EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN FOR PUBLIC BUILDING IN WORLD HERITAGE: AYUTTHAYA NATIONAL HISTORICAL CITY

Abstract

An experimental design of public building in the world heritage area: Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Historical City is aimed to study and organize project details, design and create knowledge of architectural models under the location conditions in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Historical City. The researcher investigated prototypes and success of five sites. In addition, context of area, target groups and location conditions were explored through the six models of Wat Phra Sri San Phetch Pavilion located around the hexagonal pond. The building was divided into three zones and was basically designed by Thai architecture's social status consisting of a building core in no association with symmetrical criteria of the ancient remains. Horizonal lines and free shapes were applied. The height of the building was lower than the throne of the main pagodas. The results show that the new building fulfilled the ancient remains, and furthermore its function is as the connection of culture from the two periods. Also, the building creates covalues of the ancient remains and surrounding context. The findings are consistent with the hypothesis which provides new ideas and approaches to architectural model corresponding to the world heritage area: Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Historical City.

The body of knowledge gained from this study shows that the old and the new buildings can be in the same area to fulfill and support each other so as to create a balance in the structure and also to demonstrate harmony and respect with each other. This can occur through a combination of historical knowledge, psychology of perception and technology with the use of data limitation, familiarity creation and commands. The results demonstrate that visitors can clearly differentiate between the old and the new buildings, and at the same time they can also have recognition of the ancient remains.