IN CONVERSATION WITH ONG-ARD SATRABHANDHU

The recipient of the Driehaus Architecture Prize 2020 unravels his design journey, philosophy, upcoming projects and more in an elaborate discourse

- SALONI REGE

“There’s a common misconception that rules restrict us from being creative. On the contrary, I think working within set norms urges us to create more,” says prolific architect, urbanist and conservationist Ong-ard Satrabhandhu. Establishing his namesake practice in 1970, the Thai architect has been a flag-bearer of classical and traditional architecture in today’s modern era. He attained a career milestone when he brought recognition to the conventional Lanna architectural typology that’s sensitive to the history of Thailand as well as its environment.

On the subject of the preservation of Lanna architecture, he reveals, “My approach is not academic, I try to preserve the parts that are unique by infusing them in my work. For instance, the idea of free-standing stucco and wood columns within structures helps create a distinctive space. I believe emphasis should be given to grouping of buildings in site planning scenarios.”

Since his graduation in architecture from Cornell University and master’s in urban studies from Yale University in the 1960s, he has perceived traditional architecture as a relaxed version of classical design. Identifying the many similarities between Western, Chinese and Indian classical architecture, he integrates the principles of axiality and bilateral symmetry into his designs. He says, “Architects should familiarise with the grammar and rules of classical architecture, both of the east and the west. The idea of a base, middle and top—a human body, is a universal idea behind classical design everywhere.”