/ Story: Kor Lordkam / English version: Bob Pitakwong /
/ Photographs: Andhy Prayitno, of Mario Wibowo Photography (www.mariowibowo.com) /
Nestled on the outskirts of Indonesia’s capital Jakarta, an urban modern home aptly named “Distracted House” looks completely different from everything else. The densely populated neighborhood shares a common characteristic. It’s chock-full of one- and two-story homes closely packed in a way that it feels uncomfortable. To deflect attention away from the humdrum existence of a crowded space, a team of talented engineers at Ismail Solehudin Architecture came up with a clever idea for a craftsman-style home unlike anything else.
The result is a work of outstanding artistry made clearly noticeable by irregular polygons with unequal sides and unequal angles. But what makes Distracted House even more interesting lies in its irresistible power of storytelling.
Beautifully done, it looks the epitome of Javanese culture designed to showcase the ways of life, religious beliefs and traditional vernacular style unique to the Indonesian archipelago.
That’s what gives this home its timeless appeal that blends perfectly with the surrounding landscape.
The two-story, 420-square-meter building is home to an extended family with seven resident members on a normal day. On special occasions and holidays the number can increase to more than 10. That’s precisely a challenge that the architects had to overcome by creating enough usable spaces and functions to satisfy demands.
To fit in with the existing built environment, the only way to go was up. The architects relied on two building methods to solve the problem.
First, the roof was raised slightly higher than normal to create enough room for a mezzanine on the second floor, thereby giving the house extra living spaces, plus well thought out details make the interior feel warm and welcoming. This was achieved in a way that’s compatible with the mostly two-story homes neighborhood.
The second method involved putting in a courtyard with swimming pool at the rear, plus adding plants and greenery inside the home.
The pool that’s the focal point of the courtyard can be seen in full view from inside the dining room and sitting room. To bring the outdoors into the home, small rock gardens with lovely low-maintenance plants are integrated in the design, while skylights set into the roofline keep the interior well-lit during daytime hours.
Overall, the interior living spaces are invitingly comfortable thanks to a well-designed stairwell that opens to admit fresh outdoor air into the room.
Despite the limitations, attention to detail makes the home a special place to be and prevents it from becoming a stuffy, overcrowded space.
Apart from a bright and airy atmosphere, it’s the house’s outer appearance that’s getting the most attention. Plus, family traditions, lifestyle and religious beliefs play a part in determining the location of, and interaction between functional spaces in the home.
This is manifested in building orientation, by which the new home design axis is aligned with Qibla, or the direction towards the Kaaba (the stone building at the center of Islam’s holiest site in Mecca). Hence the Musalla, or room set aside for prayer in Islam, is located at the farthest end in this direction.
A place to quietly reflect inward and connect with Allah, it’s also used for religious ceremonies in the family.
Conceptual Diagram Courtesy of Ismail Solehudin ArchitectureHouse Orientation Concept Courtesy of Ismail Solehudin ArchitectureFirst Floor Plan House Courtesy of Ismail Solehudin ArchitectureSecond Floor Plan House Courtesy of Ismail Solehudin ArchitectureRooftop Plan House Courtesy of Ismail Solehudin Architecture
Like so, the main communal space of Distracted House is set oblique in relation to the rectangular yard landscape, an unusual layout that sets it apart from the rest. To synchronize modern living with traditional Javanese style and taste, the team of architects added Joglo house architecture to the design.
The term Joglo refers to a steep pitch roof at the center that was associated with Javanese aristocrats in olden times. The center of the floor plan is filled with smaller rooms and functional spaces, creating a conducive environment for a harmonious family life.
Meantime, areas on the periphery are roofed over to keep them in shade.
Overall, the building envelope is made of wood and concrete masonry construction painted white. Where appropriate, air bricks are used as part of the house’s ventilation system.
Except for its unusual shape, the entire roof is covered in terra cotta tiles in a dark shade of orange that’s consistent with other houses in the neighborhood.
In summary, it’s a well-thought-out design that speaks volumes for lifestyle, a strict adherence to religion, and cultural heritage passed down through generations of a family.
A new home made with skill, creativity and imagination, it’s a look that conveys a great deal about the residents through interior and exterior design.
Who would have thought that a home with absolutely unique physical features would ease into beautiful suburban vibes? Interesting, to say the least.
Architects: Ismail Solehudin Architecture (ismailsolehudin.com)
Lead Architect: Ismail Solehudin
Design team: Radhian Dwiadhyasa
Building contractor: Wani Build
Structural Engineer: Pt. Desain putra persada (new building) Andi Dzikril (building structure)
/ Story: Urawan Rukachaisirikul / English version: Bob Pitakwong /
/ Photographs: Vin Varavarn Architects /
A low-cost residential project promising 87 micro-houses is “a dream come true” for many low-income households occupying a mid-city neighborhood of Bangkok, Thailand. Officially named the Housing Development Project for Klong Toey Community, it was implemented as part of a wider housing opportunities program for impoverished urban dwellers throughout the capital and 25 provinces in the Central Region.
A collaboration between the 1st Army and respective provincial administrations, the task was carried out in support of the volunteer program Chitr Asa, a royal policy initiative under His Majesty King Rama X.
It also received help from the Charoen Pokphan Foundation. The housing design is the brainchild of the Bangkok-based architectural practice Vin Varavarn Architects (VVA) under the leadership of M.L. Varudh Varavarn, founder and CEO.
For a long time, the mid-town neighborhood of Klong Toey has been home to many of the working classes in the midst of a vibrant commercial district bordering the south bend of the Chao Phraya River. Before becoming Klong Toey Community as we know it, the area was originally the seat of a fortress town named Paknam Phrapadaeng, a fortification designed for the defense of the capital in warfare of olden days.
Over time, urban developments expanded into this part of the city giving rise to overcrowded communities in a way regarded as disorganized and unattractive.
The area being chock-full of tightly compacted makeshift housing became a challenge for even the most experienced architect.
M.L. Varudh Varavarn said that he could still recall facing countless obstacles in performing the task, not to mention juggling limited funds with compelling needs for materials and building techniques.
He had to deal with many limitations occurring on site. And immediately upon receiving the final official briefing, it was a race against time going full blast until the very last day.
Nonetheless, it was a mission accomplished despite limited manpower. As to be expected, on-site training became necessary since construction crews made up of soldiers were a far cry from being skilled builders. Trained right, they were able to get the job done.
That’s not all. Access through and around the site was narrow and couldn’t be widened any further. As a result, building supplies had to be hand carried, plus there was the problem with reclaimed ground filled with waste material and water that had nowhere to go, causing a flood when it rained.
The key to success lies in active public participation, in a sense perceived as a crucial stage in the implementation of the plan.
When members of the Klong Toey Community chipped in, contributing their shares of a joint effort, the project made headway in helping families in need of housing.
Overall it was a project well thought out with the user in mind. Hence, the focus of attention was on safety in family living spaces, the performance of the buildings and their ability to effectively answer user needs.
What gave it a chance to succeed was the concept of free will and the esprit de corps shared by members of Klong Toey Community. There was no forced eviction of residents as was the case with several overcrowded communities in the past.
Aiming for a win-win situation, the 1st Army that spearheaded the campaign was able to liaise with leaders across the community for the purpose of a survey and identifying the households that wished to participate.
The overall effect was impressive. Through active public participation, the project was able to achieve desired results.
It set the scene for joint learning and the social contract that everyone came away happy and satisfied. In the process, it gave the architect the power, skills and techniques to do it right and make work easy.
Meantime, the resident households were free to choose any color they wanted for their home entrance.
Conceptual Diagram Courtesy of Vin Varavarn Architects
With respect to design, it’s good looks that speak to the same appearance standard. Yet, there is plenty of room for customizable features that allow for updates to suit specific user needs.
Plus, it’s a home plan capable of being adapted to fit into different land sizes. This gives families the freedom to choose what’s right for their life and to make plans for future add-ons should the family size increases.
This kind of advance planning helps reduce the problems occurring on site, giving the team of supervising architects more time to concentrate on building strong and durable homes.
To improve thermal comfort in the home, the roof is built of metal sheeting with polyurethane heat insulation measuring one inch thick.
The exterior walls are made of fiber cement board siding. Designed to protect from lightning strikes, the home is light and airy, and can be built within budget. And in future, should a mezzanine be needed, that’s perfectly doable too.
Recognizing the fact that homeowner needs varied from house to house, the team of architects came up with flexible design.
To begin with, they accepted that most households wanted to hang on to the amounts of land they already occupied. And they were determined to build to cover the full extent of the existing plots. This gave rise to an interesting mix of differently-sized homes across the neighborhood.
In the process, the architects were able to produce home plans made up of simple geometric shapes. They were easily adaptable to fit into many different arrangements.
In the big picture, it’s an urban development setting in which a rich variety of shapes and configurations come together to form a coherent whole – a curious amalgam of forms, colors and textures emblematic of the contemporary style. It’s pleasant to look at.
Architect M.L. Varudh Varavarn wraps it up nicely, “The Housing Development Project for Klong Toey Community, may not be perfect due to multiple limitations on site, but it’s very well thought out in view of the circumstances overall.
“More than anything else, it’s one that’s carefully devised to be a part of the solution, not a part of the problem. All things considered, it contributes to improving the quality of life for a sizable proportion of an urban population.
“In the end the people are happy. That’s what matters.”
Find out more about architectural design in sync with nature, as well as ideas for a possible course of action within the context of nature, climate and culture from M.L. Varudh Varavarn, architect and founder of Vin Varavarn Architects (VVA), Thailand, at the upcoming the “room x Living ASEAN Design Talk 2023.”
Meet up with a panel of experts comprising four distinguished architects from three countries. This year’s conversation event is on the theme of “URBAN FUSION / RURAL FLOURISH: Interweaving Urban and Rural Designs.” The Talk is scheduled for Sunday August 6 at the room Showcase zone inside Baan Lae Suan Fair Midyear 2023, BITEC Bang Na, Bangkok. It’s an opportunity not to be missed. Mark your calendar!
Mention the Tropical climate, and it calls to the mind the image of wind, sunshine after the rain and a comfortable atmosphere. But hey, what do we know? As architecture continues to advance into a fascinating modern age we live in, oftentimes these key attributes that constitute a gift from nature are sadly disregarded. Shunri Nishizawa of Nishizawa Architects looks at things from a different perspective, one that appreciates the qualities and features inherent in the natural conditions of a place. And he is able to incorporate them in the design in such a manner as to achieve a desired result. It’s a new design possibility that gives rise to the Modern Tropical style as we know it.
Here’s a glimpse into his ideas before listening to him speak at the upcoming room x Living Asean Design Talk 2023. This year’s theme is on the topic of “URBAN FUSION / RURAL FLOURISH: Interweaving Urban and Rural Designs.” It will take place at the room Showcase zone inside BaanLaeSuan Fair Midyear 2023 at BITEC Bang Na, Bangkok on Sunday August 6.
Q: Tell me, Shunri. From your point of view, how would you define Tropical architectural design?
A: Up until now, I’ve felt the role of an architect is to understand and give dignity to all the entities around.
I’m referring to things with distinct and independent existence. Any entity, including humans, animals, plants, space, buildings, you name it. They should feel welcomed and appreciated for being there.
Thong House / Living in a semi-outdoor room is a way to establish a good rapport with the surroundings and realize the importance of connections between nature and
For me, the definition isn’t confined to just Tropical architecture per se. Such is also true for Asian architecture.
I’m referring to time-honored architectural design that has existed or been a part of Asian history in general for a very long time. In essence, it’s about creating design well suited to living with nature, and with water as to be expected.
Architecture that embraces Western values may not have been done in the same way as that of Asia. So the focus of attention isn’t just humans or urban developments alone.
In a nutshell, Tropical architectural design is the kind that’s done within the context of the surroundings. Everything about a culture and natural features also play a role in the design process.
Binh Thanh House / Oftentimes, works done by Nishizawa Architects intentionally blurs the boundaries between indoor and outdoor spaces. Over time, the integration of Tropical climate features in a design became their signature.
Q: What identifies you in architectural design? What’s your signature?
A: It’s Asian architecture. Not Tropical architecture. Throughout its long history, Asian architecture has developed in close association with nature, especially with water.
No doubt about that. On the other hand, I feel that modern architecture has developed in a manner consistent with Western values. It’s design that focuses too much on humans and urban developments.
To me as an architect, it’s my duty to understand the results of all actions that take place. I take them into consideration during the design process, treat them with respect and equally. They include humans, animals, the natural environment and the context or circumstances that form the setting of a location.
In this manner, a well-planned piece of architecture is created in a warm and welcoming environment. It’s a situation where good design proves a perfect complement to the surroundings. That’s my signature.
Restaurant of Shade / Sunshine, which is the key attribute of Tropical climates, pairs with timber native to Tropical countries to bring out the irresistible charms of rustic life in a design by Nishizawa Architects.
Q: Can you give me an example or work that speaks volumes for the definition you just mentioned?
A: The “House in Chau Doc” project, our most recent product. It’s one that conveys a great deal about our commitment to designs that sync with the context of a location.
The house is built on a budget. Planned by careful thought, it merges into the surrounding countryside and performs in agreement with natural events regarded as normal in the locality.
It fits the definition. Open design facilitates comfortable living with nature. The house is built with vernacular materials readily available in the area.
Basically it’s about promoting a lifestyle by which humans and the environment are all connected. Plus, it’s beautifully devised to blend the conveniences of urban living with the rural ways of life.
House in Chau Doc / Building materials indigenous to a locality can be adapted to suit a new purpose in both urban and rural environments. A work of art never goes out of style.
Q: Last question. About the pressure to adapt to change that comes with expanding urban developments. What is your take on that?
A: From an ethical point of view, the architect and society both have to understand the importance of living in close touch with nature.
Its positive effects on our mental and physical wellbeing are of great value. Like so, an architect does his part in helping people reconnect with the natural environment through well-thought-out design.
However, in reality, some of us may be more interested other things; insects, fishes, animals, plants, and whatnot. No one should be busy making a living to the point he forgets to make a life.
That’s why I want to broaden people’s perception of architecture and encourage fellow architects to love nature more by devoting time and effort toward the conservation of our precious natural resources. Nature-inspired design is one way of helping to achieve a common goal.
BEN THANH Restaurant / Architectural design that takes into account the context of history can help us understand the connectedness of all things. In some subtle way, it values the importance of history and the situation prevailing at a particular time about a piece of architecture.
Find out more about architectural design in sync with nature, as well as ideas for a possible course of action within the context of nature, climate and culture from Shunri Nishizawa, architect and founder of Nishizawa Architects, Vietnam, at the upcoming the “room X Living Asean Design Talk 2023.”
It’s an opportunity to meet up with a panel of experts comprising four distinguished architects from three ASEAN countries. This year’s event is on the theme of “URBAN FUSION / RURAL FLOURISH: Interweaving Urban and Rural Designs.” The Talk is scheduled for Sunday August 6 at the room Showcase zone inside BaanLaeSuan Fair Midyear 2023, BITEC Bang Na, Bangkok. Mark your calendar!
/ Story: Kor Lordkam / English version: Bob Pitakwong /
room Books and Living Asean, media arms of the Amarin Corporations Public Company Limited specialized in home decorating, design and living a happy life, invite you to a conversation event titled, “room x Living Asean Design Talk 2023: Urban Fusion / Rural Flourish: Interweaving Urban and Rural Designs.”
The focus of attention is on urban development, the betterment of society and the safeguarding of the environment through well-thought-out design and the interaction of ideas between urban and rural communities. I
t’s aimed primarily at creating public awareness of the importance of design and its contributions toward housing developments ideally suited to the Southeast Asian Region.
room x Living Asean Design Talk 2023 is scheduled for Sunday August 6 at BITEC Bang Na, Bangkok, Thailand. It’s one of the main events at the 2023 edition of Baan Lae Suan (Home and Garden) Fair midyear. Admission is free!
At this time, room Books and Living Asean has assembled a panel of experts comprising four distinguished architects from three countries. They will touch upon several aspects of the fusion of ideas and the interaction of different designs between urban and rural areas.
Precisely, the topics of discussion include the following:
Design that creates a healing environment for people in developing urban areas.
Design that connects people to people and links urban with rural developments.
Design of the environment considering the dynamism of urban experiences in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic, the rise of problems in the surroundings and the ensuing conflict.
This year’s Design Talk panel is made up of four distinguished architects from three countries.
M.L. Varudh Varavarn, of Vin Varavarn Architects, Thailand, will touch upon the topic of “Public architecture and solutions to the problems brought on by the gap between people in society.”
The panelist has an excellent track record of creating architectural designs aimed at solving problems facing a sizeable proportion of the population – challenges brought on by the gap between urban and rural communities in the provinces. Nonetheless, they affect not only people in the remote corners of the country, but also their counterparts in the Metropolis.
His works of outstanding creativity included the “Low-cost Micro Dwelling for Klong-Toey Community” in Bangkok, Thailand, under which nine prototype homes were conceived and developed visualizing housing that’s sustainable.
They were further improved from the existing design at the time using materials that met quality standards. The focus of attention was on safety, durability, and strategies for accelerating project construction.
Shunri Nishizawa, of Nishizawa Architects, Vietnam, will discuss the topic of “Residential design in response to the prevailing climate and limitations in urban development.”
Mr. Nishizawa has won acclaim for his commitment to residential design that’s right for the existing weather conditions, taking into account the limitations and development site suitability.
His masterpieces included a project named the “House in Chau Doc,” a city in the Mekong River Delta region of Vietnam. In this particular case, the house was ingeniously devised to protect it from being inundated in a region prone to constant flooding.
The result is a timber-frame house with a building envelope made entirely of galvanized iron sheeting. It’s well-lit and well-ventilated thanks to open floor plan design that’s well-suited to the natural features of the land.
Supawut Boonmahathanakorn, of Jai Baan Studio, Thailand, will speak on the topic of “Rewilding the built environment: Interweaving urban and rural designs through non-human life.”
The panelist is an architect who works in and with the community. He is widely known for his role in connecting with people in rural areas and helping them gain access to design innovations and new ideas in vernacular architecture.
His outstanding works of creative skill included “Suan Kaew Khum Oey” (สวนแก้วคำเอ้ย), a project that sought reconnections between people and nature.
Located in Chiang Mai, Thailand, it’s a public park developed according to the “park in 15 minutes” concept which, as the name implies, is aimed at making relaxing green spaces accessible in a flash and it’s open to anyone in the neighborhood.
Antonius Richard, of RAD+ar, Indonesia, will speak on the topic of “Different aspects of design in response to the environment and surrounding circumstances.”
Mr. Richard is an accomplished architect with multiple environmental designs to his credit. They included residential, office, commercial and public space designs skillfully developed to suit different environments – a strong track record of achievements using the right design tools and strategies needed to achieve results.
His outstanding works included “Tanatap Ring Garden Coffee Shop,” an experimental café project designed to perfectly merge into the natural landscape.
It’s carefully thought out to bring into focus a sense of youthful exuberance and arouse interest in reconnections between nature and the people of Jakarta.
Schedule of Events
13.00 – 13.30 Guest Registration
13.30 – 13.40 Moderator delivers a welcome speech and opening remarks.
Topic: “Residential design in response to the prevailing climate and limitations in urban development”
14.20 – 14.40 Break
14.40 – 15.00 Panelist 3: Supawut Boonmahathanakorn, of Jai Baan Studio, Thailand
Topic: “Rewilding the built environment: Interweaving urban and rural designs through non-human life”
15.00 – 15.20 Panelist 4: Antonius Richard, of RAD+ar, Indonesia
Topic: “Different aspects of design in response to the environment and surrounding circumstances”
15.20 – 15.40 Q/A session. Moderator wrap-up remarks. End of event.
The conversation will be in English. Seats are limited. Admission is free!
Those interested in attending should register online here. https://amarinfair.com/booking/room-x-living-asean-design-talk
A part of Baan Lae Suan Fair Midyear 2023, the Design Talk by room X Living Asean is scheduled for August 6, 2023 from 1300 to 1600 hours at BITEC Bang Na, Bangkok. Mark your calendar!
Here’s a home designed to create a good first impression. Named “the House in Chau Doc,” its external envelope is made of galvanized steel sheeting, ironwood (Xylia xylocarpa), wire meshes and right-angle steel bars — ordinary materials often associated with run-of-the-mill places of abode. For architect Shunri Nishizawa, there is opportunity in every crisis. Despite many limitations, he is able to put them to good use in creating a living space well suited to the surrounding circumstances, the environment and weather conditions characteristic of the area.
Situated in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta region where the mighty river passes and empties into the sea through various distributaries, Chau Doc is no stranger to flooding.
It’s a problem that runs like clockwork to the extent that the annual inundation of the Mekong River Delta is regarded as normal. That’s the circumstances that form the setting in which this house is located.
Designed to perform in the event of a flood, it has a set of stairs especially built to link up with the second floor when water overflows beyond its normal confines.
House in Chau Doc is a home built on a budget by choosing the building materials that are right for the circumstances. At the same time, it presents the opportunity of experimenting with materials and design techniques that can answer the lifestyle needs similar to those provided modern urban homes.
For this reason, the new home at Chau Doc comes complete with tranquil spaces that help people feel calm and relaxed. It doubles as a design laboratory, in which the building materials of choice are assessed for their looks and ability to perform in real life.
Despite the key elements of visual design evocative of modern urban homes, it’s the natural atmosphere that makes this countryside house feel calm, fresh, and welcoming.
This is achieved by bringing the great outdoors into practically every part of the home. Meantime, an open plan layout affords ample semi-outdoor family room and cozy sitting area.
House in Chau Doc’s Location Illustration Courtesy of Nishizawa ArchitectsHouse in Chau Doc’s Conceptual Drawing Courtesy of Nishizawa ArchitectsSection Drawing Courtesy of Nishizawa ArchitectsStructural Diagram Courtesy of Nishizawa ArchitectsFloor Plans Courtesy of Nishizawa Architects
What makes House in Chau Doc interesting is the open walls design that visually connects with nature and doubles as passive ventilation systems. This makes the interior living spaces feel comfortable without being affected by galvanized steel sheeting that forms the outer shell.
Plus, the house façade and rear walls are fitted with large windows protected by overhanging eaves. Together, they go to work allowing just enough fresh, outdoor air and natural light into the home, thereby preventing it from getting too warm or too uncomfortable during daytime hours.
Taking everything into account, it’s a thought-provoking design that challenges us to explore deeper and wider to overcome limitations in a bid to create comfortable living spaces. With the power of the imagination, a home that inspires happiness and well-being is perfectly doable as this architect has shown.
Even better if the beauty of a locality is incorporated in the design.
Find out more about architectural design in sync with nature, as well as ideas for a possible course of action within the context of nature, climate and culture from Shunri Nishizawa, architect and founder of NISHIZAWAARCHITECTS, Vietnam, at the upcoming the “room X Living ASEAN Design Talk 2023.”
Meet up with a panel of experts comprising four distinguished architects from three countries. This year’s conversation event is on the theme of “URBAN FUSION / RURAL FLOURISH: Interweaving Urban and Rural Designs”. The Talk is scheduled for Sunday August 6 at the room Showcase zone inside Baan Lae Suan Fair Midyear 2023, BITEC Bang Na, Bangkok. It’s an opportunity not to be missed. Mark your calendar!
/ Story: Monosoda, Kor Lordkam / English version: Bob Pitakwong /
/ Photographs: Quang Dam /
Major renovations have given a drafty old shophouse a new lease on life. Thanks to great remodeling ideas, the tired-looking two-unit shophouse on Su Van Hanh Street, Ho Chi Minh City, transformed into a beautiful place that struck the right balance between a business and a private residence. Designed by the architecture firm H.a + NQN, the completely refurbished premises are home to a private enterprise named Bao Long Office.
As is often the case with shophouses in Vietnam, each of the two units has a frontage of 3 meters. It’s in the shape of an elongated rectangle with a whopping 20-meter length sandwiched between adjacent units.
To create ample, well-ventilated interior space, the wall separating the two units was torn down and replaced with a newer, more modern version.
Bao Long Office’s plan was redesigned to accommodate new business concepts as well as residential and lifestyle needs. To protect the building’s structural integrity, the internal framework remained intact.
The same applied to the ground floor that housed a business selling stainless steel products. For a neat appearance, the entire front façade was glazed in, giving it charms and good looks that set it apart from others in the neighborhood. By night the face of the building is aglow under the lights.
Second-floor workspace and private living quarters are clearly separated from each other.
Decorated with healthy green foliage, the second-floor balcony provides a relaxed outdoor room and protects the home from the hustle and bustle of the big city.
Located in a commercial zone, the store at ground level is understandably busy and the crowded street bustling with activity.
Climb a flight of stairs to the second floor, and you come to an impressive office space. The area on this level of Bao Long Office is divided into two parts. There’s a warm and welcoming workspace at the office on one side that’s clearly separated from private living quarters on the other.
Both parts are conveniently accessible via the balcony connected to the front façade. The second-floor outdoor platform is decorated with an oasis of calm that’s very pleasant to look at.
Ground Floor Plan Courtesy of H.aFirst Floor Plan Courtesy of H.aSecond Floor Plan Courtesy of H.a
Double-height ceiling design offers open and pleasing tranquility to a long and narrow living room.
Section Drawing Courtesy of H.a
The office consists of a workroom and meeting room with simple interior décor. The walls are painted white symbolizing a new beginning and the floors covered in terrazzo.
There’s a custom work table with drafting stools that runs parallel to the wall and stretches the entire length of the room.
The atmosphere is strikingly different from the calming space of nearby private living quarters. To create a homely atmosphere, the living room has a small beverage bar with pantries customized to the homeowner’s hosting style.
At the farthest end lies a peaceful sitting area decorated with deep colors that match the dark surfaces of terrazzo floors, concrete walls, and rustic walnut furniture.
Softened by the dim light, it’s a relaxation technique to create warmth and reduce stress in the home.
The homeowner’s sitting room on the third floor is quiet and secluded.
At the same time, a section of the upper floor was taken out to make room for an entrance hall with double-height ceiling design. Not far away, a set of stairs was installed to connect to the homeowner’s secluded living quarters on the top floor.
The private residential zone comes complete with a bedroom with en suite bath, sitting room, and dressing room.
A staircase painted orange creates an unexpected playful contrast with the calmness of a small interior space.
Painted a shade of orange color, the steel staircase leads from the ground level, where the retail store is located, all the way to the private residential zone on the top floor of Bao Long Office. Its playful design is intended to express pleasure and joy in everyday life.
You got that right! It’s part of a home improvement project designed to make life more fun. It serves the primary purpose of getting house occupants from one floor to the next, and it’s done in a unique, stylish way.
The article is an excerpt from “Home Office / Home Studio,” a book that compiles ideas on integrating “home” with “workspace” to create a comfortable and suitable environment for small companies, startups, and creative individuals.
You can find it at leading bookstores throughout Thailand or order it through various online channels.
“There is something about this place that always brings back old memories,” said the owner of this lovely treehouse by the lake. “Several decades passed, but I still remember it as if it was yesterday. My family camped out here on a hot summer day. Our children gathered under the canopy of an old tree and set up a small tent together.”
“We called it a ‘house’ because it protected us from the sun, and we had a lot of fun. Some children cut down a few trees to make tent poles while others gathered leaves to make the upper covering and decorations.
“It was beautiful and eye-catching. Completely finished, we went looking for things needed to ‘settle down’ in the leaf hut shelter. …”
Obviously, his experience and memories provided the inspiration that culminated in the country home of his dreams. Built into nature, this treehouse by the lake was based on biophilic design conceived and developed by H.2, a homegrown architectural practice based in Ho Chi Minh City.
The house merges into the surrounding forest landscape on the bank of Da Bang Lake, a calm and peaceful body of water in Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province in Vietnam’s Southeast.
It all began with the homeowner’s desire to let his granddaughter connect with nature just like he and his kids did when they were young — an experience that, in his words, provided lasting psychological benefits. He could still recall having fun growing up in the countryside where life was simple.
Sharing a piece of his paradise, he said, “The leaf hut shelter that we built back in the day was a place to play games, do kid-friendly things and listen to music.”
“Memories were made here and the story is crystal clear like it all happened yesterday. The simple games we played nourished our souls and, especially for me, nurtured my love for life in the poor countryside. Those were the days.”
The 120-square-meter home sits in the shade under the canopy of tall trees near the lakeshore. It’s made attractive by ordinary materials sourced from within the neighborhood, a quality that gives it the unblemished charm of rustic rural life.
The stilt house supported by concrete structural framing offers plenty of under-floor spaces that allow natural daylight and gentle winds blowing in from the nearby lake.
It’s called a treehouse for good reason. Instead of cutting down the existing trees, the new house is built around them, literally letting them grow through the roof.
At the center, a spiral staircase winds around a tree trunk connecting the first floor to the second that serves as family living quarters.
What makes it unique is the use of reclaimed steel with surface rust in a variety of colors and textures, an appearance that gives the house its vintage industrial appeal. Some of the pieces came from an old factory that had been torn down, while others were purchased from a local scrap yard.
In a way, it’s contributing towards a healthier planet by reducing waste, recycling and reusing discarded materials to suit a new purpose.
House Layout Courtesy of H.2Conceptual Diagram Courtesy of H.2
Simple yet attractive, it’s an eco-conscious home made possible by the honest use of natural materials. Here, the emphasis is on creating a light-filled, airy and comfortable interior, one that seeks reconnections with nature and, at the same time, brings the warmth of family joy.
The homeowner said that he could still recall the day his granddaughter arrived at the new home. She was obviously happy and excited.
The forest treehouse by the lake afforded a conducive learning environment with plenty of room to play, run, jump, and climb trees.
With respect to construction, it’s a very interesting project. The nature-loving house by the lake makes practical and effective use of discarded materials in a way that creates a home of higher quality and value.
Take for example the use of scrap metal and leftover materials including corrugated roof paneling that people tend to overlook. And by giving recyclable items a new purpose, it translates into big savings and, at the same time, reduces impacts on the environment.
Long story short, the outer appearance is immediately appealing. The interior living spaces are comfortable, peaceful and secluded to say the least.
Flexible floor plan design lets nature permeate making the home bright and airy. At the same time, it’s ingeniously devised to integrate the existing trees in the overall scheme of things.
That’s just one of several fascinating adaptations that make it original and unique – a forest home where all things eventually merge into one pleasing and consistent whole.
/ Story: Wuthikorn Sut / English version: Bob Pitakwong /
/ Photographs: Triệu Chiến /
Though we cannot count on the weather to be calm and delightful at all times, it is quite possible to bring physical ease, well-being and relaxation into the workplace, even without air conditioning. And this brick office named “Premier Office” has proved to be the case, thanks to clever passive cooling techniques and greenery giving off friendly vibes.
Handsomely nestled within a calm Ho Chi Minh City neighborhood, the building offering rental office spaces boasts the timeless beauty of brickwork in masonry construction.
Not only do bricks blend nicely into the surrounding landscape, but they also provide interior thermal comfort by absorbing moisture to some degree.
When wet, they dry out by evaporation thereby keeping the ambient temperature pleasant during the daytime.
The seven-story building with a parking garage below ground level offers vacant office spaces for lease that let tenants do their own setup and decorating.
Unlike the usual design offering the same old same old typical of everyday commercial real estate, the rental business spaces at Premier Office are available in a variety of shapes, sizes and configurations, each of which is unique in its own special way.
As the architect intended, the new office block centers around the concept of climate-responsive design whereby forms, functions and nature blend together into one perfectly coordinated business property.
There is a courtyard-like open area at the center that affords an airy and bright atmosphere on every floor. It’s an architectural feature that goes together well with building facades made of ventilation blocks.
By design, the breathable envelope doubles as a passive cooling system that draws fresh outdoor air into this brick office and dissipates excess heat into the sky by rooftop ventilation.
Façade and Ventilation Conceptual Diagram Courtesy of Tropical SpaceFirst Floor Plan Courtesy of Tropical SpaceSecond Floor Plan Courtesy of Tropical SpaceThird Floor Plan Courtesy of Tropical SpaceFourth Floor Plan Courtesy of Tropical SpaceFifth Floor Plan Courtesy of Tropical SpaceSixth Floor Plan Courtesy of Tropical SpaceSeventh Floor Plan Courtesy of Tropical Space
For the health benefits of natural light, the building envelope is constructed with spaces in between bricks. These little openings in the wall work in tandem with the skylight over the courtyard-like area at the center.
Together they create interior thermal comfort by admitting a defused light to illuminate the room, meantime protecting it from the sun’s harsh glare.
It’s a clever hack to promote well-being, by which only the indirect light filtered by brick walls and surrounding trees is allowed.
The architect believed that by integrating physical comfort in the design of this brick office, it would double as second home for many tenants working here.
To avoid invading people’s privacy, the business space for each and every tenant is easily identifiable and clearly defined by a brick masonry wall.
Even with that, all the rental spaces appear bright and airy, no doubt, a nature-inspired place in which to conduct business.
/ Story: Nantagan / English version: Bob Pitakwong /
/ Photographs: Rungkit Charoenwat /
All he ever wanted was a place out in the country. Dechophon “Teng” Rattanasatchatham, the architect at Yangnar Studio, built his humble abode amid the rice fields in bucolic Chiang Mai’s Sankamphaeng District. Carefully thought out from work experience, it has come to redefine the meaning of rural home life from the perspectives of both the architect who designed it, and his family living in it. Like so, a calm and beautiful piece of vernacular architecture was created, one that came complete with all the requirements for good living. Plus, it’s aptly named “Tita House,” which is Thai for a bright and friendly rural appeal.
Sharing his piece of paradise, Teng said: “To start with, because I was going to live here, I wanted to draw on all my experience in vernacular architecture, design, ideas, and results of the experiments I had done in the past and put them to good use.
“I envisaged building a home that would be best suited to me and my family, one that kept within the budget and was built out of reclaimed timber that I had at the time.”
Viewed in its essential qualities, the house plan was adapted from vernacular architecture, which has been the signature of the atelier Yangnar Studio from the start.
It was built the old-fashioned way of Northen Thailand vernacular architecture by carpenters from within the locality. Clever building hacks utilizing a mix of modern tools and time-honored traditional techniques resulted in the superb vernacular carpentry of a true-to-nature wooden home.
From the look of things, the inconspicuous earth-oriented ebony building appeared unpretentious and capable of merging with the surrounding landscape.
Architecture on stilts features a mix of low and high elevation floors.
Tita House represents a marriage of the modern and the traditional. It’s rich in architectural features indigenous to the Northern Region.
They include, among other things, stilt house design that integrates lower and higher elevation floors to form a coherent whole. Essentially it’s about making appropriate adaptations of tranditional vernacular architecture that are convenient for and acceptable to family lifestyle needs.
As the architect put it, “The idea of integrating a lower elevation floor (the smaller building) in the design was adopted because there was a need for easily accessible under-floor space.
“Plus, it provided storage room for agricultural tools, food raw materials and articles for household use. Nearby, a higher elevation floor (the main building) offered plenty of ample under-floor space for woodworking, a casual relaxed sitting room and areas for the children to run and play.”
Under-floor space offers many benefits. Aside from creating multifunctional room, it doubles as a passive cooling system that drives natural air circulation.
This helps prevent high humidity levels in the home and keeps the interior cool in summer. It’s a more effective way to cool a home than building a wooden floor on the ground, which is prone to moisture damage, Teng explained.
The veranda that’s part of the smaller building is used for open flame cooking. Next to it lies a space for welcoming house guests and dining.
Right Building Orientation Improves Comfort
Tita House comprises two buildings that blend like cuts from the same cloth and are connected by a wooden deck that’s roofed over to protect from the elements. The smaller of the two buildings is used for open-flame cooking and eating, while the bigger building houses main living quarters.
As is often the case with vernacular architecture, it’s built on a split-level home plan. Cooking and eating spaces lie at the lower end, while the front deck and main living quarters are positioned slightly higher.
The area for eating and entertaining house guests lies to the north of the main building. It’s pleasantly cool and bright under the shade of trees that are the vital part of a wild yard landscape.
Winds blowing into it from underneath the nearby smaller building keep the area nice and comfortable all day. The main building that houses family living quarters affords a fine mountain view easily seen from the front deck connecting to two bedrooms at the far end.
Ground Floor Plan Courtesy of Yangnar StudioFirst Floor Plan Courtesy of Yangnar StudioSection Drawing Courtesy of Yangnar StudioSeen from the outside, the two buildings connected by a terrace look onto a wild front yard landscape.
“The reception area is positioned to the north of the main building for it gets beautiful morning sunshine.” Teng explained.
“As time passes and the sun moves across the sky, the nearby smaller building provides protection from afternoon heat. This way it’s nice and cool in the shade for much of the day.”
The veranda reserved for guest reception and dining is covered in concrete block pavers with retaining frames surrounded by landscaping beach pebbles. It’s raised higher than existing ground level for easy access to the main building.The cozy sitting room that’s part of main living quarters opens to the terrace leading to the smaller building.The workspace comes complete with low-profile bookcases on one side and a long desk for the home office on the other.Looking through office windows, on a clear day the iconic Doi Suthep Mountain can be seen in full view.
There’s a living room that forms part of the suite in the private house. It’s designed to conveniently connect to a workspace lying between two bedrooms.
The workspace itself is on the east side of the house plan with bay windows projecting outward from the wall of the building. Elsewhere, transom windows are fitted with weather-resistant insect screens instead of glass, thereby allowing fresh outdoor air to enter and circulate inside.
Meanwhile, long eaves that overhang the walls of the building protect the interior from the elements. The under-floor space beneath it is kept cool by design, thanks to the house floor that extends outward to form the upper covering that keeps it in shade for much of the day.
For the health benefits of early morning sunlight, the two bedrooms are positioned on the east side of the house plan.The shower room enclosed with brick walls lies in the open air. Nice alfresco design improves ventilation and protects against moisture damage.The west side of the main building looks onto a backyard vegetable garden where onion greens, collard greens, cualiflowers, and herbs are grown for household use.
A Product of Intermixing and Experimenting with Ideas
Tita House is the brainchild of the homeowner and architect who created it. To him, it’s a living experiment of current time vernacular architecture. It contains architectural features, building techniques and qualities that he has never tested before elsewhere.
“I had the opportunity of visiting a village in the North of Vietnam and Kengtung (a township in Myanmar’s Shan State) and came away impressed by the method of building houses there,” said Teng.
“It was very interesting. They started out by making flat component pieces in the shop or on-site. Then people in the village joined together to assemble them step-by-step to form a unified whole. In no time, a complete home was erected simply by connecting prefab paneling together.
“It gave me the inspiration to adapt and try it myself.”
Apart from trying out new methods for structural frames making, Teng also put other creative ideas to the test.
This new house of his was the outcome of those experiments. In a nutshell, it was about making appropriate adaptations that best fit the circumstances.
In the case of Tita House, the integration of a low elevation floor in stilt house design was something not seen very often in the North of Thailand’s vernacular architecture. In most cases, different elevation floors, if any, were kept apart in two separate buildings.
Flashbacks, prefab component pieces are seen being erected in the initial stage of construction at Tita House.Structural framing component pieces arrive ready to be assembled on site. They are put together using mortise and tenon joinery with an emphasis on wood color and texture that are true to nature.A perspective view of interactions between different elevations in the house plan.
Besides architecture, there are several internal fitments that are worthy of note. They include wash basin design ideas for preparing vegetables, washing dishes, and watering plants in the yard.
Here, pieces of kitchen equipment are beautifully organized. They are connected to the backyard garden below by a line of bamboo poles that carries water supply to a glove of banana trees.
For a neat appearance, the wash basin is crafted of teakwood paneling put in place parallel to the edge of a balcony.
Teng said: “From experience, I have done an experiment on teakwood wash basins for customers only to discover that most of the time they were too small for their needs.
“So I came up with a bigger size, put it to the test right here at home. Apparently it worked out very well. The large teakwood basin dried fast and required little to no maintenance.”
A large-sized wash basin crafted of teakwood is put in place parallel to the edge of a balcony. It connects to a line of bamboo poles that carries water supply to the backyard garden below.
An Unpretentious Home Made Attractive by True-to-Nature Materials
The two buildings were made almost entirely of reclaimed timber. Cut into desired lengths and sizes, the pieces were put together using mortise and tenon joinery to create individual component parts.
The next step was to assemble the pieces of the jigsaw to form a unified whole on-site. The materials of choice were wood and brick. To bring out the color and texture that’s true to nature, brickwork was not plastered in a cement mixture to create smooth hard surfaces, which translated into big savings.
To add a touch of nature to the room, teakwood planks that make up a wooden floor are nat stained to a dark shade.
According to Teng, “Most of the wood reused here came from old homes that were torn down at various places. For durability, they were given a coat of protective wood stains on site. For the most part they were weathered almost black and differed greatly in terms of the appearance or texture, a quality that gave the home its vintage vernacular appeal.”
All things considered, it’s an unpretentious abode that speaks volumes for what the architect and homeowner is about. Every little thing has a story to tell, whether it is about the ways of the community, the materials, or the architectural features integrated in the design.
It’s a home that conveys a great deal about a desire to reconnect with nature through sustainable living. And Tita House is doing exactly that.
A bird’s eye view reveals a peaceful front yard covered in the lush foliage of small trees and shrubs, such as basils, polyscias, and crotons that thrive among flowers. The south and west sides of the property are lined with native tree species that keep the house in shade.The house merges into the rice fields, comfortably ensconced in the dusk of a Chiang Mai mountainside.
Owner/Architect: Dechophon Rattanasatchatham of Yangnar Studio
Here’s a home with a Modern space designed for a big family in Singapore. Its generous interior provides great sensory pleasure with fresh air and plenty of room where plants grow luxuriantly. Unique and neatly planned, it redefines the meaning of Tropical design, which in this instance is manifested in an intriguing combination that makes the home feel more comfortable.
Because Singapore is an island, every square inch counts and it doesn’t come cheap.
To build a good home, one must ponder the question of what functions and useable spaces it offers, plus all the modern conveniences.
At the same time, it’s nice to bring nature inside to create powerful psychological effects. And from this point of view, this beautiful oasis with in the city is truly a gem.
The multigenerational household comprises three families. Naturally, it makes sense to accommodate the needs of every age group without sacrificing the common area that’s available to everyone.
Done right, it allows interactions to take place in the family. To facilitate the socialization processes, greenery space is added to the mix to let house occupants reconnect with nature wherever they may be.
The well-planned common area gives the gift of healing and the human touch that everyone craves coming home at the end of the day.
Taking everything into account, the contemporary cube-shaped house is in a league of its own. It celebrates the simplicity of open living spaces conceived and developed by the Singapore-based architectural practice ASOLIDPLAN.
Among other things, what makes it unique is the use of rectangular openings in various dimensions to make the building façade aesthetically pleasing. Done right, the openings in the walls and rooftop admit light and air and allow people to see out.
In this particular case, the building sits facing west, so every precaution is taken to protect the interior from the sun’s harsh glare keeping it nice and cool all day.
The answer lies in a complete rethink of the building shell design, hence the name “Envelope House.”
Step inside, and you come to a gorgeous center courtyard with triple-height ceilings and skylights on the rooftop. It’s a clever hack to reconnect with nature by bringing the outdoors into every nook and cranny of the interior.
Houseplants perfect for miniature landscaping thrive everywhere, even under the staircase. Nearby, young trees with healthy lush foliage stand front and center next to a garden water feature with stepping stones that decorates and refreshes the room.
Looking for a quiet place to lean back and chill? There’s a nice sitting room with a garden view by the window.
The second floor contains living quarters for elderly parents, while the third affords plenty of private residential spaces for grownup children and their families.
Here, fresh greenery is never out of style. It’s an awesomely cool Modern space, where the beauty of plants is present everywhere, whether it’s on the staircase or along the corridors.
The entire interior is so well-lit by skylights that there’s no need for electric lights anywhere in the daytime. And the house plants benefit from it, too, no doubt.
1st Floor Plan Courtesy of ASOLIDPLAN2nd, 3rd, and Roof Floor Plan Courtesy of ASOLIDPLAN
Speaking of design, there’s a special feature that makes the house with a Modern space feel more comfortable. Its thermal envelope is made of energy-saver double-layer walls that form the first line of defense against heat and the elements.
Where possible, landscaping plants thrive in between the two layers to protect the interior from the sun’s harsh UV rays. That’s not all. There’s also a rooftop deck with green grass lawns for outdoor relaxation in the cool of the evening.
Conceptual Diagram Courtesy of ASOLIDPLAN
In the fewest possible words, it’s a perfect example of homes well suited to a Tropical climate — a complete rethink of strategies that doesn’t rely on adding or extending a roof overhang to protect from inclement weather.
Plus, double-layer wall construction makes this piece of architecture original and unique in itself simply by bringing the outdoors inside.
By integrating a green oasis into the design of the house’s Modern space, it succeeds in dealing with limitations that come with overcrowded urban spaces.
Marketing/Advertising Cookies – used to remember and process the relevance to your website visit in order to personalize contents shown including optimization of commercial advertising placements. For instances, we use this type of cookies to display commercial advertisements related to user’s attributes and interests as well as to limit how many times should a user see repeated advertisement in order to optimize and measure marketing activities. อ่านเพิ่มเติม
Turning a Cold 20-Year-Old House into a Bright and Airy Tropical Home 
