The Baan Laem Tong School serves the local communities on the island of Phi Phi Don. The majority of children attending this small primary school are from the “Sea Gypsy Village” on Laem Tong beach. They are currently overwhelmed by the rapid development of the tourist industry around Leam Tong (Tong Cape). The community, consisting of approximately 50 families, primarily sustains themselves by providing long tail boat services for tourists. Due to their limited primary education, it is extremely challenging for them to work at the nearby five-star hotels. The Baan Leam Tong School only offers education up to the primary school level. For higher education opportunities, students have to travel to the mainland. The Baan Leam Tong International Community Resource Center project aims to provide a place for those who are unable to pursue higher education to receive vocational training from volunteers within the international community. These volunteers would also have accommodation at the facility. A group of INDA students, along with Assistant Professor Rachaporn Choochuey and students from Chulalongkorn University’s Thai architecture program, visited the site to lend a hand with the construction.
Rachaporn Choochuey
Related Projects:
King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital
At King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital (KCMH), a small city of personnels works tirelessly to make sick people get better. In addition to doctors, pharmacists, lab scientists, and nurses that are directly involved in the medicinal work, there is a community of hospital staff that enables and enhances the healing process. Often behind the scene, this group of people ranges from accountants, clerks, cooks, janitors, security guards, mechanics, gardeners, ground keepers, etc. Without these essential workers, the operation of this public hospital would grind to a halt. This project aims to help out the community of hospital staff at KCMH, transforming a pair of service spaces. The first is the replacement of the existing greenhouse. The existing shed was overfilled with plants and had potential to be upgraded to a proper plant nursery for efficiency and structural integrity. The second space is the feature courtyard behind the new buildings, fenced off and used for maintenance and storage. This front of house/back of house project offered a great opportunity for INDA students to engage in a public servicing role and execute their design ideas in creative, practical forms.
Chanhunbamphen School Cafe/Gallerie
Over the summer, a group of students undertook the task of designing the layout and furniture for a Cafe & Gallery in an empty area within Chanhunmumphen school. The proposed design involved repurposing old wood, doors, and cabinet drawers to create furniture for the interior of the space. Once the design of the prototype, including chairs, tables, and shelving units, was finalized, the students dedicated the following weeks to fabricating the pieces in a workshop. Finally, the proposed design and furniture were presented to both the Chanhunbamphen school and the community.