RSUSSH 2020
IN20-266 Architectural Elements of Huay Hee
Presenter: Woranitta Sukwattanasombat
Rangsit University, Thailand
Abstract
The objective of this research was to create an Architectural Prototypes which are simple to use and easy to construct for villagers at Ban Huay Hee community, Mae Hong Son province, Thailand. As an inspiration for the villagers to sustain their unique way of life. From our studies, the researchers found that nowadays the unique way of life of the people in the village has slowly vanished. The villager in a Working-age preferred to move to the city, searching for what believed to be an easier and more secure way of life. Resulted in a large generation gap between children and the elderly, which caused discontinuation of knowledge. And more importantly the lost knowledge in local technique found in art & craft & architecture. The villagers found it hard to maintain their local technique in their everyday life, due to various reasons, but mainly due to the fact that the local techniques take time and are not practical. The villagers then opted for a more accessible way and techniques. Through our Architectural Prototype the researchers aimed to find ways to inspire people in the village to nullified the vanishing of local knowledge, by finding new material limits through experimentation with local materials with various processes and methods, for simple use and easy to construct. From the result of the experiment, our team discovered 3 Architectural elements are; floor, wall and roof, that are possible and able to meet the criteria set. With these new methods of creating architectural elements, we found an interesting yet simple and easy to construct technique which can be done by a villager in the community, which will allow the villagers to hopefully become closer knitted again like in the past.
Citation format:
Phewphong, A., Poonma, K., Benjaratanapakee, K., Thaweeaphiradeephinyo, M., Krengkrut, N., Sririttipradit, P., Juntasoponno, P., Malai, R., Netniyom, S., Sirimonthonrat, S., Tomorn, T., Rattanakorn, T., Sukwattanasombat, W., Somsuphan, W., & Polphong, A.. (2020). Architectural Elements of Huay Hee. Proceeding in RSU International Research Conference, May 1, 2020. Pathum Thani, Thailand.QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Hello students, I hve some questions about you project. I wouldn't be able to understand all of your idea because I haven't ever read the full paper. In my private interest in Pagakayor (or Karen) ethic group for a long time, I know that they live by the simplicity way harmonize with the nature. The nature around them is the most important condition for them. So their houses are very simple suitably for their daily lives and the materials also are easy to find around the village by no cost. The questions as the following:
1. How many villagers have ready to change their houses with new material perhaps may be new type, most of them or the few?
2. Some new materials can't find in the local and they aren't all familiar with the construction and retoration method, what will they do?
3. Wiil your idea have the effects or changes of their dairy lives?
I appreaciate in your intention for this academic work. I would like to apologize if some of my idea may be wrong.
Assistant Professor Parisut Lerdkachatarn
Faculty of Architecture, Rangsit University
Normally, we tend to avoid the word "simple" or "easy" because it is difficult to measure and has a metaphysical nature. However, how does this research examine the idea of whether it meets the objectives set out? Or in other words, How do we know that the findings you found are truly valid and reliable?
This Project looks interesting. I have a few questions as below
1. How many bamboo in this village? does it enough for all villager to apply? or do they have any plan to replant?
2. Can you explain in more detail of the construction method how it's easy for villager to do?
It would be good if you study to apply this new material in their vernacular architecture, don't change their style.
Dear Parisut
Thank you for your question.
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We can't answer how many people are ready to change. But from going on site to talk with the villagers and present our proposed direction to work with local materials we found in the village with new methods. We found that villagers are interested and ready to experiment in order to create new things that are better.
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From all three elements we use natural materials inside the village, construct with local technique in their everyday life and don’t use technology from the outside. As for the understanding of materials, the villagers are already familiar, we just experiment for them to see the possibilities in new ways. But in the case of the roof that have to bake, the villagers can make a natural oven and control the temperature in moderately with local technique from clay and straw.
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Previously, the villagers in the community had various ways of life which is the ability according to the individual's aptitude. which knowledge and techniques not passed on to the new generation and slowly disappeared. What we have done is bring the capabilities and techniques to build the architectural elements that are essential to their lives. Resulting in a new way of life and activities and causing the villagers to work and exchange ideas together.
Dear Nakorn
Thank you for your question.
We have experimented with local materials and techniques that villagers can do without the outside technology. Which use of technology from outside may be more efficient and easier but we focus on allowing the villagers to use their skills and knowledge from their ways of life, integrated and developed into a better new style. When we tried it was not too difficult, especially with villagers who are more familiar and very skillful. With these easy methods we proposed, the villagers will be able to practice and continue to expand the possibilities of their local technique.
Dear Kritaporn
Thank you for your question.
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The selection of bamboo must be understood and have the correct care. From the survey on site, some houses have a lifespan up to 50 years, which makes the bamboo that was cut 50 years ago, can grow to be substituted during this period. Also, bamboo is a tree that is easily planted, grows quickly and is enough for usage in the village because this area is full of bamboo, even the name of the village came from a certain type of bamboo species that was found in this area.
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The various methods that we experiments are the construction techniques that the villagers are familiar and found in their everyday life. We then develop and improve to have a form that is more responsive to use. And from our experiment we found that it is not too difficult and in fact very easy for the aptitude and skills of the villagers.