Designed to inspire future architects the Faculty of Architecture at Chulalongkorn University stands as a beacon of innovation. The Faculty of Architecture was founded in 1930. It began as the School of Architecture within the National School of Arts and Crafts.
Two years later, it moved to Chulalongkorn University. There it became the Department of Architecture in the Faculty of Engineering. The curriculum was a three-year program. It led to a Diploma in Architecture. In 1934, it gained independence with its own administration. By 1939, it achieved faculty status. The curriculum expanded to include sciences, social studies economics humanities and environmental control. A five-year program then led to a Bachelor of Architecture Degree. A two-year Master’s Degree program started in 1972. Ph.D. programs in Architecture and Urban and Regional Planning followed in 1990.
Today, the Faculty of Architecture includes six departments. These are Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Interior Architecture Industrial Design Urban and Regional Planning and Housing Development. They offer four bachelor’s degree programs, three master’s programs and one doctoral program. About 1300 students attend the Faculty of Architecture. Undergraduates comprise about 80% of the student body. There are 80 teaching staff and 65 supporting staff. The academic year has two sixteen-week semesters. One runs from June to October. The other runs from November to March. A long summer break occurs from March to May.
As Thailand’s oldest architecture school the Faculty encourages exploration. Students experiment and experience architectural concepts. They learn through varied teaching methods in supportive environments. Graduates adapt theoretical and practical knowledge. They professionally address challenges facing modern architects. They prepare for future changes. The Faculty of Architecture also houses the International Program in Design and Architecture or INDA. INDA teaches in English. It aims to prepare students for graduate studies abroad.
INDA was founded in 2006. It has grown from 40 students to over 300. INDA focuses on design innovation. It gives graduates an international view of architecture and design. Instructors come from around the world. They represent diverse perspectives on architectural innovation. INDA’s core curriculum includes design, communication, history theory construction and technology. It also offers courses on Tropical Architecture Southeast Asian Architecture and Urban Design. INDA provides international engagement through workshops and tours.
Students who complete INDA receive a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Design. Graduates can pursue professional architecture. They can also work in related design fields globally. INDA received accreditation from the Architecture Council of Thailand in 2013. Graduates can take the Thai Architecture licensing exam after two years of work experience. Many students pursue Master’s degrees at top universities. INDA’s academic calendar features two semesters. Special workshops and projects occur in between. The first semester is from August to December. The second is from January to May. Summer offers study tours and design-build projects.
Courses at INDA include studio lecture and hybrid formats. Design studio courses are central. Students meet with professors twice a week. They discuss and develop their work. Lecture courses cover history and theory. Hybrid courses combine studio and lecture elements. INDA is located in Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Architecture Building. Its location in Bangkok allows direct engagement with the city’s rich culture. INDA students participate in workshops and projects worldwide. The Faculty of Architecture at Chulalongkorn University cultivates future leaders. It enriches Thailand’s architectural landscape and beyond.