livingasean, Author at LIVING ASEAN - Inspiring Tropical Lifestyle //

Kampong House: The Allure of Indonesia’s Urban Village Life

By livingasean
March 29, 2021
HOUSE,LIVING

/ Cimahi, Indonesia /

/ Story: Nawapat Dusdul / English version: Bob Pitakwong /

/ Photographs: Mario Wibowo /

For an Indonesian family, life in an urban kampong is a beautiful journey. Aquino Krishadi and Elis Rosmiati lived for some time in a medium-density urban village. The positive feeling that they cherished was brought with them as they moved into their new home in Cimahi, roughly ten minutes’ drive from Bandung Metropolis in West Java.

The chic new home is designed by Ismail Solehudin, of Ismail Solehudin Architecture. Reflecting the Indonesian kampong experience, the siding materials that enclose and divide interior living spaces are made of rigid PVC sheets mixed with brick masonry. It’s a creative way to build, plus it provides excellent toughness and good moisture resistance.

The term kampongs, also spelled kampoongs, or kampungs, refers to traditional villages with stilt houses in the Indonesian archipelago.

Made for living green in a small space, the new dwelling is aptly named “Kampoong-In-House” for its character and real certain appeal of village life that provides the architect and the family with invaluable inspiration. In essence it’s an intriguing combination of features with rooms and a network of passageways beautifully fitting together in a house plan.

Sharing his points of view, Ismail said that the design was based on the client’s experience from having lived in an urban village, plus their interest in a sustainable way of living, albeit in a small space.

To comply with the family’s wishes, he translated their ideas into a coherent distribution of masses and expertly crafted a house plan capable of bringing many benefits, including convenient and safe exterior and interior traffic patterns.

The front of the house features an eclectic mix of items and decorations ubiquitous among urban kampongs across Indonesia. They include different textures and materials that come together in an untidy way like a picture of a village scene.

Among them are ornaments such as window box planters, skylights, garden areas and unfilled spaces in the wall that drive natural ventilation keeping the interior living spaces cool and comfortable.

Commenting on a hybrid of brickwork and PVC sheets, Ismail said that PVC is strong and durable, which explains why it’s one of the most widely used thermoplastic polymers worldwide. Here, it’s used on the façade to protect against damage from too much sun and rain.

Meantime, exposed brick walls provide great opportunities to experiment with various textures and patterns. The break in the wall allows fresh air to enter and circulate inside, a perfect solution for houses in a Tropical climate.

Walk in the door, and you come to an open concept common area with greenery that’s the essential part of the house plan. It conveniently connects to a plant-filled living room, kitchen, and a large backyard garden.

In all places, unfilled spaces in the wall and green areas create microclimates that differ from those in the surrounding areas. Plus, they allow natural light and improve air circulation at the same time.

Bedrooms are slightly hidden from view, cocooned in a comfortable location. They are reachable via an interior corridor lined with functions that serve practical purposes, among them a bar table and a few bookshelves.

All things considered, it’s a chic contemporary home thoughtfully devised to promote social interactions among family members without intruding into the lives of one another. At the same time, it’s made for a lifestyle that tries to reduce the use of natural resources.

The message is clear. Living sustainably in an urban kampong is more than just helping the environment. It’s also a way to bring people back in time and experience the Indonesian way of life like it’s always been.

The House Plan & Section Courtesy of Ismail Solehudin Architecture

Architect: Ismail Solehudin of Ismail Solehudin Architecture

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SCOPE Promsri Condominium; Feeling Good Living Better World Class Real Estate in the Heart of Sukhumvit

By livingasean
March 27, 2021
LIVING,PROPERTY

BANGKOK / Designed to improve the quality of life, SCOPE Promsri sits on a prime residential lot in the heart of Sukhumvit, one of Bangkok’s vibrant cosmopolitan areas. Among its most outstanding features is the integration of the high-end contemporary furniture brand Ligne Roset of France with the overall design of every room and common area. A nexus between well thought-out design, best appliances brands and urban lifestyle conveniences, the 1.35-billion-Baht eight-story condo comes complete with a security system that exceeds standards for residential property management.

SCOPE Promsri is conveniently situated on Soi Promsri, a prime street that connects with three famous city thoroughfares; namely Soi Prompong (Sukhumvit 39), Soi Klang (Sukhumvit 49), and Soi Thonglor (Sukhunvit 55). The intention is to become a premium residential project capable of providing its residents with a world class service.

What makes SCOPE Promsri exceptionally good is the overall interior design paired with matching contemporary furniture by Ligne Roset, a high end brand that has been around for more than 160 years. Founded in 1860, Ligne Roset grew from humble beginnings and transformed itself into a successful furnishings outfit with branches across the globe. Over time, modern luxury furniture and decorative accessories have earned the company a reputation as experts in design and innovative manufacturing processes. The secret to its success lies in strict quality control that culminates in unique products that are not only handsome and comfortable, but also a profusion of elegance and value characteristic of French design.

Yongyuth Chaipromprasith is creative expert in real estate development and CEO of the SCOPE Co, Ltd, which specializes in homes at the international premium level. He said: “We commit ourselves to providing quality and innovative design that has been our signature from day one. Every project that we’ve accomplished are the product of collaborations between us and other experts in the field, including world famous brands. When it comes to home furnishings, it’s not about selecting products from catalogs. Rather, it’s an act of working with others who have comprehensive knowledge and skill in a bid to create products that are evidence of quality and best express our ideas.”

By this is meant that SCOPE Promsri places great emphasis on the individual’s privacy and freedom from being disturbed by others. Hence, there are only two business units, compared to 146 residential condominium units on the premises. First and foremost, it’s designed to raise the quality of life and improve safety for the project’s residents. This is evident in the installation of water sprinklers in the ceiling of every room, despite it not being required by law governing eight-story buildings.

That’s not all. At SCOPE Promsri every condominium comes complete with modern conveniences and household appliances that comply with standards. They include electrical kitchen appliances by the MIELE brand of Germany, plus built-in combinations consisting of a microwave oven, induction cook top, kitchen exhaust fan, and built-in Liebherr brand refrigerator, as well as wall-mounted washlets by Kohler, Germany.

Apart from the full complement of world class equipment, every condo unit receives a great deal on decoration known as “Promsri Edition Fully Furnished Package”, an 890,000-Baht value that includes, among other things, a Prado sofa by Christian Werner. Customers are allowed to choose more than one color for the sofa. Plus, there’s a special edition table code named “Promsri Table”, which is manufactured exclusively by Ligne Roset for this project only. And that’s not all. The list also includes a built-in console that comes with a 75-inch TV set, bed with headboard decorating ideas and mattress by Simmons, the world class brand that’s used by six star hotels across the globe.

Strictly speaking, the Promsri Edition is more than just a list of household equipment or furniture. Rather, it opens the door to a new lifestyle evolving around feeling good and living better ideas. It’s about nurturing quality thoughts that culminate in good design for homes at the international premium level.

Yongyuth added: “SCOPE Promsri has invested a lot of money to create a good first impression with the project’s exterior design. But the quality that pleases the aesthetic senses alone isn’t enough. That’s why we also place great emphasis on long term durability and ease of maintenance. This is evident in the use of reflective glass acoustic film that not only protects resident privacy, but also reduces heat transfer from outside, thereby saving on energy consumption. Plus, it doubles as sound barrier that reduces street noise by as much as 30%, a feature that’s further enhanced by motorized blackout blinds for added indoor thermal comfort. It’s designed to achieve total darkness in the room, especially for customers in the young international premium group who requires the highest quality of rest. This is particularly important for the so-called work-hard, high-income group.”

“SCOPE gives good living conditions the highest priority. For this reason, it provides a variety of services including safe transport of food items and cleaning service. It’s a luxury condo that not only allows pets, but also is truly pet friendly. By enforcing carefully thought-out rules and regulations, it ensures that pet owners and non-pet owners can live together in harmony.”

SCOPE Promsri condos complete with the “Promsri Edition Fully Furnished Package” are on sale now for 6.3 million Baht apiece. The scheduled finish date is around November 2022. Unit reservation has begun as of 12 March 2021. Register now at www.scopepromsri.com

The Elephant World of Surin; Architecture Dedicated to the Asian Pachyderm and the Kuy People

By livingasean
March 16, 2021
CULTURE,DESIGN

SURIN / This small province about 6 hours’ drive from Bangkok is home to the Elephant World, an architectural landmark dedicated to preserving the warm, good-natured Asian pachyderm. The project extends across 3,000 Rai of land (roughly 1,200 acres) that’s part of the Dong Phu Din National Forest Reserve, one of Surin’s natural attractions.

The province is often taken as synonymous with the richness of culture of the Kuy people and the thing they know best – tending the elephant. It’s the way of life that originated in the distant past, one that’s deep-rooted in their thought, behavior and tradition.

Modern day Kuy ethnic communities (also known as Suay) concentrate in the lower region of Thailand’s Northeast, mostly in Surin, while smaller populations can be found in southern Laos, and norther Cambodia.

Located at Baan Ta Klang, Tambon Krapho, Tha Toom District, the Elephant World began in 2001 in a bid to bring vagabond elephants back to their traditional home. It’s the responsibility of the Provincial Administrative Organization of Surin. The project site sits surrounded by ethnic Kuy communities whose way of life has been concerned with the welfare, training and husbandry of elephants since time immemorial. Here, the peaceful Asian pachyderm is treated like family.

The Elephant World’s main attraction, the Outdoor Museum, is designed by architect laureate Asst. Prof. Boonserm Premthada of the Bangkok Project Studio. Apart from historical perspective, it provides a particular way of viewing lifelong friendships between humans and elephants.

Continuous vertical structures that enclose and divide exhibition areas are made of more than 480,000 bricks kilned the old-fashioned way. Sculptures set up at intervals tell stories of the role of elephants in ancient times. Together, they merge into stunning walled city vernacular that was the zeitgeist of the past eras.

Currently under construction is the Cultural Center and Elephant Show Court with tiers of seats for spectators and a central space for the presentation of dramatic events. The open structures are supported by concrete poles, while roof framing is crafted of steel with wood slat coverings to allow natural light and good ventilation.

A key element that’s easily recognized from a distance is the Lookout Tower that rises as high as a five-story building. 360-degree views can be seen as if from above from here.

Besides the three landmarks mentioned above, the Elephant World also features other interesting attractions. They include the Building of Majestic Elephants, the Elephant Training School, Kuy villages, 3D movie theatre, as well as shops and restaurants. If cultural tourism is your thing, stop by the Elephant World next time you visit Surin. For information, call 0-4414-5050; 0-4451-1975; or visit http://elephantworldsurin.com.

Story and photographs: Nawapat Dusdul

Sneak Preview of the BaanLaeSuan Fair Select 2021; A Show on the Theme of “Open Culture”

By livingasean
March 14, 2021
HAPPENING,SPECIAL SCOOP

Happening now… The BaanLaeSuan Fair Select 2021. It’s an opportunity not to be missed whether you’re a savvy shopper, pet lover, green thumb, design aficionado, or just looking for a hangout to keep in touch. The show on the theme of “Open Culture” is happening from 17 to 21 March at the Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Center, or BITEC Bang-Na. Essentially, it’s about keeping an open mind, caring and sharing good designs vital for the betterment of society.

Register here to attend: https://amarinfair.com/go/1922

“Open Culture” is a design trend that’s aimed primarily at achieving a better quality of life. It’s concerned with things we do every day, from creating a design that’s friendly to the environment, to implementing green and sustainable initiatives that can ignite innovation. It opens the door to new possibilities where designers and people in the community work together to arrive at a solution that can ultimately benefit the people and society at large. Here are some of the highlights from this year’s BaanLaeSuan Fair Select.

“Open Books”, BaanLaeSuan Printing and Publishing Zone

The BaanLaeSuan Printing and Publishing Zone features prominently as a large bookstore in the exhibition. Be spoilt for choice when it comes to an enormous richness of publications on homes and gardens, plus new releases issued for viewing and great photography locations. There are plenty of ideas and inspirations for do-it-yourself projects, from growing roses to building your own nursery, to creating multifunctional spaces at home and post-retirement agricultural activity.

Whilst there, stop to browse around the bookstore, or take a moment to enjoy a good read sipping coffee at a café ensconced among beautiful roses. That’s not all. BaanLaeSuan Classroom is also giving classes on popular subjects, including how to grow cactuses from seeds and preparing garden soil for growing roses. If roses are your thing, drop by one of these classes at Hall 101.

“Open Culture”, The Main Entryway

Here’s the main entrance to the show on the theme of “Open Culture”. Elsewhere, different exhibition zones are marked by different archways. Each of them is designed to be easily recognized and communicate the idea about what’s on display. If you’re looking for plants and decorative items for the garden, look for Hall 98 whose entrance is aptly adorned with healthy green foliage.

“Open Playground”, BaanLaeSuan Pets Zone

The BaanLaeSuan Pets Zone is a playground for pet lovers. It’s an area for your pet cats and dogs to play in. Whilst there, take a moment to attend workshops organized by BaanLaeSuan Classroom. They include lessons in hand embroidery by Leerapat Kasantikul, and practical exhibitions of how collars, leashes and toy balls for cats and dogs are made. It’s also a place to shop snacks and household articles, plus cat, dog and puppy toys. Carefully selected retailers in are on hand to please every pet person. Feeling tired? Sit down for beautiful relaxing music and give your canine or feline friends a treat. It’s happening at Hall 99.

“Open Garden”, the Garden of Ideas

The Garden of Ideas Zone at BaanLaeSuan Fair Select has typically focused on the defining spirit or mood of a particular period. This time around, we feel the whole world is concerned about the future the environment and there’s an intense longing for a return to nature. That said, the concept of “Natural Climate” comes in handy to convey ideas about natural growth. Because plants grow differently depending on the surroundings and trends at any given time, we think it appropriate to present four different types of landscaping in the exhibition. Meantime, BaanLaeSuan Classroom is also giving classes on picture painting with watercolors using materials from nature. Stop by for ideas for growing:

1. Desert Plants
2. Edible Gardens
3. Wetland Plants
4. Exotic Plants

“Open Space”, room Magazine Showcase

Discover, connect, and keep yourself updated of developments in design, space utilization, furniture, and home decorations the moment you come in through the main entryway at Hall 101. Here, the concept of “Open Space” is featured prominently to call your attention to how spaces can be made to serve a variety of functions, from a rest area to common area and workspace that makes a good first impression. The semi-outdoor design gives a sense of openness and connectivity reminiscent of a home and corridor restaurant that’s comfortable, exotic and warm.

The room Magazine Showcase is the coming together of a bookstore, café, and music, plus an exhibition on the concept of Betterism, which essentially is about good design for better society. Here, custom products by groups of individuals as well as private and government sectors are on display. They include bamboo furniture that’s the product of a collaboration between BaanLaeSuan and Mae Jaem Model Plus, a social enterprise. In essence, it’s about increasing production at community levels.

Chang Green Oasis

Tired from too much walking? Why not sit down and relax at Chang Green Oasis? Decorated with gorgeous greenery, it’s a rest area designed to accommodate exhibition goers. You will love live music. Plus, there are plenty of refreshing drinks to satisfy every thirst, including Asian Blend coffee. Give it a try.

Story: Sarayut Sreetip-ard, Special Activity, BaanLaeSuan Magazine
Photo: Soopakorn Srisakul, Nuntiya

Suppapong Sonsang; A Furniture Designer Who Grows Forests to Fulfill His Timber Needs

By livingasean
March 4, 2021
BAANLAESUAN CLASSROOM,CULTURE,PEOPLE,SPECIAL SCOOP

Some ten years ago, Suppapong Sonsang rose to fame as a laureate of the Designer of the Year award. Apparently content with living a green lifestyle, he kind of vanished from the limelight and got into a different field, something more upstream.

He brought 70 rai of destroyed forest land back to life in a bid to generate enough timber supplies for Jird Design Gallery, his very own furniture brand. Committed to sustainable growth, he viewed the mammoth undertakings as crucial for the future of his career as designer.

Lesson 2 Understanding Wood / Learn from Suppapong Sonsang, a furniture designer of Jird Design Gallery.

In a recent meet-up with room Magazine, he said: “The design profession is dependent upon purchase orders and customer hiring contracts. To do a good job or run a business well, skill alone isn’t enough. You also need a readiness to accomplish the task, reliable resources, even luck, et cetera. So I set out to find a green route for business to continue to perform for a long time; meanwhile, relying less on hiring contracts and more on selling direct to end-users. I viewed the practice of growing and caring for timber forests as a basic occupation with some hope for the future.”

Suppapong started his first new growth forest at Kamphaeng Phet Province in lower northern Thailand and gradually expanded to Nong Pho, Ratchaburi. The latter has since served as his headquarters with storage facilities for partly prepared timber and logs. There’s a sawmill with 4-5 types of machinery, where logs are cut, sawn into lumber and packaged ready for delivery. As business grew, he converted his humble abode in the forest into a showroom.

As he put it, “Timber is a valuable resource. So I focus on planting only trees that have economic importance. Little by little, I searched for knowledge and experimented with various methods in a bid to achieve the desirable outcome. Eventually, I obtained not only the resources needed for furniture making, but also a workplace with the atmosphere of a nature reserve. Before anything else, it’s about the better quality of life.”

Suppapong’s forests are home to valuable ecosystems. Apart from hardwood trees that are grown for timber, he also set aside some areas for planting crops. His work on the farm encompasses three aspects of product manufacturing, including design, human resources, and forest resources management.

Sharing his work experience, Suppapong said: “I’m responsible for design while others are busy taking care of things, ranging from caring for the forest floor and planting new trees, to grafting branches and growing plants from seeds in nurseries. Everyone deserves a good quality of life. For people in the community who’re working with us, it’s an opportunity to learn new skills in carpentry and agriculture. The knowledge that they gain as apprentices will be an asset beneficial to their future career.

“Meantime, the forests that we grow ensure that our furniture business will be adequately resourced for a long time to come, in other words until death do us part. It will be another 20 to 30 years down the road before some of the trees become fully grown and ready for harvesting. That said, it’s a guarantee that our community will still have timber supply lasting us a hundred years, or after old growth forests have been depleted.”

“While others invest in big manufacturing facilities and expensive machines, we put our money in land that we need to grow forests for timber. Oftentimes, people asked why we chose land covered with trees and undergrowth instead of beautiful pieces of property elsewhere. Well, it may be of little value to them. But it’s a great asset both for us and for the community 20 years down the road. We will have access to timber that our business needs. To begin with, it’s about growing healthy forest ecosystems. That means you need the initial capital, and patience. You have to give it all your energy to succeed. Been there, survived that. And now the rest is easy,” said Suppapong laughing.

“From then until now, little went as planned. Success came from resilience and the ability to adapt to new challenges. The workers that we hired from the community had no carpentry skill. So we started training them while the trees still had a long way to grow and mature. We believe that by the time our forests are ready for harvesting, our helping hands will have become well versed in woodworking. In the meantime, we just have to keep up with design trends. Together, they constitute parallel paths to future growth.”

Above, a bench seat from the KOOPREE collection by Suppapong Sonsang is made of timber from KrathinThepa (scientific name: Acacia mangium) a species of fast growing tree in the pea family Fabaceae. Harvested at 7 years of age, the tree provides an alternative to hardwood commonly used in furniture making.

Suppapong Sonsang of Jird Design Gallery is one of subject matter experts being featured in an online curriculum titled, “A Passion for Woodworking”. It’s part of Baan Lae Suan Classroom, a collaboration with the Creative Economy Agency (Public Organization), or CEA. The program is designed for people interested in woodworking and those looking to acquire basic carpentry skills through furniture making using basic tools and community resources. Plus, it provides tips for developing a career in creative business. The program is hosted by Jeremiah Pitakwong, Editor of Baan Lae Suan Magazine.

In the previous video, we presented a lesson on the Milking Stool by distinguished designer/carpenter Phisanu Numsiriyothin. In this episode, Suppapong Sonsang shows the steps in transforming homegrown timber into a beautiful bench seat.

Source:
https://www.baanlaesuan.com/online-program/classroom/215124.html
https://www.baanlaesuan.com/181474/design/design-update/people/jird

Phisanu Numsiriyothin Master Woodworker Who Cares about Forests

By livingasean
February 16, 2021
BAANLAESUAN CLASSROOM,CULTURE,PEOPLE,SPECIAL SCOOP

A designer who’s passionate about all things made of wood, Phisanu Numsiriyothin has grown familiar with using woodworking tools at home since a very young age.

Let’s begin with building a cow milking stool. Learn from Phisanu Numsiriyothin, master woodworker and professional carpenter. / Lesson 1 Getting Started in Woodworking

Upon graduation with a degree in Visual Arts, he led a self-indulgent life for a time pushing himself beyond the limits only to find it had taken a toll on his body and mind. He soon learned that life didn’t get much better than spending the day in a woodworking studio. Life took a turn for the better after his exposure to works of outstanding artistry by big names such as George Nakashima, Sam Maloof, James Krenov, and master craftsman Saiyart Sema-ngern. Only then did his career in woodworking begin in earnest.

In a recent interview with room magazine, Phisanu said his belief in the value of woodworking came from experience that spanned more than a decade. “A designer may have considerable knowledge of chair making. But if he’s unfamiliar with splintering or tear-out, has never done wood planing or used joinery tools, then he’s only thinking of two parts of the entire process — design proportions, and graphic visuals or style. In the end, beautiful design is achieved, but it may not be the best choice for wood. Plus, ill-conceived design could result in a lot of waste that compounds the world’s garbage problem.”

The world that he alludes briefly to is one in which a woodworker exists in harmony with natural woodlands. It’s a world where people harvest trees for timber responsibly and at the same time allow time for forests to thrive. Such an ideology can translate into a physically concrete form as is the case with “Rush Chair” by Phisanu in collaboration with the design duo, Jutamas Buranajade and Piti Amraranga, of o-d-a. They use small pieces trimmed off large trees to build the chair frame using traditional methods of wood joinery, while the seat is made of woven natural fibers dyed different shades of indigo.

If sustainable design refers to a piece of furniture that’s comfortable to sit on, easy to fix using parts sourced directly from nature, and capable of reducing negative impacts on the environment, then Rush Chair would fit that definition, a chair that’s eco-friendly in every sense of the word.

As Phisanu puts it, “If we design without focusing on just our needs and start paying attention to the environment, the result will be very different. As for me, I focus not only on the production technique, but also on the wood being used, the tools needed to perform the task, and everything that combines to add value to woodwork.”

Rush Chair

For the time being, Phisanu has relocated his fully equipped studio from Bangkok’s Buddha Puja area to Kuchinarai District in Kalasin. Here, he established a field workshop to make furniture from locally sourced materials. The villagers were available to work after the annual rice growing season had passed. So he persuaded them to join in making the Rush Chair based on design improved in conjunction with o-d-a. By making seat furniture from tree branches found in the area, Phisana subtly communicated the need to protect and preserve the environment among participating villagers. He has discovered the astounding connection between people and trees, and used it wisely promote nature conservation in the long term.

“I believe that between the chair and the trees, our home planet prefers more trees. They are crucial to the physical surroundings, far more important than my designing achievements. By realizing the importance of each and every tree, we are motivated to come up with good design and elaborate manufacturing process, and the resulting effect is worth a try.”

Phisanu Numsiriyothin is one of subject matter experts being featured in an online curriculum titled, “A Passion for Woodworking”. It’s part of BaanLaeSuan Classroom, a collaboration with the Creative Economy Agency (Public Organization), or CEA. The program is designed for people interested in woodworking and those wanting to acquire basic carpentry skills through furniture making, plus ideas about using local materials and tips for developing a career in creative business. It’s hosted by Jeremiah Pitakwong, Editor of BaanLaeSuan Magazine.

Phisanu said: “A stool for milking dairy cows. It’s a basic stool, very basic and easy to build. It’s lightweight and portable. A first for anyone wanting to try his hand at woodworking. Plus it’s come a long way in terms of design history. It depends on the material we can find, or the purpose of use. This one isn’t made of wood sticks. I made it instead from a solid tree trunk. And this one from wood slabs. The method differs occasionally. Sometimes we use leftovers or cut wide planks to make legs. We’re talking about using one type of material.”

Milking stool

Let’s begin with building a cow milking stool. Learn from Phisanu Numsiriyothin, master woodworker and professional carpenter. Click this link to get started https://dai.ly/x7zc9y1

Source:
https://www.baanlaesuan.com/102470/design/design-update/people/phisanunumsiriyothin
https://www.baanlaesuan.com/online-program/classroom/215121.html

303 House: A Narrow Townhome Inspired by Aircraft Interior

By livingasean
February 12, 2021
HOUSE,LIVING

/ Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam /

/ Story: Nawapat Dusdul / English version: Bob Pitakwong /

/ Photographs: Quang Tran /

An architectural practice called “Sawadeesign Studio” has applied innovative aircraft cabin ideas to give this narrow townhome a complete makeover. The small family home sits sandwiched between two low-rise buildings in the heart of Tan Binh, an urban district of Ho Chi Minh City. They named the project “303 House.”

Narrow townhomes are a typical housing type omnipresent throughout central Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon. By law, places of residence with a narrow frontage to the street (smaller than 3 meters across, to be exact) are not permitted to have more than one level.

In this particular case, the only way to build is arrange all the usable spaces and functions on the same horizontal plane. And the result is a renovation done right in every sense of the word.

From the outside looking in, the entire width of the house is only 2.9 meters. With the exterior walls installed, the inside space comes to just 2.7 meters wide.

Interestingly enough, well-thought-out design turns an awkward narrow plot into a single-story home that’s simple with all useable spaces giving off good vibes. The bright and airy home occupies less than 90 square meters of land.

The design duo, Doan Si Nguyen and Vo Thanh Phat, decided against the most commonly used construction technique. They proposed an alternative method aimed at reducing the amount of concrete used, an option that risked being rejected by investors from the get-go.

For indoor thermal comfort, the ceilings are made of Rockwool tole about 150 mm thick. The coated sheet metal is widely used in the storage industry and large warehouses for its excellent thermal insulation. Here, it’s used to make the interior living spaces comfortable day and night.

The contemporary home interior features mixed materials. Among them, grey plaster on the wall proves a perfect complement to gray epoxy paint on the floor. Together, they provide desirable elements for a calm, peaceful home. Everywhere, furniture made of plywood is a great way to add natural touches to the interior.

As the architects put it, the secret to creating a healthy indoor environment lies in putting multiple layers of functional spaces in neat order to shield the home from the busy street outside. This is especially true in HCMC, where many homes are prone to suffer from the negative effects of outside noise and unrestricted growth of housing areas and commercial development.

Fascinatingly, aircraft cabin ideas came in handy for the townhome built on an extremely long and narrow plot of land. It’s reminiscent to walking along an aisle between rows of seats on an aircraft.

There’s a paved outdoor area in front of the house entrance that provides a place to socialize. Step inside, and you come into a corridor connecting to a living area, kitchen, and laundry room. Wall-mounted storage cabinets line one side of the aisle, with beautifully organized functional spaces on the other.

There are two bedrooms with a bathroom attached tucked away in a quiet place half way down, plus a third bedroom at the rear of the house accessible by a small corridor. Where appropriate, clear roofing materials provide light for houseplants, while openings in the rooftop drive air circulation keeping the interior cool and comfortable without air conditioning.

The house plan is not only tailored to the specific needs of a family of three, but it’s also a well-thought-out place of abode amid the hustle and bustle of the city.

As is often the case with most urban areas, for homeowners there’s a tendency to rent out the space in front of their houses to small retailers and businesses. But the family living at 303 House doesn’t need that kind of income. They prefer to keep the door closed and enjoy privacy in the comfort of their home. Albeit small, it’s an oasis of calm — a home sweet home no doubt.

Architect: Sawadeesign Studio (www.sawadeesign.net)

Lead Architects: Doan Si Nguyen and Vo Thanh Phat

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Plant Me on the Moon

By livingasean
February 2, 2021
CULTURE,DESIGN

The coffee shop name got its inspiration from “Fly Me to the Moon”, one of Frank Sinatra’s all-time greatest hits. A brainchild of the Bangkok-based studio Embassy of Design Territory, the serene café serving coffee and refreshments is nestled among lush tropical gardens in the heart of the city’s Lad Phrao District.

Drawing on his experience and a remarkable aptitude for organizing events, the designer transformed an ordinary co-creating office space into a coffee shop ensconced among the trees and shrubs. The café on the ground floor is characterized by a relaxing cozy atmosphere that gives off good vibes. Vertical gardens come in handy to fulfill a dream that one day humans will be able to grow them on the Moon.

Design ideas: The outside part of the shop is made of steel scaffolds with platforms or shelves, upon which gardens of luxuriant foliage thrive. The café interior built of plywood affords ample space, while exterior glass walls protect it from the elements, let natural light shine through and increase aesthetic appeal. Wood furniture, vintage décor and garden plants have positive effects on the atmosphere and good mental health. There’s a picture of Leon: The Professional, a 1994 action thriller film, starkly juxtaposed with lush green surroundings. If you’re shopping for plant containers, there are plenty of them to buy.

Why we love it: Like an oasis tucked away in a city neighborhood, “Plant Me on the Moon” is a perfect rendezvous to share good times with friends and loved ones. The atmosphere is just right for life, and coffee smells like fresh ground heaven, plus a collection of soothing garden music. Drop in for a nice cup of coffee, sit back, relax and enjoy the calm and peaceful greenhouse view!

Address: 17 LadPhrao 93 off Lad Phrao Road,
Khlong Chaokhunsing, Wang Thonglang, Bangkok 10310
Open Daily 8.30 am – 8.00 pm
https://www.facebook.com/plantmeonthemoon/

Story: BRL
Photographs: Anupong Chaisukkasem

Villa Sati: A Country Retreat Breathes in the Energy of Nature

By livingasean
January 31, 2021
HOUSE,LIVING

EN / MM

/ Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand /

/ Story: Samutcha Viraporn / English version: Bob Pitakwong /

/ Photographs: Soopakorn Srisakul /

Here’s an intimate country villa peacefully nestled in the wooded hills of Nakhon Ratchasima. The big mountains of Khao Yai National Park that’s a UNESCO World Heritage site can be seen from miles around. The house that merges into countryside vernacular offers an unbroken view of sugarcane fields and, beyond, the scenic beauty of islands in the sky.

The breezy and bright house in the fields belongs to Thanachai Ujjin, aka Pod, lead singer/song writer for the Moderndog band. To him this means everything. It’s a place to live al fresco and enjoy the benefits of fresh air and sunshine away from the hustle and bustle of city life.

His favorite hangout is a gallery along the side of the house, where he likes to sit under moonlight at 2 in the morning. Precisely, nature is on his doorstep.

The house plan is symbolic of modern Tropical architecture. It’s spacious, calm and uncluttered. Here, the atmosphere is so peaceful that Thanachai himself likens it to that of a far away temple. It’s the brainchild of Nattapak Phatanapromchai, of Erix Design Concepts Co., Ltd, an architectural practice based in Bangkok.

The minimalist place of abode is aptly named “Villa Sati”, or the House of Consciousness, so as to communicate the state of being fully awake and aware of oneself and one’s surroundings. Shining under the moonlight and starry skies, it has a spacious gallery along the outside of the house that’s perfect for walking meditation, which the artist and his Mom often do together.

Sharing his little piece of paradise, Thanachai said: “After moving out here, I feel as if there were more hours in the day. I rise early to go jogging, read, listen to music, and write songs.”

As one would expect, their country retreat is made for peaceful, simple living. Here, the artist and his Mom have plenty of time for their favorite pastimes – make art. And the house plan is thoughtfully devised to do exactly that.

Seen from a distance, gable roof design proves a perfect complement to the loggia along the outside of the building overlooking the garden. Elsewhere, gorgeous open-concept floor plans increase natural light and bring the outdoors into the home.

Walk in the door, and you find the stand-alone Butterfly Stool, a 1954 icon of Japanese industrial design by Sori Yanagi. A short distance away, a minimalist bedroom looks out over the sugarcane fields stretching as far as the eye can see. Straight ahead is a kitchenette that connects to a living area large enough for several purposes.

For lighting and good ventilation, a set of stairs next to dark clapboard siding has no risers between the treads. It provides access to the attic that the artist has turned into a bedroom. The farthest end of the house is open to let southeasterly winds enter, a great way to ventilate the entire home. From here, the rolling sugarcane fields and mountains beyond can be seen in full view.

To create a flexible interior space, movable furniture comes in handy to establish zones and enhance traffic flow in the home. Modular storage cabinets from USM have the most prominent position alongside wall-mounted abstract art by Tae Pavit and a few painted pictures by Pod’s Mom.

Commenting on design details, architect Nattapak said the gallery along the outside of the house affords a beautiful panorama of the lush mountain landscape.

At the same time, large openings in the walls allow fresh air to enter, creating air flow and bringing down ambient temperatures to the point there’s no need for air conditioning. Plus, the gable roof with extended overhangs effectively protects the gallery along the outside from sun and rain.

To add rustic charm to the home, the architect did away with the fascia, or the wooden boards covering the far ends of roof rafters. It’s a technique to highlight the framework supporting the roof as is often the case with the Thai style of residential architecture.

At the same time, wood shingles covering the roof are made beautiful by special paint for a real custom effect, while cement board sheathing is installed underneath to protect against leaks.

The building’s structural framing for the most part consists of wood, while framed glass wall systems stand tall from the threshold to the tie beam supporting the roof truss. For a neat appearance, the side posts of every doorway and glass wall frame perfectly align with gable-end studs. The result is a beautiful country villa with clean design in the midst of scenic surroundings.

For strength and durability, the house superstructure is built of Ta-khian timber (scientific name: Hopea odorata), a species of large trees native to Southeast Asia. Elevated 1.80 meters above ground level, the floorboard rests on steel reinforced concrete framing that serves as load-bearing foundations.

Technically speaking, the house-on-stilts design is ubiquitous across countries in the Tropical climate. It provides good ventilation under the floor, a brilliant way to keep the home cool all year round. By and large, it looks the epitome of traditional Thai house design, one that’s easy to look at and comfortable to live in.

The homeowner wrapped it up nicely. “I like the relative smallness of the house and surrounding open spaces. They’ve had a significant impact on human minds. For me, it gives vitality and enthusiasm.

“It’s a kind of design that fills my life with laughter and inspires exciting new ideas. It just so happens. Once I have an idea that I think has real potential, the rest is easy. Lyrics for a number of songs were written right here in this humble abode of mine. The wide open spaces of the countryside are hugely rewarding for me as an artist.”

Architect: Nattapak Phatanapromchai of Erix Design Concepts

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Baan Hing Hoi: A Modern Duplex Design Exudes the Charm of Bygone Days

By livingasean
January 27, 2021
HOUSE,LIVING

/ Bangkok, Thailand /

/ Story: Sarayut Sreetip-ard / English version: Bob Pitakwong /

/ Photographs: Soopakorn Srisakul, Wasin Pummarin / Styling: Suanpuk Stylist /

A modern duplex house by EAST Architects makes use of natural light, sun and airflow to provide indoor thermal comfort that’s the hallmark of the ultimate Tropical design.

One wing holds a semi-outdoor living space roofed over with flat terracotta tiles in a timeless shade of gray. It’s built almost entirely of wood with a balcony and a “tai thun”, or the underfloor space high enough for many different uses.

The other wing boasts the style, experience and flexible realities characteristic of postmodernism. To get enough natural light, the building is enclosed by exterior glass wall systems. Upstairs, a straight passageway connecting individual spaces leads to a cantilevered room that extends 6 meters supported by a rigid V-shaped steel frame – an unusual approach to lightweight modern house design.

The upper covering of the ultramodern wing is a steel-reinforced concrete slab. The high pitched gable roof that rises above it is topped with corrugated aluminum panels to allow light to pass through. This keeps the home well-lit by day and glowing with light and color by night, which explains why it’s named “Baan Hing Hoi”, literally translated as “Fireflies House”.

A piece of architecture representing the nexus between Eastern and Western ideas, the Fireflies House is a design that merges Modern and Traditional values into one Tropical-style home. The house plan doesn’t sit parallel to the road in front of it. Neither does it align with property boundary lines. Rather, it’s designed to respond to wind direction and the sun’s path across the sky for the perfect indoor thermal comfort.

That pretty much summarizes the design concept embraced by two assistant professors, Pirast Pacharaswate and Sayanee Virochrut, of EAST Architects. The design duo prides themselves on being the “architects of Tropical rainforests”.

Together they turned a family’s wish into reality. The homeowner, Thanawat Yongsanguanchai, wanted a modern, warm and welcoming place where his family could spend more time together outdoors.

He was looking for a bright and breezy design, one that’s comfortable without air conditioning. And the architect duo was on hand to deliver exactly that by making natural ingredients pretty much an integral part of the plan.

The result was a well-thought-out modern house that included a part intended be perceived as if it were a tunnel leading to another world beautifully ensconced in the rear of the property.

“In essence, it’s a design takes into account basic human needs for relaxation and the culture in which people live. Simply put, the relationship between culture and climate is one of the inevitabilities of life. It’s for this reason that the house is built with knowledge of the climate in mind,” said architect Pirast Pacharaswate.

“We think up contradictory thoughts when designing the duplex house plan. The kids belong to a new generation, but their living wing boasts certain features and comforts that are symbolic of Thai-style houses in former times. In juxtaposition, it’s strikingly different from the design of the parents wing, which is evidence of a new language of architecture.

“The parents wing sits under a high pitched gable roof that glows with light and color, which conveys a great deal about the postmodern school of thought. The real upper covering that functions as the roof in a practical sense is a steel-reinforced concrete slab that lies underneath it. In other words, the gable is there to make a statement about postmodern philosophy.”

Pirast explained: “It’s our intention to present a feature characteristic of traditional gable roof houses, something considered old-fashioned. And to create a welcome contrast, we roof it over with modern building materials instead.

“The result is a modern house topped with a gable that shimmers in the sunlight. It’s covered with corrugated aluminum panels that’s lightweight and very noticeable, creating an entirely new perception.”

“We found out that the homeowner preferred white to other colors, so we responded with a choice of cool-toned whites for the parents wing. For contrast and comparison, the children’s wing gives a powerful impression of being Thai. It’s roofed over with flat terracotta tiles in a nice shade gray.

“Wood is the main building material here. For strength and durability, the truss or framework supporting the roof is made of metal, but the skill and craftsmanship are Thai style. The two wings are linked by a roofed platform along the outside of the house.”

The children’s wing is semi-outdoor by design, thanks to the veranda and spacious traditional-style underfloor spaces. It differs greatly from the parents wing that’s enclosed by exterior glass wall systems, a great way to bring the beauty of the outdoors inside. Go straight down the corridor, and you come to individual rooms and functional areas with modern conveniences.

The ground floor holds a pantry and dining area with a sitting room nearby. It’s dominated by a long dining table that’s custom-made. The upper floor contains Mom and Dad’s bedroom that projects horizontally into space.

Glass walls pour natural light into the room that’s embraced by nature. There’s a multi-purpose room with wood décor ideas. An array of alternating plain and hand-carved wood cabinets ooze the charm and poise of Thai-style residential architecture.

Upstairs, the bedroom projects 6 meters into space supported by a rigid V-shaped steel frame for a lightweight look. Floor-to-ceiling glass wall systems afford views of the landscape.

Proceed to the children’s wing, and you discover not all ceilings are horizontal. Their bedrooms boast beautiful ceilings that slope in agreement with the gable roof. The vertical siding under the gable is open to bring natural brightness inside, while accent wall ideas behind the headboard fill the room in style.

There’s something quintessentially Thai in the bedroom where the platform bed frame is wider than the mattress, an easy hack to create space for wedge pillows and the triangle pillow that’s unique to Thai culture.

The architect said: “To make a positive first impression, it’s good to be a noticeable new phenomenon. Like so, the garden pathway is strategically built in such a way that people recognize the unique roof design as they approach the house from various distances and directions, each resulting in a different point of view.

“Psychologically, humans and architecture interact with each other all the time. Circulation, or human movement in and around a piece of architecture, constitutes an interaction. It’s an experience that creates an awareness and evokes admiration of architectural beauty,” Pirast wrapped it up nicely.

All told, the gable roof duplex evokes respect and warm approval through outstanding design and the power of storytelling that combines traditional values, longing for nature, and great aesthetic pleasure into one coherent whole.

Owner: Thanawat Yongsanguanchai

Architect: EAST Architects (www.eastarchitects.com)

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A modern duplex house by EAST Architects makes use of natural light, sun and airflow to provide indoor thermal comfort that’s the hallmark of the ultimate Tropical design.

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