Thai Architect Nithi
Sthapitanonda
wins prestigious international architecture award
By Jon Fernquest
The 60-year-old veteran
architect Nithi Sthapitanonda joined the ranks of
the world's finest architects recently when he was elected an Honorary
Fellow of the American Institute of Architects (AIA).
Worldwide only 13 Honorary Fellows were named for 2008. Mr Nithi is the
second Thai architect to receive the award after Sumeth Jumsai Na
Ayudhaya received the award in 2001.
The title Fellow of the American Institute of Architects (FAIA) indicates that the architect is among the finest architects in the US and the world. Non-architects who have made great contributions to the field of architecture are also recipients of this award.
The award not only recognises the works of the architect, the actual structures designed by him or her, but as Mr. Nitthi explains: "It considers what we've contributed to the architectural society including architectural designs, teachings and writings. It also considers how you spend your life."
"Thais in the past did not share their work when they created things, probably because they did not want their work to be copied. Many destroyed their designs when they completed the work. Don't forget, we also copy others' work. Copying is part of the development of the professional, I think, and builds competition. You should change your mind."
The work that finally clinched him the award was his more small-scale work such as the houses he has designed as well as his writings on architecture. Two designs stood out from the rest, the Rimtai Saitarn housing resort in Chiang Mai and Wat Pa Sunantawanaram in Kanchanaburi. His work on northern Thai Lanna architecture was judged interesting and new by the peers who selected him. Mr. Nithi is also known for the way he incorporates nature and the environment into his work.
Mr. Nithi is the chairman of the architectural firm 49 Group. In 2002 he was awarded Thailand's highest award for people working in the arts, the prestigious title of National Artist.
Mr. Nitthi has designed every type of structure from high-rise office buildings to small cottages. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs building is one of his most famous buidlings. Currently, he is designing a new 5 billion baht 35-rai Thailand Cultural Centre with a art museum of modern art and theatre.
He also plans to publish two books this year: House Design by Thai Architects, with details of 11 designs from 11 architects and a book on resorts and spas.
Mr. Nitthi's wife, Assoc Prof Lersom, is also an architect and dean of the Faculty of Architecture at Chulalongkorn University.
In order to be considered for the FAIA title, an architect must submit a portfolio of works. Mr Nithi made three attempts. In his first attempt in 2004, he submitted his portfolio of high-rise office buildings. In his second attempt, he was supported by an American professor W.H. Raymond Yeh, a former dean of Architecture at the University of Hawaii, and applied together with his wife, as some architect couples from Japan and Korea had done in the past.
Nithi Sthapitanonda hopes that other Thai architects will follow in his footsteps and and strive to become AIA fellows also. Even though an architect only becomes a Fellow later in his or her carreer, the criteria used for selection are good to keep in mind when one is starting a career, or any design field, for that matter. They run as follows:
Architects are selected as Fellows for outstanding contributions in design excellence, education, or by their contributions to the profession according to the following categories of nomination:• To promote the aesthetic, scientific, and practical efficiency of the profession;
• To advance the science and art of planning and building by advancing the standards of architecture education, training, and practice;
• To coordinate the building industry and the profession of architecture;
• To ensure the advancement of the living standards of people through their improved environment;
• To make the profession of ever-increasing service to society.
(Source: Wikipedia)
Vocabulary:
American
Institute of Architects (AIA) - the professional organization
for architects in the United States, established in 1857 and located in
Washington, D.C. (See Wikipedia)
Fellow of the
American Institute of Architects (FAIA) - these four letters
are attached after the name of the recipient of the award, the award
indicates that the architect is among the finest architects in the US
and the world, non-architects who have made great contributions to the
field of architecture are also recipients of this award (See Wikipedia)
joined the ranks of - become a member of a group of people ขึ้นทำเนียบ
a field - a subject of study or activity (for example, the field of medicine) สาขา
architecture - the activity of designing and constructing buildings, houses, and other structures (See Wikipedia) สถาปัตยกรรม
recipients - people who receive something (for example, a reward, recipients of the award) ผู้ได้รับรางวัล
recognises the works of the architect - show appreciation of the works งานที่ได้รับรางวัล หรืองานที่ได้รับการกล่าวถึง
a structure - a building or house, something that is built โครงสร้าง (อาคาร)
a profession - a type of job requiring advanced training and education อาชีพ
a professional - a person who is a member of a profession มืออาชีพ
clinched - win or get something good (for example, the football team clinched a spot in the playoffs) ทำให้ได้รับรางวัล
stood out from the rest - his achievements made him very different from the rest เด่นกว่าผู้อื่น
peers - people with the same age, job, or status as you เพื่อนร่ีวมสาขาอาชีพ
incorporates - includes รวม
National Artist - the highest title given to artists in Thailand ศิลปินแห่งชาติ
high-rise office buildings - very tall office buildings (usually downtown in a city) ตึุกระฟ้า
cottages - small houses กระท่อม
dean of the Faculty - in charge of studies in a subject at a university คณะบดี
submit a portfolio of works - provide documents that describe your work (pictures, photos, plans, written descriptions, models) ยื่นเอกสาร / รายละเอียดงานที่ทำ
follow in his footsteps - follow his example in your own career ตามรอย
strive - try hard to achieve พยายามอย่างหนัก
a criterion - something evaluated (a factor) to make a decision or judgement บรรทัดฐาน
criteria used for selection - all the different factors used in selecting มาตรฐานในการคัดสรร
keep in mind - remember (as an important fact when dealing with something) ระลึก จำได้
a design field - design has many fields such as product design, fashion design, interior design, etc. การออกแบบผลิตภัณฑ์ต่างๆ