Thailand is an excellent geography for bio-based materials.

From 26 to 28 August 2026 we ran the first three-day curriculum on Bio-Based Urbanism at the School of Architecture, Art, and Design - KMITL King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL) in Bangkok, for urban administrators, planners and policy practitioners.

For this David Bauer (Bauhaus Erde) and Kai Michael Dietrich (Manufacuting Cties) designed four modules covering insights on MATERIAL, POLICY and BEST PRACTICE from inside and outside Thailand.

1. Shifting Perspectives: the fundamentals of bio-based urbanism
2. Mapping Flows: supply and value chains, worked through in a workshop with frontrunner companies working on tropical glulam, bamboo and hemp
3. Opening Doors: policy input and a role play on where tendering and procurement decide outcomes
4. Inspiring Action: field visits to Arsomsilp Architects and TCDC, plus a bio-based material shop tour at AAD and the CHARMSbio pavilion at Lat Krabang.

Heartfelt thanks to Dr. Prompt Udomdech, Dr. Monsinee Attavanich, Dr. Amon Boontore and Dr. Natdanai Sinsamutpadung for hosting and carrying this first round with us. 🙏 ขอบคุณครับ

Thanks to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, the National Housing Authority, the Community Organizations Development Institute (CODI), Bangkok City Lab (Nattawut Usavagovitwong), the Forest Industry Organization (FIO) for taking part, and for the guided tours from Arsomsilp Community and Environment Architect - บริษัท สถาปนิกชุมชนและสิ่งแวดล้อม อาศรมศิลป์ จำกัด (Thana Uthaipattrakoon, Teeranop Chamnong) and the TCDC.

Taught by Kai Michael Dietrich (Manufacturing Cities) and David Bauer as part of CHARMSbio in collaboration with Fraunhofer ISI (Henrik Beermann, Urban Kaiser).
Photos (C) Manufacturing Cities.

About the project. CHARMSbio runs from 2025 to 2028 and is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space within the SURE Sustainable Development of Urban Regions funding priority.