The number of population in Bangkok is rose rapidly to 6 million and it will goes higher and higher each year. In contrast with green and open spaces; the number of green area for Bangkok is only 5 sq. m per person while the world health organization(WHO) indicated the number of green area at 9 sq. m per person. However there are some unutilized space in Bangkok which owned by government parties that have potential to develop into the new green public space and this project can be the pilot project for this type of project.
Lankila Pat 1 is located in Klongjan affordable housing district. The area is between flat number 6 and number 7. The long side is around 200 meter next to klong pongpauy. The area of the site is 11,200 sq m. Site existing is the abandon land own by the national housing authority. There are some big existing trees in the site.
Site is construction following to the Bangkok metropolitan administration plan’s when the participatory process is held. Futsal, exhibition building, Badminton buildings and some paths are constructed so the design is based on some buildings and paths from Bangkok Metropolitan Administration plan.
Client This project is initiative by King Bhumibol Adulyadej with the thought of developing the human recourses is to have a good health and mentality by using the sports as the equipment to connect and empower the people in community. The project is supported by the corporation of many government and private parties.
The various activities from stakeholder’s requirement in participatory workshop have adopted and developed by landscape architect. Consequently, the inclusive design approach create a better relationship between communities and sense of belonging to the park.
Participatory design process with the communities and stakeholder is not only provide the programs that fit to each communities but also give the opportunities to local people to be in the part of design process, construction process and management after the park finished by this local communities will have the sense of ownership of the park.
Needs and insight that collected from the participatory process are developed into the concept of Charn-garden, Charn is mean terrace in Thai traditional house. This concept is refer to the surrounding of the site and lifestyle of local people by using the charn to be a multipurpose space that communities can use for their activities like outdoor living room.
The Construction During the construction process some events are created to let the local communities to be in the part of the park such as plant some area of the shrubs and paint the floor on the playground. This process is created sense of belonging to the local communities. Local materials in affordable price are selected in this project such as concrete, brick block and steel. Artificial wood is used to create the feeling of charn (wooden deck).Planting concept, local plants such as fragrant, flowering and herb are selected in different part of the park.
The Management After construction completion, local communities must select their representative to become the committee to manage the park with the representative from the government parties. By this local communities can easily ask for the permission to use the park for their annual events such as New Year’s Day, Thai New Year’s Day, father’s day mother’s day and etc.
In the future the process of this project can be the pilot of the unutilized area in the community. The uniqueness of each community can create the identity of each park and participatory design can engage the communities and the park.
Watch Video
Project Information
Location : Klong Jan, Bangkok, Thailand
Area : 11,200 SQ.m.
Year of Completion : 2015
In collaboration with
Client / Owner :
Office of His Majesty’s Principal Private Secretary (King Bhumibol Adulyadej) and
Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth)
Project Manager / Community Architect / Architect :
Arsom Silp Institute of the Arts
Landscape Architect / Lighting Designer :
Shma Soen Company Limited
Contractor :
Italian Thai Company Limited
Photographer :
Panoramic Studio / Asa Gajaseni / Shma Soen Company Limited
Documentary Media :
Mor and farmer Company Limited
Awards
2017 IFLA ASIA-PAC LA Awards : Honorable Mention : Park and Open Space
2015 TALA Professional Awards : Community Service / Workshop
Shma Soen 