Exploring Sustainable Conservation: A Case Study on the Transformation of Knockdown Wooden Houses in Thailand

This research aimed to explore the local characteristics, development, and current status of knockdown wooden houses in Thailand’s central and northern regions to identify effective and sustainable development methods for the design process. Knockdown wooden houses are prefabricated structures that can be quickly assembled and disassembled. They can be transported as separate elements or complete tiny houses, offering high portability and convenience for relocation. The research methodology included a literature review, observation of knockdown house construction, and semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders. The findings revealed that the current state of knockdown wooden houses can be classified into three groups based on design adaptation and resource utilization. The first group adheres to a resilience approach in a conventional manner, while the second group adopts an adaptive approach, adjusting its design for modularity. Both groups use reclaimed wood. The third group adopts a transformative approach, emphasizing both architectural design and resource utilization. This group uses plantation teak, considers the entire system from wood resource to waste wood management, and shifts from linear to circular thinking. Their design prioritizes not only the product but also the sustainable process, in particular supporting the replanting of teak stands. The common characteristics of knockdown wooden houses in the Thai context include a preference for using reclaimed wood from dismantling old wooden buildings, a kinship system among carpenter groups, and flexible modular designs to meet owner needs and accommodate the unstandardized dimensions of reclaimed wood. The construction process consists of five main steps: material selection, wood processing, design, prefabrication, and installation, with an additional stage for waste wood management. This research advocates for promoting planted trees for sustainable wooden architecture, emphasizing the importance of managed forests. Design knowledge also should incorporate content about young wood material and modularity.