steel and rubberwood pavilion creates open-air learning space in rural thailand school

the rural development volunteer camp constructed the multipurpose pavilion to gather students and village community members.

ARCH ASA CHULA edited by ravail khan July 12, 2024 4 min

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tara thiwakorn pavilion bridges education and recreation

Along the Mekong River in Thailand, the Tara Thiwakorn Pavilion lies as an outdoor learning space and an activity venue. A collaborative community project, it was planned and constructed by villagers and the Rural Development Volunteer Camp from Chulalongkorn University in Huai Pichai as a multipurpose extension of Ban Pak Niam School.

Designed to be simple to construct within a tight 19-day timeframe, the main structural framework utilizes steel, while the roof and seating frames are shaped from rubberwood — a material readily available in nearby communities. Within, two-tiered seating lines the edge and faces toward the school, creating an amphitheater-like space where students and community members can gather to relax or participate in programmed events.

steel and rubberwood pavilion creates open-air learning space in rural thailand school - 1 — all images courtesy of the Rural Development Volunteer Camp

developed by thailand’s Rural Development Volunteer Camp

Surrounded by agricultural landforms, the school sits significantly isolated from developed areas, with a lack of recreational facilities to host events and activities. The pavilion was initiated to bridge educational and community participation, while providing architecture students from Chulalongkorn University in Thailand with hands-on construction experience in remote regions.

Due to a limited budget and transportation challenges, the Rural Development Volunteer Camp designed the Tara Thiwakorn Pavilion with usability as the primary focus. The structure is elevated from the ground to prevent termite infestation, with assembly that uses bolt-nut connections to fasten the steel with the wood, allowing for easy replacement of components if they deteriorate in the future. The team’s choice of materials — industrial, natural, and locally-found — reflects vernacular construction practices, incorporating wood for construction and widely used lightweight metal sheets which allow the pavilion’s eaves to extend far out for greater coverage during outdoor events.

steel and rubberwood pavilion creates open-air learning space in rural thailand school - 2 — the Tara Thiwakorn pavilion lies as an outdoor learning space and an activity venue

the tara thiwakorn pavilion 1 — planned and constructed by villagers and the Rural Development Volunteer Camp from Chulalongkorn University

the tara thiwakorn pavilion 2 — a multipurpose extension of Ban Pak Niam School

the tara thiwakorn pavilion 3 — two-tiered seating faces toward the school, creating an amphitheater-like space

tara-thiwakorn-pavilion-archasachula-designboom-5 — a collaborative community project

the tara thiwakorn pavilion 9 — designed to be simple to construct within a tight 19-day timeframe

the tara thiwakorn pavilion 11 — the main structural framework utilizes steel, while the roof and seating frames are shaped from rubberwood

the tara thiwakorn pavilion 10 — surrounded by agricultural landforms, the school sits significantly isolated from developed areas

the tara thiwakorn pavilion 4 — the pavilion’s eaves to extend far out for greater coverage during outdoor events

the tara thiwakorn pavilion 5 — the team’s choice of materials — industrial, natural, and locally-found — reflects vernacular construction practices

the tara thiwakorn pavilion 6 — the project was initiated to bridge educational and community participation

the tara thiwakorn pavilion 12 — the structure is elevated from the ground to prevent termite infestation

project info:

name: Tara Thiwakorn Pavilion

location: Huai Pichai, Pak Chom District, Loei Province, Thailand

architect: Rural Development Volunteer Camp, Chulalongkorn University

design team: Praan Prasertsup, Sirisak Charoensukkaseth, Pibhu Devakul Na Ayudhya, Parnnate Siripongpreeda, Sudtiroj Sureerattanan, Wongsaphat Soontawatrodom, Poopoo Sookruan, Theerapong Tanajindalerd, Taechin Ratanapotisan, Yanida Angguravaranont, Nattapol Nitikanjanatan, Maieak Potip

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