Perception of Architectural Identity: A Case Study of Lopburi Teachers’ Savings Cooperative Building

Abstract

This study investigated the perception of identity through architecture using the Lopburi Teachers’ Savings Cooperative Building as a case study. The objectives were to: (1) examine the meanings and components of architectural identity within the context of Lopburi Province; (2) analyze users’ perceptions and interpretations; and (3) propose building improvement guidelines to enhance the perception of organizational and local identity. A mixed-methods approach was employed. Quantitative data were collected from 100 users selected through convenience sampling based on predefined inclusion criteria and analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation. Qualitative data were obtained through in-depth interviews with 10 purposively selected key informants, analyzed using content analysis, and integrated according to a four-dimensional framework of identity perception. The findings indicated that the overall perception of architectural identity was at a high level (x ̅ = 3.81, S.D. = 0.61). Appearance received the highest mean score (x ̅= 3.85, S.D. = 0.52), followed by context and symbolism (x ̅= 3.84, S.D. = 0.68), user experience (x ̅= 3.82, S.D. = 0.60), and emotion and feeling (x ̅ = 3.74, S.D. = 0.65), respectively. The qualitative findings supported that users clearly recognized the building’s form, façade, and visual prominence, as well as its modernity, stability, and credibility. However, meanings associated with the Lopburi context, together with users’ sense of ownership and place attachment, were not perceived with the same degree of clarity. The principal finding therefore concerns the gap between recognizing architectural form, understanding its meaning, and developing an emotional attachment to the place. The proposed improvements emphasize retaining memorable architectural elements, clarifying the communication of contextual meanings, enhancing the sequence of spatial experience, and creating opportunities for members to participate in the use of space, thereby connecting physical elements with meaning, memory, and a sense of ownership.