In this episode, I sit down with Tee, the founder of Jaibaan Studio, to explore how architecture can be a force for community empowerment rather than just commercial development. Jaibaan’s work shows that with creativity and persistence, even small grassroots projects can reshape urban spaces—sometimes against the odds.

We discuss:

• Why Chiang Mai is a “woman”

• How Jaibaan overcame legal barriers to create a community urban farm—before gaining government support

• How the spirit of a place shapes the city’s identity

• Ways architects engage people in shaping their own environment

• How Jaibaan Studio encourages ethical investments in urban spaces

• The influence of Buddhism on city planning

• The challenge of balancing Chiang Mai’s rapid touristic growth with local life

Jaibaan’s impact is inspiring, especially given the limited resources they work with. Check out the links in the episode description to learn more about their projects.

This podcast is produced by Urban Therapy. Follow us on Instagram for behind-the-scenes content, urban insights, and upcoming events worldwide.

Special thanks to Tee and the team at Jaibaan Studio for their thoughtful approach to architecture and urbanism.

You can check their portfolio to see the scale of their projects—it’s in Thai, but the images speak for themselves.

More about the concept and history of the Urban Farm can be found here and here.

Credits:

Host – Darya Sannikova

Composer / Sound Mixing – Sybe

Cover – Eleonora Nekrasova