From Kakshantrang to Wat Rajadhivas: The Study of Literature that Leads to the Finding of Architectural Works and Inspiration of H.R.H. Prince Narisaranuvattiwongse
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Abstract
Prince Narisaranuvattiwongse (1863–1947) was the son of King Mongkut, who held various significant positions in the governments of Siam from King Chulalongkorn to King Prajadhipok. His Royal Highness excelled in multiple fields of art, including painting, literature, architecture, and music, making him one of the most significant artists, designers, and architects in Thai history.
From above, his Royal Highness has worked in various fields. This research article aims to discover his architectural works by studying and analyzing his writings. The study’s results can lead to further analysis of his other architectural designs and fill gaps in knowledge about the architectural works of Prince Narisaranuvattiwongse.
The research began with a thorough review of his writings. To search for passages that indicate architectural works by His Royal Highness that did not appear in previous studies. In his writing “Journey to Phitsanulok,” a term arose that probably meant his work “Kakshantrang” with a unique feature of “Triple Niches” at Wat Si Sawai, Sukhothai. This term was further explained in his other writing “San Somdet,” which led to the conclusion that “Kakshantrang” probably meant “Rajkaranyasabha Throne Hall,” a building that has not yet been widely known as his work, and the element “Triple Niches” is also an architectural element that was newly invented by him, which appeared in use in the Rajkaranyasabha Throne Hall for the first time as well.
The first findings led to a rethink of his other architectural designs. The pediment of the Ordination Hall of Rajadhivas Temple is one of his masterpieces with the unique characteristic of a “Triple Niches”. It has a different suggestion about the source of inspiration in the previous study. This study rethinks and analyzes it through physical, style, mass form, and concept, leading to the second finding that the triple niches arch of Wat Si Sawai may be the source of inspiration for the pediment of the ordination hall of Rajadhivas Temple. Finally, the results of this study show that studying architecture through literature is one of the methods of education that can be done. And it can bring new knowledge through the subjective views of the researcher on individual issues. All of which will fill the knowledge gap and make Thai architectural history more complete.
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