A previous royal manor is returned to its former glory
KLOYKAMOL SIRIBHAKDI
It is common for visitors to hesitate when asked to guess which of the two yellow buildings - both standing on a large compound at the end of the narrow Sukhothai Soi 6 - is the actual Varitchaves Mansion.
"Many people guess incorrectly," said Somchai Cheewasutthanon, director and CEO of advertising agency Matching Studio PCL, and tenant of the mansion.
Indeed, it is a difficult guess. The two buildings appear equally graceful, well-maintained and constructed in exactly the same style. But an air of nostalgia and old-fashioned charm radiates from the building with a slightly brighter yellow, hinting at the right answer. The mansion now belongs to Crown Bureau Property, who own and manage many other historical buildings.
The company has rented the property for more than 10 years, not a single day of which has seen the mansion being used as an office.
"I respect the place, so I don't want to turn it into a house or an office," said Somchai.
Instead, he constructed another building by duplicating the original one. An old-fashioned garage was also built nearby. The new building's exterior is exactly the same as the old mansion but the contemporary interior functions as a workplace.
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| What first strikes visitors as they enter the mansion is the curved stair that lies along the decoratively coloured glass. |
Despite its simple architecture, the mansion is adorned with many subtle details. |
For the original mansion, Somchai has only one aim in mind - to restore its former grace.
Varitchaves Mansion belonged to HRH Princess Wapeebussabakorn, daughter of King Rama V and Chao Chom Marnda Prom. It was built in 1933 after she returned from Hua Hin where she stayed to avoid political upheaval during the 1932 Revolution.
Varitchaves means the place of a person who was born from the water. It is derived from the princess's name, Wapee, which means pond.
Phra Sarotrattananimman, the architect of the mansion, also oversaw its construction. He graduated from the University of Liverpool in England and was head of the Fine Art Department's School of Architecture. He was also a guest lecturer of the Faculty of Architecture at Chulalongkorn University.
Unlike other mansions that are often designed in a flamboyant style and contain detailed decoration, the design of Varitchaves Mansion is more simple and modern. It has two storeys, a verandah, a balcony and arched doorways. It is homey but still retains regality. Despite its simple appearance, the building's many subtle details never fail to delight visitors. The outside wall was pressed to create an interesting uneven concave texture. The porch has been decorated with terrazzo, which creates a fresh and lively atmosphere.
What first strikes visitors as they enter the mansion is the curved stair that lies along the decoratively coloured glass. The stair is neither grand nor ordinary, but rather exudes a friendly elegance.
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| The two buildings are so equally graceful, well-maintained and constructed in exactly the same style that it's hard to distinguish which one is the real mansion. |
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| The porch of Varitchaves Mansion was once regularly visited by HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej and HM Queen Sirikit. |
Though it is relatively unknown to the public, the mansion used to host several royalties, including HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej and HM Queen Sirikit, during their youth.
After Princess Wapeebussabakorn's mother passed away, King Rama V put the princess in the care of Queen Savang Vadhana, the grandmother of HM the King, thus, Prince Mahidol of Songkla, the King's father, became well acquainted with Princess Wapee. The cousins wrote letters to each other while the prince was abroad studying.
The verandah at the back of the mansion was a regular venue of reunions when the king and queen visited Princess Wapee.
Before regaining its original beauty, Varitchaves Mansion, like many other royal manors, had declined into a shabby state. Sixteen years ago, Somchai was looking for a new home for his advertising company when he found the Varitchaves Mansion. "I feel connected with the place. I feel like I have a bond here," he said.
Since he signed a rental contract for the mansion with the Crown Bureau Property, three new office buildings have been constructed. The first stands near the mansion, the second near the entrance and the third on the company's own land next to the mansion, which also houses a pond.
Step by step, the restoration of the mansion has been happening.
"The priority is to restore everything to its original form," said Somchai.
It takes a lot of effort, time and money and requires total devotion. Paying attention to every little detail, Somchai used bolts that are exact replicas of the originals, regardless of their high cost. Besides building materials and decorations, the original tone and mood of the place has been carefully recreated. He once puzzled construction workers by telling them not to press the cement on the outside wall in a regular pattern.
"You must understand that the craftsmen in the old days were less methodical. They didn't do anything in a standardised way. They often relied on spontaneity and intuition.
"Sometimes, I use my own instincts, too. I tend not to like something very neat or shipshape. It takes away the mood. Many craftsmen don't understand me. If I could I would have done it by myself," he said with a laugh.
Apart from the building, the garden has also been landscaped. A new terrace has been built in the old style.
Somchai's delicate devotion to renovating the old mansion contrasts his hard-edged business practices. "I know, I know, but I just really fell in love with the place."
His office is decorated in a classic European style, instead of the modern minimalist aesthetic many advertising companies adopt. He also collects rare photos of the royal family and items related to Princess Wapeebussabakorn.
Despite the fact that all he has done will not belong to him eventually, joy and excitement always shine on his face every time he talks about the renovations.
"I'm just a normal person who has had a great opportunity to take care of this historical place. I feel honoured to be able to do so. When some former residents saw the mansion, they cried and said that it seemed to be alive again."
"We are so lucky to have such a caring tenant," said Oranuch Im-Arrom, senior chief of the Conservation Projects Division, Crown Property Bureau.
With just a few finishing touches needed, the renovation is expected to be completed by the end of the year. Somchai envisions the mansion as a hall of honour, where stories and anecdotes about the former owners are kept and passed on. Somchai's efforts have paid off; the Varitchaves Mansion has been granted the Architectural Conservation Award 2008 by the Association of Siamese Architects Under Royal Patronage.
"I can't wait to see the final picture. It has been hard work, but it's also a fun task. I'm so happy to do it. It's part of my heart and soul now," said Somchai.
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