UW looks to partner with city on Thai pavilion

The university, working with the city of Madison, is considering Olbrich Botanical Gardens as a location for a proposed Thai pavilion.

The pavilion — a gift from the Thailand government as an expression of gratitude for the university’s educating numerous Thai students — could be the centerpiece of Olbrich’s already planned Asian garden, says LaMarr Billups, special assistant for community relations to Chancellor David Ward.

The pavilion would be a significant addition to Madison, as it will be only the third such structure to be located outside of Thailand and the only one in the United States, Billups says. The other two are in Germany and Norway. The structure could also establish a strong educational link between Olbrich and the university for students studying Asian culture, landscape architecture and other topics, he adds.

Henry Lufler, Ward’s executive assistant, briefed the Olbrich board of directors on April 18 about the pavilion and the benefits it could bring to Olbrich.

University planners originally hoped to locate the pavilion behind the Natatorium on the west side of campus. But the actual building is larger than first announced and needs more space than is available at the initial site. After getting approval from the Thai donors, the university then contacted the city about off-campus sites, and Olbrich was identified as a potential location. At the same time, university planners are reviewing other on-campus locations.

The Thai Alumni Association, one of the university’s largest international alumni groups, is responsible for the gift, which required approval from the King of Thailand. The structure will be built in Thailand before being disassembled and shipped to Madison. Thai craftspeople will reconstruct the pavilion here. The UW System Board of Regents and the State Building Commission in April approved $457,000 to build the structure’s foundation.