Transformation in Condominium Types and Appearances in Bangkok 1990-2019

Abstract

This article aims to analyze the socio-economic changes and the architectural transformation of condominium types and appearances in Bangkok between 1990 and 2019. The research methods included collecting secondary data from related documents, reports, and articles. In addition, primary data were collected on 228 condominium buildings in Bangkok, including the city center, the inner suburbs, and the suburban areas. The result showed that the transformation of condominium types and appearances from the 1990s to the 2010s had been diverse, with locations shifting from being concentrated in the city center to the suburbs. In terms of building heights, there has been a change from low-rise to high-rise buildings. In terms of the number of residential units, there has been a clear change from small projects of less than 200 units to large projects of more than 400 units. In terms of price per square meter, there had been an increase from middle price level to high price. For architectural changes, it was found that the condominium façade had changed in five main styles: modern, postmodern, contemporary, neoclassical, and futuristic. The direction in the last decade was mostly focused on futuristic and contemporary. In terms of façade covering materials, there has been a change from painted cement walls to mainly using aluminum composite and glass. And, the color scheme of buildings has changed from white and ivory painting to grey, black and blue materials. Thus, condominiums in Bangkok reflected the city's evolution into a modern metropolis, with a variety of housing options that supported different income levels and lifestyles, a mix of architectural styles, colors and textures of buildings of different heights coexisted in the neighborhood. It created a beauty from the differences and diversity in the cityscape atmosphere.