And given the damage to ground level infrastructure, a number of
rebuilding analysts feel AIT can construct a new model campus that is
more resilient to environmental threats, more in-tune with the tenets
of sustainable living, and more equipped to ensure a viable
future.
rebuilding analysts feel AIT can construct a new model campus that is
more resilient to environmental threats, more in-tune with the tenets
of sustainable living, and more equipped to ensure a viable
future.
This was the prevailing view of internal AIT and external
officials attending the first meeting of the AIT Main Campus Rebuilding
and Upgrading Committee on December 9 in Bangkok, Thailand.
officials attending the first meeting of the AIT Main Campus Rebuilding
and Upgrading Committee on December 9 in Bangkok, Thailand.
The body was constituted by AIT President Said Irandoust to map
out an implementation plan for AIT that will benefit the Institute now
and into the foreseeable future. The Committee is also charged to
minimize the impact and dislocation of AIT students.
out an implementation plan for AIT that will benefit the Institute now
and into the foreseeable future. The Committee is also charged to
minimize the impact and dislocation of AIT students.
“Our goal should be to return to an AIT campus that is even better
that it was before,” the president told the committee members, as they
brainstormed on strategies for the recovery, rehabilitation, rebuilding
and upgrading of the flood-stricken campus.
that it was before,” the president told the committee members, as they
brainstormed on strategies for the recovery, rehabilitation, rebuilding
and upgrading of the flood-stricken campus.
Rebuilding with an eye toward the future was also a shared
sentiment, as the committee considered ways to reconstitute AIT as a
flood-resistant model campus. AIT could also try and secure funding and
support from some partners in showcasing post-flood recovery efforts
and environment friendly or "green campus" initiatives.
sentiment, as the committee considered ways to reconstitute AIT as a
flood-resistant model campus. AIT could also try and secure funding and
support from some partners in showcasing post-flood recovery efforts
and environment friendly or "green campus" initiatives.
Rushing people back to a creaky, flood-battered campus that has
suffered tremendous physical trauma would only cause more pain down the
road, committee members agreed. And given the health and safety
unknowns, the risks to residents and staff alike would be plenty and
unacceptable, the president said.
suffered tremendous physical trauma would only cause more pain down the
road, committee members agreed. And given the health and safety
unknowns, the risks to residents and staff alike would be plenty and
unacceptable, the president said.
The experience of one Thonburi, Thailand based company is a case
in point. Like AIT, the firm was badly affected by the flood and was
submerged in 70 cm-1.5 m water for over a month. Quickly after the
water receded, the company sanitized its buildings, repainted and moved
its people back.
in point. Like AIT, the firm was badly affected by the flood and was
submerged in 70 cm-1.5 m water for over a month. Quickly after the
water receded, the company sanitized its buildings, repainted and moved
its people back.
Within a week or so, however, employees developed red-eye problems
and had breathing difficulties. Fungus and bacteria from the pores of
the wall (which were not visible) circulated in the office
air through the air-conditioning system. All staff members were
then forced to evacuate for a second time.
and had breathing difficulties. Fungus and bacteria from the pores of
the wall (which were not visible) circulated in the office
air through the air-conditioning system. All staff members were
then forced to evacuate for a second time.
Considering the mounting pressures to get back to the campus as
soon as possible, committee members stressed a workable timetable that
prioritizes the renovation and upgrading of academic buildings,
following a thorough and professional efficiency analysis of all
buildings.
soon as possible, committee members stressed a workable timetable that
prioritizes the renovation and upgrading of academic buildings,
following a thorough and professional efficiency analysis of all
buildings.
Although AIT has already developed a campus redevelopment master
plan, the experts said some elements would need to be rethought, given
the flood of October 21.
plan, the experts said some elements would need to be rethought, given
the flood of October 21.
Recognizing that the Hua Hin and Cha-am relocation is only
temporary and partial, it was agreed that 25-30 classrooms would
be needed to resume classes at AIT. These would be concentrated at a
centralized location on-campus so that other buildings containing
classrooms and laboratories could be re-conceptualized across the
campus.
temporary and partial, it was agreed that 25-30 classrooms would
be needed to resume classes at AIT. These would be concentrated at a
centralized location on-campus so that other buildings containing
classrooms and laboratories could be re-conceptualized across the
campus.
A select sub-committee task force will now produce a professional
design brief for the campus that prioritizes renovation of
buildings, introduces environmentally-friendly and innovative
technologies, maximizes efficient use of classrooms – such as having
thematic laboratories, open space concepts for offices, and zoning of
the campus – explores private sector engagement for the residences, and
utilizes the amount of resources available.
design brief for the campus that prioritizes renovation of
buildings, introduces environmentally-friendly and innovative
technologies, maximizes efficient use of classrooms – such as having
thematic laboratories, open space concepts for offices, and zoning of
the campus – explores private sector engagement for the residences, and
utilizes the amount of resources available.
Committee members added that the renovation and upgrade of AIT
administrative buildings and residences could continue in phases or in
parallel, especially with private sector engagement for the residences
under consideration.
administrative buildings and residences could continue in phases or in
parallel, especially with private sector engagement for the residences
under consideration.
All of these scenarios are on the table for consideration by the
AIT Main Campus Rebuilding and Upgrading Committee over the next
fortnight.
AIT Main Campus Rebuilding and Upgrading Committee over the next
fortnight.
Click here to download - AIT Before and After the
Flood