Group Building no.15

Building of Chulalongkorn University Alumni Association Under the Patronage of His Majesty the King

depicted item: Building of Chulalongkorn University Alumni Association Under the Patronage of His Majesty the King main entrance

source: Parinya Chukaew

date: 2014

1. Identity of building/ group of buildings/ urban scheme/ landscape/ garden

current name of building: Building of Chulalongkorn University Alumni Association Under the Patronage of His Majesty the King

variant or former name: Building of Chulalongkorn University Alumni Association Under the Patronage of His Majesty the King

number & name of street: Phaya Thai Rd., Wang Mai

town: Pathumwan

province/state: Bangkok

zip code: 10330

country: Thailand

national grid reference:

classification/ typology: REC

protection status & date: managed by Chulalongkorn University Alumni Association Under the Patronage of His Majesty the King and received the Architectural Conservation Awards 2010 from the Association of Siamese Architects Under Royal Patronage

2. History of building

2.1 original brief/ purpose: REC

2.2 date completion: 1967

2.3 architectural and other designers: Jane Sakolthanarak

2.4 others associated with building: -

2.5 significant alterations with dates: -

2.6 current uses: alumni association office

2.7 current condition: good

3. Description

3.1 general description: Chulalongkorn University Alumni Association was established on 16 February 1946 by 1,350 university members. Until it was patronised by King Rama VIII on 15th July 1946, it was renamed into Chulalongkorn University Alumni Association Under the Patronage of His Majesty the King (CUAA). and H.R.H. Prince Wan Waithyakon was the first chairperson.

3.2 construction: reinforced concrete structure and textured concert walls

3.3 context: The building is situated in a long historical context where it was Thailand's first national university and founded by King Rama VI.

4. Evaluation

4.1 technical: The external walls show high construction technique called textured concert. This technique creates shade and shadow on the building facades.

4.2 social: The association mission aims to unite Chulalongkorn University members, promote university's activities and achievements of both past and current members.

4.3 cultural & aesthetic: This building is regarded as the Brutalist architecture because the walls enclose most parts of the building and less opening on the walls in order to diminish the intervention from the outside. However, natural light and air can still come through via some openings from different layers of walls.

4.4 historical: Originally, the association's office used a space in Chainarong Shop before moving the office to the old house of Chulalongkorn University's director. The association did not have a permanent office until 1961 when the proposal of building the association's office was approved in conjunction with 50th anniversary of the university.

4.5 general assessment: The architectural characteristics of Chulalongkorn University Alumni Association Under the Patronage of His Majesty the King's building reflects the images of educated people which differs from other buildings in the same area.

5. Documentation

5.1 principal references: Parinya Chukaew

5.2 visual material attached: Parinya Chukaew

5.3 rapporteur/ date: June 2014

6. Fiche report examination by ISC/R

name of examining ISC member:

date of examination:

approval:

working party/ref. n° :

NAi ref. n°:

comments: