THAILAND | AYDA Int’l Awards 2025/26 Best Sustainable Design | Interior Design | Sasit Kitiprasert

Summary

Lost & Found is a sustainable design proposal for restoring the relationship between people and elephants in northern Thailand. It responds to elephants’ declining role in modern life and to the financial pressures on mahouts, who may rely on tourism and other activities to support their families and the elephants in their care.

The project aims to create local income, improve living conditions for elephants and mahouts, and help visitors understand the animals’ cultural and ecological value. The proposal brings together a community workspace, visitor areas, learning activities, and spaces for elephant care. Its design draws on local traditions and spiritual beliefs while exploring ways to turn elephant dung into useful products.

Design Concepts and Techniques

• Transforming waste into resources: Elephant dung is collected, processed, and used to make paper and experimental materials for items such as panels, furniture, lamps, and souvenirs. The proposed paper-making process combines dung with plant fibers and paper remnants, with food coloring added.
• Supporting local livelihoods: Workshops and product-making activities offer local residents and mahouts opportunities to earn income. Visitors can learn about the materials and take part in activities such as traditional paper-making and bamboo craft.
• Designing around elephant needs: The plan includes feeding, resting, and bedding areas, along with routes for elephants to walk and exercise. Visitor and working areas are separated to improve safety while keeping people and elephants connected.
• Using color and visual cues: The design considers elephants’ limited color vision: yellow and blue are visible, while green is described as appearing gray. Color, contrasting brickwork, and lines on the roof and floor are used to make spaces more legible and raise awareness. A robotic tool is also proposed for applying color around columns.
• Drawing on local culture: The architecture references local house forms, weaving, bamboo craft, traditional food, and a central hearth for gathering. A large tree at the center evokes local spiritual beliefs about protection.
• Applying passive and renewable strategies: Air gaps and roof openings support natural ventilation and daylight. Openings also collect rainwater for reuse, including irrigation. The design additionally proposes solar energy.
• Sharing traditional knowledge: Spaces are provided for preparing herbal treatments for elephants and inhalers for people, bringing local healing knowledge into the project.
• Creating shared social spaces: A café and dining area offer places for visitors, residents, and mahouts to gather and observe elephant activities, with the aim of rebuilding connections through everyday experiences.

Featured Creator and Contributors

• Sasit Kitiprasert — presenter and designer of Lost & Found.
• Mahouts and local residents — central participants in the project’s proposed work, cultural activities, and livelihood opportunities.