University of Bath PHD the Changing Use of Materials in Construction of the Vernacular Thai House Punpairoj, Poomchai
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University of Bath PHD The Changing Use of Materials in Construction of the Vernacular Thai House Punpairoj, Poomchai Award date: 2013 Awarding institution: University of Bath Link to publication Alternative formats If you require this document in an alternative format, please contact: [email protected] General rights Copyright and moral rights for the publications made accessible in the public portal are retained by the authors and/or other copyright owners and it is a condition of accessing publications that users recognise and abide by the legal requirements associated with these rights. • Users may download and print one copy of any publication from the public portal for the purpose of private study or research. • You may not further distribute the material or use it for any profit-making activity or commercial gain • You may freely distribute the URL identifying the publication in the public portal ? Take down policy If you believe that this document breaches copyright please contact us providing details, and we will remove access to the work immediately and investigate your claim. Download date: 11. Oct. 2021 THE CHANGING USE OF MATERIALS IN CONSTRUCTION OF THE VERNACULAR THAI HOUSE POOMCHAI PUNPAIROJ A thesis submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy University of Bath Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering April 2013 COPYRIGHT Attention is drawn to the fact that copyright of this thesis rests with the author. A copy of this thesis has been supplied on condition that anyone who consults it is understood to recognize that its copyright rests with the author and that they must not copy it or use material from it except as permitted by law or with the consent of the author. This thesis may be made available for consultation within the University Library and may be photocopied or lent to other libraries for the purposes of consultation. Abstract The evolution of vernacular houses throughout history has been a response to factors such as geography, climate, craftsmanship and materials. The use of materials is considered to be one of the major principles that form vernacular houses. Before the introduction of concrete during the past few decades, wood, bamboo and grass thatch were the primary available materials for vernacular houses in Thailand. Particularly, the traditional houses in the central Thailand, which were found since the 13th century, have been one of the most admired models. Due to the processes of modernization, the existing traditional Thai houses have been changed from tradition to contemporary. This study focused on three types of vernacular houses in the central Thailand: the traditional Thai house; the transforming Thai house; and the reproduction Thai house. This study examined the features in these contemporary vernacular houses which have been influenced by changing use of materials and construction methods. The study was conducted by examining the changes of vernacular houses in three locations in Ayutthaya province: the urban district village, the rural village, and the motorway buffer area. Data were collected with the uses of materials, construction types, and features of construction elements. The data were analyzed and discussed through typological analysis and constant comparative analysis to reveal the differences of vernacular houses among the studied locations. The findings show the ways in which vernacular traditions have been integrated with modern influences. The development and change of use of materials are indicated for reflecting the evolution of vernacular Thai houses. The results reveal that, from the earliest period of modern Thai industry, contemporary vernacular Thai housing has been influenced by materials available and construction methods employed. Industrial materials have been used to improve the performance and change the appearance of the traditional Thai houses. Because of the availability of early industrial materials and construction methods, the transforming Thai houses will therefore continue to be sustained by their current owners. Traditional and modern materials are applied to the reproduction Thai houses with updated construction techniques. Vernacular Thai houses are confirmed as a continuous process and iii appreciated in the context of the present. The results of this study offers some clues to support an understanding of living heritage, and thus promoting conservation of vernacular buildings in Thailand. iv Acknowledgements I would like to express my appreciation to Pete Walker, Professor of Innovative Construction Materials, who has generously shared his knowledge and experience in directing research and provided valuable advice. I am grateful to Dr. Dina D’Ayala, who has initially encouraged and inspired throughout years of my study. I acknowledge the assistance of many people but will not name individually. Special thanks are for the field research crews: Anake Suwanchaiskul, Akad Wangnoi, Totsaporn Mekborisut, Tawat Umpaipan, and Pakchanok Amornlak. I also appreciate all the villagers in three study locations who dedicated their time to participate in this work and warmly welcomed my visits during the field study. Special gratitude is given to my family for their care and life support. v vi Table of Contents Page Abstract ................................................................................................................... iii Acknowledgments ................................................................................................... v List of Tables .......................................................................................................... xi List of Figures ........................................................................................................ xiii Chapter 1 Introduction ................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Background ................................................................................... 1 1.2 Aims and Objectives ..................................................................... 5 1.3 Scope ............................................................................................. 6 1.4 Significance of the study ............................................................... 6 1.5 Thesis Outline ............................................................................... 7 2 Literature Review ........................................................................................ 9 2.1 Definition and study of vernacular architecture ............................ 9 2.2 Vernacular architecture in Thailand .............................................. 11 2.3 Materials and methods of construction ......................................... 19 2.4 Categorization of nontraditional materials .................................... 23 2.5 Thai construction features ............................................................. 30 2.6 Previous studies on Thai vernacular houses.................................. 33 2.7 Conclusion .................................................................................... 37 3 Research Design .......................................................................................... 39 3.1 Introduction ................................................................................... 39 3.2 Selection of study locations .......................................................... 39 3.3 Method of data collection.............................................................. 48 3.4 Method of data analysis ................................................................ 65 3.5 Conclusion .................................................................................... 66 vii Chapter Page 4 Changes of the Vernacular Thai Houses ..................................................... 69 4.1 Introduction ................................................................................... 69 4.2 Typological analysis of the change ............................................... 70 4.3 Classification of spaces and functions .......................................... 71 4.4 Archetype of the traditional house in the study areas ................... 80 4.5 Major changes of the traditional house ......................................... 85 4.6 Reproductions in the motorway buffer area ................................. 112 4.7 Conclusions ................................................................................... 118 5 Changes of Materials and Construction Elements ...................................... 121 5.1 Introduction ................................................................................... 121 5.2 Development of construction elements......................................... 121 5.3 Elements of roof construction ....................................................... 131 5.4 Elements beneath roof construction .............................................. 144 5.5 Conclusions ................................................................................... 165 6 Changing Features of Construction Elements ............................................ 167 6.1 Introduction ................................................................................... 167 6.2 Features of the main changes ........................................................ 168 6.3 Features and period of the roof ..................................................... 174 6.4 Features and periods beneath the roof ........................................ 180 6.5 Comparison of transforming and