Not All Parasites Are Predators: A Parasitic Social Infrastructure For the Maen Sri Waterworks, Bangkok

Abstract

This creative practice-led research thesis explores how parasitic architecture can reinvigorate abandoned urban sites, with a specific focus on the Maen Sri Waterworks in Bangkok’s historic district. Embracing the concept of symbiotic relationships, the study advocates for a transformative shift in perspective, where the parasite serves to enhance rather than exploit the host structure. This approach emphasizes the preservation and augmentation of the host’s historical and architectural significance while integrating new functionalities, creating new environmental niches, and fostering new life. The proposed paradigm envisions a parasitic material realm, informed by both existing materials and original investigations, to infuse new vitality into abandoned space.

Through this initiative, the Maen Sri Waterworks is re-envisioned for public life centred on water use. Integrating elements such as water harvesting systems, purification facilities, and communal spaces, the proposal offers a water infrastructure that not only addresses practical challenges but also celebrates the historical significance of water towers in urban landscapes. The project seeks to advance a holistic spatial approach to urban revitalization, fostering sustainability, community engagement, and architectural innovation.