Mid-Century House in Thailand

Abstract

         In the middle of the 20^th century, there was the popular house style in America or Mid-Century house that were later found in many parts of the world including Thailand, in which it could be found in many areas over time. Although there is no clear definition or description of this house style, the overall appearance isa building with a low-slope roof, a large piece of land, and a long eaves overhang. Another key characteristic is the arrangement of the vertical and horizontal fin panels on the exterior of the building. The use of large glass panels can be found in many buildings to reveal the interior space, which at that time was considered different from ordinary Thai houses with stilts and steep gable roofs. The interior living space is somewhat enclosed.

         This article focuses on studying the Mid-Century house style of where it originated from and how it began by trying to describe the distinctive features and architectural styles, including analyzing whether they are consistent with the Thai context or not. The study was conducted through a review of relevant literature in various forms and compared case studies in Thailand with other countries, which found that the style of the house was probably developed from colonial bungalows in India. It was later developed into a vacation home, which became popular until it was developed in line with modern houses in the 20^th century that required the convenience to support a variety of activities in a modern way, consistent with the context of each area. Including Mid-Century houses in Thailand, they reflect the social values, culture, technology, and context that were moving towards modernity in the 1950s. Although this house style later declined in popularity and then they began to gain attention to be adapted with many variations to the current trajectory. To study for better understanding is a part of fulfilling the knowledge of architecture in Thailand. This may lead to conservation planning or in-depth study in the future.