Detial of Royal Pavillion at EWC
Construction of a traditional Thai
sala (pavilion), donated to the East-West Center (EWC) by His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand, is nearing completion. The new
sala is replacing an older one bestowed on the Center by His Majesty in 1967, the first Royal
sala to be constructed outside Thailand.
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The
sala is located mauka of the Hawaii Imin International Conference Center at Jefferson Hall on the EWC campus.
William Feltz, coordinator of the EWC’s Arts Program, says “Over the years, the original
sala began to show signs of normal wear and tear. Instead of attempting to repair it, the Thai Government’s Fine Arts Ministry and His Majesty decided to present the Center with a new, more elaborate,
sala. We are extremely pleased to have this beautiful new structure.”
The new
sala was designed by Dr. Pinyo Suwankiri, a professor at Bangkok’s prestigious Chulalongkorn University, a Fellow of the Royal Institute, and the foremost designer of traditional structures in Thailand. First assembled in Bangkok, and made of teak and native rosewood, the new
sala was taken apart piece-by-piece and shipped to the EWC in Honolulu. A team of six Thai artisans and a Thai engineer, accompanied by Dr. Pinyo, traveled to Hawaii to oversee the dismantling of the old
sala and construction of the new one. The colorful pavilion, featuring ornately carved designs, sweeping rooftop
cho fa, mirrors, and His Majesty’s seal, will be officially dedicated early next year on the occasion of the visit to Hawaii of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.
The East-West Center contributes to a peaceful, prosperous and just Asia Pacific community by serving as a vigorous hub for cooperative research, education and dialogue on critical issues of common concern to the Asia Pacific region and the United States.
East-West Center: News Release: Thai King Gives New 'Sala' to East-West Center
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Thai Architecture | Dr. Pinyo Suwankiri
