Crowdfunders serve as architect’s artistic influence

Yanyong Boon-Long thinks outside the box to ease our daily struggle

Architect Yanyong Boon-Long is a unique voice in the Thai design community through his creative use of space and innovation aiming at improving or even solving social problems. He has been involved in a project that installs solar roofs for a low-income canal community. His research funded by Rockefeller Foundation also inspired the authorities to connect Bangkok’s canals with Metro Rapid Transit (MRT) transit stations.

In 2014, Yanyong worked with a publisher in a crowdfunding project on the book Bangkok: Handmade Transit. Funded by potential readers, the book addresses innovation of informal mass transit in Bangkok such as motorcycle taxis and canal boats. It is an optimistic book that looks at Bangkok’s traffic and transport as innovation from trial and error. Here Yanyong chats about his trails and pleasure in his reading lists.

Which book is on your bedside now?

Surely You’re Joking Mr. Feynman by Richard P. Feynman. This is essentially a story about how trivial curiosities like imitating Italian-style speech to observing rotating dinner plates leads to great discoveries. It’s a perfect book for all non-conformists who like thinking outside the box.

Which book inspires your work?

Maximum City: Bombay Lost And Found by Suketu Mehta. An inspiring book for architects who are curious to work with all types of people. As an architect, you can learn a lot from prostitutes, mafioso, slum lords, and many other interesting characters if you take up the non-judgemental attitude of Mehta.

Your all-time favourite?

Nexus: Small Worlds And The Groundbreaking Theory Of Networks by Mark Buchanan. This book opens up new ways of communicating with people, especially with people you don’t know too well. You learn that sometimes it’s better to talk to distant friends rather than close friends.

Which books made you laugh and cry?

Songkram Chiwit by Kulap Saipradit, from 1928. The book tells the story of a radical young man in a romantic relationship with an equally idealistic young woman. The story moves through a series of exchanged letters between the couple. As time progresses, the reality of money and survival take centre stage. Anyone who wants to revisit their youthful idealism should read this book.

Do you own e-book reading gadgets?

Yes, I own an iPad and an Amazon Kindle. I like how it’s more accessible in terms of finding books that are not available in Bangkok. In comparison to a physical book, however, it still lacks the element of surprise; you cannot accidentally flip the book to a passage that could suddenly give you new ideas.

Do you like the crowdfunding model for publishing

Bangkok: Handmade Transit? I like how the crowdfunders are also giving you new ideas for the book. You are not just crowdfunding to finance the book, but you are actually brainstorming ideas with the crowd.