Documenting Glazed-Tile Architecture for Conservation: The Case of Five Chedis built on a Single Continuous Base, Wat Phra Chetuphon Wimon Mangkhalaram Rajwaramahawihan

Abstract

This research aims to propose a suitable technique for documenting historic buildings using the chedis at Wat Phra Chetuphon Wimon Mangkhalaram Rajwaramahawihan, which are built as a series of five structures on a single continuous base, as a case study. The research's primary data sets are gathered from nine temples and organized in five subjects: (1) materials used; (2) characteristics and types of decorative glazed tiles; (3) architectural works decorated with glazed tiles; (4) level of deterioration; (5) conservation techniques for glazed tiles. They are used for analysis and created Data Collection Set together with documentary research, field study, and building deterioration assessments.

Using this methodological approach for the case study of the Five Chedis leads to the following findings: (1) Photogrammetry helps to reduce inaccuracies in architectural drawings; (2) Data sets allow researchers to more easily evaluate the outstanding characteristics of case studies by comparing them with basic characteristics and, therefore, more accurately define the significance of heritage buildings; (3) Architectural drawings are a useful base for inserting data according to the given variables of the data set, including types of materials, level of deterioration of materials and overall structure, and identification of the age of materials and their authenticity. This methodological approach is useful for examining the shape of tiles, how to cut the tiles from the bowls, and the deterioration of materials. This Data Collection Set offers an example of how to collect and analyze wide-ranging data before choosing a conservation method and also an instance of how modern technology may be used to create digital drawings for better field data analysis.