Role of interior architects in urban communities

On Monday March 4th, 2024, my colleague Boonanan Natakul and I had the pleasure of speaking to third-year interior architecture students at Thammasat University about the fascinating evolution of Thonburi, a once-sleepy western part of Bangkok that has undergone significant changes due to the introduction of mass transit and a recent tourism boom. We talked about the brief history of Thonburi and discussed the challenges and opportunities this transformation presents. A key focus of the talk was the critical role of interior architects in preserving the authenticity of the community while catering to diverse users with often conflicting goals and agendas. We reflected on how interior design can communicate the spirit of the place and accommodate the varied needs and uses of space.