Living Waters: Architectural Interventions Along the Western Bangkok Canal System
Kick off the semester with an intensive two-week workshop and the invitation to attend a lecture on the workshop project!!!
A transformative two-week workshop in early July 2024, focused on the Western Bangkok Canal System, targeting architecture students from Kasetsart University and Xi’an Jiaotong Liverpool University. The workshop aims to explore the intricate relationship between water, agriculture, and human-centric living. Participants will delve into the unique challenges and opportunities presented by the canal-side environment, leveraging traditional knowledge to inform modern architectural solutions.
The Western Bangkok Canal System, an intricate network of waterways, holds a pivotal role in shaping the socio-cultural and ecological dynamics of the region. This complex system weaves through urban landscapes, agricultural fields, and traditional communities, creating a tapestry of interconnected relationships. Originating from the Chao Phraya River, the canals traverse various districts, reflecting the historical development of Bangkok. As arteries of life, these water channels not only facilitate transportation and agriculture but also bear witness to the evolution of the city. Over time, the canals have faced challenges such as pollution, encroachment, and altered hydrological patterns. Despite these issues, the Western Bangkok Canal System remains a testament to the resilience of local communities and their ability to adapt to the evolving urban environment. Understanding the intricate layers of this water network is essential for architects seeking to address the contemporary challenges of sustainable urban development, cultural preservation, and ecological balance. Encroachment is another significant challenge as urbanization expands, leading to the narrowing and, in some cases, the disappearance of these vital waterways. This poses a direct threat to the historical and cultural significance of the canals, impacting both the local communities and the broader urban landscape. Furthermore, altered hydrological patterns, exacerbated by climate change, contribute to flooding issues, affecting both urban and rural areas connected to the canals. The delicate balance between maintaining the cultural heritage embedded in these water channels and adapting to modern necessities creates a complex challenge for sustainable development. The Western Bangkok Canal System, therefore, requires comprehensive solutions that address environmental degradation, encroachment, and the preservation of cultural identity in the face of evolving urban pressures. Architectural and urban design become crucial in navigating these challenges, offering a platform for creative and sustainable interventions that ensure the resilience and longevity of this vital water network.
Workshop Highlights:
🌎 Explore Context: Conduct on-site research to uncover key issues and study the interplay between urban development and traditional water-centric lifestyles.
🌿 Integrate Traditional Knowledge: Learn to blend traditional wisdom with modern architectural practices for sustainable, human-centered design solutions.
🛠️ Tackle Design Challenges: Develop architectural and urban design proposals that align with local environments and promote cultural sensitivity.
Lecture series
📅 Dates: 24 June 2024
⏱️ Time: from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
📌 Location: 8th Floor (new building) Faculty of Architecture, Kasetsart University
Specialized seminar
⏱️ 11:00 – 12:00 (room no. 3802)
Riverine Settlement in the Greater Chao Phraya River Basin
By Assistant Professor Patiphol Yodsurang, PhD (Faculty of Architecture Kasetsart University)
Internal session
⏱️ 13:00 – 14:30 (room no. 3802)
“Suzhou Surk (ing)”
By Dong Chen (XJTLU Practitioner)
and
“Local waterfront community in Bangkok suburbs”
By Assistant Professor Narongpon Laiprakobsup, PhD (Faculty of Architecture Kasetsart University)
Special Public Lecture
⏱️ 16:00 – 17:30 (room no. 3801)
“Living Soils”
By Assistant Professor Teo Hidalgo Nacher (XJTLU Design Research Center Director)
and
“New Thai-Chinese Natural Architecture”
By Jenchieh Hung & Kulthida Songkittipakdee (Co-Founder and Principal Architect, HAS design and research)
Architecture students from Kasetsart University and Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University are diving into the Living Waters workshop, exploring the dynamic relationship between water, agriculture, and human-centric living along the Western Bangkok Canal System. Our lecture series engages with experts through a series of lectures, providing invaluable insights and practical knowledge, featuring speakers such as Kulthida and Jenchieh Hung from HAS design and research, Teo from the XJTLU Design Research Center, Assist. Prof. Narongpon from the Faculty of Architecture at Kasetsart University, Chen Dong, a practitioner from XJTLU, and Assist. Prof. Patiphol from the Faculty of Architecture at Kasetsart University.