ARCH CU EXPO 2026 Opens, Celebrating 93 Years of Chulalongkorn Architecture
The Faculty of Architecture at Chulalongkorn University organized the “ARCH CU EXPO 2026: Design for Future Living” exhibition to celebrate the 93rd anniversary of the faculty’s establishment. The event was officially opened on May 26, 2026, at the Arch Co-working Space on the 2nd floor, with Professor Dr. Wilert Puriwat, President of Chulalongkorn University, presiding over the ceremony.
The opening ceremony was honored by the presence of H.E. Mr. Otaka Masato, Ambassador of Japan to Thailand, and H.E. Mrs. Anna Hammargren, Ambassador of Sweden to Thailand, who delivered their remarks and toured the exhibition along with distinguished guests from various organizations. The exhibition will remain open until May 29.
Professor Dr. Wilert Puriwat stated: “The ‘ARCH CU EXPO 2026’ exhibition, held under the theme ‘Design for Future Living,’ aims to instill creativity in students throughout their lives. While academic knowledge may become outdated over time, creativity enables students to continue developing themselves. This event also celebrates the 93rd anniversary of the Faculty of Architecture, Chulalongkorn University, which has consistently embraced modern technologies and new ideas to keep pace with a changing world that constantly demands innovation. The faculty is committed to producing architects capable of enhancing the quality of life for Thai people in the future world.”
In addition to the exhibition opening, another key activity of the day was the signing of a collaboration agreement by Associate Professor Sarayut Supsook, Dean of the Faculty of Architecture, with four companies: Mitsubishi Jisho, Itochu, Thai Obayashi, and Midsummer. The partnership aims to advance timber construction, with a prototype project involving a carbon-zero bus stop built using structural wood combined with clean energy from solar panels.
Associate Professor Sarayut explained: “This collaboration aligns with the university’s policy of promoting research that creates social impact. Timber construction represents a pathway for Thailand toward a sustainable society. Increasing plantation forests for industrial wood use can help reduce PM 2.5 dust pollution, decrease monoculture farming that relies on burning, and help preserve watershed areas.
He further noted: “Fast-growing wood species may initially have lower quality, but through industrial processes involving adhesives and engineered wood technology, they can be transformed into large structural timber with load-bearing capabilities comparable to concrete and steel. Since Thailand has largely stopped timber construction following the forest closure policy, expertise from overseas is needed to develop prototypes, provide knowledge, and create guidelines for future timber construction.”
The Faculty of Architecture has collaborated with specialized international companies, including:
- Mitsubishi Jisho — experts in urban development and timber construction from Tokyo, Japan
- Itochu — a Japanese industrial timber trading company supplying prototype timber directly to the project
- Thai Obayashi — specialists in construction with experience from Expo projects in Japan, supporting assembly work
- Midsummer—a Swedish company providing lightweight, thin-film solar panels for installation and electricity-generation testing
The exhibition “ARCH CU EXPO 2026: Design for Future Living” invites visitors to explore the concept of “designing for future living” through research projects and professional works by faculty members and students, as well as collaborations with partner organizations. The event also features special talks and workshops that share fresh perspectives on future design and lifestyles.
