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Wat Pho Thong Chedi and Garuda Museum
Wat Pho Thong Chedi and Garuda Museum
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Other Projects by HAS design and research
Wat Pho Thong Chedi and Garuda Museum
STATUS
Concept
SIZE
25,000 sqft - 100,000 sqft
BUDGET
Undisclosed
Wat Pho Thong, one of Thailand's most revered Buddhist temples, is dedicated to the Garuda—a mythical bird deity from Indian mythology. The Garuda, a symbol of power and protection, has profoundly influenced Thai Buddhism for centuries, embodying both national pride and royal prestige. In reverence to its significance, the Wat Pho Thong Chedi and Garuda Museum was conceived in the 21st century by monks, with the completion of the project relying on the generosity of devotees who contributed funds, labor, and building materials. Architects Jenchieh Hung and Kulthida Songkittipakdee from HAS Design and Research brought their expertise in design and planning to this sacred space, blending tradition with innovation.
Situated on the outskirts of central Bangkok, approximately 10 kilometers from the famed Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Wat Pho Thong is a sanctuary of peace, far removed from the noise and bustle of the city's more well-known temples. The surrounding area is open and airy, with scattered buildings and lush greenery, creating an atmosphere of tranquility—an ideal setting for disconnecting from the world. When Hung And Songkittipakdee (HAS) first visited the site, they were drawn to its east-west axis, framed by a canal that flows from the Chao Phraya River. This century-old canal is believed to be the root of the temple's history and cultural significance. The new museum will connect the original Wat Pho Thong temple with the newly constructed Wat Pho Thong Chedi and Garuda Museum, creating a sacred axis that evokes the meditative calm experienced by monks during their rituals.
In response to this serene setting, architects Jenchieh Hung and Kulthida Songkittipakdee envisioned a groundbreaking design for the Chedi and Garuda Museum—one that redefines the history of Thai Buddhist architecture. While a traditional Chedi is a tall, isolated stupa, the architects integrated the surrounding canal into the design, elevating it to create a cascading waterfall. At the far end of this water feature, the temple’s grand Buddha statue stands, offering a sacred pilgrimage experience. Devotees walk along the Buddha Waterfall Pathway, nearly 100 meters long, as if journeying down the century-old canal itself—a path to enlightenment.
Upon entering the Buddha Hall, visitors are guided by the cascading step design of the chedi, which aligns with the original Buddha Waterfall Pathway, seamlessly linking the landscape with the architecture. The textured surface of the hall's exterior evokes the layered visual effect of a traditional chedi, transforming the sound of flowing water at the entrance into a harmonious blend of visual and auditory devotion. Inside, triangular skylights frame the Buddha's eyes, inviting worshippers to contemplate the image of enlightenment, set against the backdrop of the expansive blue sky and drifting clouds. This natural fusion of the spiritual, the environmental, and the human elements creates a profoundly uplifting atmosphere.
During the day, the long axis of the Buddha Waterfall Pathway gently isolates visitors from external noise—traffic and crowds fade away, replaced by the soft, rhythmic sound of flowing water that evokes the chants of monks, deepening the spiritual connection between worshippers and their faith. In the afternoon, the Buddha, bathed in warm sunlight, seems to glow in the distance, creating an almost tangible sense of spiritual presence. The continuous flow of water further strengthens the bond between the temple and the surrounding community. As night falls, the tiered structures flanking the waterfall provide functional spaces for the monks' dormitories, washing areas, logistics, and parking, ensuring that the temple can evolve to meet the needs of the future.
In the Garuda Museum, the architectural space exudes quiet austerity—a peaceful detachment from the world. Above the museum, a large Buddha water pool replaces modern air conditioning, while linear openings for natural light create a cool, ventilated space that preserves the history and culture of the Garuda. In the worship area, the architects extend the water pool from the roof into the interior, producing reflective water features and allowing natural light to filter through. Some sections of the ceiling use structural glass, offering worshippers an unparalleled connection to both the physical and spiritual realms. On the second floor, the meditation hall's exposed structural beams and the building’s roof water pool highlight how the canal unites the old Wat Pho Thong temple with the new Wat Pho Thong Chedi and Garuda Museum, fostering a deep sense of empathy between monks and their environment during meditation.
The Wat Pho Thong Chedi and Garuda Museum is a project born from the collective faith of the public. Standing 48 meters tall, it is visible from the Chao Phraya River, becoming a beacon of spiritual significance. Architects Jenchieh Hung and Kulthida Songkittipakdee’s design integrates four key thematic spaces: the Buddha Waterfall Pathway, the Worship Hall, the Garuda Museum, and the Meditation Hall. This new temple not only seeks to revive traditional Thai Buddhism in the modern world but also reimagines the temple as a community space—a new type of public space for urban life. Through its innovative design and profound symbolic resonance, the temple reflects the architects’ belief that religion can serve as a bridge, connecting people emotionally and fostering a sense of care and empathy between individuals and society.
Project name: Wat Pho Thong Chedi and Garuda Museum
Location: Bangkok, Thailand
Architecture firm: HAS design and research
Lead architects: Jenchieh Hung, Kulthida Songkittipakdee
Design team: Jenchieh Hung, Kulthida Songkittipakdee, Sirawich Pansuwan, Thanyatorn Saelao, Pech Panha Pen, Sitanan Trakulsuebchai
Structure consultant: Buncha Layangkoon
Religious consultant: Nives Vaseenon
Site area: 14,100 sq.m.
Gross built area: 8,800 sq.m.
Building height: 48m
Client: Wat Pho Thong
Image credit: Jenchieh Hung + Kulthida Songkittipakdee | HAS design and research
Situated on the outskirts of central Bangkok, approximately 10 kilometers from the famed Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Wat Pho Thong is a sanctuary of peace, far removed from the noise and bustle of the city's more well-known temples. The surrounding area is open and airy, with scattered buildings and lush greenery, creating an atmosphere of tranquility—an ideal setting for disconnecting from the world. When Hung And Songkittipakdee (HAS) first visited the site, they were drawn to its east-west axis, framed by a canal that flows from the Chao Phraya River. This century-old canal is believed to be the root of the temple's history and cultural significance. The new museum will connect the original Wat Pho Thong temple with the newly constructed Wat Pho Thong Chedi and Garuda Museum, creating a sacred axis that evokes the meditative calm experienced by monks during their rituals.
In response to this serene setting, architects Jenchieh Hung and Kulthida Songkittipakdee envisioned a groundbreaking design for the Chedi and Garuda Museum—one that redefines the history of Thai Buddhist architecture. While a traditional Chedi is a tall, isolated stupa, the architects integrated the surrounding canal into the design, elevating it to create a cascading waterfall. At the far end of this water feature, the temple’s grand Buddha statue stands, offering a sacred pilgrimage experience. Devotees walk along the Buddha Waterfall Pathway, nearly 100 meters long, as if journeying down the century-old canal itself—a path to enlightenment.
Upon entering the Buddha Hall, visitors are guided by the cascading step design of the chedi, which aligns with the original Buddha Waterfall Pathway, seamlessly linking the landscape with the architecture. The textured surface of the hall's exterior evokes the layered visual effect of a traditional chedi, transforming the sound of flowing water at the entrance into a harmonious blend of visual and auditory devotion. Inside, triangular skylights frame the Buddha's eyes, inviting worshippers to contemplate the image of enlightenment, set against the backdrop of the expansive blue sky and drifting clouds. This natural fusion of the spiritual, the environmental, and the human elements creates a profoundly uplifting atmosphere.
During the day, the long axis of the Buddha Waterfall Pathway gently isolates visitors from external noise—traffic and crowds fade away, replaced by the soft, rhythmic sound of flowing water that evokes the chants of monks, deepening the spiritual connection between worshippers and their faith. In the afternoon, the Buddha, bathed in warm sunlight, seems to glow in the distance, creating an almost tangible sense of spiritual presence. The continuous flow of water further strengthens the bond between the temple and the surrounding community. As night falls, the tiered structures flanking the waterfall provide functional spaces for the monks' dormitories, washing areas, logistics, and parking, ensuring that the temple can evolve to meet the needs of the future.
In the Garuda Museum, the architectural space exudes quiet austerity—a peaceful detachment from the world. Above the museum, a large Buddha water pool replaces modern air conditioning, while linear openings for natural light create a cool, ventilated space that preserves the history and culture of the Garuda. In the worship area, the architects extend the water pool from the roof into the interior, producing reflective water features and allowing natural light to filter through. Some sections of the ceiling use structural glass, offering worshippers an unparalleled connection to both the physical and spiritual realms. On the second floor, the meditation hall's exposed structural beams and the building’s roof water pool highlight how the canal unites the old Wat Pho Thong temple with the new Wat Pho Thong Chedi and Garuda Museum, fostering a deep sense of empathy between monks and their environment during meditation.
The Wat Pho Thong Chedi and Garuda Museum is a project born from the collective faith of the public. Standing 48 meters tall, it is visible from the Chao Phraya River, becoming a beacon of spiritual significance. Architects Jenchieh Hung and Kulthida Songkittipakdee’s design integrates four key thematic spaces: the Buddha Waterfall Pathway, the Worship Hall, the Garuda Museum, and the Meditation Hall. This new temple not only seeks to revive traditional Thai Buddhism in the modern world but also reimagines the temple as a community space—a new type of public space for urban life. Through its innovative design and profound symbolic resonance, the temple reflects the architects’ belief that religion can serve as a bridge, connecting people emotionally and fostering a sense of care and empathy between individuals and society.
Project name: Wat Pho Thong Chedi and Garuda Museum
Location: Bangkok, Thailand
Architecture firm: HAS design and research
Lead architects: Jenchieh Hung, Kulthida Songkittipakdee
Design team: Jenchieh Hung, Kulthida Songkittipakdee, Sirawich Pansuwan, Thanyatorn Saelao, Pech Panha Pen, Sitanan Trakulsuebchai
Structure consultant: Buncha Layangkoon
Religious consultant: Nives Vaseenon
Site area: 14,100 sq.m.
Gross built area: 8,800 sq.m.
Building height: 48m
Client: Wat Pho Thong
Image credit: Jenchieh Hung + Kulthida Songkittipakdee | HAS design and research
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