Traditional Moken Ethnic Houses as a Basis for Post-Disaster Housing Design: Surin Islands, Phang Nga Province, Thailand

Post-disaster housing deficiencies compromise long-term habitability due to rigid reconstruction models that restrict spatial flexibility. Following the 2004 tsunami, the Moken preserved traditional dwelling characteristics, but standardized models provided after the 2019 fire introduced unadaptable layout constraints. While these structures did not directly destroy traditional living patterns, their framework limited necessary spatial extensions based on changing family needs. To inform responsive shelter design, this study investigated Moken construction culture through measured surveys across 20 surviving households, analyzing structural relationships and functional zoning between the main house and its extensions. Empirical results reveal six distinct typologies of spatial transformation built around a traditional nine-post core axis, with expanded footprints averaging 32.44 m2. These configurations utilize front zones for social use, lateral zones for storage, and rear zones for sleeping quarters. The study concludes that integrating fluid indigenous habits with localized physical constraints remains a critical necessity, advocating for a flexible core house framework that permanently utilizes traditional construction knowledge and localized spatial parameters to secure the continuous transmission of traditional building skills across generations.