Elephants have a special status in Thailand. They are part of grand royal ceremonies and were war animals for Kings throughout the country?s ancient history. In addition to being respected, the relationship between elephants and Thai people are unique?being treated as family members rather than pets or labour. The bond is perhaps strongest in the village of the ethnic Kui in Surin province, north-eastern Thailand. For many centuries, the community has lived with elephants that their ways of life, from birth to death, can hardly be separated.
Different scales of outdoor paths, sheltered space, and open courtyards, recall elements of the area: from elephants, humans, their houses, the ponds they both bathe, to the dirt bath the playful elephants enjoy. Image © Spaceshift Studio

architects: Bangkok Project StudioLocation: Surin, ThailandProject Year: 2020Photographs: Spaceshift StudioArea: 5400.0 m2
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