architects carefully concerned an issue of energy-saving. This architect placed three small overhead skylights on the rooftop in order to limit the amount of heat accessing the house. The architect also inserted an idea of putting stacks of cotton stripes weaving above the stairs. With its material profile, it helps screening the direct sunlight to achieve the lower volume. In the same time of representing itself as the iconic of this house.
The exterior appearance is shaped
despite the pure geometric form to reflect each function straightforwardly
inside out. The finalized design turned out to be simple and symmetry. The team
also designed a high-pitched roof above ‘Jai Baan’ boundary to express how to
avoid and retain the natural light. The design of long roof eaves was derived
from Thai traditional element, although the architects had re-designed them to
be able to fold and extrude when in need.
Multi-Place -EKAR
Location – Surat Thani, Mueang Surat
Thani District, Thailand
With the backgrounds of two siblings in
pharmacist and veterinarian, who once lived apart and had one own clinic, they
decided to buy a narrow land in a heart of Surat Thani for living together
and commercialized purpose. The requirements had led to the Multi-Place - a
place to live and to work harmoniously. The aim was to mix both their work life as well as
living there under a single roof (figuratively). The structure portrays
something akin to a semidetached house clad in porous ventilation block
facades.
The challenge of this project was to
maximize the space given only 480 square meter land to fiddle around with.
Spaces include pharmacy, veterinary clinic, pet shop, hostel, cafe and rental
meeting rooms. In regards to the by-laws within the area, the length of the
building could not be over 20 meters. What they (EKAR) did was to split apart
the building block into 2, creating a peaceful garden in between which serves
as a boundary between the 2 distinctively different spaces.
As for the facade, they were designed with a sort
of ventilation blocks to conceal their privacy from the curious public
onlookers as well as dust and noise pollution. The composition of multiple
patterned concrete screen blocks together resulted in reducing the pollution
yet allowed air to flow smoothly at the same time. Along with the garden
design, the lighting from the interior could pass through the combination of
the concrete screen blocks to cast playful shadow effects within the space.
There on the ground floor, the rooms surrounding each
outdoor space feature large windows into it. On the upper levels, these steps
backwards to create outdoor terraces. Inside, neutral finishes of white-painted
walls and glossy flooring, are offset by wooden touches and the black handrail
surrounding the voids.
Q+A SESSION
1.
‘As young architect, how do you start up your firm? ‘ -by emcee
‘I took part in a competition and won in New York.
You have to have passion in architecture to be success. After the won
competition is published in Thailand magazines, the first client contacted him,
which is the T-House owner. The young architects do not be
afraid to try, there will be a lot opportunity out there. ‘
2.
‘What is the production and progress when you are designing?’ -by emcee
‘Before designing, I have to determine the purpose
of the architecture. I always ask myself, “what is it build for?”. For example,
The temple toilet project, how to make people come and can have a rest place.
Next only find out the answer or solution to the issue. Besides, I have to deal
with the client too. Lastly, architecture is not just about the building, it’s
more about the core value.’
3.
‘What advise can you give to the young architect?’ -by emcee
‘You have to be brave. Have to know about yourself
first. When you are stuck in designing, try to make it simple first as you do
not have enough experience. Architecture require a lot of practice and
philosophy. I have worked for 5 years in a firm in Thailand to gain experience.
At the same time, I worked as freelancer as well throughout this 5 years.’
You need to be brave all the times. When you are
stuck in designing, try to make it simple from the beginning. Lots of practices
should be done before staring up own career. I have worked for 5 years in a big
architecture firm in Thailand for gaining experience while working as
freelancer as well throughout the 5 years.
4. ‘Does
weather in Thailand influenced your architecture? Is it a big factor to be
considered in your architecture?’ -by the audience
‘Yes. Because Chiang Mai has chill season also. But
to me, culture is the main aspect instead of climate. The way Chiang Mai people
think is different from the city. They love art and beauty of nature.
Every 100 meter you can find a temple in Chiang Mai. They respect the nature
and understand the context. I would say that Chiang Mai has the “spirit”. ‘
5.
‘Which and who is the architect influenced you the most?’ -by the audience
‘In 3 or 4 years back, there is an architect style
that I referred a lot which is Vo Trong Nghia, a Vietnam architect. But now, I
try to learn and use my own ways in designing and thinking.’
6.
‘How do you differentiate you and your partners’ work?’ -by the audience
‘We only have 8 people in my firm. Me myself and my
partner, together with 6 staffs. There is no specific role for each person. We
share our thought and knowledge together. And these help us balance each
other.’
7.
All of you design seem like modernist architecture. How do your designs
incorporate with Thailand culture?’ -by the audience
‘I use the elements of Thailand and applied in my
design like the Thai stool in T-House. Once you look at it, you will know that
it is from Thailand. My designs are more to context of the site. The form of
the building does not have to be looked like Thailand style, it could be the culture of
Thailand.
8. ‘Is
it important being just a Thai architect in Thailand?’ -by the audience
‘It is not about Thai, it is about the context. A
building must have many elements to look Thai, but I usually use only 1
element, like the Temple Washroom. There are a lot of skyscraper can be found
nowadays, so why not focus on other things, like the Thai elements and culture.
Form does not represent Thai but the elements do.