Architectural Integration within the Buddhavasa Area during the Rattanakosin Period: From the Reign of King Rama V to the Present (1877–2024)

Abstract

This article examines the integration of buildings within the Buddhavasa (sacred precinct) of Buddhist temples during the Rattanakosin period, from the reign of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) to the present (1877–2024). The research employs historical document review and field surveys as its primary methodologies. The findings indicate that, prior to the reign of King Rama V, buildings within the Buddhavasa were designed as independent architectural entities with distinct functions, such as the ordination hall (ubosot), assembly hall (wihan), and stupa (chedi). However, the analysis identified twenty-five buildings constructed during the study period in which different architectural forms and functions were integrated into a single structure, departing from the conventional layout traditionally found within the Buddhavasa. The study found that between two and five building types were combined in various configurations. These integrated buildings can be categorized into four groups: 1) horizontal-axis integration, 2) vertical-axis integration, 3) combined horizontal-vertical axis integration, and 4) combined horizontal-vertical axis integration on an elevated platform. The connections were achieved through transitional spaces or circulation areas, such as circumambulatory terraces, as well as through architectural elements including subsidiary roof projections, direct building-to-building connections, or sequential arrangements reflecting hierarchical importance. Six case studies were selected based on their clear architectural transformations and well-documented historical backgrounds: the ordination halls of Wat Niwet Thammaprawat, Wat Atsadang Nimit, Wat Samphanthawongsaram, Wat Sothon Wararam Worawihan, Wat Thang Sai, and Wat Pa Thammakhiri.

The evolution of building integration within the Buddhavasa can be divided into two phases. The first phase occurred during the reign of King Rama V, when architectural forms began to diverge from traditional conventions under the influence of Western architecture, resulting in the integration of only two building types. During the reigns of King Rama VI to King Rama VIII, no significant examples of integrated buildings were identified, as temple development focused primarily on restoring and conserving existing religious structures. The second phase emerged during the reigns of King Rama IX and King Rama X, when the functional and spatial organization of the Buddhavasa underwent substantial transformation. Buildings increasingly incorporated more than two architectural types, while multipurpose spaces became widely integrated into the sacred precinct. These developments resulted from external factors, including social and economic influences, alongside the adoption of foreign artistic and technological knowledge. Internal factors also played a role, such as site constraints, visual considerations, and the intentions of patrons and designers. Building integration within the Buddhavasa can therefore be understood as an adaptive response to the changing needs and contexts of modern society. It reflects an architectural approach that seeks to reconcile traditional Thai architectural aesthetics with contemporary functional requirements, resulting in greater flexibility in the use of sacred spaces and a broader range of spatial experiences and perceptions.