Mapping Ban Krua

Mapping Extensive and Intensive Space: Ban Krua, Bangkok, Thailand

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Contents Introduction 3 Figure Ground Map of Bangkok 4 Rossi Maps 6 Nolli Maps 8 Interviews 12 Soft Boundaries 14 Overlap and Transparency 22 Circulation and Connectivity 24 Transformation, Extension and Dispsersal of Minimal Domestic Space

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Adaptation and Transformation of House Typologies

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Mapping Extensive and Intensive Space: Ban Krua, Bangkok, Thailand

INDA.DEX.2014 11.01.-22.01.2014 Chulalongkorn University Bangkok Christoph Lueder, Alexandru Malaescu, Seminar Leaders Top Tachapol Tanaboonchai, Grace Suthata Jiranuntarat, Teaching Assistants Participants: K Chayothorn Songtirapunya, Plan Ayuthai Kongtreekaew, Sky Pathawee Khunkitti, Jom Chakkraphob Sermphasit, Palm Nantawat Siritip, Thai Patrattakorn Wannasawang, Nut Napat Neampinij, Fern Chittranuch Napawan, Toey Soravit Boonchit, Sherry Winida Mahachaiwanit, Pink Thida Jira.

For any queries please contact c.lueder@kingston.ac.uk 2

Introduction The community of Ban Krua, and the spaces it inhabits on the banks of the Saen Saeb canal near Bangkok’s National Stadium defy any singular explanation or graphic notation. It was established by Cambodian Muslim Cham silk weavers, who had migrated from Cambodia during the reign of Rama I (1782-1809) and, after supporting the Thais in their defense against hostile Khmers and Burmese, were rewarded with land concessions. Retaining their ethnic identity, and isolated by race and religion, the Cham weavers continued to practice their craft after it had become extinct in other parts of Bangkok. When the municipal authorities proposed that one of the second stage expressway exits cut through Ban Krua, the cohesion of the community, and its skill at publicly arguing for its right to its way of life, became apparent. The proposal ultimately was defeated through innovative tactics of resistance, such as vigilante community groups patrolling against arsonists’ attempts at burning them out, but also through the community’s powerful relationships with Thai bureaucracy, army and politicians.

Those dual traits, innovation in the use of space and sophistication in building social relationships on multiple scales, are apparent in the built fabric of Ban Krua. Our research into the social and spatial fabric of Ban Krua would not have been possible without the interlocution of Top Tachapol Tanaboonchai and Grace Suthata Jiranuntarat who averted an initial crisis of confidence, and helped built a strong rapport with the community and its elders. During our research, we interviewed members of the community (page 12). Mr Nipon (not included amongst interview transcripts), told us about the house he had sold to Jim Thompson, the silk trader who was instrumental for Ban Krua’s boom in the 1960’s, and whose collection of Thai houses, located across the canal, now is a public museum.

We visited and surveyed the symbiosis between the activity of silk weaving and the layers of spatial boundaries that enclose it (Palm Nantawat Siritip and Thai Patrattakorn Wannasawang, page 14).

Palm and Thai then expanded their survey of such “soft boundaries”, formed by objects, clotheslines, potted plants, rather than walls or steps, to the scale of the community (page 16). Manuel de Landa’s distinction between extensive and intensive space comes into play, as measurable and definite “extensive” enclosure is eclipsed by transient boundaries, and complemented by “intensive” qualities of space, such as density, temperature, (micro)climate, and connectivity. Plan Ayuthai Kongtreekaew and Sky Pathawee Khunkitti explored the dual role of links in connecting adjacent houses while simultaneously locally rupturing the grid of alleyways that permeates Ban Krua (page 24). Their research then engages three groups of interconnected houses that surprisingly all are located in the same soi. Nut Napat Neampinij and Pink Thida Jira explored “transparent”, overlapping spatial definitions in the house of a family that operates a communal washing machine (page 22). Fern Chittranuch Napawan, Toey Soravit Boonchit, and Sherry Winida Mahachaiwanit explored the definition of thresholds in extensive and intensive space, as well as the definition of a “minimal dwelling” that relies on tactics of spatial transformation, transient appropriation of alleyways, and dispersal amongst several houses (page 26). K Chayothorn Songtirapunya and Jom Chakkraphob Sermphasit unravelled the spatial narratives that formed a group of three houses, one of which is preserved as a “Thai house” raised on stilts, another inhabited by a successful family of weavers who have relocated their operations to a factory, that is constructed from scratch and surrounded by a proverbial surburban fence, yet is absorbed into the continuous urban fabric of Ban Krua (page 30). Finally, Jom and K examined a hybrid house, originating from a raised Thai platform, but altered to appropriate additional spaces, after the authorities had installed floodgates, and perennial flooding of Ban Krua had ceased. It is perhaps this house, in its preservation of a core, and layered adaptation to an evolving context, that best exemplifies Ban Krua’s heritage and continuing relevance as an unique model for communal living.

Christoph Lueder and Alexandru Malaescu

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Figure Ground Map of Bangkok

Ban Krua

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Rossi Maps

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Nolli Maps

Giambattista Nolli, Map of Rome, 1741

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0

10

50 m

Ban Krua, Bangkok, Thailand

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10

50

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Accessable Pathway Blocked Pathway

Houses with Isolated Circulation Houses with Connected Rooms Circulation Houses with Adapted Circulation

Accessable Pathway Blocked Pathway House Entrance

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Interviews

FIRST INTERVIEWER GENDER: FEMALE AGE: 47 YEARS OLD OCCUPATION: HOUSE OWNER

SECOND INTERVIEWER GENDER: FEMALE AGE: 25 YEARS OLD OCCUPATION: RENTER

Q: Have long have you been living here ?

Q: Have long have you been living here ?

A: I lived here for a very long time, I think it was since this house first constrcuted.

A: Only just a few years ago. Not a very long time, but it seems like I lived here for a long time.

Q: How many households are in this community?

Q: Could you tell us more about this house? Why are these houses connected to each other?

Q: Why do you feel like you lived here for a long time? Why more than you think?

A: About 500 houses, but this is only Baan Krua Neua (north part). There are middle parts and southern parts, which we have to walk further, and that’s not in the area of my responsibility.

A: I am actually the owner of this house, first it was not 3 houses combined, but later on it was modified and now the house acted like a dormitory for renting.

A: I don’t really know, but I think I enjoy being here, the place is quiet and no busy activities going on around the place I stay.

Q: How many people live in this area?

Q: So how many families or people have been living in this house since it was changed into dormitory?

Q: Could you tell us more about this house?

A: About 3,000 people

A: There are couple of families lived here, but not all of them are family, there are individual too. It is separated into three houses, so each house per one family or individuals.

A: Well, I have been living in one of the room here, and there are lots of people living together right now.

They are all friendly, we help each other if we can.

Q: I supposed you are Muslim? And are most of the people Muslim as well?

Q: If your houses are used as dormitory, where do you live?

Q: It seems like the house has been maintainance before, did you noticed some of it?

A: I lived here as well, me and my family live together with the renters but in a diffrent part of the house.

A: It stayed the same since I moved here but, I was told that the stairs has been re-created, it was made from wood before. I think it was different houses before, but I don’t really know the deep information about the history.

Q: What about safety?

A: This community is pretty safe, there are no theives here, it is quite surprising for me too. We look at each others back, make sure everyone is safe. The community is quite close and friendly as you can see.

Q: Since it seems like all the houses are connected so, do they really connected together or seperated?

A: Yes, all of the houses are linked with each other and people can walk from one to another. Even though the houses are separated, but we are still very close neighbors.

KRU KANDA GENDER: FEMALE AGE: ABOUT 50 YEARS OLD OCCUPATION HEAD OF BAAN KRUA COMMUNITY LOCATION: DARUFALA MOSQUE

Q: Do you know any of the neighbors? How close are you guys in this community?

A: I know all of them, but for few, I feel much closer than others, I don’t know some of them, but I can say that they are very freindly to everyone.

Q: Do you know where did the renters come from? And what is the reason?

A: I don’t know exactly, everyone of them, they just came here and rent the rooms, I think the main reason is because it is near their workplaces, as for me too.

A: Yes, I’m Muslim as well as most of the people in this community. However, there are Buddhist too Q: What do people do for their living?

A: A lot of people are working people, so they work in the city, outside of the community. They left in the morning and come back in the evening. There are a lot of houses in here that turned into rental apartment. They divided their houses into rooms for their own living and for other people to come and stay within that house.

Q: We heard there are silk weaving in this area?

A: Yes, there are 2 silk weaving factories in this community. They used to work for Jim Thompson, but now they stop sending silk and for Jim Thompson and work independently.

Q: Is this government property?

A: Some areas belong to the government, but there are private properties as well.

OWNER

HOME

LESS TIME

WORKING PLACE $

RENTER

$ $

$

$ $ $

$

$ $ $

RENTER

$

$ $

$ $

$ $ $

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RENTER

$

$

$ $ $

$

$

Interviewer #1 Age: 60 Occupation: Volunteer Location: Soi 5

Interviewer #2 Age: 55 Occupation: Female Street Vendor Location: Infront of Soi 5

Interviewer #3 Wandee Age : about 45 Location : Back of zone F-H

Where do you live?

I live around here, at Soi 2, but I walk around everywhere. People here are like brother and sister, each house marries one another from different soi so they become cousin and know each other very well.

Where do you live?

I live in Soi 5, and my shop is here, selling meatball, a one-minute walk from my house! I live here since I was born.

How many family members live in this house?

More than 10 people. We are a big family, but they are out to work right now.

Where do you usually go for your daily product?

There’s a market on the other side near Petchaburi Road, and there’s a Tesco Lotus nearby here as well. But I usually go to the Petchaburi Road side.

How do you travel around?

I travel around by bus if it’s far. But I usually walk. There’re markets around this area. There’s a morning market too and I go there very often.

What kind of transportation do you use?

I walk. There’s no need to use car because it’s very near.

Are there a lot of changes going on from the past 30 years?

Yes. It’s very different. It used to have a lot of people living together as a community, but now a lot of people are moving out. And new faces are moving in, but they don’t interact much. So I don’t really know them. You see this walkway? It used to be timber. And the klong was playable. We can go fishing, children can go swim, and the water is even drinkable back then. Now everything changes. But the majority is still muslim.

As a community, where do you usually gather around?

Because the majority in this area are Muslim. We gather around at the mosque, but not this one, the one at Charoen Phon, the first mosque in this area. But if it’s just a small gathering then this mosque will be use.

Are there a lot of new faces in this area?

Yes. Many original owner of the house move out from this area and let other people rented their house, people like student, worker from the countryside. The price varies from 2000-3000 baht per room per month, but I don’t know much about it. I don’t know many of these people.

Are their any problems going on nowadays compare to the older day?

Many things changed. It’s not like the old day anymore. We fight against each other now just because of politic. Problem like drug came into the community, so we have to persuade and encourage the idea of anti-drug.

Are there a lot of people travels around here?

A lot of foreigners came by this area especially the weekend. But during this protesting situation, it is very quiet. We used to walk around the community at night, but now we go back home since the sun goes down. People are afraid to come out at night.

What about safety?

We look after each other; safety issue is not a big problem in this area. We’re happy as it is. There is theft too, but only a few.

How long have you been living here?

I lived here since I was born. My parents also lived here before. Our family has been had for about 70-80 years.

Do you have to pay for rental or you own the property?

We pay to the landlord. The rent is about 2,000 baht per month. In the old time, my parents only had to pay 8 baht for rental.

What do you do for the living?

I work in this house. I sew pillowcases and sell them at Siriraj. My sister also sew handbags. But my youngest sister works in an office around here. I’m happy to work at home because I can work anytime, I want and I like to be around this area.

How many rooms have you got in your house?

This house has got 3 rooms. Two of them belong to us, and another room is another family.

Are there any gathering spaces in your house?

We only have 2 small rooms, so we pretty much do everything in here. We sleep, eat, play, chat, work, everything is in this area. Even though is very narrow, we are happy living in here. In the evening, we gather together to watch TV and chitchat.

Do you go to the Mosque?

Yes. I go when there is community gathering. I’m a Buddhist, but I go there as well, because other people are Muslim. Everyone in here knows each other since they were young. We can share and eat each other’s food. We are like brother and sister.

What about safety?

It’s quite safe here, not so many theft in this area. Police came around to check twice a month.

Thing that we concern more is fire. So we bought this extinguisher. And as you can see the newer house are built from concrete which is harder to catch on fire.

for

RENT 2000-3000THB/ROOM/MONTH owner

Where do you shop? Where do you get food supply?

I go to Big C and Lotus (supermarkets down the road).

Is it very hot in summer?

Yes, it’s hot. But not very much. It’s a wooden house. It looks very narrow and tight, but it has good ventilation.

Is it scary at night? Do you have street light poles?

It’s not scary. We have lights at night. We can walk in the community safely because we know each other and there are no criminals. Sometimes we just sit outside chatting with neighbor until midnight or 1am.

Do you have other houses outside of this community?

Yes I do. But I don’t stay there. I have other people taking care of it. I always stay here because I feel more comfortable. I will stay here until anyone evict us.

TIMBER

CONCRETE

IN S IDE

O U T S IDE

BOUGHT

TIMBER

CONCRETE

FIRE

EXTINGUISHER

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Soft Boundaries

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The family rents out the use of its washing machine to neighbours

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LIVING SPACE / LEISURE ALCOHOL IC BEVERAGES ALTER BEHAVIORS ENLARGE SOFT BOUNDARY

COOKING /KITCHEN

COOKING SMOKES ENLARGE SOFT BOUNDARY

WASHING / CLEANING

WET AREA ENLARGE SOFT BOUNDARY

STORAGE SPACE

HOUSE ENTRANCE

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Overlap and Transparency

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OPEN SPACE LIVING

Activities

Objects

Cooking

INVISIBLE PLACE

VISIBLE PLACE

PRIVATE

PUBLIC

Space

Laundry space & working

etc.

AT NIGHT 19:00 p.m

EVENING 17:00 - 18:00 p.m

Levels of privacy Public road

MORNING 7:00 a.m open

Laundry/etc Working/Kitchen/etc Upper levels connecting each rooms Bathrooms

Night time living space

Grandmom (day time) Bedrooms

Day time living space

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Circulation and Connectivity

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INTENSIVE AND EXTENSIVE MAPPING BAN KRUA CONNECTIONS

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Overall Site Circulation System Accessable Pathway Blocked Pathway

D C

B

SCALE 1 : 500

User Circulation System Accessable Pathway Blocked Pathway House Entrance

Houses with Isolated Circulation Houses with Connected Rooms Circulation Houses with Adapted Circulation

The highlighted space are the connection bridges, stairs, pathway or platform, joining the spaces of the house together. This alters the circulation of the people in the community. The house adapted these connection bridge which create the most useful of the space.

Connection Typology

A

SCALE 1 : 500

B

C SCALE 1 : 100

Adapted Circulation

Connection Between Houses There are only three houses within the site area that has develop connection between houses, surprisingly all of them located at Soi E.

The house develops a new circulation system by the help of the connection part

D

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2nd Floor Plan

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Construction Timeline 1st Floor Plan

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PHASE 1 The house was build first by the owner of the land, she lived here since she was born approzimately 40 years ago.

PHASE 2 This house was build later on, using newer materials such as reinfirced concrete. The time it finished is slightly after the first two.

Soi E Houses

ISOLATED HOUSES

SERIES OF ROOM

PHASE 3

SERIES OF HOUSES

The connection pathway was later on attached between the two houses. Joining the neighbors and families.

PHASE 4 Much later on, concrete platform was build to join all three into one house.

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isolated circulation

isolated circulation

isolated circulation

adapted circulation

The owner use the three houses and changed it into one rent house, this offer other families to stay here, this create more unity community within the place.

H O US E N U M B E R O N E

H OUS E WI T H T H R EE D OG S

MA I N E NTR A N C E SC ALE 1: 500

H O US E N U M B E R T W O

H OUS E WI T H WE H AVE I N T ER VI E WED

MAI N E NTR AN C E SC ALE 1: 500

H O US E N U M B E R T H R E E

H OUS E WI T H F EN C E COVER ED

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SC ALE 1: 500 MAIN EN T R A N C E

BAAN KRUA STUDY BUILDING TYPOLOGY

SELECTED STUDY AREA ZONE F-H

WUNDEE’S HOUSE

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1

ONE ROOM

3

4

TWO TO THREE ROOMS

1. PUBLIC STREET IN FRONT OF THE HOUSE

ROWS OF ROOMS (RENTAL/APARTMENT)

2. PUBLIC STREET INSIDE THE SOI

3. PUBLIC STREET BEHIND THE HOUSE COMPLEX STRUCTURE

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Transformation, Extension and Dispsersal of Minimal Domestic Space

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TRANSFORMATION OF SPACE A.COMPACT SPACE

BEDROOM / DINING ROOM One compact area in the house, can be transformed into a room for various activities.Having foldable beds, and pushes furnitures to the side of the room, leaving central space for circulation and activities such as watching TV or dining.

B. EXTENDED SPACE

KITCHEN / LAUNDRY Compact houses in Baan Krua community usually have kitchens outside of the house. Usually they turn small area of public street into their own properties. Kitchenware and laundry can commonly be found left outside.

C. NEIGHBOUR SPACE

LIVING ROOM / SOCIAL SPACE A lot of houses have tight connection between each other. As they feel like neighbours are family, people can access each other’s houses or hang around in each other’s spaces. One person can use another person’s space as their living room.

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Adaptation and Transformation of House Typologies

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T CLADDING

fibercement and to cover underneath

TRADITIONAL THAI ROOF High ceiling allows good ventilation Long overhang provide shade and protect the porch area from sun and rain

PARTITION WALLS These partition walls have been added on to the house after it was available for rent, dividing the space into rooms

CORRUGATED METAL SHEET FENCE The fence is added on to the house to define its boundary and to provide safety and privacy since the house has transformed and became available for rent

RESTROOMS & EXTERNAL WALL An external wall is added which creates enclosure for restrooms on the ground floor

ELEVATED STILT PLATFORM Originally the house was raised on stilts to create space on the ground floor which copes with flooding and allows storage and living space during the day

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HOUSES TRANSFORMATION STUDY

MODERN ROOF Modern houses no longer sport traditional thai roof, instead they possess roof similar to normal houses in the city

COMPLETELY NEW HOUSE

CONCRETE Concrete is used as the main building material instead of timber and wood

GLASS WINDOWS & LOUVERS Glass louvers and windows replaces solid timber windows

FENCE New houses has concrete or metal fence surrounding them as opposed to old houses that has timber fence or none

TRADITIONAL THAI ROOF

HYBRID HOUSE WITH ADD-ONS AND MODIFICATION TO OLD HOUSE

High ceiling allows good ventilation Long overhang provide shade and protect the porch area from sun and rain

PARTITION WALLS These partition walls have been added on to the house after it was available for rent, dividing the space into rooms

CORRUGATED METAL SHEET FENCE The fence is added on to the house to define its boundary and to provide safety and privacy since the house has transformed and became available for rent FIBERCEMENT CLADDING The facade is cladded with fibercement board for decoration purposes and to cover up the old skin underneath

RESTROOMS & EXTERNAL WALL An external wall is added which creates enclosure for restrooms on the ground floor

ELEVATED STILT PLATFORM Originally the house was raised on stilts to create space on the ground floor which copes with flooding and allows storage and living space during the day

ORIGINAL THAI HOUSE WITH NO MODIFICATION OR CHANGES

ELEVATED STILT PLATFORM

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Originally the house was raised on stilts to create space on the ground floor which copes with flooding and allows storage and living space during the day

HOUSE TYPOLOGIES AND CRITERIAS USED COMPLETELY NEW HOUSE:

FENCE SURROUND THE HOUSE

≥ 2 STOREYS

CONCRETE

GLASS

CORRUGATED METAL SHEET

HYBRID HOUSE WITH ADD-ONS AND MODIFICATION TO OLD HOUSE:

ADD-ON

CONCRETE

WOOD

CORRUGATED METAL SHEET

STEEL

FIBERCEMENT

HOUSE WITH NO MAJOR MODIFICATION OR CHANGES:

ELEVATED PLATFORM

CORRUGATED METAL SHEET

WOOD

HIGH CEILING ROOF

THAI STYLE ROOF

ISOMETRIC SECTION

SEQUENTIAL TRANSFORMATION

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