Samui Elephant Home Learning Center is a project dedicated to creating an educational space about elephants, aiming to promote conservation and foster a deeper understanding of Thai elephants. Located on Koh Samui, the center is designed as an integral part of sustainable tourism, offering visitors of all ages from around the world a meaningful experience that highlights the vital role elephants play in Thailand’s ecosystem and cultural heritage.
The Collective Studio designed the Samui Elephant Home Learning Center to be more than just a museum—it is a place of immersive learning and memorable experiences. The concept, The Elephant’s Legacy: Traces of Time, Steps of Change, guides visitors on a journey through time, following in the footsteps of elephants from the past to the present.
The original structure, a 128-square-meter traditional Thai wooden house, was thoughtfully adapted to reflect a closer connection with nature. The architectural enhancements include the use of breeze blocks, which harmonize with the surrounding environment, promote natural ventilation, and create dynamic patterns of light and shadow. These design choices not only improve the atmosphere within the building but also celebrate the local identity of the space.
Spatial Layout
The journey begins as visitors follow the footprints of elephants into the forest, creating a sense of connection and unity with the herd. This pathway, gently illuminated by natural light filtering in from outside, leads to the welcome zone—the first point of encounter. Here, guests are introduced to the history of Samui Elephant Home and the core concept behind the learning center.
This area is designed as an open, airy space with a natural color palette to foster a warm, inviting, and relaxing atmosphere.
This is followed by exhibits on the evolution of ancient elephants and the various species found in Thailand. The display also explores the deep-rooted connection between elephants and human life throughout history—ranging from their roles in warfare, transportation, and trade, to their place in tourism today. These stories are brought to life through layered graphic boards that add depth, dimension, and emotional resonance to the visuals.
Impact
The Samui Elephant Home Learning Center is more than an educational space—it is a platform for conservation and social awareness. The project supports sustainable tourism on Koh Samui, generates employment for the local community, and serves as a model for museum design that thoughtfully integrates architectural and environmental principles.
Through its content, the center inspires visitors to understand the importance of elephant conservation and encourages them to carry this awareness forward, contributing to positive change in the future.
We believe that a well-designed exhibition is not just about delivering information—it’s about telling a story that momentarily transports visitors into the world of its content. It allows them to absorb the atmosphere and truly grasp the message we aim to convey. The impact of an exhibition doesn’t depend on its scale, but on how thoughtfully the space is designed to create a meaningful connection with people.
