Bak Bodhi Pavilion

INDA - Design Construction for Community Project

Instructor: Takanao Todo

Students
Ann-pavinee Langenskioeld (Ann) / Methawadee Pathomrattanapiban (Sincere) / Napapa Soonjan (Luktarn) / Natalie Pirarak (Tang) / Natcha Thanachanan (Plern) / Pheerapitch Phetchareon (Ode) / Pitchaya Tangtanawirut (Pizza) / Praewrung Chantumrongkul (Ping) / Slin Smakkamai (Kana) / Tanon Theerasupwitaya (In) / Thanapat Limpanaset (Than) / Yuhunny Baka (Hunny)

Collaborators
Village Mayor (Client + ceramic fabricator): Washira Srijan
Contractor: Bunjerd Thila
Structural Engineer: Kongkarn Sukpan
Ceramic fabricator and consultant: Mo Jirachaisakul

YEAR: 2021

Location: Chiangmai

GFA: 16sqm

STATUS: Completed​

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AWARD:
A' Design Award 2024: Iron Award Winner

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BAK BODHI PAVILION “Ban Mueng Kung '' is a well-known pottery handicraft village located 10 kilometers south of Chiang Mai, Thailand, being an important tourist attraction that has drawn people from all over Thailand as well as foreigners to its Nong Kwai subdistrict. This charming village contains around 300 households with 30 craftsmen working on pottery handicrafts for the village. They have several pavilions located on the village’s entrances where they hang out together as well as wait for the bus.

“Bak Bodhi Pavilion” is the project by the International Program in Design and Architecture (INDA), Chulalongkorn University, which replaces the decayed old pavilion located at the front of the village right next to the main road, route 108. The design of the pavilion is inspired by “Hae Mai Kum Bodhi ‘’ tradition, in which the sacred bodhi tree branches are supported by uniquely ornamented randomly placed struts. The pavilion follows the principles where the roof structure is supported by forest-like slender columns made possible by a steel structure and grid system. It creates an airy pavilion with an additional function of a bookshelf hidden at the inner side of the main roof structure. The pavilion offers users to spend their time together, read books, and wait for the bus. Further than responding to the original programs, Bak Bodhi Pavilion aims to be the new landmark of the village, allowing for the use of not only the villagers but also the visitors. Accordingly, the façades of the main structure are cladding with multi-color tiles, derived from four different pottery colors of Baan Mueng Kung, representing wood bark-like texture and the cultural richness of this pottery handicraft village.