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Chiang Rai’s Earthquake-Resistant School Raised on Stilts

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Vin Varavarn Architects was commissioned to design the Baan Huay Sarn Yaw School.

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CHIANG RAI – Following a devastating earthquake that rocked Thailand’s Chiang Rai province last May, a group of nine local architecture firms sprang into action to help design new, quake-resistant buildings across the hard-hit region. One rather nice structure erected as part of this rebuilding program—helmed by international charity Design for Disasters—is this gabled secondary—the Baan Huay Sarn Yaw School designed by Vin Varavarn Architects.

Disaster-relief charity Design for Disasters responded by launching a rebuilding programme, asking nine Thai studios to design earthquake-resistant schools for the most affected areas. Vin Varavarn Architects was commissioned to design the Baan Huay Sarn Yaw School.

Baan Huay Sarn Yaw School by Vin Varavarn Architects

Selecting a steeply sloping plot within an existing school compound, the architects designed an elongated pentagonal volume.

Three classrooms for secondary pupils are spaced along the length of the prism.

Baan Huay Sarn Yaw School by Vin Varavarn Architects

One end of the structure touches the ground, while the other is raised above the ground on steel stilts. The resulting space sheltered underneath functions as a place for outdoor activities.


“Our design principle was not to create only typical classrooms but learning spaces to enliven the atmosphere for children who were victims of the disaster,” said the team.

Baan Huay Sarn Yaw School by Vin Varavarn Architects

“We proposed combining three classrooms into one building to minimise the land use,” they continued. “The land slope had been utilised with the architecture to create an extra semi-outdoor multifunctions space under the building.”

Baan Huay Sarn Yaw School by Vin Varavarn Architects

Two flights of steel and timber stairs lead up to the three classrooms within, which are clad in a combination of fibre cement and bamboo – a selection made for its low cost and weight. This helps to limit the impact of future earthquakes.

Baan Huay Sarn Yaw School by Vin Varavarn Architects

“The natural materials were proposed in selected areas to illustrate how local materials can substitute expensive modern materials and at the same time, harmonise the architecture with its context,” explained the architects.

“All the necessary structure elements were designed to be exposed so as to convey the feeling of solidity and safeness, and to reduce unnecessary finishing costs.”

Baan Huay Sarn Yaw School by Vin Varavarn Architects

Resin panels inserted into the bamboo and metal roof allow sunlight to filter into the classrooms, which are furnished with wooden tables and chairs. Bamboo shelves installed under the translucent eaves host colourful pot plants.

Baan Huay Sarn Yaw School by Vin Varavarn Architects

“The flower pots represent our message to remind the children that, in spite of the harsh and cruel realities of caused by natural disasters, nature can also bring beauty and joy to every day of their lives,” said the architects.

Baan Huay Sarn Yaw School by Vin Varavarn Architects

Two foyers separate the three classrooms, creating a sound buffer and providing a storage area for shoes and bags, while a balcony is situated at either end of the long structure.

Photography is by Spaceshift Studio.


Project credits:

Architect: Vin Varavarn Architects
Project organiser: Design for Disaster (D4D)
Engineers: Next Innovation Engineering, The Engineering Institute of Thailand and The Consulting Engineers Association of Thailand
Collaborators: Thai Contractors Association, Association of Siamese Architects

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