Academics frown on Hua Hin's foreign influenced architecture

[buksida]

Architects and property developers in Hua Hin are designing their beachfront homes in international styles inspired by such places as Morocco, Turkey and Spain.

While these have proved popular with customers, a professor of architecture wishes designs would better reflect the lifestyle and climate of this Thai beach resort, rather than copying foreign styles.

A new condominium project by Sansiri in Hua Hin, Chelona at Khao Tao, is built in a Mediterranean style. Marrakesh Hua Hin Residences by Major Development is designed in a Moroccan style.

Luxury hotels in Hua Hin also feature designs inspired by various cultures in an effort to enhance the customer experience. These include the colonial style at Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Hua Hin and Wora Bura Hua Hin Resort & Spa, and Moroccan style at Marrakesh Resort & Spa as well as Villa Maroc in nearby Pran Buri.

Professor Bandit Julasai, dean of architecture at Chulalongkorn University, who oversaw the renovation of Centara Grand Beach, said the architecture in Hua Hin got its original inspiration during the era of King Rama V. At that time European designs influenced Thai architecture, especially a combination between local and European style known as "colonial".

As the community became more open to new ideas, Hua Hin began to adopt different architectural designs inspired by other countries that also have beaches. Moroccan style is popular because it has colours and textures that match the beach style, though it does not really suit the weather here.

Meanwhile, Mediterranean and Spanish designs are also starting to appear in the district.

SC Asset Corporation chief operating officer Kree Dejchai said a new Bt1.2-billion condominium project that it calls The Crest Santora Hua Hin was inspired by Spanish style.

"When we launch a new project, we have to know what our customers want," he said.

But Bandit believes that architects should design their buildings in Hua Hin by focusing on what is Hua Hin. Their creations should match the Hua Hin lifestyle rather than copying other countries' architecture that is inappropriate to the climate of the Gulf of Thailand or people's lifestyles in this location, he said.

Source: The Nation

[tonymaroni]

While academics may frown upon it, and we all should.

Just a cursory glance at what is built in Thailand tells you not many developers give a hoot.

And I for one do not believe that customer desire is what drives all the Spanish, Morrocan, international design in current builds.

I do not think any marketing surveys are ever done in the LOS.

It is all "build it and they will come".

Tony

[cookmanchef]

A beautiful teak villa development under construction down at Dolphin Bay, can't get more authentic than that, looks perfect in the surroundings.

[Takiap]

Personally, I think diversity is a good thing. Why would you want everything to look identical? Many of these "different" condo blocks look a damn side better than the ever increasing number of walled and gated ghettos. Sorry guys......no offense intended, but let's face it, there are more than enough walled developments already, and if I were Thai, I would certainly be more opposed to them than condos built in the style of a different culture. Just imagine a country full of little micro-communities. I was against them back home, and my views still haven't changed.


On the plus side, at least here in Thailand, they do more or less ensure the country has a few litter free zones.....

[Takiap]

A beautiful teak villa development under construction down at Dolphin Bay, can't get more authentic than that, looks perfect in the surroundings.

Yes, the teak Thai style places look awesome, and I'm sure many of us would love to own one, but unfortunately they cost far more than many of us can afford.

If you know anyone who would like to swap, please let me know.

[cookmanchef]

5 million for a 2 bed with 400m2 land, not too bad considering you're only 300m from the beach.

[traveller2]

5 million for a 2 bed with 400m2 land, not too bad considering you're only 300m from the beach.

More than I could afford, unfortunately.

[Takiap]

Yes, more than I can afford as well, plus the fact that it's too far out of the way since we have kids in school, and etc.

[deepee]

Architects and property developers in Hua Hin are designing their beachfront homes in international styles

Wonder why the good prof has singled out Hua Hin as opposed to other developing areas? Any one been to Phuket or Pattaya recently? same same for me.
Do agree that there are many pretty poor designs popping up around the place.

[ste860]

i personally think the one in koh takiab with the blue ,yellow and red all over the walls looks hidious and if i was in charge of planning it would never of got permission

[STEVE G]

i personally think the one in koh takiab with the blue ,yellow and red all over the walls looks hidious and if i was in charge of planning it would never of got permission

Is that the one that looks like it was designed by a four year old with a pack of wax crayons?

[splitlid]

Interesting topic,
the professor seems to be defining Hua Hin by its architecture or architecture by the fact that it is located in Hua Hin.
Architecture should maybe be left undefined. as defining it will keep it stagnant.

there are of course good and bad examples of architecture and I can't seem to define what good architecture is because a lot of the good stuff is subjective according to people's taste - good architecture is often well made, well sited, well put together, etc.
but without both good and bad we would lessen our senses.
all of these new buildings in Hua Hin, good or bad, improve society and its acceptance of new ideas and ways.

Copying a spanish resort and building the same in another country, are examples of bad architecture (IMO), stuff like V Villas, Cape Nidhra Hotel and the likes, do more for the country and its people than a traditional timber house near the beach.

[PeteC]

Perhaps the entire thing is just another xenophobic rant that ties into us foreigners also owning 1/3 of the country. Pete

[Takiap]

Perhaps the entire thing is just another xenophobic rant that ties into us foreigners also owning 1/3 of the country. Pete

I agree Pete, and some of the professor's reasons are laughable at best. For example, how is Marakesh (spelling?), or any of the other "copied" condos any less suitable to the climate here than the average condo in Bangkok or anywhere else in the country for that matter?

[deepee]

I agree Pete, and some of the professor's reasons are laughable at best. For example, how is Marakesh (spelling?), or any of the other "copied" condos any less suitable to the climate here than the average condo in Bangkok or anywhere else in the country for that matter?

sorry Takiap , have to disagree with you with that comment.
Marakesh's climate is rated hot /dry while Hua Hin's is humid/tropical.Humid/tropical suggests heavy seasonal rains for a start so you will need to have a decent roof and drainage to deal with this aspect alone.Marakesh buildings typically have flat top roofs in keeping with the local climate and their designs have evolved over centuries to suit that particular climate, something the professor is noting with regard to Hua Hin's move away from designs in sympathy with it's local situation.

Good architecture and building should suit the local climate, be efficient in space,energy use and materials and importantly fulfill it's purpose. Whether the designs then blend in to the local setting becomes personal choice and I reckon that is one of the professor's main points of concern.

Buildings that are put up with the sole intention of making a statement to attract attention without addressing the above are a lost opportunity in my mind.