The way we were

Amidst the skyscrapers of modern Bangkok, an architect has built a treasure trove of memories

Poomchai Chumbala, architect, interior and garden designer, collector and writer, defines himself simply as a lover of beauty. He lives in the middle of Bangkok, in a vast and almost hidden park surrounded by skyscrapers. He wants to pass down the great artistic heritage of his country to future generations.

«I wanted to build my home», Poomchai says, «according to age-old Thai practices. Architecture of wood, ready for disassembly, modular and sustainable, totally recyclable. In the cities this tradition has given way to glass and concrete. I began the construction 22 years ago, and the house is now a treasure chest for my family’s collections. My ancestors came here from Burma in the 1300s, trading in silk and pottery, in close contact with China and India. Many were also important diplomats. Their curiosity about the world has been passed down from father to son».

Poomchai Chumbala studied fashion textiles at Central Saint Martins in London, and then shifted to interior and garden design. «These 19th-century Baccarat chandeliers were in the residence of the French ambassador to Bangkok. They were sold to a dealer, but I found them again, and had them properly restored. The fabrics you see here were mainly produced for the royal family, and they belonged to one of my aunts. The house is full of amazing objects, Ming pottery, antique Indian fabrics, Victorian and Regency portraits found in England. But the theme that keeps it all together is Thai culture».

The garden reflects Japanese influences. Rocks of different shapes form sculptural groupings, and large trees offer blossoms and shades. The green water of a pond reminds us that until recent times, Bangkok was a city served by canals and waterways.