Ercole Manfredi
Encyclopedia
Ercole Pietro Manfredi was an Italian
architect
who worked and took up residence in early twentieth-century Siam (now Thailand
). Born in Turin
, Italy
, he attended the Albertina Academy of Fine Arts before travelling to Bangkok
, where he was one of many Westerners employed by the Siamese government. His made significant career progress through the court of King Vajiravudh
, but left government office to work privately as the country was going through political change which abolished absolute monarchy
and decreased government employment of foreigners. However, by adopting a Thai identity and way of life, marrying a Thai woman and settling down permanently, Manfredi remained a relevant and respected figure in Thai architecture, and later became a lecturer at Chulalongkorn University
. His works include various royal residences and public institutions, ranging in style from Venetian Gothic
to modernist
, and incorporated Thai traditional styles as well. He contributed to much of Bangkok's architectural heritage, but no complete records of his works were kept.
, Italy
to Luigi Manfredi and Caterina Bo. He attended the Lagrange Royal Technical School from 1894 and the San Carlo Technical School from 1898 to 1899. At the age of sixteen, he was admitted into the Albertina Academy of Fine Arts, where during his studies he received a first prize in architecture, design, perspective and painting. He received a diploma in 1907 and subsequently attended the Higher Course in Architecture. During this time he also worked for Turin's Public and Municipal Works Department, where he supervised constructions and patented an earthquake engineering
system. In 1909, he graduated with a High Qualification as painter
and architect
, receiving a gold medal first prize in addition to fifteen other prizes won during his studies.
). He set sail from Genoa
and arrived in Bangkok
on 1 December. He was placed under the Architectural Section of the Ministry of Public Works, working under engineer-in-chief Carlo Allegri and Minister Prince Naresra Varariddhi. He collaborated with many Italian architects employed by the government, including Mario Tamagno, who was the department's chief architect, and others who were involved in the construction of Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall. Many of these architects were in fact also from Turin or alumni of Albertina.
In 1912 Manfredi was promoted to a position in the Ministry of the Royal Household, where he worked closely with King Vajiravudh
and Prince Narisara Nuvadtivongs
. He was subsequently promoted to Chief Architect and third court officer in 1917, and first court officer in 1921. In 1920 he was appointed the post of naval architect, with the rank of lieutenant-commander, in the Royal Naval Scout Corps, which was the king's private battalion in the Wild Tiger Corps
para-military movement. He later became Chief Architect of the Archaeological Section of the Royal Institute in 1926. During his service to the government, he was decorated with the Order of the Crown of Siam (commander, 1913), the Dushdi Mala Medal for artistic merit (1915) and the Order of the White Elephant
(commander, 1920). He was also awarded the gold medal prize at the Bangkok Fine Arts Exhibition in 1917.
In 1930, during the period of political turmoil leading up to the abolition of absolute monarchy
in the Siamese Revolution of 1932
, Manfredi retired from government office. For a while, he pursued archaeological studies as an assistant to the French archaeologist George Coedes
. He then continued his work as architect privately, cooperating with Christiani & Nielsen
(Siam) Ltd. from 1934 to 1936 and the Impresitor Company from 1937 to 1938.
In 1939, Manfredi became a lecturer at the Faculty of Architecture of Chulalongkorn University
, where he taught for eight years. He also served as a lecturer in the Signalling Division of the Royal Thai Navy
from 1944 to 1950, before retiring from public life.
to calculate. His government contract had required him "to be able within one year to converse in Siamese in a tolerable way," but he went further and became fluent in both the spoken and written language.
Manfredi married a Thai wife, Thongmuan , with Buddhist rites in 1913. They had two daughters, and lived together in what he described as "years of paradise". He left the country only twice, in 1925 and 1928, to represent Siam at the second and third International Book Fairs in Florence
.
Following the revolution of 1932, rising nationalistic sentiments resulted in a large decline in the role and numbers of Westerners working for the government. Manfredi was among the few who remained in Thailand. Like Corrado Feroci, he took up a Thai
name, Ekkarit Manfendi , and received Thai nationality on 29 November 1943. By adopting a Thai identity, he remained a relevant and respected figure in the Thai field of architecture.
Manfredi was involved in various humanitarian and cultural organisations. He was a member of the Siam and the Italian Red Cross
, the Siam Teachers' Association, the Automobile Club of Siam, and the Alliance française
. He also maintained links with his Italian roots, and was a member in the Dante Alighieri Society
, the Colonial Italian Institute and the Italian Touring Club. He was also selected as a correspondent member of the Italian Book Institute of Florence in 1929.
Manfredi has been described as rather eccentric for a foreigner in Siam at the time. In an interview, his daughter Maly Manfredi remarked that he was "an odd number". He was also noted to be impulsive and stubborn, often ignoring his wife's sensible advice to do what he wanted, including leaving his official post to pursue archaeology. According to Maly, "as court architect, he used to fly into a rage at the suppliers' gifts," and "Papa needed a big organisation to discipline him, like the Court or Chulalongkorn University."
At the age of seventy-five, Manfredi realised his dream project of building a boat, to finance which he had to sell his entire collection of Siamese art. He named the boat Mammino, and used it mostly for pleasure cruises to Pattaya
.
Manfredi lived in Thailand until his death on 9 June 1973. He, and his wife (who died six years later), were interred at the Christian cemetery at Ban Pong
, Ratchaburi
.
Upon his arrival in Bangkok in 1909, Manfredi collaborated with other Italian architects in the construction of Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall, which had begun in 1908 and lasted until 1915. Manfredi was mainly responsible for the dome and the roof of the building, which was designed in the Italian Renaissance
and neoclassical
styles and modelled in part after the Basilica of Superga
. "Much of that copper covering the Hall, I put on with my own hands," he said in an interview with the Bangkok Post
in 1967. He also contributed to the decorations and was responsible for later work on the building's foundations.
He acted as chief architect for Mrigadayavan Palace
in Cha Am
and was in charge of its construction, which took place from 1923 to 1924. Designs for the seaside villa were sketched by King Vajiravudh and implemented by Manfredi. The palace consists of sixteen buildings and incorporates the Thai manner of elevated buildings with Western style and details. He also contributed to the design and construction of Villa Norasingh (1923–25), now the Thai Khu Fa Building of the Government House
, although it is not officially attributed to him. The building was constructed mainly in the Venetian Gothic
style and has a façade resembling that of Venice's Ca' d'Oro
. He was not satisfied with the results, saying in a 1967 interview, "I built it in the Venetian style because I thought that Bangkok was the Venice of the East. Now I am so ashamed of it. It is not just right for this clima."
Manfredi produced many modernist
designs in the 1930s. These include Manfredi Residence (1935) and Asawin Villa (c.1930s), which were influenced by the Bauhaus
school and are among the first modernist buildings in Thailand. The decade saw widespread adoption of the International style
for public and educational institutions. Among these are Manfredi's designs for the Rajvithi School of Nursing (c.1930s) and the Chulalongkorn University Faculty of Dentistry (1939). Influences by the neoplastic (De Stijl
) movement are seen in his designs for Triam Udom Suksa School
(1934–1940). He also designed Chulalongkorn University's Faculty of Fine Arts building, as well as the Chemistry and Physics buildings of the Faculty of Science.
Other contributions by Manfredi include:
and the statue of Jarlet, King Vajiravudh's beloved dog, at Sanam Chandra Palace.
. He did not limit his contributions to the arts, but also worked on engineering projects. He improved on the mechanics involved in the royal funeral procession and was particularly interested in developing an irrigation system for the country.
Italian people
The Italian people are an ethnic group that share a common Italian culture, ancestry and speak the Italian language as a mother tongue. Within Italy, Italians are defined by citizenship, regardless of ancestry or country of residence , and are distinguished from people...
architect
Architect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
who worked and took up residence in early twentieth-century Siam (now Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
). Born in Turin
Turin
Turin is a city and major business and cultural centre in northern Italy, capital of the Piedmont region, located mainly on the left bank of the Po River and surrounded by the Alpine arch. The population of the city proper is 909,193 while the population of the urban area is estimated by Eurostat...
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, he attended the Albertina Academy of Fine Arts before travelling to Bangkok
Bangkok
Bangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom...
, where he was one of many Westerners employed by the Siamese government. His made significant career progress through the court of King Vajiravudh
Vajiravudh
Phra Bat Somdet Phra Poramentharamaha Vajiravudh Phra Mongkut Klao Chao Yu Hua , or Phra Bat Somdet Phra Ramathibodi Si Sintharamaha Vajiravudh Phra Mongkut Klao Chao Yu Hua , or Rama VI was the sixth monarch of Siam under the House of Chakri, ruling from 1910 until his death...
, but left government office to work privately as the country was going through political change which abolished absolute monarchy
Siamese Revolution of 1932
The Siamese Revolution of 1932 or the Siamese Coup d'état of 1932 was a crucial turning point in Thai history in the 20th century...
and decreased government employment of foreigners. However, by adopting a Thai identity and way of life, marrying a Thai woman and settling down permanently, Manfredi remained a relevant and respected figure in Thai architecture, and later became a lecturer at Chulalongkorn University
Chulalongkorn University
Chulalongkorn University is the oldest university in Thailand and is the country's highest ranked university. It now has nineteen faculties and institutes. Regarded as the best and most selective university in Thailand, it consistently attracts top students from around the country...
. His works include various royal residences and public institutions, ranging in style from Venetian Gothic
Venetian Gothic architecture
Venetian Gothic is a term given to an architectural style combining use of the Gothic lancet arch with Byzantine and Moorish architecture influences. The style originated in 14th century Venice with the confluence of Byzantine styles from Constantinople, Arab influences from Moorish Spain and early...
to modernist
Modern architecture
Modern architecture is generally characterized by simplification of form and creation of ornament from the structure and theme of the building. It is a term applied to an overarching movement, with its exact definition and scope varying widely...
, and incorporated Thai traditional styles as well. He contributed to much of Bangkok's architectural heritage, but no complete records of his works were kept.
Early life
Ercole Pietro Manfredi was born on 2 July 1883 in TurinTurin
Turin is a city and major business and cultural centre in northern Italy, capital of the Piedmont region, located mainly on the left bank of the Po River and surrounded by the Alpine arch. The population of the city proper is 909,193 while the population of the urban area is estimated by Eurostat...
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
to Luigi Manfredi and Caterina Bo. He attended the Lagrange Royal Technical School from 1894 and the San Carlo Technical School from 1898 to 1899. At the age of sixteen, he was admitted into the Albertina Academy of Fine Arts, where during his studies he received a first prize in architecture, design, perspective and painting. He received a diploma in 1907 and subsequently attended the Higher Course in Architecture. During this time he also worked for Turin's Public and Municipal Works Department, where he supervised constructions and patented an earthquake engineering
Earthquake engineering
Earthquake engineering is the scientific field concerned with protecting society, the natural and the man-made environment from earthquakes by limiting the seismic risk to socio-economically acceptable levels...
system. In 1909, he graduated with a High Qualification as painter
Painting
Painting is the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a surface . The application of the medium is commonly applied to the base with a brush but other objects can be used. In art, the term painting describes both the act and the result of the action. However, painting is...
and architect
Architect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
, receiving a gold medal first prize in addition to fifteen other prizes won during his studies.
Career
In 1909, Manfredi was selected by the academy to fill an architect position for the government of Siam (now ThailandThailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
). He set sail from Genoa
Genoa
Genoa |Ligurian]] Zena ; Latin and, archaically, English Genua) is a city and an important seaport in northern Italy, the capital of the Province of Genoa and of the region of Liguria....
and arrived in Bangkok
Bangkok
Bangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom...
on 1 December. He was placed under the Architectural Section of the Ministry of Public Works, working under engineer-in-chief Carlo Allegri and Minister Prince Naresra Varariddhi. He collaborated with many Italian architects employed by the government, including Mario Tamagno, who was the department's chief architect, and others who were involved in the construction of Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall. Many of these architects were in fact also from Turin or alumni of Albertina.
In 1912 Manfredi was promoted to a position in the Ministry of the Royal Household, where he worked closely with King Vajiravudh
Vajiravudh
Phra Bat Somdet Phra Poramentharamaha Vajiravudh Phra Mongkut Klao Chao Yu Hua , or Phra Bat Somdet Phra Ramathibodi Si Sintharamaha Vajiravudh Phra Mongkut Klao Chao Yu Hua , or Rama VI was the sixth monarch of Siam under the House of Chakri, ruling from 1910 until his death...
and Prince Narisara Nuvadtivongs
Narisara Nuvadtivongs
His Royal Highness Prince Chitcharoen, the Prince Narisara Nuvativongse was the son of Mongkut, King Rama IV of Siam and Princess Consort Pannarai. He was the member of the Siamese Royal Family . He created The House of Chitrabhongse , which is the descent family from the Chakri Dynasty...
. He was subsequently promoted to Chief Architect and third court officer in 1917, and first court officer in 1921. In 1920 he was appointed the post of naval architect, with the rank of lieutenant-commander, in the Royal Naval Scout Corps, which was the king's private battalion in the Wild Tiger Corps
Wild Tiger Corps
The Wild Tiger Corps was a national paramilitary corps founded in Thailand in 1911 by King Rama VI. Inspired by the British Volunteer Force, the unit was intended to maintain civil order....
para-military movement. He later became Chief Architect of the Archaeological Section of the Royal Institute in 1926. During his service to the government, he was decorated with the Order of the Crown of Siam (commander, 1913), the Dushdi Mala Medal for artistic merit (1915) and the Order of the White Elephant
Order of the White Elephant
The Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant is the most awarded order of Thailand. It was established in 1861 by King Rama IV of the Kingdom of Siam.The Order consists of eight classes:...
(commander, 1920). He was also awarded the gold medal prize at the Bangkok Fine Arts Exhibition in 1917.
In 1930, during the period of political turmoil leading up to the abolition of absolute monarchy
Absolute monarchy
Absolute monarchy is a monarchical form of government in which the monarch exercises ultimate governing authority as head of state and head of government, his or her power not being limited by a constitution or by the law. An absolute monarch thus wields unrestricted political power over the...
in the Siamese Revolution of 1932
Siamese Revolution of 1932
The Siamese Revolution of 1932 or the Siamese Coup d'état of 1932 was a crucial turning point in Thai history in the 20th century...
, Manfredi retired from government office. For a while, he pursued archaeological studies as an assistant to the French archaeologist George Coedes
George Coedès
Georges Cœdès was a 20th century scholar of southeast Asian archaeology and history. Coedès was born in Paris to a family of supposed Hungarian-Jewish emigres. In fact, the family was known as having settled in the region of Strasbourg before 1740. His ancestors were working for the royal Treasury...
. He then continued his work as architect privately, cooperating with Christiani & Nielsen
Christiani & Nielsen
Christiani & Nielsen is a construction contractor with major operations in Thailand and Southeast Asia. Originally a Danish company, it is today a listed company majority owned by the Crown Property Bureau of King Bhumibol of Thailand....
(Siam) Ltd. from 1934 to 1936 and the Impresitor Company from 1937 to 1938.
In 1939, Manfredi became a lecturer at the Faculty of Architecture of Chulalongkorn University
Chulalongkorn University
Chulalongkorn University is the oldest university in Thailand and is the country's highest ranked university. It now has nineteen faculties and institutes. Regarded as the best and most selective university in Thailand, it consistently attracts top students from around the country...
, where he taught for eight years. He also served as a lecturer in the Signalling Division of the Royal Thai Navy
Royal Thai Navy
The Royal Thai Navy is the navy of Thailand and part of the Royal Thai Armed Forces, it was established in the late 19th century. Admiral Prince Abhakara Kiartiwongse is "The Father of Royal Thai Navy". Similar to the organizational structure of the United States, the Royal Thai Navy includes the...
from 1944 to 1950, before retiring from public life.
Personal life
In Siam, Manfredi adopted the local culture and way of life. He dressed and ate like a Thai, mingled with Thai friends and used an abacusAbacus
The abacus, also called a counting frame, is a calculating tool used primarily in parts of Asia for performing arithmetic processes. Today, abaci are often constructed as a bamboo frame with beads sliding on wires, but originally they were beans or stones moved in grooves in sand or on tablets of...
to calculate. His government contract had required him "to be able within one year to converse in Siamese in a tolerable way," but he went further and became fluent in both the spoken and written language.
Manfredi married a Thai wife, Thongmuan , with Buddhist rites in 1913. They had two daughters, and lived together in what he described as "years of paradise". He left the country only twice, in 1925 and 1928, to represent Siam at the second and third International Book Fairs in Florence
Florence
Florence is the capital city of the Italian region of Tuscany and of the province of Florence. It is the most populous city in Tuscany, with approximately 370,000 inhabitants, expanding to over 1.5 million in the metropolitan area....
.
Following the revolution of 1932, rising nationalistic sentiments resulted in a large decline in the role and numbers of Westerners working for the government. Manfredi was among the few who remained in Thailand. Like Corrado Feroci, he took up a Thai
Thai language
Thai , also known as Central Thai and Siamese, is the national and official language of Thailand and the native language of the Thai people, Thailand's dominant ethnic group. Thai is a member of the Tai group of the Tai–Kadai language family. Historical linguists have been unable to definitively...
name, Ekkarit Manfendi , and received Thai nationality on 29 November 1943. By adopting a Thai identity, he remained a relevant and respected figure in the Thai field of architecture.
Manfredi was involved in various humanitarian and cultural organisations. He was a member of the Siam and the Italian Red Cross
Italian Red Cross
The Italian Red Cross is the Italian national Red Cross society that has its origin in the Comitato dell'Associazione Italiana per il soccorso ai feriti ed ai malati in guerra that was formed in Florence in 1863, and in Milan on June 15, 1864. Other committees were formed later...
, the Siam Teachers' Association, the Automobile Club of Siam, and the Alliance française
Alliance française
The Alliance française , or AF, is an international organisation that aims to promote French language and culture around the world. created in Paris on 21 July 1883, its primary concern is teaching French as a second language and is headquartered in Paris -History:The Alliance was created in Paris...
. He also maintained links with his Italian roots, and was a member in the Dante Alighieri Society
Dante Alighieri Society
The Dante Alighieri Society is a society that promotes the Italian culture and language around the world.It was formed in Italy in July 1889. The society was named after Dante Alighieri , a pre-Renaissance poet from Florence and the author of The Divine Comedy...
, the Colonial Italian Institute and the Italian Touring Club. He was also selected as a correspondent member of the Italian Book Institute of Florence in 1929.
Manfredi has been described as rather eccentric for a foreigner in Siam at the time. In an interview, his daughter Maly Manfredi remarked that he was "an odd number". He was also noted to be impulsive and stubborn, often ignoring his wife's sensible advice to do what he wanted, including leaving his official post to pursue archaeology. According to Maly, "as court architect, he used to fly into a rage at the suppliers' gifts," and "Papa needed a big organisation to discipline him, like the Court or Chulalongkorn University."
At the age of seventy-five, Manfredi realised his dream project of building a boat, to finance which he had to sell his entire collection of Siamese art. He named the boat Mammino, and used it mostly for pleasure cruises to Pattaya
Pattaya
Pattaya is a city in Thailand, located on the east coast of the Gulf of Thailand, about 165 km southeast of Bangkok located within but not part of Amphoe Bang Lamung in the province of Chonburi....
.
Manfredi lived in Thailand until his death on 9 June 1973. He, and his wife (who died six years later), were interred at the Christian cemetery at Ban Pong
Ban Pong (town)
Ban Pong, , is the centre town of Amphoe Ban Pong in Ratchaburi Province, Thailand. It is located roughly 77 kilometers west of Bangkok.-History:...
, Ratchaburi
Ratchaburi Province
Ratchaburi is one of the central provinces of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are Kanchanaburi, Nakhon Pathom,Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram and Phetchaburi...
.
Works
Manfredi contributed to much of Bangkok's architecture, and also produced works of painting and sculpture. However, he did not keep a record of his contributions, and his employment by the government means that many of his designs were not attributed. He also produced architectural works during his time in Turin, but his work during the brief period make up only a minority of his accomplishments.Architecture
Manfredi's architectural works involve both Thai and Western designs, which he adapted and developed to suit the local tradition. The more notable of these consist of royal palaces and villas; he also designed buildings for various public institutions.Upon his arrival in Bangkok in 1909, Manfredi collaborated with other Italian architects in the construction of Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall, which had begun in 1908 and lasted until 1915. Manfredi was mainly responsible for the dome and the roof of the building, which was designed in the Italian Renaissance
Italian Renaissance
The Italian Renaissance began the opening phase of the Renaissance, a period of great cultural change and achievement in Europe that spanned the period from the end of the 13th century to about 1600, marking the transition between Medieval and Early Modern Europe...
and neoclassical
Neoclassical architecture
Neoclassical architecture was an architectural style produced by the neoclassical movement that began in the mid-18th century, manifested both in its details as a reaction against the Rococo style of naturalistic ornament, and in its architectural formulas as an outgrowth of some classicizing...
styles and modelled in part after the Basilica of Superga
Basilica of Superga
The Basilica of Superga is a church in the vicinity of Turin.It was built from 1717 to 1731 for Victor Amadeus II of Savoy by Filippo Juvarra, at the top of the hill of Superga, to fulfill a vow the duke had made during the Battle of Turin...
. "Much of that copper covering the Hall, I put on with my own hands," he said in an interview with the Bangkok Post
Bangkok Post
The Bangkok Post is a broadsheet, English-language daily newspaper published in Bangkok, Thailand. The first issue was sold on August 1, 1946. It had four pages and cost 1 baht, a considerable amount at the time....
in 1967. He also contributed to the decorations and was responsible for later work on the building's foundations.
He acted as chief architect for Mrigadayavan Palace
Mrigadayavan Palace
Mrigadayavan Palace is a former royal residence and tourist attraction in Cha Am, Phetchaburi Province, Thailand.- History :The palace was commissioned by King Vajiravudh to serve as a holiday villa. The king drafted the designs for the villa, which consists of sixteen teak buildings raised by...
in Cha Am
Cha Am
Cha Am is a district in the southern part of Phetchaburi province, central Thailand.The district was established in 1897 in the name of Na Yang. In 1914 the center of the district was moved to Ban Nong Chok and changed the name to Nong Chok district...
and was in charge of its construction, which took place from 1923 to 1924. Designs for the seaside villa were sketched by King Vajiravudh and implemented by Manfredi. The palace consists of sixteen buildings and incorporates the Thai manner of elevated buildings with Western style and details. He also contributed to the design and construction of Villa Norasingh (1923–25), now the Thai Khu Fa Building of the Government House
Government House of Thailand
The Government House in Bangkok houses the offices of the Prime Minister of Thailand and his cabinet ministers. It also contains conference rooms and is used for state functions and receptions of foreign guests. It consists of several palace-like structures extending over...
, although it is not officially attributed to him. The building was constructed mainly in the Venetian Gothic
Venetian Gothic architecture
Venetian Gothic is a term given to an architectural style combining use of the Gothic lancet arch with Byzantine and Moorish architecture influences. The style originated in 14th century Venice with the confluence of Byzantine styles from Constantinople, Arab influences from Moorish Spain and early...
style and has a façade resembling that of Venice's Ca' d'Oro
Ca' d'Oro
Ca' d'Oro is a palace on the Grand Canal in Venice, northern Italy. One of the older palazzi, it has always been known as Ca' d'Oro due to the gilt and polychrome external decorations which once adorned its walls.The Palazzo was built between 1428 and 1430 for the Contarini family, who provided...
. He was not satisfied with the results, saying in a 1967 interview, "I built it in the Venetian style because I thought that Bangkok was the Venice of the East. Now I am so ashamed of it. It is not just right for this clima."
Manfredi produced many modernist
Modern architecture
Modern architecture is generally characterized by simplification of form and creation of ornament from the structure and theme of the building. It is a term applied to an overarching movement, with its exact definition and scope varying widely...
designs in the 1930s. These include Manfredi Residence (1935) and Asawin Villa (c.1930s), which were influenced by the Bauhaus
Bauhaus
', commonly known simply as Bauhaus, was a school in Germany that combined crafts and the fine arts, and was famous for the approach to design that it publicized and taught. It operated from 1919 to 1933. At that time the German term stood for "School of Building".The Bauhaus school was founded by...
school and are among the first modernist buildings in Thailand. The decade saw widespread adoption of the International style
International style (architecture)
The International style is a major architectural style that emerged in the 1920s and 1930s, the formative decades of Modern architecture. The term originated from the name of a book by Henry-Russell Hitchcock and Philip Johnson, The International Style...
for public and educational institutions. Among these are Manfredi's designs for the Rajvithi School of Nursing (c.1930s) and the Chulalongkorn University Faculty of Dentistry (1939). Influences by the neoplastic (De Stijl
De Stijl
De Stijl , propagating the group's theories. Next to van Doesburg, the group's principal members were the painters Piet Mondrian , Vilmos Huszár , and Bart van der Leck , and the architects Gerrit Rietveld , Robert van 't Hoff , and J.J.P. Oud...
) movement are seen in his designs for Triam Udom Suksa School
Triam Udom Suksa School
Triam Udom Suksa School is a state school located in downtown Bangkok, Thailand. It admits upper-secondary students and has the largest yearly enrolment in the country...
(1934–1940). He also designed Chulalongkorn University's Faculty of Fine Arts building, as well as the Chemistry and Physics buildings of the Faculty of Science.
Other contributions by Manfredi include:
- Chakrabongse House (1909–1910), the residence of Prince Chakrabongse BhuvanathChakrabongse BhuvanathField Marshal Prince Chakrabongse Bhuvanadh, Prince of Phitsanulok, , was the fortieth child of King Chulalongkorn and the fourth child of Queen Sri Bajarindra....
on Maha Rat Road (with later contributions by Edward Healey) - Maliwan Mansion (1917), the residence of Prince Naresra Varariddhi, currently the FAOFood and Agriculture OrganizationThe Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations is a specialised agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Serving both developed and developing countries, FAO acts as a neutral forum where all nations meet as equals to negotiate agreements and...
's regional office - Pibultham Villa (c.1920) the residence of M.R. Pum Malakul, the Minister of the Royal Household
- Sa Pathum Palace
- The main building of Silpakorn UniversitySilpakorn UniversitySilpakorn University is a well-known public university in Thailand. The university was founded in Bangkok in 1943 by Italian-born art professor Corrado Feroci, who took the Thai name Silpa Bhirasri when he became a Thai citizen. It is the leading Thai university in the fine arts and archaeology,...
- Renovation of the Borom Phiman Hall and modification of the ceiling of Dusit Mahaprasad Hall in the Grand Palace
- The bridge and gate houses at the official entrance of Chitralada PalaceChitralada PalaceChitralada Palace is the Bangkok residence of King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit. King Bhumibol was the first king in the Chakri dynasty to live in the Chitralda Palace. He moved there after the death of his older brother, King Rama VIII in the Grand Palace...
- The residence of the director of the Bank of Indochina on Sathon Road
- Restoration of the Bang Pa-in Palace
- The first swimming pool in Thailand at the Royal Bangkok Sports Club.
Sculpture
Manfredi did not specialise in sculpture, but two such works by him are known. They are the marble guardian lions at Wat BenchamabophitWat Benchamabophit
Wat Benchamabophit Dusitvanaram is a Buddhist temple in the Dusit district of Bangkok, Thailand. Also known as the marble temple, it is one of Bangkok's most beautiful temples and a major tourist attraction...
and the statue of Jarlet, King Vajiravudh's beloved dog, at Sanam Chandra Palace.
Painting
Having focused on painting early in his studies, Manfredi produced many visual works, but was not well known for them. Most of his paintings have been dispersed; he sometimes gave them freely to friends and sold most of his possessions late in life. His known painted works include the following:- Contributions to the interior decoration of the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall; Most of the work was done by Galileo Chini.
- Interior wall and ceiling designs (1912), which were presented to King Vajiravudh
- Interior of the Borom Phiman Hall (1917), in cooperation with Prince Narisara Nuvadtivongs and Carlo Rigoli
- Portraits on ivory of King Vajiravudh and the Queen, part of a collection of miniature portraits on ivory
- Watercolour of the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall (8 January 1920); This was probably a present to King Vajiravudh, and is currently displayed in the Sukhothai Palace.
Other works
Manfredi designed scenes and costumes to be used in King Vajiravudh's theatrical plays, most notably that of the king's Thai adaptation of The Merchant of VeniceThe Merchant of Venice
The Merchant of Venice is a tragic comedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written between 1596 and 1598. Though classified as a comedy in the First Folio and sharing certain aspects with Shakespeare's other romantic comedies, the play is perhaps most remembered for its dramatic...
. He did not limit his contributions to the arts, but also worked on engineering projects. He improved on the mechanics involved in the royal funeral procession and was particularly interested in developing an irrigation system for the country.