High atop a hill in northern Chiang Mai sits the 90th Anniversary building. This isn’t just any building. It’s a testament to a remarkable life. It’s the legacy of Khunying Noi a member of the royal family.
The 90th Anniversary building is more than just a structure. It’s a place of serenity and reflection. It comprises a Sunset Sala and a meditation cathedral. The Sunset Sala was built first. It was intended as a space for Khunying Noi to enjoy breathtaking sunsets with family and friends. It quickly became a beloved gathering place.
Khunying Noi then decided to create a space for spiritual practice. That’s how the meditation cathedral came to be. The design reflects the rolling hills and mountains. The buildings seem to grow naturally from the landscape. The cathedral-like meditation space features stunning bamboo arches. These arches are not just decorative. They form the building’s structural support. They are truly ingenious. A floating umbrella-shaped roof crowns the arches. Skylights form a wheel-like pattern letting in light.
Nearby is a bathroom with showers and toilets. It has an eye-catching bamboo roof over an adobe building. Decorative bottles are embedded in the walls. An even smaller structure resembles a mushroom. It hides the water tank and a well.
The main bamboo species used are Thyrsostachus Oliveri and Thyrsostachus Siamensis. Dendrocalamus asper and Bamboosa spp were also incorporated. All the bamboo was carefully selected and treated with a borax/boric acid solution. The skilled craftsmen were trained in-house. Many were Thai Yai people who had fled Burma.
The 90th Anniversary building is more than a place. It’s a sanctuary a reflection of faith and family. It is a unique architectural marvel. It tells the story of a woman. It’s a place where the past present and future beautifully coexist. It’s a place you’ll never forget. And as you stand here you can almost feel the peace and tranquility Khunying Noi envisioned.