EDITORIAL: The word “best” is one that is arguably used too often, but it’s one that is the perfect description for Khun Lek Bunnag, Thailand’s National Artist in the field of architecture.
In my job I have been fortunate to see many developments in many countries, and I have often been critical of the fact you could be standing in a new condominium development in Bangkok, but could literally be anywhere in the world.
Many Thailand developments are simply cookie-cutter copies of developments elsewhere in the world, but after 30 minutes with Khun Lek my whole attitude towards architecture, and especially learning his own philosophy behind it, has changed.
Khun Lek, whether he will agree or not, take much of his inspiration from his previous experiences.
“You need to have feeling and passion for it,” he said.
“Architecture must come from your heart and not from your head,” adding that the enemy of creativity is the past.
“No freedom means no creativity,” he said.
He also highlighted how, when he was 20-years-old, he walked from Germany to India – and that allowed him to see many kinds of architecture that burned strong images in his mind – ones that he was later able to call on again for some of his recent designs.
Khun Lek, who is working on part of the design for the mixed-use luxury development Mont Azure in Phuket alongside Argentinian-born architect Martin Palleros, was selected to represent Thailand at the prestigious Venice Biennale as the curator and designer of the Thailand Pavilion in 2014.
Some of his most celebrated previous works include the Oberoi in Mauritius and the Four Seasons Resort in Chiang Mai.
“Architecture is a moment-to-moment beauty that is never repeated, he said, using the changing light that surrounds his work as examples.
Questioned as to which of his previous projects have made him most happy, he said he is still searching for both the serenity and joy that he believes will be the hallmark of a perfect architectural design.
I would love to have been a fly on the wall during the architectural meetings for Mont Azure. Sources said they were something to behold, with two strong architects in Bunnug and Palleros, each with their different ideas and each with the will and desire to make their heart-born designs see the light of day.
Thankfully they’re both working on different parts of Mont Azure, and when finished I am sure the entire development could well be the most architecturally-inspiring project in the Kingdom.
Main image: Group Editor of Dot Property Group, Andrew Batt (left) with Khun Lek Bunnug.
Below: Perspectives of Lek Bunnug-designed villas at The Estates at MontAzure, Phuket.
