Thai Architect Nithi Sthapitanonda
wins prestigious
international architecture award
By Jon Fernquest
Bangkokpost
June 03, 2008
joined the ranks ofthe world's finest architects recently
when he was elected an Honorary Fellow of
the American
Institute of Architects (AIA).
Worldwide only 13 Honorary Fellows
were named for 2008.
Mr Nithi is the second Thai architect
to receive the award
after
Sumeth Jumsai Na Ayudhaya
received the award in 2001.
The title Fellow of the American Institute of Architects
(FAIA) indicates that the architect is among thefinest architects in the US and the world.
Non-architects
who have madegreat contributions
to the field
of architecture are alsorecipients of this award.
The award not only recognises the works of the architect,
the actual structures designed by him or her,but as
Mr. Nitthi explains:"It considers whatwe've
contributed to the architectural society
including architectural designs,teachings
and writings.It also considers how you spend your life."
"Thais in the past did not share their work
when they created things, probably
because they did not want their work to be copied.
Many destroyed their designswhen they completed the work.
Don't forget, we also copy others' work.
Copying is part of the development of the professional,
I think, and builds competition.
You should change your mind."
The work that finally clinched him the award
was hismore small-scale work such as the houses
he has designed as well as his writings on
architecture.Two designs stood out from the
rest, the Rimtai Saitarn housing
resort in Chiang Maiand Wat Pa
Sunantawanaramin
Kanchanaburi.
His work on northern
Thai Lanna architecture
was judged interesting and
new by the peerswho selected him.
Mr. Nithi is also known for the way he incorporates nature
and the environment into his work.
Mr. Nithi is the chairman of the
architectural firm 49 Group.
In 2002 he was awarded Thailand's highest
award for peopleworking in the arts, the prestigious title of National Artist.
Mr. Nithi has designed every type of structure from
high-riseoffice buildings to small cottages.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs building is one of
his most famous buidlings.Currently,
he is designing a new 5 billion baht 35-rai
Thailand Cultural Centre with a art museum
of modern artand theatre.
He also plans to publish two books this year:
House Design byThai Architects,
with details of 11 designs from 11 architects
and a book on resorts and spas.
Mr. Nithi's wife,
Assoc. Prof. Lersom, is also
an architectand
Dean of the Faculty of Architecture
at Chulalongkorn University.
In order to be considered for the FAIA title,
an architect must submit a portfolio of works.
Mr Nithi made three attempts.
In his first attempt in 2004,
he submitted his portfolio of high-rise office buildings.
In his second attempt, he was supported by an American
professor W.H. Raymond Yeh,
a former dean of Architectureat the University of Hawaii,
and applied together with his wife,
as some architect couples from Japan
and Korea had done in the past.
Nithi Sthapitanonda hopes that other Thai architects
will follow in his footsteps and and strive to
become AIA fellows also.
Even though an architect only becomes a Fellow later
in his or her carreer,the criteria used
for selection are good to keep
in mind when oneis starting a career,
or any design field, for that matter.
They run as follows:Architects are selected as
Fellows for outstanding contributions in design excellence,
education, or by their contributions to the profession
according to the following categories of nomination:
• To promote the aesthetic, scientific, and practical efficiency
of the profession;
• To advance the science and art of planning andbuilding
by advancing the standards of architecture education,training,
and practice;
• To coordinate the building industry and the profession
of architecture;
• To ensure the advancement of the living standards
of people through their improved environment;
• To make the profession of ever-increasing
service to society.(Source: Wikipedia)
Vocabulary:
American Institute of Architects (AIA) - the professional organization
for architects in the United States, established in 1857
and located in Washington, D.C.
Fellow of the American Institute of Architects (FAIA) -
these four letters are attached after the name of the
recipient of the award, the award indicates that the
architect is among the finest architects in the US and the world,
non-architects who have made great contributions to the field
of architecture are also recipients of this award
a veteran - someone who has been involved in an activity
for a long time ผู้มีประสบการณ์
joined the ranks of - become a member of a group of people ขึ้นทำเนียบ
a field - a subject of study or activity (for example, the field of medicine)
สาขา
architecture - the activity of designing and constructing buildings,
houses, and other structures สถาปัตยกรรม
recipients - people who receive something (for example, a reward,
recipients of the award) ผู้ได้รับรางวัล
recognises the works of the architect - show appreciation of the works
งานที่ได้รับรางวัล หรืองานที่ได้รับการกล่าวถึง
a structure - a building or house, something that is built โครงสร้าง (อาคาร)
a profession - a type of job requiring advanced training and education อาชีพ
a professional - a person who is a member of a profession มืออาชีพ
clinched - win or get something good (for example, the football team
clinched a spot in the playoffs) ทำให้ได้รับรางวัล
stood out from the rest - his achievements made him very different from
the rest เด่นกว่าผู้อื่น
peers - people with the same age, job, or status as you
เพื่อนร่ีวมสาขาอาชีพ
incorporates - includes รวม
National Artist - the highest title given to artists in Thailand ศิลปินแห่งชาติ
high-rise office buildings - very tall office buildings
(usually downtown in a city) ตึกระฟ้า
cottages - small houses กระท่อม
dean of the Faculty - in charge of studies in a subject at a university คณบดี
submit a portfolio of works - provide documents that
describe your work (pictures, photos, plans,
written descriptions, models) ยื่นเอกสาร / รายละเอียดงานที่ทำ
follow in his footsteps - follow his example in your own career ตามรอย
strive - try hard to achieve พยายามอย่างหนัก
a criterion - something evaluated (a factor) to make a decision
or judgement บรรทัดฐาน
criteria used for selection - all the different factors
used in selecting มาตรฐานในการคัดสรร
keep in mind - remember (as an important fact
when dealing with something) ระลึก จำได้
a design field - design has many fields such as product design,
fashion design, interior design, etc. การออกแบบผลิตภัณฑ์ต่างๆ
Posted by Jon Fernquest at 06:00 AM
Bangkok Airways Cargo
Facility at the New Bangkok
International Airport
Location: Bangkok
Country: Thailand
Client: Bangkok Airways
Architect: Architects 49 Limited
Meinhardt were commissioned to
provide structural engineering design
of the Worldwide Flight Service/Bangkok Airways Cargo Terminal
at the new Bangkok International Airport.
The total construction area of the Cargo Terminal is 56,000 m2,
including 17,000m2 as express cargo.
The cargo terminal has an initial design capacity
to handle approximately 350,000 tons of air cargo per year,
with future expansion plans
over an additional 27,000 square meters.
This will give WFS an overall cargo handling capacity
of approximately 600,000 tons per annum.
