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Abstract

The research, “Development of Architecture during the Reign of King Prajadhipok,

1925 – 1934,” has threefold objectives : (1) to study architectural output during the reign in

terms of architectural style, material, structure, construction technology, as well as the
design criteria and concept; (2) to study the rise of architectural profession within its social,

economic, and political contexts; and (3) to analyze the inter-relationship between

architecture and its contexts, in order to achieve a fuller understanding of the
transformation during the reign of King Prajadhipok. Through architectural historical research

methodology, a range of historical materials were collected: archival documents,

photographs, maps, architectural drawings, as well as the remaining buildings. After a
thorough review of literature as well as the collected materials, the research result was

presented through descriptive analysis method, which further our understanding of Thai

architecture during this transitional period. Issues such as the formation of the architectural
profession, development in construction technology, as well as stylistic changes in various

building types – public, residential, and religious – altogether reflect changes in

contemporary social, economic, and political context, especially those of the modern urban
life, which was intrinsic to Siam’s modernization process.

The research results indicate that during the reign of King Prajadhipok, there was a

constant change in architecture in Siam. Many of the major buildings were stylistically
simpler than those of the previous reign due to two reasons: (1) the general inclination

towards Modern Architecture, Art Deco, and Stripped Classicism; and (2) the expression of

modernity through architecture, especially those pertaining to modern infrastructure and
industry, which was represented through structural and material truths. The Great

Depression had relatively less impact on architecture, as building projects were undertaken

by both the public and private sectors continuously throughout the reign.
The research also discovers that the reign of King Prajadhipok was the transitional

period when the role of foreign architects was gradually reduced, their positions replaced by

the first generation of Siamese architects, commoners as well as royals, who had received
education and training in the West. Capable of designing buildings that were modern

architecturally, structurally, as well as mechanically, the Siamese architects had collaborated

with their Swiss, British, and Italian counterparts, who were still very active in the building