Modern Art and Architecture: The Architecture of Cultural Institutions in Bangkok, 1961-1974

Abstract

Modern architecture in Thailand is significantly influenced by foreign paradigms but is also shaped by unique indigenous factors, including economic conditions, sociocultural dynamics, and the country's specific political and administrative context. Thailand's historical status as a nation never formally colonized by Western powers, despite intervention by liberal powers during this period, plays a crucial role in this context. Previous scholarship has primarily examined modern architecture through a broad lens, focusing on external determinants such as the backgrounds of individual architects, political governance, and architectural styles influenced by the Western world. To address gaps in the literature, this study employs a comparative method to analyze case studies of cultural institutions. It investigates the factors that contributed to the emergence of modern architecture in Thailand through the lens of postcolonial theory. Specifically, it examines the relationship between Thailand's modern art movement and the architecture of cultural institutions in Bangkok between 1961 and 1974. These developments occurred within the context of environmental factors, including the architects, site conditions, the tropical climate, and patronage. The analysis, based on both primary and secondary sources on modern art and architecture in Thailand, compares government and private institutions that were not originally intended for exhibitions with private structures explicitly designed for cultural purposes. Three case studies are highlighted: the Bangkok Art Center Project (1965), the British Council Building (1970), and the Bhirasri Institute of Modern Art (1974). The findings indicate that the architectural evolution of these institutions mirrored shifts in the art movement. As the artistic mainstream transitioned from works that expressed “Thai” identity through Western techniques to a path that sought independence from traditional Thai essence, the built environment adapted in response. This shift led to innovative designs catering to cultural needs, characterized by (1) functional comprehensiveness, (2) spatial flexibility, (3) well-conceived spatial access and circulation systems, (4) specialized detailing for cultural and artistic utility, and (5) architectural features that diverged from historical styles. This marked a clear distinction from earlier buildings that lacked specialized functions and prioritized historical aesthetics. Ultimately, this development demonstrates that art and architecture followed a similar trajectory, with both disciplines exploring creative possibilities beyond traditional notions of Thai identity. As a result, the modern art movement emerges as a vital domestic factor in the transformation of modern architecture in Thailand.