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Feb 2, 2012

Nithi Sthapitanonda : A49 Group

Thai Architect Nithi Sthapitanonda wins prestigious international architecture award

By Jon Fernquest
Bangkokpost
June 03, 2008


The 60-year-old veteran architect Nithi Sthapitanonda
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.