Highlights:

• NORA PURA: Reviving Cultural Heritage and Sustainable Living Spaces in Phatthalung’s Manohra City
• Revive the Deteriorated Area as Public Park for the Elderly and Community for Municipalities

NORA PURA: Reviving Cultural Heritage and Sustainable Living Spaces in Phatthalung’s Manohra City

Project NORA PURA is revitalizing a previously deteriorated 4-rai site in Tha Khae Subdistrict, Phatthalung Province, transforming it into a sustainable community asset. Led by the Manohra Kriangdech Group, the project reclaims this neglected area to create “Manohra City,” a multifunctional space dedicated to preserving and promoting the cultural heritage of Nora dance. Through modern architectural innovation, the site is thoughtfully divided into areas that support both local livelihoods and cultural learning. Serving as both a hub for learning and a harmonious living environment, NORA PURA is poised to perpetuate and celebrate Nora’s cultural heritage.

At the heart of the LCDs theory lies the ability to envision new perspectives and generate value with minimal initial investment. Originally focused on architectural challenges, this approach has evolved into a multidisciplinary endeavor crucial for advancing innovative solutions in diverse fields.

One part of NORA PURA is dedicated to vocational activities, providing opportunities for local artisans and creators to showcase and sustain their crafts. Another area serves as an educational space, focusing on the art and science of Nora, allowing community members and visitors to engage directly with this traditional performance art. By repurposing this unoccupied land, NORA PURA offers a model for sustainable, community-centered development that celebrates and safeguards cultural heritage for future generations.

The culmination of these efforts is reflected in the accolades garnered by LCDsongkhla at prestigious international competitions, including the esteemed iCan 2023. With participants from over 95 countries, this recognition underscores the global significance of LCDsongkhla’s innovative vision, poised to inspire and elevate park design standards worldwide.

For more details information, please visit Thammasat University (THE) Research Hub and these websites.
1. NORA PURA – A Sustainable Community with LCDs Design Approach
2. TDS FB_NORA PURA  A Sustainble Community with LCDs Design Approach (Sep,2023)
3. TU News_ “NORA PURA”_A Low Cost Design Solution that preserve the cultural heritage of Nora and create a sustainable, functional environment for the community

Revive the Deteriorated Area as Public Park for the Elderly and Community for Municipalities

Continuing to promote and improve the quality of living, both physical and mental health, the Research and Design Unit – Universal Design Center, Thammasat university, searched and found a deteriorated area in Roi-et province which could be an exercise area for the elderly and people in the community. Thammasat UDC, operating under the project name “Sanam Sam Wai” (Park for All Generations), carried out the design and the construction of the deserted area and turned it into an exercise area for the elderly and the community in Roi-et Municipality.  The project started in November, 2022 and completed in 2023.

The Faculty of Architecture and Planning at Thammasat University, in partnership with the Roi Et Municipality’s Urban Development Office, recently conducted a post-occupancy evaluation of a new community park named *Sam Wai Field* in Roi Et Province. This park was revitalized with a focus on creating a safe and welcoming space for elderly residents and the broader community, making use of both existing resources and inclusive design principles. The design and evaluation were guided by Thammasat UDC, emphasizing community engagement and sustainable urban development.

In line with their goal to revitalize deteriorating urban areas, the park project included a “Rapid Post-Occupancy Evaluation (R-POE)” to assess functionality, user satisfaction, and design effectiveness.

The evaluation revealed several positive outcomes:

• Community Involvement and Ownership
  One of the standout successes of the project was the community’s sense of shared ownership. Through a participatory process, residents contributed to identifying essential facilities and activities for the park, which helped to foster pride and responsibility. Committees of community members were organized to oversee maintenance, with tasks rotated daily, ensuring a steady stream of caretakers.
• Adaptive Use of Resources
  The design team minimized costs by reusing existing materials and preserving mature trees, which contributed to both the aesthetic and environmental quality of the space.
• Universal Design Considerations
  While most facilities met universal design standards, the evaluation highlighted a few areas for improvement such as certain child play structures that need to be reinforced to withstand heavy use.

The park’s layout was also adjusted to encourage visibility and safety, supporting a layout that creates clear sight lines among different activity zones, helping elderly residents and families feel secure and connected. Although some elements needed refinement, the park has already become a lively, multi-generational gathering space, with frequent use by people of all ages. This collaborative project demonstrates how inclusive design and community participation can transform neglected spaces into vibrant community assets, providing social, environmental, and health benefits for local residents.

สนามสามวัยสำหรับผู้สูงอายุ จ.ร้อยเอ็ด (19 พ.ย. 2022)
สนามสามวัยสำหรับผู้สูงอายุ จังหวัดร้อยเอ็ด (18 พ.ย. 65)

Another project, started since 2020 until 2022, was the reconstruction of the deteriorated area in Soi Phakdi Racha (Rangsit-Nakhon Nayok 45) to be an exercise area and multi-purpose building for the elderly and people in the community. The Research and Design Unit – Universal Design Center, Thammasat University, operating under the research project “Better Home, Better Living for Thai Elderly”, carried out the design and the construction of the deserted land and turned it into an exercise area for the elderly and the community in Rangsit Municipality.  The project aims to promote and improve the quality of living, both physical and mental health, which was funded by the National Research Agency (NRCT).

For more information on the project, please refer to this website.
ปรับพื้นที่สาธารณะภายในซอยชุมชนภักดีราชา (รังสิต-นครนายก 45) เป็นพื้นที่เอนกประสงค์และออกกำลังกายแก่ผู้สูงอายุและคนในชุมชน