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Architectural Feature
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According to my trusty Encyclopaedia Britannica, architecture is defined as "the art and technique of designing and building". In this simple definition, I was surprised to see mention of the art of architecture, an aspect of this science that is, in my opinion, too often neglected. |
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The architecture of Thailand exudes artistic grace; religious monuments exhibit the bell-shaped chedi, elaborate eaves brackets and exquisite mosaics. However, perhaps the most striking and beautiful aspect of Thai architecture is the roof. Elegantly shaped with curiously attractive adornments, the image of the increasingly popular Ayuthaya style roof has become a symbol of Thailand, demonstrating to the world that Thai architecture is indeed a form of art.
While there are many forms of the Thai roof, two stand out as the most recognizable; the Lanna style of Northern Thailand and the Ayuthaya style of the Central Plains. Whether these styles have evolved from a common origin or have been independently developed remains a matter of learned debate. Some scholars believing in the evolutionary theory have traced the Lanna Thai roof back to the Southern provinces of China, where the Thai people are believed to have originated. Cold, snowy climatic conditions dictated the construction of a steep overhanging roof. Migrants to Thailand may not have seen any snow, but the elongated roof beams were ideally suited to shading the house from intense sun and monsoon rain. Over hundreds of years, the ethnic Thai population grew and the need for more housing saw significant deforestation of the area. The resulting rise in temperature is thought to have prompted a number of adaptations to the architecture of these ancient structures. Stoves for cooking were moved outside, more and larger windows were included and the elevation of the house was raised to improve heat transfer through the floorboards. In fact, one of the only characteristics that was not modified was the roof. A Lanna Thai roof has 'galae' (pronounced gaar-lair); ornate finials created by extending the roof supports beyond the ridge piece on both sides to form a V-shape. The origins of these embellishments are also largely unknown. Some experts point to the possibility that the galae were used to discourage crows and other birds from perching on the roof. Others hypothesize that galae symbolize buffalo horns, referring to an ancient custom of positioning buffalo horns on the roof to signify the wealth of the family. Today galae are manufactured in a plethora of designs and when they are not dressing the ridge pieces of Lanna roofs, they are often displayed on the wall as works of art. Below the galae are bargeboards that rise to a low peak in the middle of the roof and curve gracefully upward at either end. To each end of the bargeboards, decorative features known as ngao are attached. The emergence of these icons of Thai architecture is thought to have originated from Khmer temple art during the Sukhothai period. Ngao are crafted into many forms, both simple and complex ranging from flowers to important mythological characters such as the serpents Naga and Suphanahong.
A Lanna Thai roof may be thatched with grass or teak leaves, or tiled with wood or ceramics and is placed upon outward leaning walls, adding a suggestion of height; yet another characteristic that distinguishes Lanna style roofs from other models around the country. Most readily regarded as a classic Thai-style house is the kind found throughout Central Thailand. Due to annual monsoonal deluges, central Thai houses are highly elevated to avoid flood damage and illustrate another adaptation of local architecture to suit climatic conditions. The walls of a central Thai house lean inward, increasing the slope of the roof to improve drainage, a much needed feature in this area where heavy downpours are common. The steep overhang of the central roof is ideally suited to the sunny conditions as well, providing shade and shelter for the inner rooms while allowing fresh currents of air to enter the space through the plentiful shuttered windows. Bargeboards rise to a sharp peak and slope curvaceously down to ngao on either end. This sharp peak and the absence of galae typify a central Thai roof. Central roofs are tiled or thatched like the Lanna style. The Burmese culture significantly influenced Thai art and architecture. Often mistaken for being fundamentally Thai, are the multi-layered roofs of Burmese architecture. Perfectly suited to humid climates the tiered roof has vents between layers. As hot air rises and escapes this causes a natural circulation, which helps to maintain cooler temperatures inside the house. While the Burmese style roof also features ngao, Thai designs often appear less complex than Burmese ones. Whether elaborate or simple in decoration, the multi-layered roof found atop Lanna and Central Thai houses, is a highly functional and aesthetic design feature. Revealing Thai style in resplendent form are the Buddhist temples that are dotted around the country. One of Thailand's most literary visitors, Somerset Maugham, described the temples as "gorgeous; they glitter with gold and whitewash, yet are not garish; against that vivid sky in that dazzling sunlight they hold their own. "Religious buildings in Thailand are richly decorated with fine materials, the funds for which are generally raised through festivals and donations from merit-making devotees. While the entire complex may be spectacular, and usually is, special attention is paid to the roof. The gables are often canvases for Thai artistic expression and may depict scenes of everyday town life, the life of a major benefactor or important deities. These gables and the bargeboards are commonly patterned with colourful mosaic tiles and gold leafed stucco forming a striking view under the light of day or night. Slender, refined finials called 'chofa' are always present on temple roofs; their golden spindly forms are easily noticed from afar, silently signalling the existence of a town. Temple roofs are always tiled in orange bordered by green although on Royal temples, the central roof colour is deep blue framed in orange. Author of Thai Style, William Warren describes it well. "The sinuous elegance of curves, contrasting with the formality of rigid geometric patterns; an occasional sense of grave restraint relieved by moments of exhilarating artistic abandon; now and then a sudden touch of pure whimsy, sometimes expressed through bold colours, sometimes through odd forms, so unexpected and lighthearted it brings an involuntary smile of delight. "This is the art of Thai architecture. |
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Tropical Living: February 2003, Volume 2 Issue 9 |
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