Building a modern heritage

"KEEPING UP" is running until September 14 at Thailand Creative & Design Centre.

Bangkok is a city that takes pride in its centuries-old cultural heritage. Yet since the Fifth reign, it has also welcomed Western modernity for the projection of Thailand's image as a civilised country. In Thailand, where cultural consistency is still strong, modernity has become more than the language of form and function: it is almost synonymous with Thai-Chinese "tycoonism", as a new exhibition "KEEPING UP - Modern Thai Architecture 1967-1987" shows.

The exhibition brings together a collection of notable architectural designs by Western-educated Thai architects between 1967 and 1987, a period in which Bangkok experienced an economic boom as a result of overflowing foreign investments, widespread construction projects in Thailand and its neighbouring countries and the growing American military base in the country. The boom in Western architecture at the time occurred following the return of Western-educated Thai architects such as Rangsan Torsuwan, Krisada Arungwongse, Sumet Chumsai na Ayuthaya, Aphai Phadermchit and Ong-art Sataraphan.

They were responsible for creating exemplary designs that filled the urbanscape with concrete structures rising above paddy fields. Their pursuit of modernity may have transformed Bangkok's skyline, but it made the capital look just like any other in the world.

The exhibition has three themes: "Bangkok Pursuit of Modernity", "Modernity City Dwellers" and "Tycoons Going Skyscraping".

As part of the first theme, the exhibit includes mock-ups of famed urban edifices such as the Samsem railway station, dubbed "the gigantic umbrella" (designed by Aphai Phadermchit), Building 9 of Bhanaphan School known as "Corbusier on Ladprao Road" (by Ong-art Sataraphan) and Chulalongkorn University Alumni Association Building or "the corrugated box in the ghetto" (by Jen Sakolthanarak).

Illustrating the second theme are purpose-built buildings that served new lifestyles: the National Science Museum by Sumet Chumsai na Ayuthaya, Indra Hotel by Jira Silapakanok, New Suan Amporn Building by Krisada Arunwongse na Ayutthaya and the CMIC Building by Dan Wongprasat.

The last theme sees the rise of skyscrapers reflecting the visions of forward-looking Thai capitalists: Bangkok's first skyscraper Chokechai Building (once leased to the Central Intelligence Agency of the United States) designed by Ransan Torsuwan; the Bangkok Bank Headquarters designed by Krisada Arunwongse na Ayutthaya; and American-styled headquarters of the Thai Farmers Bank by Rangsan Torsuwan.

The drive for modernity brought new trends to Bangkok's social life, new lifestyles (fairs and more movies), latest technology (reinforced concrete and pre-fabricated material) and energy-saving measures (use of glass).

Modernity was slowly entering public spaces in the period between the 1960s and 1980s. When north-bound trains stopped at Samsen Station, passengers were awestruck at the sight of the white-shell structure on mushroom columns at the platform, which usually was a traditional wooden pavillion. The design was aimed at increasing open spaces to accommodate the growing number of commuters.

The period's thirst for science and technology was captured in the National Science Museum. The building displays fun and futuristic geometrical shapes to reflect Thai youth's growing interest in the subjects. Looking like a docked spaceship, the design incorporates a sense of merriment and modernity as well as functionality.

Trend-conscious Bangkok shoppers got more Westernised at Indra Hotel in Pratunam, a rendezvous for trendspotters in the 1960s. The hotel housed a mall and a cinema connected to the hotel rooms and other facilities. The place offers shopping, eating and the movies - all under a roof.

There was more shopping at Suan Amporn building, the centre of fairs. In response to the country's economic expansion and growing population, the design is of a multi-purpose building that uses a foldable-roof technology, which allows for a big, open space.

Though modern architecture may fit in the corporate world, in a tropical climate, such as Thailand's, designers needed to balance the taste for Western modernity with tropical limitations. In keeping with the idea, Chokchai Building, Bangkok's first skycraper, relied on the use of glass panels to reduce heat absorption. 

With Bangkok's unwavering faith in modernity, it is clear these designs are shining examples of the short-lived trends that modernity offers.

"KEEPING UP" is running until September 14 at Thailand Creative & Design Centre.