Three Roofs: A new school canteen in rural Thailand

From above Roi Et appears like an endless patchwork of agricultural fields. These fields are a fascinating landscape that weave together this productive province.

The site for our project is situated in this rich landscape. On the southern side of our site is a temple nested among a natural woodland, surrounded by beautiful brown cows and a community of people. On the northern side of our site is a vast and picturesque perspective of fields.

Our client wishes: ‘the canteen should be a multi-purpose space, an environment conducive for learning...the playground needs a better relationship with the garden”. Outside of lunchtime the space should become a place for learning and play.

The existing site is unusually defined on its edges by a chicken coop, concrete cylinders, a religious monument and a playground. In the middle is a big space with no obvious orientation. We want to connect from the main campus through to the fields. This harnesses the natural wind for ventilation and frames the surrounding nature. The project aims to weave together landscape and canteen, plants and education zones. We are conceptually trying to weave the natural world into our school campus.

The design aims to be more than a canteen that is used between 11am and 1pm. Under the roofs exist a series of spaces that the children can take ownership of in unexpected ways. We aim for freedom and creativity to flourish.

Plan of the canteen, kitchen and play spaces

Axonometric of main hall

Concept models by INDA students

Drawing by students of the Baan Non Wittayapat School

International Program in Design and Architecture Bangkok (CUINDA) instructors: Paul Francis Feeney & Marie-Louise Raue

CUINDA students: Lalida Attawetkul (Annie), Peera Tayanukorn (Peera), Premmika Taechavarangkul (Sanfran), Kodchakorn Promjaree (Nok), Wichayes Maneepakhathorn (Gino), Prao Sirisaksopit (Prao), Manachanok Tantraporn (Aom), Siwakarn Sabpaisarn (Mameaw), Kamolthip Polsamak (Fah), Tanyadhorn Dumrongkijkarn (Aom), Navapol Montong (Nine), Santhila Chanoknamchai (Orm), Satida Adsavakulchai (Dada), Nicharee Sammapan (Mim), Apisada Hanbunjerd (Mint), Chinnapat Asavabenya (Jew), Sakaokaew Jindawitchu (Ploy), Choomcherd Virapat (Bond), Pichamon Taksinawong (Pim), Waris Majitnapakul (Atom), Thanvarat Jamnongnoravut (Minnie), Boonyavee Sureephong (Warm)

Main sponsor: Mitsubishi Elevator (Thailand) Co., Ltd

Client: Baan Non Wittayapat School, Roi Et, Thailand

Structural engineer: Meinhardt (Thailand)

Contractor: Otta Tech (Thailand) Co.,Ltd
June - November 2020