Ratchadamnoen Klang Avenue Buildings : Architecture and Design

Abstract

This research article examines the historical development of Ratchadamnoen Avenue buildings, based upon primary data collected from the National Archives and the National Library, as well as the field survey of actual buildings.  The collected data were analyzed, in order to establish a full understanding of the development as well as the essential architectural features of these historic buildings. The analysis reveals that the project began during the reign of King Rama VIII, when the Peoples’ Party government encouraged the Crown Property Bureau to invest in the construction of commercial buildings on two sides of the avenue, portraying it as the fulfilment of King Rama V’s initiatives.  Twenty-one buildings were successively constructed in three phases : 1939 – 1942; 1942 – 1945; and 1945 – 1951. These buildings were designed by pioneers of modern Thai architecture : Chitrasen Abhaiwongse, Phra Sarot Rattananimman, and ML Pum Malakul.  They were modern-style buildings, combining symmetrical floor plans of Classical architecture with the formal treatment and decorative elements of Art Deco. Some principles of Modern Architecture were also found, together with applied Thai style.