Australian architect Carl Murcutt’s work is granted a Bangkok showcase with an exhibition at KMUTT.
New exhibition explores down-to-earth architect’s works
The most memorable types of architecture tend to be those that stand out from their setting, appearing distinguished from their environment. But Glenn Murcutt, an Australian architect, has a different outlook. He wants his structures and buildings to adapt to their natural surroundings. One of the world’s most prominent architects, Murcutt works on residential and institutional projects across Australia. He is a sole practitioner who pays strong attention to elements of the landscape and environment of his sites like the wind direction, water movement, temperature and light before designing the building itself. His works tend to be small scale.
He does not produce works outside Australia. If you want to see them, you have to fly there.
But to bring Murcutt’s works nearer to Thai viewers, an exhibition, “Glenn Murcutt: Architecture For Place”, will be open at Knowledge Exchange for Innovation Centre (KX) of King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT) from Wednesday to April 8.
Sponsored by the Association of Siamese Architects (ASA), the Australian Embassy in Thailand and KMUTT, the exhibition will offer in-depth look of selected works by Murcutt, alongside copies of his sketches and made-in-Thailand, scaled-down models of his works.
It will further include photographs by Anthony Browell capturing the harmony between man-made structures and nature in Murcutt’s designs.
The exhibition was first shown at the TOTO Gallery Ma in Tokyo in August 2008. Convened by Architecture Foundation Australia, the exhibition went on to tour Australia, as well as Taiwan, Belgium, Austria and Finland.
Now is Bangkok’s turn to get a glimpse at Murcutt’s worldclass works.
“Murcutt has produced works that are accessible to people and society,” said Ajapol Dusitnanond, president of ASA. “He makes architecture reachable. He proves that a world-leading architect does not need to work on huge projects.”
Murcutt, who received the prestigious Pritzker Architecture Prize in 2002, is different from most other renowned architects. His works are not extravagant, but simple looking. His approach to design is to create comfortable spaces and buildings that serve owners’ needs, while uniting them with the surrounding landscape and environment.
Murcutt has a motto — “Touch the earth lightly” — that is apparent in his work, built with the intent to disturb nature as little as possible. His work focuses on energy efficiency and uses low-impact materials. He is also attentive to the culture and history of his clients.
One of his works to be exhibited, Marika-Alderton House (1994), is the culmination of three years of intense research on his clients’ aboriginal culture and history. Located at the Yirrkala Community in Eastern Arnhem Land in Australia’s Northern Territory, the Marika-Alderson House proves Murcutt’s ability to adapt to landscape, climate and his clients’ lifestyles.
His process also included spending time with clients’ families to understand their aborigine habits and needs.
Murcutt designed the one-storey house, elevated on stilts, to have openings on every side. The house has distinctive shutters that slope downwards to offers additional shade, and allow more air flow and light when opened. It also has cooler, more comfortable spaces for residents to do their daily tasks like cooking, laundry, working, exercise and sleep. The house neatly suits the needs of its residents.
Another work to be featured is the award-winning Arthur and Yvonne Boyd Education Centre (1999) that shows Murcutt’s ability to design multi-purpose spaces, while
complementing the surrounding natural landscape.
Originally a farmland in Shoalhaven River valley, the centre was the property of Australian artist Arthur Boyd and his partner Yvonne who donated the land to their foundation. The building comprises a forecourt and open-plan hall area, a commercial kitchen and accommodation for 32 people, equipped with views of the scenic Shoalhaven River.
The building includes space for several activities including performances and rehearsals, weddings, dining events, conferences, education workshops, and retreats for students and artists.
Some other works of Murcutt to be displayed at the exhibition include Marie Short/Glenn Murcutt House (1980), Simpson-Lee House (1994), Magney House (1999) and Australian Islamic Centre (2016).
In a 12-minute documentary directed by Catherine Hunter for the exhibition, Murcutt mentions a favourite quote by Mexican architect Luis Barragán: “Any work of architecture that is designed without serenity in mind is, in my view, a mistake, and when serenity possesses joy, it is ultimate.”
On the quote, Murcutt says: “That is what I am after. And when people and clients say that there is a calmness in the house, there is a place to be in the house, there is a freedom in the place and there is a serenity, which is a relationship of the building to its place, its site, its landscape — that is very important to me.”
Architecture is “more than just simply throwing things together in a way that you consider art”, says Murcutt. For him, architecture practice must be attentive to the movement of the sun, the prevailing winds, the climatic conditions of altitude, coastal humidity and even the orientation of buildings towards surrounding plants.
“The design concept of Murcutt can be adapted in places here [in Thailand] too,” said Michael Paripol Tangtrongchit, dean of KMUTT’s School of Architecture and Design, and part of the exhibition team.
Sustainability has become a buzzword among Thai architects lately. Thailand is one of the world’s most vulnerable countries to climate change, having dealt with severe flooding and drought in recent years. Poor urban planning has aggravated the impact of flooding in Bangkok and other major cities, including Pattaya, Chiang Mai and Phuket.
Some Western-style architecture designed for cold climates have become popular lately, but fail to take into account the flood plains of the central region and tropical climate of Thailand.
To respond to these challenges, some Thai architects have adopted more sustainable, resilient design approaches that adapt to the local climate, culture and wisdom.
At the end of this week, seminars and lecture series have been scheduled to bring Thai and Australian architects together to share their views and experiences.
Those includes Kanika Rattanapreedakul from Spacetime company, Amata Luphaiboon from the Department of Architecture company, Jun Sekino from Jun Sekino Architect and Design, Chatpong Chuenrudeemol from Chat Architects, Apichart Srirojanapinyo and Chanasit Cholasuek from Stu/D/O Architects, and Lindsay Johnston, a convener of Architecture Foundation Australia. Date: Feb 17 – April 8, 2018
Venues: 7th and 8th Floor, Knowledge Exchange for Innovation Centre (KX), King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, 110/1 Krung Thonburi Road, Banglamphulang, Khlongsan, Bangkok 10600 (Five-minute walk from Wongwian Yai BTS station)