Blog : Modern Contemporary

10 Modern Tropical Homes for Inspiration

10 Modern Tropical Homes for Inspiration

Living ASEAN presents 10 modern tropical homes for an inspiration as we celebrate another year ending and a new one beginning. They focus on a beautiful blend of indoor and outdoor spaces that translates into stylish patios, cool verandas and courtyard tropical gardens. Plus, plenty of ideas to make your yard lush!

 

PEACEFUL, SHADY NORTHEASTERN THAI HOUSE


MODERN HOUSE AMID A COUNTRY ATMOSPHERE


 

VIETNAM TRADITIONAL BRICK HOUSE


 

QUIET INTERACTION OF NATURE AND ARCHITECTURE


 

LOCAL THAI HOUSE IN A JAPANESE TRADITION


 

LOCAL, WITH A MODERN FLAVOR


 

A WHITE HOUSE MATCHING MODERN ARCHITECTURE TO ITS ENVIRONMENT


 

CANALSIDE “GARDEN HOUSE” FOR HAPPINESS


MODERN HOUSE WITH A THAI FLAVOR


SINGLE-STOREY HOUSE ON A FOUNDATION OF SIMPLICITY

 


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Home Renovation / Classic Meets Avant-Garde

Home Renovation / Classic Meets Avant-Garde

Classic meets avant-garde in this unique space, yet it still has the warm feeling of a real home.

/// Thailand ///

Story: Wilasinee /// Photos: Nanthiya, Damrong /// Style : Praphaiwadee /// Designers – Decorators: Butsakon Sapsanthitikun and Radikan Wetsawan

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When the long trip of taking her college-age daughters from the old house in Samphran district of Nakhon Pathom Province for drop-off in the center of Bangkok became too exhausting, the owner decided to find a place to live near the University instead. She needed both convenience and a place close enough to Samphran that she could occasionally go back and forth.

Eventually she found this 350- square-meter condominium and fixed it up as a second home. It took two years of design and decoration, but in the end it filled her every need.

“From our first discussions with the designers we developed a pretty clear concept. Mom used to favor the classic Roman style, but when we bought these rooms, we all agreed to switch to a more contemporary look,” said the eldest daughter.

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The space was adapted to fit the family. The original three bedrooms became four, one for each of them. Coming through the front door brings us into a large central room with a dining area and a small corner with a counter and fancy round modern-looking table. Décor includes a classic-style chandelier and a contemporary display case. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming,  simply with the feeling of being a nice place to live.

The design plan splits rooms into a left and a right wing. To the left, next to the dining room is a parlor dominated by navy blue, with an exotic beauty of rippling velvet drapes giving the wall a dimension of light and shadow. Furthest inside is a trendy entertainment room decorated in dark tones energized by the warmth of a big red leather sofa. Outside, the balcony holds a little garden where you can drink in the fresh atmosphere while enjoying a wide urban view.

Also in the left wing is the eldest daughter’s room, decorated in clean, easy-on-the-eye and relaxing tones of white. Here are contemporary touches: cigarette-smoke-colored velvet drapes, a bedside table with a classic form. The middle daughter’s bedroom is here, too, no less special with bright colors, and the same secret sweetness you’ll find in its occupant’s personality,

The right wing includes kitchen, storage room, and a maid’s room. The youngest sister, who is studying fashion design, has dressed up her bedroom in an avant-garde modern style she’s completely in love with.

The mother designed her own room to be sweet, but still full of contemporary chic with a dark wood floor, modern vintage furniture, and shiny sequined throw cushions on the sofa.

Mother's bedroom.
The mother’s bedroom.
The older daughter's bedroom.
The eldest daughter’s bedroom.
The youngest daughter's bedroom.
The youngest daughter’s bedroom.

During the design and décor process, the professional designers got to know the individual personalities, tastes, and preferences of family members quite well, and tried their best to pass on some design knowledge to them, which is how each room came to so clearly reflect the taste of the person living there.

 

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 Eclectic Style with Blue Shade of Living

 Eclectic Style with Blue Shade of Living

Eclectic style is the right definition of this blue-shade living space. The unique color attracts all eyes at first sight.

/// Thailand /// 

Photo: Soopakorn Srisakul /// Interior Designer: Balance Interior & Contractor

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The posh condominium room offers a generous 78-square meters space. Obviously, Pavis Simakulthorn, the homeowner’s favorite color is blue and his other passion are ceramic collections. As a result, these are among the first things he requested to Watana Kowatanabhorn, the designer.

“I wanted shelves, lots of them. They had to be in blue or indigo, which are my favorites.”

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Pavis bought the room years ago, before meeting Watana and selected him to design the place. Recognizing the preferences of the homeowner, Watana designed an eye-catching European style pantry. The pantry’s function is to show off ceramic and glassware collections. Tray ceiling is enhanced by decorative trim molding.

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A reading room next to the pantry is full of bookshelves. Shelves are filled with books in Thai and foreign languages. A priceless antique bead necklace collection is also shown on the shelf. Another interesting feature is a wallpaper, which Pavis discovered from a trip to Paris.

“While visiting a friend. I came across a wallpaper store that design wallpapers for Hermes and other world-class brands. I ordered custom-made one for the room. Three month later, the ocean blue wallpaper arrived. I just love it.”

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The eye-catching pantry offers a luxurious touch in shades of indigo.

Outside, the balcony is adorned with a Cupid statue, which Pavis cherished, while the bedroom interior mainly use purple. “I’m very impressed by the designer’s choice. The color is warm and relaxing. Deep shades represents complexity and is the last color on usually sees before going to sleep at night.”

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The bedroom features DM Home wrought iron bed. The headboard is designed by the homeowner to match with the pillows. A wooden built-in cabinet is used to store collectibles and photographs. Wooden strips overhead keeps the air-conditioning machine hidden. The décor scream out eclectic tones with fur, antique pieces and stuffed animals.

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A shelf is set flush with structural support posts in complementing hues.

Little details go well with the whole design. Built-in accessories storages features trim molding similar to Roman pillars. The bathroom at the far end includes a subtle, luxurious elements. Floor tiles are custom-made to complement the elegant rug.

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Pastel purple shades make the bedroom peaceful and warm. Window treatments made of mesh wire protect the privacy of the intimate space while allowing natural light in.

The bedroom features a wrought iron bed in black by DM Home. The homeowner designs headboard treatments herself by emulating pillow patterns. The bed cover is one of a kind. To the right stands a built-in wood cabinet used for storing collectibles and photographs. Over the head, decorative strips keep the air-conditioning unit hidden in plain sight. The walls are painted a light shade of pastel purple with whit accents. Decorating details speak to the Eclectic style including fur, antique collectibles, and stuffed animals.

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Purple walls with white accents add a welcome contrast to the interior living spaces.

The homeowner’s personal eclectic style is clearly expressed in the place. Just as Pavis’s conclusion. “I believe the room was left in a good hand. The designer’s understanding and ideas are as expected. The chemistry is right, I guess.”

 

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“All of the items here are stylishly unique. No sprucing up is needed.”
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The bathroom boasts simple design with a luxurious, updated look. Recessed lights built into the sink cabinet make the interior space seem large and well-lit.

 

link: https://www.facebook.com/balanceinterior/

Garden For Family Activities

Garden For Family Activities

What is the real function of a garden in the house? The owners need the garden for their family and talked to a landscape designer to build a pavilion and a small waterfall wall for outdoor living and garden for family activities.

/// Thailand /// 

Story : Apasri Meemana /// Photos : Sitthisak Namkham and Siramath Jirapotisit /// Landscape : Suansabuy Design Studio

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The designer placed large free-form plants such as patana oak, millettia brandisiana, and calabashin the rear to relieve the rigidity of the pavilion structure.
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The wide grass lawn can be adapted to different activities. A stylishly modern sand wash concrete walkway leads in from the front.

When buying a house one needs to consider the surrounding environment, size and placement of the building, style, and usable outdoor space. The form and layout of the pre-existing garden are less important. This is how it was for Chana and Nopphawan Najaroenkun, who own this beautiful family activities’ garden in Bang Phli District of Samut Prakan. Chana beams as he talks about it.

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Lounge in the gazebo on cushions or mats and bring out fruit and pastries, a perfect formula for pleasant relaxation.
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The Neighboring white house is seen behind three levels of green: pigeon berry, water jasmine, and English banyan

“I love this house, but outside we have 280 square meters. Shortly after moving in I felt the garden wasn’t really right, so we gave it a makeover. We found Siramath Jirapotisit from Suansabuy Design Studio with a contemporary style we liked. I told him we wanted an open garden for family with a pavilion and a small waterfall wall. His design was spot on, a perfect fit.”

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The Pavilion, wood deck, pathway, and other hardscape elements designed in a complementary pattern of rectangles.
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The pavilion is raised 60 centimeters to dissipate heat and let the breeze pass through.

Siramath went on: “The owners went with pretty much what I had on my website. I assessed the whole house to see how to connect various rooms to the garden.The pavilion is large and modern located on the left-hand side by the grass lawn. Connecting to it is a hardscape waterfall wall that’s visible from inside for a beautiful garden view. Next to that, a moderately sized gazebo with wicker furniture, connected to the living room by a wooden deck pathway, and then in the back is another rest area by the Thai kitchen and utility room.”

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On the right-hand side is a tall green fence of English banyan which is an interesting contrast to the rust-colored fence by the pavilion.

“We used some plants from the old garden, the palm and dragon tree in front, adding patana oak, millettia brandisiana, a beautiful calabash tree, and shrubs along the English banyan by the fence: monkey grass, iris, ruellia, and so on, all easy to maintain. This is a modern garden for family with some tropical elements mixed in.”

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The beautiful, open-limbed form of a calabash tree set right in the center suits the overall modern design.
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Another place to sit behind the house, next to the Thai kitchen. The owners like sitting here while dinner is being prepared.

Nopphawan says she loves the renovated garden:

“We make great use of it. I like the spaces all around the house to sit and relax. Our kids sit and do homework, read books, feel the fresh air. Sometimes we have fun family parties in the pavilion and on the lawn. It’s especially pretty in the evening with our nice lighting system: it adds a sense of liveliness. I told Siramath I’d like easy maintenance, cutting the grass only once in awhile. In a couple of areas, we have staff from Suansabuy Design Studio come help care for the plants and water once a day.”

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In the evening there is a different atmosphere, with special lighting for a gentle relaxing elegance.

“When we come back and are tired from work, the garden makes us feel refreshed. Looking around it feels like we’re tourists at a resort outside of the city. It puts some pizzazz into our lives, energizes both body and mind. When we have free time, we sometimes sit outside in the garden as a whole family.”

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With the light shining up through the water onto the waterfall wall adding new dimensions to the overall look.

 

link : http://www.suansabuy.com/

 

Baan Gongsi: The Fusion of Chinese Heritage with Traditional Thai

Baan Gongsi: The Fusion of Chinese Heritage with Traditional Thai

/ Bangkok, Thailand /

/ Story: Supachart Boontang / English version: Bob Pitakwong /

/ Photographs: Soopakorn Srisakul and Arsom Arch Community and Environment Co., Ltd. A division of the Arsom Silp Institute of the Arts /

Baan Gongsi, the home is built based on Chinese heritage in architecture mixed with defining features that are characteristic of the traditional Thai style home. The perfect visual blend is the brainchild of Pongsakorn Tumprueksa and Nattanan Pokinpitak of the Arsom Silp Institute of the Arts.

Baan Gongsi
The two-storey home, which is the main building on the premises, features large double doors designed for air circulation by natural means. The interior space is kept cool all day because heat doesn’t build up inside it. There is hardly any need for mechanical air conditioning.

Known as “ Baan Gongsi ”, the handsome home embraces the concept of extended family living along with peaceful coexistence with nature. Thais of Chinese descent, the homeowners Thianchai and Noree Niyom want to perpetuate a traditional lifestyle that values family sharing and mutual benefits. Thianchai’s sister also lives in the same compound.

Baan Gongsi
A garden slate walkway leads to an elevated pool hemmed in by Applied Chinese architecture. Distinctive, slightly upturned roof design makes the main building and surrounding annexes appear lightweight.
Baan Gongsi
The center court pool stretches across the entire length of the veranda. It provides plenty of room for exercise. Meantime, the interior spaces are kept cool by breezes blowing in over the pool.

The design of Baan Gongsi features a Chinese architectural feature known as “Court House,” which relies on a central courtyard as the main engine driving air circulation by natural means.

The well-conceived design ensures the home fits in well with the hot and humid climate of the region. Its floor plan showcases a cluster home design similar to that of the typical Thai-style home of olden days.

The main villa and nearby annexes are set around the center court. The sprawling design allows a healthy dose of morning sun to pour into the interior living spaces. At night the courtyard is aglow with moonlight.

Baan Gongsi
Long roof overhangs protect the buildings from harsh afternoon sun. Diamond-shaped tiles at the far end blend well with Chinese-style roofing on either side of the pool.
Baan Gongsi
The slightly upturned Chinese-style roofing is crafted the old-fashioned way. The design makes use of large structural wood timbers for primary support of the roof tiles.

The center court is referred to as “Heart” of the cluster home design. It brings joy into family life and supplies every part of the house with fresh air. There is a stone paver patio by the ancestral home that serves as a venue for morning tea.

Nearby the center court swimming pool means the health benefits of good exercise are there for the taking. Overall, it is a piece of architecture designed for the salubrious lifestyle of an extended family.

Baan Gongsi
The second-floor balcony looks out over the pool and the landscape beyond. The wood deck is reminiscent of Thai-style home design.

From a security perspective, Baan Gongsi is well crafted and based on an interesting access floor plan, which ensures privacy is protected.

Well thought out plan offers smooth transition from one area to another. There is a Welcome Court with patches of greenery where guests are met upon arrival, followed by a stone paver patio leading to the Moon Door, which is the house’s main entrance.

From there, stone paver walkways provide access to the main villa and nearby annexes. The center court itself lies protected by a lacy canopy of mature trees making this visit a warm and enchanting experience. Because it is nestled in the city center, the home relies on plenty of lush greenery to protect it from noises and air pollution.

Baan Gongsi
The interior boasts contiguous living spaces that stretch from the dining area to seating spaces to the library and all the way to the veranda beyond.
Baan Gongsi
The bathroom comes with contemporary design. The shower room is semi-outdoor reminiscent of traditional Thai-style home. Floor tiles with antique patterns complement the soft white color on the walls.
Baan Gongsi
Lush greenery adds a touch of nature to the central courtyard.

Real wood is one of the most outstanding features here. What makes it aesthetically pleasing is the gracefully upturned roof that is characteristic of Chinese architecture. All things considered, it has been a wholesome destination where nature and culture coexist in peaceful harmony.

Baan Gongsi
The Moon Door is adapted to sport a more contemporary look. The main entrance into the cluster home setting also serves as a defining feature that embraces respect for nature and traditional wisdom.
Baan Gongsi
The home’s front view design showcases the gracefully upturned roof style characteristic of traditional Chinese architecture.
Baan Gongsi
The peaceful stand-alone house of Buddha serves as a reminder of Thai architecture of olden days.
Baan Gongsi
[left] Concrete footing protects timber piles from humidity that could pose a threat to the home in the long term. [right] Primary roofing support is crafted the old-fashioned way utilizing of large structural timbers. The cutout at the top of the pole allows the ridge beam to rest securely for extra durability.

Owner: Thianchai and Noree Niyom

Architect: Arsom Arch Community and Environment Co., Ltd. A division of the Arsom Silp Institute of the Arts


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Tanah Teduh: A Beautiful Modern House Set amid Old Orchards

Tanah Teduh: A Beautiful Modern House Set amid Old Orchards

/ Jakarta, Indonesia /

/ Story: Ajchara Jeenkram / English version: Bob Pitakwong /

/ Photographs: Soopakorn Srisakul /

This house among the trees is part of a suburban residential development nestled in a wooded area where calming fruit orchards once grew. It is comforting to know the developers have made every effort at preserving as many trees as they possibly could. Like so, the houses are built around mature trees that have long been there. Here’s one of them.

Tanah Teduh
The cube-shaped façade looks out over the front yard. Large glass windows in wood casings stretch across the entire face of the building. To let nature permeate, patches of greenery occupy every open space including the rooftop deck.

The cube-shaped façade looks out over the front yard. Large glass windows in wood casings stretch across the entire face of the building. To reconnect with nature, patches of greenery occupy every open space including the rooftop deck. Meanwhile, open concept floor plans allow abundant natural light. The positioning of windows and other features ensures minimum consumption of electricity, which translates into big savings. More than anything else, it’s about building a relationship with the natural world.

“Tanah Teduh” is the name of the housing development. It’s a reminder of the residential projects where a large number of houses of similar design are built closer together, creating a friendly neighborhood in which everybody knows everybody.

Here, all the residential units have access to common areas via both front and back doors. Well-thought out design ensures security is achievable without sacrificing privacy. Taken as a whole, the housing development is situated on 21 Rai of land (roughly 8.3 acres) that once upon a time was a thriving fruit orchard.

Tanah Teduh
Exterior walls covered in coat-button vines help cool down the interior living spaces.

Inspired by the need for nature conservation, the project developer offers only 20 modern houses with a view of the lush garden landscape. The privacy of its residents takes priority over any other matter. But the beauty of the landscape is important, too. So, instead of building boundary walls that can be unpleasant to look at, the homes are kept separate from each other by green hedges and other smart architectural hacks.

It takes a team of top ten Indonesian designers to make this housing development exceptionally good. To avoid repetition, the front façade varies from one unit to the next, and each unit is a signature of an individual designer.

Tanah Teduh
A relaxing multi-use room in the front part of the house. The sliding door and exterior wall are glazed using clear glass to take in the garden view and ensure there’s plenty of natural light in the house.

Oranat Pernquist is the owner of the house that we visited on this housing development. A Thai lady who has come to call Jakarta home, she welcomed our editorial team to take a look around. Overall, the home was beautiful, well-designed, and nicely decorated.

Andra Matin, the designer and project director, sure did a good job at it. He put in a small center courtyard to let nature pervade throughout the home. Natural light and correct building orientation were taken into account, resulting in well-connected, warm, and inviting interior living spaces.

Meanwhile, the external envelope showcased the charm of modern design, something akin to the works made famous by world-renowned architect Le Corbusier, but with an Asian outlook.

Tanah Teduh
The dining room features a large wood table capable of seating 6 to 8. The table and chairs are made to order from Jakarta. Glass-front armoires in the backdrop are imported from Thailand.

The house has two wings. The ground floor of the first building offers a good-sized sitting room, dining area and kitchen. Glass siding fills the entire exterior wall on one side, making the center court clearly visible from within. The second floor holds a home office, while the third is a sundeck converted into a sky garden.

Tanah Teduh
The kitchen is connected to the dining room. A utility table on wheels compensates for the absence of a kitchen island. The center courtyard can be seen in full view from here, thanks to glass siding that stretches across the exterior walls.

The second building also has two levels with multi-use spaces on the first floor. The second floor contains a sitting room with access to the garden. It’s decorated with a sofa in soft hues and a set of table and chairs. There is a park bench made of concrete for relaxation in the outdoors.

Tanah Teduh

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The perimeter wall made of perforate cement blocks not only protect from the sun’s harsh glare but also allows air circulation. Breathe block design adds modern curb appeal to the home.

The designer is passionate about Thai-modern design that’s evident in the interior decorated with simple materials. They include real wood, bare concrete walls in lighter shades and a perforate shell. Every living space is designed for specific use. It looks uncluttered and opens to let nature permeate.

Oranat said that her other half, Anders Pernquist, traveled abroad for business often and brought home beautiful objects from Italy, Taiwan, and India. She wrapped it up nicely: “Anders is responsible for purchasing,” and she for installation. No wonder home interior design is so full of life.

Tanah Teduh
The master bedroom on the third floor has floor-to-ceiling windows and wood flooring in glossy finishes. Different materials serve as boundary markers among the internal spaces. The en suite bathroom showcases fine-stone terrazzo flooring with a dressing room and walk-in closet.

“Anders likes Asian style handicrafts. Works produced in this region are beautifully crafted. We have glass-front armoires with superb wood carving imported from Thailand, area rugs from India, and other pieces that are made to order in Jakarta,” said Oranat.

“Our collections come from various parts of the world. They remind us of our long journey.”

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The bedroom overlooking the courtyard has a wooden bed with area rugs and bed cover in complementing hues from India. A birch veneer IKEA chair adds Scandinavian vies to the room.

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Wall openings keep the interior well-lit by natural daylight. The architect put this opening in the kitchen on purpose to take in the views.


Architect: Andra Matin


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