LOST & FOUND
Thai Elephant Conservation Center (Winning Competition)
Thai Elephant Conservation Center (Winning Competition)
LOST & FOUND
Location
Location
:
:
Area
Area
:
:
Completion Date
Completion Date
:
:
Collaboration
Collaboration
:
:
Thai Elephant Conservation Center, Lampang, Thailand
Thai Elephant Conservation Center, Lampang, Thailand
2,589 sq.m
2,589 sq.m
2026
2026
-
-
THIS PROJECT WON THE "AYDA INTERNATIONAL AWARDS 2025/2026" AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL UNDER THE THEME "CONVERGE: CRAFTING CULTURAL LEGACIES," EARNING THE OPPORTUNITY TO REPRESENT THAILAND AT THE INTERNATIONAL STAGE. THE PROJECT WENT ON TO WIN THE "BEST SUSTAINABLE DESIGN AWARD", BRINGING THE AWARD BACK TO THAILAND.
THIS PROJECT WON THE "AYDA INTERNATIONAL AWARDS 2025/2026" AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL UNDER THE THEME "CONVERGE: CRAFTING CULTURAL LEGACIES," EARNING THE OPPORTUNITY TO REPRESENT THAILAND AT THE INTERNATIONAL STAGE. THE PROJECT WENT ON TO WIN THE "BEST SUSTAINABLE DESIGN AWARD", BRINGING THE AWARD BACK TO THAILAND.
THIS PROJECT WON THE "AYDA INTERNATIONAL AWARDS 2025/2026" AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL UNDER THE THEME "CONVERGE: CRAFTING CULTURAL LEGACIES," EARNING THE OPPORTUNITY TO REPRESENT THAILAND AT THE INTERNATIONAL STAGE. THE PROJECT WENT ON TO WIN THE "BEST SUSTAINABLE DESIGN AWARD", BRINGING THE AWARD BACK TO THAILAND.
About the project
About the project
About the project
THIS PROJECT WON THE "AYDA INTERNATIONAL AWARDS 2025/2026" AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL UNDER THE THEME "CONVERGE: CRAFTING CULTURAL LEGACIES," EARNING THE OPPORTUNITY TO REPRESENT THAILAND AT THE INTERNATIONAL STAGE. THE PROJECT WENT ON TO WIN THE "BEST SUSTAINABLE DESIGN AWARD", BRINGING THE AWARD BACK TO THAILAND.
RECOMMENDED : VIEW THE FULL PRESENTATION THROUGH THE QR CODE. WHEN ELEPHANTS ARE DENIED THE QUALITY OF LIFE THEY DESERVE, THEY CAN BECOME OBJECTS OF ENTERTAINMENT AND EXPLOITATION FORCED TO PERFORM, WALK THE STREETS FOR INCOME, OR ENDURE HEAVY LABOR SUCH AS LOGGING. THIS RAISES AN IMPORTANT QUESTION: IS AN ELEPHANT’S VALUE LIMITED TO ITS TUSKS OR PHYSICAL LABOR? THE PROJECT EXPLORES THE DEEPER ISSUES SURROUNDING ELEPHANT WELFARE, SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOODS, AND WHETHER ELEPHANT-RELATED INCOME CAN PROVIDE A SUFFICIENT AND DIGNIFIED WAY OF LIFE FOR BOTH ELEPHANTS AND THEIR CARETAKERS. THE PROJECT AIMS TO CREATE SUSTAINABLE INCOME FOR LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND MAHOUTS WHILE IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ELEPHANTS AND REBUILDING THE BOND BETWEEN PEOPLE AND ELEPHANTS THAT ONCE EXISTED IN THE PAST. WE CANNOT AFFORD TO LOSE THIS RELATIONSHIP ANY FURTHER. THE PROJECT THEREFORE SEEKS TO CREATE NEW OPPORTUNITIES THAT CAN BRING PEOPLE AND ELEPHANTS CLOSER TOGETHER AND ENSURE THIS CONNECTION CAN CONTINUE FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.
RECOMMENDED : VIEW THE FULL PRESENTATION THROUGH THE QR CODE. WHEN ELEPHANTS ARE DENIED THE QUALITY OF LIFE THEY DESERVE, THEY CAN BECOME OBJECTS OF ENTERTAINMENT AND EXPLOITATION FORCED TO PERFORM, WALK THE STREETS FOR INCOME, OR ENDURE HEAVY LABOR SUCH AS LOGGING. THIS RAISES AN IMPORTANT QUESTION: IS AN ELEPHANT’S VALUE LIMITED TO ITS TUSKS OR PHYSICAL LABOR? THE PROJECT EXPLORES THE DEEPER ISSUES SURROUNDING ELEPHANT WELFARE, SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOODS, AND WHETHER ELEPHANT-RELATED INCOME CAN PROVIDE A SUFFICIENT AND DIGNIFIED WAY OF LIFE FOR BOTH ELEPHANTS AND THEIR CARETAKERS. THE PROJECT AIMS TO CREATE SUSTAINABLE INCOME FOR LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND MAHOUTS WHILE IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ELEPHANTS AND REBUILDING THE BOND BETWEEN PEOPLE AND ELEPHANTS THAT ONCE EXISTED IN THE PAST. WE CANNOT AFFORD TO LOSE THIS RELATIONSHIP ANY FURTHER. THE PROJECT THEREFORE SEEKS TO CREATE NEW OPPORTUNITIES THAT CAN BRING PEOPLE AND ELEPHANTS CLOSER TOGETHER AND ENSURE THIS CONNECTION CAN CONTINUE FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.
RECOMMENDED : VIEW THE FULL PRESENTATION THROUGH THE QR CODE. WHEN ELEPHANTS ARE DENIED THE QUALITY OF LIFE THEY DESERVE, THEY CAN BECOME OBJECTS OF ENTERTAINMENT AND EXPLOITATION FORCED TO PERFORM, WALK THE STREETS FOR INCOME, OR ENDURE HEAVY LABOR SUCH AS LOGGING. THIS RAISES AN IMPORTANT QUESTION: IS AN ELEPHANT’S VALUE LIMITED TO ITS TUSKS OR PHYSICAL LABOR? THE PROJECT EXPLORES THE DEEPER ISSUES SURROUNDING ELEPHANT WELFARE, SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOODS, AND WHETHER ELEPHANT-RELATED INCOME CAN PROVIDE A SUFFICIENT AND DIGNIFIED WAY OF LIFE FOR BOTH ELEPHANTS AND THEIR CARETAKERS. THE PROJECT AIMS TO CREATE SUSTAINABLE INCOME FOR LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND MAHOUTS WHILE IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ELEPHANTS AND REBUILDING THE BOND BETWEEN PEOPLE AND ELEPHANTS THAT ONCE EXISTED IN THE PAST. WE CANNOT AFFORD TO LOSE THIS RELATIONSHIP ANY FURTHER. THE PROJECT THEREFORE SEEKS TO CREATE NEW OPPORTUNITIES THAT CAN BRING PEOPLE AND ELEPHANTS CLOSER TOGETHER AND ENSURE THIS CONNECTION CAN CONTINUE FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.
ANOTHER RARELY EXPLORED PERSPECTIVE IN DESIGN IS THE WORLD THROUGH AN ELEPHANT’S EYES—HOW THEY PERCEIVE, EXPERIENCE, AND INTERACT WITH THEIR SURROUNDINGS. ELEPHANTS HAVE DICHROMATIC VISION, PERCEIVING BLUE AND YELLOW MORE CLEARLY WHILE RED AND GREEN APPEAR AS SHADES OF GRAY. THIS BECOMES A DESIGN TOOL THROUGH NIPPON PAINT’S SHOCKING YELLOW AND LIBERTY BLUE, SYMBOLIZING THE ELEPHANTS’ FREEDOM. THE CONCEPT CREATES A BOUNDARY-FREE ENVIRONMENT WHERE PEOPLE AND ELEPHANTS CAN INTERACT MORE CLOSELY. YELLOW ROPES WRAP AROUND COLUMNS, WHILE CONTRASTING COLORS DEFINE SPATIAL BOUNDARIES THAT ELEPHANTS CAN RECOGNIZE. THE FLOOR IS LOWERED TO THE ELEPHANTS’ EYE LEVEL, ALLOWING PEOPLE AND ELEPHANTS TO REMAIN CLOSE WHILE MAINTAINING SAFETY. THE SPACE TRANSFORMS ELEPHANTS’ EXPERIENCE FROM FORCED PERFORMANCE INTO A PLACE OF REST AND MEANINGFUL INTERACTION. MAHOUTS CAN WORK ALONGSIDE THEM, WHILE VISITORS RECONNECT WITH ELEPHANTS IN A MORE NATURAL WAY—HELPING RESTORE A RELATIONSHIP THAT HAS GRADUALLY BEEN LOST.
ANOTHER RARELY EXPLORED PERSPECTIVE IN DESIGN IS THE WORLD THROUGH AN ELEPHANT’S EYES—HOW THEY PERCEIVE, EXPERIENCE, AND INTERACT WITH THEIR SURROUNDINGS. ELEPHANTS HAVE DICHROMATIC VISION, PERCEIVING BLUE AND YELLOW MORE CLEARLY WHILE RED AND GREEN APPEAR AS SHADES OF GRAY. THIS BECOMES A DESIGN TOOL THROUGH NIPPON PAINT’S SHOCKING YELLOW AND LIBERTY BLUE, SYMBOLIZING THE ELEPHANTS’ FREEDOM. THE CONCEPT CREATES A BOUNDARY-FREE ENVIRONMENT WHERE PEOPLE AND ELEPHANTS CAN INTERACT MORE CLOSELY. YELLOW ROPES WRAP AROUND COLUMNS, WHILE CONTRASTING COLORS DEFINE SPATIAL BOUNDARIES THAT ELEPHANTS CAN RECOGNIZE. THE FLOOR IS LOWERED TO THE ELEPHANTS’ EYE LEVEL, ALLOWING PEOPLE AND ELEPHANTS TO REMAIN CLOSE WHILE MAINTAINING SAFETY. THE SPACE TRANSFORMS ELEPHANTS’ EXPERIENCE FROM FORCED PERFORMANCE INTO A PLACE OF REST AND MEANINGFUL INTERACTION. MAHOUTS CAN WORK ALONGSIDE THEM, WHILE VISITORS RECONNECT WITH ELEPHANTS IN A MORE NATURAL WAY—HELPING RESTORE A RELATIONSHIP THAT HAS GRADUALLY BEEN LOST.
ANOTHER RARELY EXPLORED PERSPECTIVE IN DESIGN IS THE WORLD THROUGH AN ELEPHANT’S EYES—HOW THEY PERCEIVE, EXPERIENCE, AND INTERACT WITH THEIR SURROUNDINGS. ELEPHANTS HAVE DICHROMATIC VISION, PERCEIVING BLUE AND YELLOW MORE CLEARLY WHILE RED AND GREEN APPEAR AS SHADES OF GRAY. THIS BECOMES A DESIGN TOOL THROUGH NIPPON PAINT’S SHOCKING YELLOW AND LIBERTY BLUE, SYMBOLIZING THE ELEPHANTS’ FREEDOM. THE CONCEPT CREATES A BOUNDARY-FREE ENVIRONMENT WHERE PEOPLE AND ELEPHANTS CAN INTERACT MORE CLOSELY. YELLOW ROPES WRAP AROUND COLUMNS, WHILE CONTRASTING COLORS DEFINE SPATIAL BOUNDARIES THAT ELEPHANTS CAN RECOGNIZE. THE FLOOR IS LOWERED TO THE ELEPHANTS’ EYE LEVEL, ALLOWING PEOPLE AND ELEPHANTS TO REMAIN CLOSE WHILE MAINTAINING SAFETY. THE SPACE TRANSFORMS ELEPHANTS’ EXPERIENCE FROM FORCED PERFORMANCE INTO A PLACE OF REST AND MEANINGFUL INTERACTION. MAHOUTS CAN WORK ALONGSIDE THEM, WHILE VISITORS RECONNECT WITH ELEPHANTS IN A MORE NATURAL WAY—HELPING RESTORE A RELATIONSHIP THAT HAS GRADUALLY BEEN LOST.
The building layout is inspired by Pga Knyau traditions, taking a humble approach that respects the surrounding forest rather than dominating the landscape. Buildings are oriented toward the east and northeast, following traditional principles, while allowing elephants to move freely throughout the site. Circulation is divided into separate routes for people, elephants, and daily operations. A central resource area provides shared facilities for surrounding communities, while additional sleeping areas offer elephants safe shelter from forest fires. Visitors enter from the rear for safety, while elephants can freely access the garden for their daily exercise and routine.
The building layout is inspired by Pga Knyau traditions, taking a humble approach that respects the surrounding forest rather than dominating the landscape. Buildings are oriented toward the east and northeast, following traditional principles, while allowing elephants to move freely throughout the site. Circulation is divided into separate routes for people, elephants, and daily operations. A central resource area provides shared facilities for surrounding communities, while additional sleeping areas offer elephants safe shelter from forest fires. Visitors enter from the rear for safety, while elephants can freely access the garden for their daily exercise and routine.
The building layout is inspired by Pga Knyau traditions, taking a humble approach that respects the surrounding forest rather than dominating the landscape. Buildings are oriented toward the east and northeast, following traditional principles, while allowing elephants to move freely throughout the site. Circulation is divided into separate routes for people, elephants, and daily operations. A central resource area provides shared facilities for surrounding communities, while additional sleeping areas offer elephants safe shelter from forest fires. Visitors enter from the rear for safety, while elephants can freely access the garden for their daily exercise and routine.
The reception area aims to rebuild the relationship between people and elephants, inspired by traditional Pga Knyau houses. Woven elements symbolize connections between people across different levels, while a central communal hearth serves as a place for rituals, gathering, and welcoming visitors. The seating around the hearth is inspired by the three traditional stones, reinterpreted to display products made from elephant dung. Yellow ropes around the columns help elephants recognize spatial boundaries while protecting visitors. During winter, the hearth can also function as a real fire pit, creating a warm communal gathering space. A dedicated area allows visitors to learn about elephant dung collection and processing. The material is boiled with robotic assistance before being transferred to a drying area for further use. Visitors can observe the process from a front balcony without disrupting the community’s daily work.
The reception area aims to rebuild the relationship between people and elephants, inspired by traditional Pga Knyau houses. Woven elements symbolize connections between people across different levels, while a central communal hearth serves as a place for rituals, gathering, and welcoming visitors. The seating around the hearth is inspired by the three traditional stones, reinterpreted to display products made from elephant dung. Yellow ropes around the columns help elephants recognize spatial boundaries while protecting visitors. During winter, the hearth can also function as a real fire pit, creating a warm communal gathering space. A dedicated area allows visitors to learn about elephant dung collection and processing. The material is boiled with robotic assistance before being transferred to a drying area for further use. Visitors can observe the process from a front balcony without disrupting the community’s daily work.
The reception area aims to rebuild the relationship between people and elephants, inspired by traditional Pga Knyau houses. Woven elements symbolize connections between people across different levels, while a central communal hearth serves as a place for rituals, gathering, and welcoming visitors. The seating around the hearth is inspired by the three traditional stones, reinterpreted to display products made from elephant dung. Yellow ropes around the columns help elephants recognize spatial boundaries while protecting visitors. During winter, the hearth can also function as a real fire pit, creating a warm communal gathering space. A dedicated area allows visitors to learn about elephant dung collection and processing. The material is boiled with robotic assistance before being transferred to a drying area for further use. Visitors can observe the process from a front balcony without disrupting the community’s daily work.
Once processed, elephant dung is transformed into products and materials such as bricks, ventilation blocks, lamps, stools, and prosthetic legs made from dung and HSPE, creating value that can be returned to the elephants. The project also supports meaningful interactions between elephants and the local community. The central garden provides space for elephants to bathe and rest on gentle mounds. A large tree symbolizes remembrance of elephants lost through insufficient care, with a Pga Knyau-inspired burial structure beneath it representing protection for elephants and the community. The adjacent storage area holds elephant dung, feed, and dried dung for processing. A mezzanine provides a resting space for villagers, while the cogon grass roof is gradually replaced over time, reflecting how the architecture naturally changes with the people and environment.
Once processed, elephant dung is transformed into products and materials such as bricks, ventilation blocks, lamps, stools, and prosthetic legs made from dung and HSPE, creating value that can be returned to the elephants. The project also supports meaningful interactions between elephants and the local community. The central garden provides space for elephants to bathe and rest on gentle mounds. A large tree symbolizes remembrance of elephants lost through insufficient care, with a Pga Knyau-inspired burial structure beneath it representing protection for elephants and the community. The adjacent storage area holds elephant dung, feed, and dried dung for processing. A mezzanine provides a resting space for villagers, while the cogon grass roof is gradually replaced over time, reflecting how the architecture naturally changes with the people and environment.
Once processed, elephant dung is transformed into products and materials such as bricks, ventilation blocks, lamps, stools, and prosthetic legs made from dung and HSPE, creating value that can be returned to the elephants. The project also supports meaningful interactions between elephants and the local community. The central garden provides space for elephants to bathe and rest on gentle mounds. A large tree symbolizes remembrance of elephants lost through insufficient care, with a Pga Knyau-inspired burial structure beneath it representing protection for elephants and the community. The adjacent storage area holds elephant dung, feed, and dried dung for processing. A mezzanine provides a resting space for villagers, while the cogon grass roof is gradually replaced over time, reflecting how the architecture naturally changes with the people and environment.
Elephants have an inefficient digestive system, leaving nutrients and fibers in their dung. This creates an opportunity to reuse dung as a key material for a modular green roof, called the “Elephant Green Roof.” A rotating steel frame compresses the material before the dried modules are transferred to nearby racks, while a canvas sheet can protect them from rain. Elephant dung can also be transformed into “Poo Poo Paper” by mixing it with natural fibers, recycled paper, and pigments. The pulp is formed into sheets, dried on racks, and can be used by visitors or suspended across the skylight to soften natural light. The space also shares mahouts’ traditional knowledge of herbal treatments for elephants. Visitors can make herbal inhalers and digestive balls for elephants using herbs prepared with a Pga Knyau-inspired mortar, allowing the process to become part of the spatial experience.
Elephants have an inefficient digestive system, leaving nutrients and fibers in their dung. This creates an opportunity to reuse dung as a key material for a modular green roof, called the “Elephant Green Roof.” A rotating steel frame compresses the material before the dried modules are transferred to nearby racks, while a canvas sheet can protect them from rain. Elephant dung can also be transformed into “Poo Poo Paper” by mixing it with natural fibers, recycled paper, and pigments. The pulp is formed into sheets, dried on racks, and can be used by visitors or suspended across the skylight to soften natural light. The space also shares mahouts’ traditional knowledge of herbal treatments for elephants. Visitors can make herbal inhalers and digestive balls for elephants using herbs prepared with a Pga Knyau-inspired mortar, allowing the process to become part of the spatial experience.
Elephants have an inefficient digestive system, leaving nutrients and fibers in their dung. This creates an opportunity to reuse dung as a key material for a modular green roof, called the “Elephant Green Roof.” A rotating steel frame compresses the material before the dried modules are transferred to nearby racks, while a canvas sheet can protect them from rain. Elephant dung can also be transformed into “Poo Poo Paper” by mixing it with natural fibers, recycled paper, and pigments. The pulp is formed into sheets, dried on racks, and can be used by visitors or suspended across the skylight to soften natural light. The space also shares mahouts’ traditional knowledge of herbal treatments for elephants. Visitors can make herbal inhalers and digestive balls for elephants using herbs prepared with a Pga Knyau-inspired mortar, allowing the process to become part of the spatial experience.
ELEPHANTS HAVE DICHROMATIC VISION, PERCEIVING BLUE AND YELLOW MORE CLEARLY. THE ARCHITECTURE IS DESIGNED FROM AN ELEPHANT’S PERSPECTIVE, CREATING A VISUAL LANDSCAPE THAT REFLECTS HOW ELEPHANTS PERCEIVE THEIR SURROUNDINGS. THE CURVED ARCHES, FLOOR EDGES, AND ROOFLINES HELP DEFINE THE SPACE WITHIN THEIR FIELD OF VISION, WHILE COLORED PLANES THROUGHOUT THE INTERIOR PROVIDE CLEAR VISUAL CUES AND REINFORCE THE BOUNDARIES OF THE ARCHITECTURE.
ELEPHANTS HAVE DICHROMATIC VISION, PERCEIVING BLUE AND YELLOW MORE CLEARLY. THE ARCHITECTURE IS DESIGNED FROM AN ELEPHANT’S PERSPECTIVE, CREATING A VISUAL LANDSCAPE THAT REFLECTS HOW ELEPHANTS PERCEIVE THEIR SURROUNDINGS. THE CURVED ARCHES, FLOOR EDGES, AND ROOFLINES HELP DEFINE THE SPACE WITHIN THEIR FIELD OF VISION, WHILE COLORED PLANES THROUGHOUT THE INTERIOR PROVIDE CLEAR VISUAL CUES AND REINFORCE THE BOUNDARIES OF THE ARCHITECTURE.
ELEPHANTS HAVE DICHROMATIC VISION, PERCEIVING BLUE AND YELLOW MORE CLEARLY. THE ARCHITECTURE IS DESIGNED FROM AN ELEPHANT’S PERSPECTIVE, CREATING A VISUAL LANDSCAPE THAT REFLECTS HOW ELEPHANTS PERCEIVE THEIR SURROUNDINGS. THE CURVED ARCHES, FLOOR EDGES, AND ROOFLINES HELP DEFINE THE SPACE WITHIN THEIR FIELD OF VISION, WHILE COLORED PLANES THROUGHOUT THE INTERIOR PROVIDE CLEAR VISUAL CUES AND REINFORCE THE BOUNDARIES OF THE ARCHITECTURE.
From a place where elephants are forced to work, the project becomes a space that gives life back to them. It creates sustainable income for local communities without relying on unwanted elephant labor, while restoring the bond between people and elephants. WE BRING THAI KNOWLEDGE TO THE WORLD BY TURNING SIMPLE LOCAL WISDOM INTO NEW POSSIBILITIES. FROM ELEPHANT-DUNG BRICKS AND PLASTER TO DUNG PAPER AND FURNITURE, WE TRANSFORM OUR HERITAGE INTO INNOVATION AND A NEW FUTURE. “TOGETHER, WE CAN SHAPE THEIR FUTURE.”
From a place where elephants are forced to work, the project becomes a space that gives life back to them. It creates sustainable income for local communities without relying on unwanted elephant labor, while restoring the bond between people and elephants. WE BRING THAI KNOWLEDGE TO THE WORLD BY TURNING SIMPLE LOCAL WISDOM INTO NEW POSSIBILITIES. FROM ELEPHANT-DUNG BRICKS AND PLASTER TO DUNG PAPER AND FURNITURE, WE TRANSFORM OUR HERITAGE INTO INNOVATION AND A NEW FUTURE. “TOGETHER, WE CAN SHAPE THEIR FUTURE.”
From a place where elephants are forced to work, the project becomes a space that gives life back to them. It creates sustainable income for local communities without relying on unwanted elephant labor, while restoring the bond between people and elephants. WE BRING THAI KNOWLEDGE TO THE WORLD BY TURNING SIMPLE LOCAL WISDOM INTO NEW POSSIBILITIES. FROM ELEPHANT-DUNG BRICKS AND PLASTER TO DUNG PAPER AND FURNITURE, WE TRANSFORM OUR HERITAGE INTO INNOVATION AND A NEW FUTURE. “TOGETHER, WE CAN SHAPE THEIR FUTURE.”