Abstract:
Studsies the physical environment of the shophouse architecture which influences the usage of Sukhumvit Plaza and Park Avenue Home Office 2. The study consists of a survey to gather physical data and general use and open-ended questionnaires to discover supportable reason for selecting the projects, problems and advantages, as well as user's attitudes towards the components of the environment of the project studied. The evolution of shophouses is divided into 3 stages: the early stage, the transitional stage and the modern stage. Shophouse architecture in these projects belongs to the modern stage. In addition, general shophouses are developed as Linear Growth. They are bi-functional and negatively affect urban areas through pollution, visual pollution and the invasion of public space. Physical environment analysis of the projets studied compared to other shophouses found that the former take up more space than ordinary shophouses. The buildings are located perpendicular to the public road, providing more internal circulation, both of cars and people as well as more parking space and a central service area. Each unit on the projects studied is similar to an ordinary shophouse planning and dimensions, but the buildings here comprise more stories than the average shophouse. This study shows that physical components increase intensity and convenience. They are: 1) Internal circulation system 2) Central public parking 3) Open space Advantages of the developments studied are convenience in adjusting space in each unit, flexibility in dividing each floor space for rental, availability of parking space, convenience of access to the premises and more opened space. Disadvantages are illegal building modifications, lack of opportunity for the inner unit and complications in designing the rest components up to perfection. Some users are uncooperative in paying subscription charge. Both developments have to receive maintenance regularly. Proposals for Sukhumvit Plaza emphasize developing open spaces and the recreation area and decreasing maintenance tasks. Proposals for Park Avenue Home Office 2 emphasize renovation of footpath circulation and developing unallocated space in the back for a parking area, shops and a park for recreation. Proposals for designing shophouse architecture include the following: in the future, plans for footpath circulation systems should give good access to every unit within the premises, adequate parking space should be provided, the ground floor should be treated properly and large pieces of land should be used to develop projects.