“A Kind of Humbleness That Belongs to Us All”: An Interview with Professor Vira Inpuntung

Abstract

This interview presents the biography, ideas, and intellectual trajectory of Vira Inpuntung, an architect and academic whose work has played a vital role in shaping a strand of contemporary Thai architecture rooted in vernacular traditions. His architectural projects, typically small in scale, are distinguished by their careful attention to detail and a design process that begins with hand sketches, physical modelling, and a search for inspiration grounded in the values of vernacular architecture. The conversation reflects Professor Vira’s belief that good architecture need not be monumental or complex, but should instead respond sensitively to nature, the environment, and the lived realities of people.

The interview also covers a diverse range of his works—from the Sanguan Pho Phra House in Phetchaburi, which received a Gold Medal from the Association of Siamese Architects, to his theoretical concept of rayang, which explores the possibility of developing a new architectural language inspired by natural forms. It also discusses his research into vernacular architecture, which informed his later thinking on “contemporary vernacularity,” as well as his development of the traditional Thein Ot Phein joint system into a refined architectural expression in small-scale constructions.

This interview thus serves as a testament to the view that simplicity, humility, and a deep respect for nature in architectural practice constitute a meaningful stance—one that has significantly contributed to the shaping of Thai architectural history.