Jenchieh Hung and Kulthida Songkittipakdee, acclaimed architects and founders of HAS Design and Research, as well as visiting professors at Tongji University’s College of Architecture and Urban Planning (CAUP), have recently launched a new book titled Chameleon Architecture: Shifting / Adapting / Evolving. This publication delves into their architectural philosophy, which emphasizes adaptability, innovation, and the integration of nature within urban environments.

Chameleon Architecture: Shifting / Adapting / Evolving explores the integration of research and design through 12 research projects and 12 design projects by architects and professors Jenchieh Hung and Kulthida Songkittipakdee of HAS Design and Research. The firm's name, HAS – Hung And Songkittipakdee – reflects both the founders' surnames and the concept of having, symbolizing the fusion of research and design. The chameleon serves as a metaphor for architectural adaptability, highlighting the need for architecture to evolve in response to societal and environmental changes. This philosophy is embodied in projects rooted in local contexts, particularly in Thailand, China, and other parts of Asia. The book invites readers to reflect on architecture’s potential to create sustainable, resilient, and functional spaces that adapt to and harmonize with their environment.

The book explores concepts such as Shifting, which highlights the transformation of architecture in response to urban contexts and environments; Adapting, which focuses on the fusion of natural elements with crafted structures; and Evolving, which reflects the dynamic and evolving nature of architectural forms. These themes are central to the design approach of professor Jenchieh Hung and professor Kulthida Songkittipakdee, who seek to create spaces that resonate with local contexts and cultures.

The book Chameleon Architecture: Shifting / Adapting / Evolving by Jenchieh Hung + Kulthida Songkittipakdee / HAS Design and Research is published by art4d, with photography by Ketsiree Wongwan. For more information about the publication and their architectural work, please visit the publisher's official website: http://art4d.com/product/chameleon-architecture