Charlotte Connor

This project is based on field research done in a small village in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Our prompt sought to create a space for the community that villagers felt they needed. This project is a cluster of Salas, public shade structures, that house a place for villagers to reunite as a family through cooking, eating, and vending the goods they produce. The design of the compound embodies the Thai tradition of flexible spaces that enable selling, cooking, and dining as a community. Salas are a huge part of the daily ritual of Chiang Mai’s working people. They keep their occupants cool while allowing for a multitude of activities. This project uses new and existing Salas in combination with the existing tree canopy to create shaded spaces and fluid courtyards for the daily rituals of eating. During the day, the salas are a place for eating, resting, meeting, and selling. In the evening, the intermediate space becomes a place for cooking, gathering, and celebrating. The porous bamboo structures draw the public to the canal and open up the use of docks for transportation.