David O’Brien

The University of Melbourne, Australia
Exchange to Silpakorn University, Thailand

My research has been focused on designing sustainable housing in Thailand’s rural regions and is based on an architect’s perspective. My involvement began in response to a non-government agency’s request for help designing low-cost housing. They noted that deforestation was having an effect on the affordability of the traditional timber housing types in rural areas. We soon found that the poor were becoming disconnected from traditional ways of building. Concrete houses were becoming the norm and people were struggling to afford them and maintain traditional lifestyles within them. This project had added importance in the aftermath of the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami where the need to house the poor in sustainable housing was highlighted.

Thai people have mixed feelings about concrete houses, they may improve the household’s status but are seen to be uncomfortably hot to live in and break down strong feelings of community spirit. My project looked to identify alternatives that are environmentally and culturally sustainable as well as economically affordable.

During the second half of 2005 I used my Endeavour Australia Cheung Kong Award to live in Chiang Mai, Thailand, and complete the writing component of my PhD. Fortunately I had been to Thailand many times previously but this time I was able to take my partner Suzie and three year old daughter (Amy Maliwan). Together we lived on the upper floors of an architect’s office within the old city of Chiang Mai beside the market at Pratu Chiang Mai. This is a terrific location - right in the action and walking distance to a wide array of fabulous restaurants (who would want to cook with such a variety of glorious Thai food around?).

Having a young child in Thailand was a terrific experience - Thai people really enjoyed spending time with her (the blond hair and loud voice was definitely a novelty). This level of engagement made our experiences all the more rewarding. The extended period of time in another country forced us to grapple with a whole new set of issues that a short-term visitor misses out on. Finding suitable accommodation, a good preschool, how to pay phone and electricity bills - these are new challenges alongside the need to sit in an office on a thirty-seven degree day and write a thesis without melting (both the computer and I struggled at times).

Would we do it again? You bet. From a career, family and personal perspective it was a luxury. There isn’t a day that goes by where I don’t look at the experience as a highlight. The effects are ongoing. The initial project is expanding in new and exciting ways. More people are becoming involved. More grant applications are in the works.

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