Cultural Centre Nears Completion

Phuket’s first self-sustaining cultural centre and live museum dedicated to preserving the island’s sea gypsy traditions is nearing completion and set to open early 2012.

The award-winning energy efficient design by Able Architects was inspired by the hand-made fish traps used by the Urak Lawoi tribe of sea gypsies, which has inhabited the coast of Phuket and Andaman region for thousands of years.

The new cultural centre is seen as a boon to preserving the region’s ancient culture, which has become increasingly endangered – almost to the point of extinction – by expanding tourism commerce and land development.

Able Architects was commissioned to oversee the design and development of the cultural centre by the Phuket Department of Public Works and Planning. Construction was made possible with THB 20 million in provincial government funding.

The sustainable design concept of the cultural centre won Able Architects the BCI Asia Green Leadership Award for 2011; producing a contemporary, self-sustaining structure with minimal environmental impact by combining natural and high-tech man made construction materials.

Covering a wood and hemp framework are flexible photovoltic strips of Microcrystalline film as a source of renewable energy for the centre, and various design features make the most of natural light, shade and ventilation for the building to require no artificial cooling.

The cultural center covers 2.5 rai (4,000 sqm), and once complete, the two main buildings; an exhibition area and an activities building, will cover a total of 350sqm.

A 182-sqm exhibition area and a 144-sqm activities building will become a living museum, where villagers can make and sell traditional handicrafts, providing them with an income.

It will also be a place to meet as a community and perform traditional rituals, such as annual spirit boat festivities.