March 12, 2022 – Faculty of Architecture, Khon Kaen University and the Faculty of Architecture Alumni Association, KKU, held the presentation of the 2022 “Wirot Srisuro Award”. The ceremony was honored to have Assoc. Prof. Thiti Hengrasamee, a former Dean and founder of the Faculty presiding over. Participants included Assoc. Prof. Chupong Thongkhamsamut, Ph.D., Dean of the Faculty, Mr. Chalermpon Kittikan, President of Faculty of Architecture Alumni Association; Mr. Chana Sampalang, President of Siam Architecture Council under the Royal Patronage; Awarding Committee, Faculty administrators, lecturers, artists and architects. The ceremony took place at the Multi-purpose Building (Sim), Faculty of Architecture, Khon Kaen University.
The “Wirot Srisuro Award” event is organized to demonstrate appreciation of a person who has the roles and in conservation and creation of architectural works, especially in Isan Region. The event also commemorates Assoc. Prof. Wirot Srisuro, Ph.D., a co-founder of the Faculty of Architecture, Khon Kaen University, an architect and designer who pioneered the academic circle of vernacular architecture in Isan. This year is the first that the award has been presented. The 2022 award was given to Mr. Numon Prathumwan, a great artisan who designed and carved the gable of Sim at Posri Manastery, Sila Sub-district, Khon Kaen.
The 2022 “Wirot Srisuro Award” was presided over by Assoc. Prof. Thiti Hengrasamee, a former Dean and founder of the Faculty. Assoc. Prof. Chupong Thongkhamsamut, Ph.D., Dean of the Faculty conveyed a welcoming speech while Mr. Chalermpon Kittikan, President of Faculty of Architecture Alumni Association made a reporting speech. The participants at the event then watched together the congratulating video produced by Mr. Apichatpong Weerasetkul, a world-class film director who is an alumnus of the Faculty. The next session was a speech about the importance of the award by Mrs. Premjit Srisuro, Assoc. Prof. Wirot Srisuro’s wife, followed by the award presentation with a cash prize of 30,000 baht to Mr. Numon Prathumwan, who received the 2022 “Wirot Srisuro Award” and the transfer of the position of President of the Faculty of Architecture Alumni Association for 2022-2025 to Mr. Thanapong Witkhamhan.
Assoc. Prof. Thiti Hengrasamee, a former Dean and founder of the Faculty of Architecture said that the “Wirot Srisuro Award” this year is a good chance for everyone to witness the award presentation and a good chance for the faculty to meet the qualified committee members who judged the work. The award is an honor to the receiver. It is hoped that this kind of awarding will be carried out in other regions in the country. The former dean then congratulated Khun Ta Numon Prathumwan for being awarded. It is believed that in the future, more people will receive this award, which should not be limited to architects. It could be artists in other fields who are involved in the design and creative works. This is the first time that the “Wirot Srisuro Award” has been given in Isan Region and in Thailand.
Assoc. Prof. Chupong Thongkhamsamut, Ph.D., Dean of the Faculty said that this honorary prize commemorates the professor who co-founded the Faculty of Architecture of Khon Kaen University, Assoc. Prof. Wirot Srisuro, Ph.D. The professor was a benefactor of the Faculty and Khon Kaen University with his expertise and good examples for the later architectural lecturers today. It is an honor for the Faculty of Architecture to be part of the organization of this award with the other architectural organizations including the Faculty of Architecture Alumni Association. It is hoped that the award will regularly continue in the future. The Dean then thanked those who assisted in the organization of the event this year.
Mr. Chalermpon Kittikan, President of Faculty of Architecture Alumni Association said that this awarding ceremony is arranged to honor and commemorate Assoc. Prof. Wirot Srisuro, Ph.D., who was an architect and an industrial designer that pioneered the conservation of Isan vernacular architecture. Professor Wirot had built inspiration among a lot of architects and local technicians. The awarding would be a moral support for those with the roles in vernacular art and architectural conservation. The Alumni Association was grateful to those who attended the ceremony this year.
The “Wirot Srisuro Award” is given to architects, lecturers, academicians, writers, conservationists, contractors, and local artists in all fields who play an important role in conserving and developing Isan vernacular architecture and arts for over 30 years. The “Wirot Srisuro Award” comprises a certificate, a cash of 30,000 baht and a trophy. The selection committee is composed of architects, artists or academicians who have the role and works that are widely accepted in vernacular architecture.
News / Photos; Natthawut Jaruwong
