Journal of Architectural/Planning Research and Studies (JARS)

Commentary on ‘The Silicon Architect: Transformation towards a Data-Centric Mindset’ Article

Chalermwat Tantasavasdi — 2026-05-21

A Critical Friend: Brief Reflections on the Silicon Architect and its Data-centric Mindset

Beau Beza — 2026-05-21

I am at academic odds or should I say mindset odds with Kemkomnerd &Tirapas’ (2025) argument that architecture is transforming towards a data-centric mindset and its influence on the design process. However, before I go into a critical review of their subject matter, I need to position myself within the built environment design world so that the scholar / student / practitioner, may gain an understanding of the lens through which I am conducting this review. I come from an academic background of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning, with emphasis on Aesthetics / Community Development. This background is derived from studying and practicing in country settings such as the USA and Australia, and my aesthetic / community development focus comes from co-producing projects with a range of people and students in a variety of Global North and Global South settings (e.g. Colombia, Mexico, Nepal). Critical insight into the Silicon Architect stems from my research and studio work developing a Sensory Urbanism prototype (see Globa et al., 2022; Beza & Globa, 2023). Additionally, in my research / teaching I normally do not refer to professionals within the built environment as architect, urban planner, engineer, and so on. Rather, I believe those that influence space(s) through, for example, the use of physical, virtual and/or monetary means are designers. Hence, in this review I will use the term ‘designer’ to refer to built environment professionals / academics rather than apply the siloing term Architect or Architecture. Interestingly, when I read the piece by Kemkomnerd & Tirapas (2025) I immediately was taken back to and reflected on a similar ‘mindset’ discussion that took place in the 1960s where designers dealt with data-driven and computer supported inquiry. That discussion took place as a conference titled Boston Architectural Center (1964, p. xi) and focused on two dimensions of the then emerging use of the computer in design, these were “[...] to provide information about the current use of the computer in architecture and related fields, and [...] to explore the possible relationships of computer use to the creative processes of architectural design”. So, I ask myself what is fundamentally different to essentially two similar design / data use transition arguments? Off the top of my head, there clearly are differences between an emerging 1960s potential use argument of computers versus a now imbedded use of the digital and artificial worlds in nearly every aspect of contemporary 2025 life. Additionally, the physical and memory size, processing speed, usability, program availability and applicability, transportability, affordability and aesthetic differences, to suggest a few, are ‘yes’ very different. But the computer’s potential use (i.e. mind-set transition) and applicability in design (i.e. data-centric approaches) query remain essentially the same. In the following pages, I address this quandary from a more conceptual and scholarly point of view rather than a line by line discussion of the authors’ ideas.

Editorial Board and Contents

JARS Editor — 2026-05-21

Comprehensive Resilience Assessment System:Towards Climate-Resilient and Sustainable Primary Healthcare Facilities in South-East Asia

Adrian Yat Wai Lo — 2026-05-21

As the climate crisis continues with more extreme weather events increasing the risks to people’s health, healthcare systems and facilities, it is becoming more urgent to address the climate resilience and environmental sustainability for primary healthcare facilities. This paper presents an international multidisciplinary summer school jointly organized by Thammasat University (Thailand), KU Leuven Faculty of Architecture (Belgium), in collaboration with World Health Organization (WHO) Téchne and WHO Country Office for Thailand, with the participation of partner universities from South-East Asia, to examine these issues and develop solutions. This research is about the development of a Comprehensive Resilience Assessment System (CRAS), an academic draft of an online checklist for primary healthcare centers, in suburban and rural settings in South-East Asia which are climate resilient and environmentally sustainable in the face of infectious disease outbreaks and/or natural hazards. Taking a systems thinking and a whole-of-society approach this paper outlines the specificities of primary healthcare centers and their role in an ever-warming climate, the summer school research methodology in terms of literature reviewed, preliminary data collected, and the novel pedagogical research-by-design process undertaken to produce the Comprehensive Resilience Assessment System online tool as a form of environmental assessment for primary healthcare centers.

The Conceptualization of Space: The Case of Long Long Rak Cave, Pang Mapha, Mae Hong Son, Thailand

Sant Suwatcharapinun — 2026-05-21

Caves are often used as metaphors for spaces of transformation—spaces that symbolize shifts in perspectives and understanding, moving from old frameworks to new ones. This transition frequently involves moving beyond material attachments toward a deeper comprehension of knowledge and intelligence (Tearle, 2023). In architectural discipline, caves are often portrayed as abstract spaces, mysterious and complex, evoking curiosity and excitement (Bashir, 2013 and Sukkarieh, 2013). However, in this article, the "caves" in question are not metaphorical but physical spaces specifically used to house coffins, as part of the "coffin culture" of tribes that have inhabited Pang Mapha District since prehistoric times. These “Coffin Caves” are well-defined areas with precise locations. Rather than focusing on expanding archaeological knowledge of Coffin Caves, this article delves into the conceptualization and spatial design of caves to reveal new perspectives on the relationship between the cave environment and the placement of wooden coffins. This exploration is particularly enriched when viewed through an architectural and spatial lens, supported by archaeological data. The article discusses the mechanisms and techniques employed to analyze and interpret these relationships, ranging from simple methods to the application of advanced technology. By integrating data sets related to the caves and the wooden coffins' locations, the design team explored ways to adapt the cave spaces into a medium for learning and preserving the “wooden coffin culture” and the heritage of “Coffin Caves.”

A Study of Design Management Guideline for Private Dog Park in Bangkok

Punramon Chulerk — 2026-05-21

Urbanization intensifies in Bangkok; changes in social dynamics have led to a notable rise in pet ownership. Dogs, particularly, have become an integral part of urban life for many residents, serving not only as companions but also as sources of emotional and mental support. Despite this shift, there remains a considerable shortage of purpose-built dog-friendly environments, particularly in the form of well-managed, privately operated dog parks. These spaces are essential not only for dogs’ physical activities and behavioral development but also for enhancing social bonding between owners and their pets. However, limited insight into the design and management of such parks in Bangkok presents a major barrier to their effective implementation. As a result, the objective of this research was to study the values influencing the decision-making of dog owners in Bangkok, aiming to create effective and appropriate guidelines for the management, design, and physical utilization of dog parks under private sector management in the Bangkok area. A quantitative research method was employed, with data collected from 401 dog owners aged 18 years and above residing in the Bangkok metropolitan area. A research tool, a structured questionnaire, was designed based on the Value Mapping Tool, covering four domains: dog park space, dog behavior, relationship, and management and design. The responses were analyzed using Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), revealing four major domains of user expectations: physical space, behaviour, well-being, and design and management. The research resulted in the formulation of the term "PAWSCAPERS" guideline, a design and management framework named after ten thematic principles: Progress, Activity, Welfare, Sphere, Clean, Advisor, Play, Equipment, Relationship, and Scape. This study makes significant contributions to three sections: theoretical, practical, and stakeholder contributions. Theoretical contributions include the development of the PAWSCAPERS Guideline, a new framework for managing and designing dog parks under private sector management, with a focus on Bangkok’s context. It expands existing knowledge on pet-friendly urban spaces and explores the impact of structured dog park designs on canine well-being, social behavior, and owner satisfaction. Practically, the study provides actionable guidelines for dog park operators, urban planners, and private investors to create sustainable, high-quality dog parks. It also offers insights into dog owners’ needs and advocates for integrating dog-friendly spaces in urban planning. Implications for stakeholders include guidance for dog owners on park selection, improved design for private operators, and recommendations for urban planners and policymakers to develop pet-friendly spaces. Additionally, it provides veterinarians and experts with guidelines for advancing canine health and offers researchers a foundation for exploring the impact of dog parks on pet welfare and community engagement.

Students’ Approach to Architectural Design in Developing Urban Areas: A Studio Experience

Serengül Seçmen — 2026-05-21

In the context of urban development, this study looks at how third-year architecture students prioritize and incorporate site-specific elements into their design process. The study, which was carried out in an architectural design studio, focuses on a project in Istanbul’s rapidly growing Basak Neighborhood of the Basaksehir District. The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) was used in this mixed-method study to both qualitatively and quantitatively evaluate students’ design proposals and their assessment of urban design criteria. The results show that students gave more weight to apparent physical characteristics—especially topography—than to socio-economic considerations like population density. The outcome reveals a weakness in architectural education: instead of using a multifaceted urban analysis, students frequently approach urban development areas from a form-driven perspective. Although they successfully integrate spatial features, their design choices demonstrate little consideration of more comprehensive contextual and policy frameworks. New development areas require integrated design strategies that strike a balance between physical site conditions and socio-economic and infrastructure concerns as metropolitan regions continue to be reshaped by peripheral urban growth. Cities’ rapid growth into their outskirts creates problems with accessibility, connectivity, and urban cohesion that call for a more thorough approach to design education. The study also emphasizes the benefits of structured decision-making tools, such as AHP, for teaching students to balance objective spatial analysis with subjective design intuition. Solution-oriented and conjecture-led processes were emphasized over conventional analysis-first frameworks in the design studio, which functioned as a testing ground. The findings imply that incorporating real-world data, participatory techniques, and multi-scalar analysis into design education may improve students’ capacity to handle urban complexity. Strengthening partnerships between academia, local governments, and urban planning agencies could enhance students’ ability to navigate complex urban dynamics, equipping them more effectively for professional practice in contemporary urban development.

Issues and Enhancement Strategies for the Physical Environment in Rehabilitation Medicine Unit Workspaces

Nitchakarn Pittayaporn — 2026-05-21

This study aims to investigate the physical environment of rehabilitation medicine units and propose strategies for enhancing environments that promote the well-being of medical staff. The study employed three methods for data collection: a physical environment survey, a pairwise comparison questionnaire, and in-depth individual interviews with medical staff from three service areas: the treatment room (5 participants), outpatient department (10 participants), and inpatient department (10 participants). The findings highlight obstacles to medical staff’s well-being, such as the lack of private spaces for both work and relaxation. Analysis using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) revealed that privacy during work was ranked the highest priority among medical personnel (0.45, 0.36, and 0.34), followed by access to nature and interior design factors. The in-depth interviews were analyzed using content analysis, resulting in three main themes: (1) problems from existing environmental conditions, (2) space management, and (3) equipment and facility management. The study proposes four design recommendations for rehabilitation medicine units: ensuring privacy, incorporating relaxation-enhancing elements, optimizing spatial and equipment arrangements to support workflow, and addressing structural issues within the building. The comprehensive case study, along with its interconnected data collection methodology, strongly illustrates a clear alignment between the identified factors and existing research. This compelling evidence suggests that these findings hold significant relevance for the design of similar facilities.

An Analysis for the establishment of a public transportation system for all in Thailand: A case study of Trang Municipality, Trang Province

Treechart Loakaewnoo — 2026-05-21

The establishment of a public transportation system for all is a pertinent issue in Thailand due to the significant increase in the elderly and disabled population over the past decade. The establishment of an inclusive public transportation system is a crucial aspect of creating an urban environment that accommodates the elderly. Systematic data analysis is essential to adequately address the requirements of all user groups. Our research aims to examine the possibilities, challenges, and requirements of users to inform the design of public transportation services for all in Trang Municipality, employing the principle of universal design throughout the process. The research instruments employed include evaluation of satisfaction with public transportation services based on the World Health Organization’s criteria for age-friendly urban environments, a survey assessing the travel requirements of the Trang Municipality residents, and in-depth interviews in January, 2025 with stakeholders engaged in the development of public transportation systems within the study area. The research findings indicated that the majority of the older sample group utilized private vehicles due to the absence of public transit infrastructure in the municipality capable of accommodating the elderly and disabled. The survey identified 93 public buildings and spaces frequently utilized by the elderly in Trang Municipality and its vicinity, the majority of which were in the commercial center, administrative center, Wat Kuttaram region, and Trang Hospital area. These frequently visited hubs could be serviced efficiently by establishing a new public bus system. The examination of satisfaction with amenities and public transportation systems in Trang City revealed a significantly low level of satisfaction, mostly due to the high costs of public transportation and its inadequate support for the elderly and disabled. The research findings culminated in the formulation of a comprehensive master plan for a public transportation system for all, encompassing three public bus route designs, 11 projects for the enhancement of sidewalks, intersections, and junctions to facilitate accessibility for the elderly and disabled, the establishment of 38 public bus stops, and strategic management recommendations aimed at ensuring the sustainable development of a public transportation system for all within Trang Municipality.

Characteristics of Ceramic Tiling Facade in the Metropolitan Condominium: Evidence from Japan and Thailand

Montouch Maglumtong — 2026-05-21

This research aims to: (1) clarify the actual state of acceptance of international architectural design styles and factors influencing acceptance in Japan and Thailand; and (2) examine the changes in architectural styles and characteristics of the metropolitan condominium façade in Japan and Thailand during the 1960s - 2010s. The research methods included a literature review, survey observation, photography, and interview, which focused on 524 samples of low-rise, high-rise, and skyscraper condominiums in two metropolises: Tokyo and Bangkok. The results show the trend of changes in characteristics of the condominium façade. The first period of investigation was the 1960s – 1970s, covering the shift from spray-painting to tiling façade. There were spray painting condominiums before the 1960s, followed by tiling façades, which started to become popular in the 1970s. During the 1980s – 1990s the popularity of tiling façades increased, as condominium façades mostly were fully tiled in Japan. These ceramic tiles became an export product to Southeast Asia, including Thailand. Later, in the 21st century, after some accidents, frequent speculations, and higher cost of maintenance, ceramic tiling façade’s popularity started to decline in Japan but still dominated more than half of the housing market. Thus, by the 2000s – 2010s, glass, glazed, and glamorous was the crucial point of the fate of ceramic tiling façade. In Thailand, tile managed to slightly bounce back in the Futuristic style condominium in the late 2010s, even though glass and metal started to dominate the skyline of Bangkok. Overall, the condominium façades in Tokyo reflected the characteristics of Japan as the ‘Galapagos Effect’, which gradually accepted the new cultural elements. In Bangkok, condominiums reflected Thailand’s globalization-driven adaptation through several significant differences in the architectural style and characteristics in the area. Thus, the condominium façade played a crucial role in shaping the city skyline of Tokyo and Bangkok, contributing to the visual identity, character, and liveability of these cities.

Spatial Analysis of Economic and Transit-Driven Land Value in a District-Level City in Thailand: A Case Study of Ban Pong Municipality, Ratchaburi, Thailand

Parattakorn Kemthong — 2026-05-21

Despite extensive Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) research in major metropolitan areas, critical knowledge gaps persist regarding how rail infrastructure impacts vary spatially across different land value segments in non-metropolitan district-level urban centers. This gap severely constrains the formulation of evidence-based policies for optimizing rail infrastructure investments and managing transit-induced spatial transformation in emerging urban contexts. Our study investigated the spatially heterogeneous impacts of heavy rail infrastructure on land values across property types and value segments in Ban Pong Municipality, Ratchaburi Province, Thailand, while examining spatial spillover effects to inform context-appropriate TOD strategies for district-level urban centers. Applying Hedonic Pricing Model (HPM) and TOD principles, this research employed Spatial Lag Quantile Regression (SLQR) to analyze 6,506 land parcels consisting of commercial (1,727), residential (3,705), and vacant (1,074) properties. It examined accessibility impacts across low-value <77.06 USD/sq.m. (<2,500 THB/sq.m.), mid-value 77.06-154.11 USD/sq.m. (2,500-5,000 THB/sq.m.), and high-value >154.11 USD/sq.m. (>5,000 THB/sq.m.) quantiles to capture market heterogeneity. The findings revealed pronounced quantile-specific variations in rail accessibility capitalization. Low- and mid-value segments demonstrated significant favorable premiums for proximity to rail stations, access to the Central Business District, and arterial road connectivity. Commercial and vacant parcels exhibited the strongest responsiveness, supporting bid-rent and agglomeration theories. Conversely, high-value residential properties exhibited weak or adverse transit proximity effects, indicating a preference for low-density, amenity-rich environments. Spatial lag coefficients remained consistently significant, confirming substantial neighborhood spillovers across all models. Results indicated the necessity for differentiated TOD implementation strategies: intensive development targeting in low-to-mid value zones where transit premiums were strongest, coupled with inclusionary zoning and anti-gentrification measures, while maintaining environmental quality in high-value areas. This research advances TOD theory by demonstrating systematic spatial heterogeneity in district-level urban contexts through the SLQR application, offering evidence-based guidance for sustainable urban transformation in non-metropolitan district-level cities in Thailand.