Walk / House, Petchabun Temple, Thailand Building Development, Architecture, Architect Design Photos
Walk / House Temple in Phetchabun Province
16 Jun 2022
Design: EKAR Architects
Location: 400 Moo. 8, Tambol Na Chalieng, Aumphoe Nhongpai, Petchabun, Thailand
Photos: Ekaphap Duangkaew
Walk / House Temple, Thailand
Walking meditation is one of the significant practices that monks need to do every day. The purpose of the walking is to let the monk be aware of the present existence of things. Both self and contexts.
The architecture is designed to be blended with the mountainous landscape around the temple. To merge the monk’s daily practice in the architecture seamlessly with nature. As the practice continues on the path, they met not only themselves but also the existence of surroundings. This can expand the old-day limitation of walking meditation in the limited area to the new way of meditation.
WALK / HOUSE is a tranquil part, surrounded by trees and mountains, of a temple “Wat Thammayan” in Petchabun, Thailand, where is not only for an abbot to live in but also to maintain his daily ritual practice together with other monks – a walking meditation.
Instead of designing a traditional house, a key concept of walking meditation which is a concentration on the present dimensions of earth and sky to enhance awareness of mental and physical states, was reinterpreted in the architectural context.
The configuration of the house is wide and long, facing the East to receive a gentle morning light, regarding the big landscape of this faraway temple.
The continuous 59-meter length roof covers the whole space, with a slope that follows the mountain’s contour. The space below and above the roof is designed to accommodate and support the daily practices, including walking.
Some parts of the roof are indented allowing trees to grow, and sunlight and rain to pass through. Meanwhile, the form of the curved long roof helps diverting rainwater flow to the middle line of the roof, and to fall on the ground at the very end of the roof – imitating a natural water flow on the mountain.
Under the bended roof; the lowest ceiling space, there are different functional areas for the abbot; including sleeping area, working area and praying area. The interior space is compact which is the attempt to compromise the nature of Buddhism – humbleness, in the place.
The long continuous path, that also follows the natural contours, makes a gentle slope for a comfortable walk. Step, flat and curve are the elements featured in the path, together with different simple materials; such as paving blocks, mosaic tiles, earth and grass. Allowing monks to walk barefoot and to feel differences.
The objective of the WALK / HOUSE is to offer no boundary for monks to meditate by walking, with a hope to enhance their ritual practice – anywhere.
Walk / House Temple in Phetchabun Province, Thailand – Building Information
Architect: EKAR Architects – https://twitter.com/EKAR_Architects
project name: Walk / House
Owner : Dhammayan Temple
Location: 400 Moo. 8, Tambol Na Chalieng, Aumphoe Nhongpai, Petchabun, Thailand
completion: JULY, 2020
Gross Built Area : 230 sq.m.
Lead Architect : Ekaphap Duangkaew (EKAR Architects)
Landscape architect : Groundsplay (Athipat Ae-uam & Pacharee Sophonphaisit)
Project Director : Thaywin Wannabamroong
structural engineer: Pimol Nontalee
Construction Drawing : Saranyu Kamphukaew
Designer Assistant: Saranyu Kamphukaew
contractor: V-Sathapat
This project is charity project
photography: Ekaphap Duangkaew
Walk / House Temple, Petchabun Thailand information / images received 160622
Location: 400 Moo. 8, Tambol Na Chalieng, Aumphoe Nhongpai, Petchabun, Thailand, Southeast Asia
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Comments / photos for the Walk / House Temple, Petchabun Thailand designed by EKAR Architects page welcome