Thoughtful design elevates the aesthetic of a living space. Every piece of furniture counts. Every single household item matters. Introducing the Shark TurboBlade—a cooling fan thoughtfully designed to maximize comfort and style, featuring 360° airflow with customisable angles and vents.
Shark TurboBlade seamlessly combines form and function, delivering a bladeless tower fan designed to keep you cool even in extreme heat and humidity. Engineered to complement your home décor, it offers the perfect balance of style, comfort, and everyday practicality.
Advances in bladeless design have redefined how we harness moving air. By eliminating traditional rotating blades, visual clutter and unwanted distractions are greatly reduced.The result is a sleek, elegant design that complements any tone, mood, or décor transforming midtown condos and homes into personal sanctuaries. Thoughtfully engineered, Shark TurboBlade tower fans can tilt, rotate and regulate the breeze by utilizing built-in oscillation mechanisms, creating even thermal comfort throughout the home.
Simple yet powerful
Here’s a perfect example of a simple yet impactful design approach. It reflects an appreciation for thoughtful design that combines aesthetics with practicality. Blending visual appeal with everyday functionality, the Shark Turbo Blade tower fan is available in two colors – lustrous white that evokes feelings of cleanliness and mental clarity, and true black that’s linked to elegance and sophistication. Both colors add depth and character, influencing how a living space looks, feels, and functions.
Bladeless fans make a living space feel light and airy, creating a modern and comfortable environment. They are ideal for condos and homes that prioritize design, ease of movement, and safety, especially those with young children and family pets. Bladeless fans are safe because there are no exposed spinning parts that could catch fingers, paws, or loose clothing.
Efficiency designed for tropical living
Using a bladeless fan alongside an air conditioner is a highly effective way to cool a room faster. By circulating cool air evenly throughout the space, the Shark TurboBlade helps maximize the performance of your AC. This can reduce the need to lower the thermostat, helping to save energy while maintaining a comfortable indoor environment.
Shark TurboBlade utilizes a Dynamic Airflow system capable of projecting airflow up to 20 meters. A concealed propeller at the base of the tower fan pushes air through dual wings at the top, spreading cool air 360 degrees. Select Boost Mode to extend airflow up to 20 meters, helping keep the entire room cool and comfortable.
A design that relies on an understanding of life
Flexibility stands out as arguably the single most important characteristic. For optimal results, the two identical wings pivot around the axis of a virtually static tower. Whether positioned vertically or horizontally, they work together to direct a focused stream of air to a specific area. Alternatively, they can create a wide blanket of airflow to cool an entire room quickly and evenly.
If so desired, the two wings can work independently of one another, directing airflow in different directions to cool two separate areas at the same time.
That’s not all. Because working from home requires intense concentration, it makes perfect sense to prioritize peace and quiet in the workspace. For this reason, Shark TurboBlade offers ten discrete airflow levels, allowing users to focus on the task at hand or conduct online meetings without distracting background noise.
Clean air is vital for overall comfort
Shark TurboBlade does much more than simply cool a room. It features a washable air filtration system designed to capture dust, allergens and odors. After all, a clean home is an investment in the health and well-being of everyone who lives in it.
For ease of use, Shark TurboBlade comes with a remote control featuring a magnetic backing that attaches directly to the tower fan’s body. It operates at the touch of a finger, streamlining how you select different modes and use the system. To put it simply, Shark TurboBlade is designed to combine functionality and style, creating a sense of calm and comfort while helping protect personal well-being in hot and humid weather.
Shark TurboBlade is available in store at Central, and Power Buy
“1011 House” in KhonKaen, Thailand performs dual functions as a place of residence and the home office of S Pace Studio. Thoughtfully devised to take care of the owner’s mother in need of medical attention, it’s built in the shape of the letter L surrounding a center courtyard dominated by an old tree. By design, it’s an architectural masterpiece where every room has a garden view.
What makes it stand out is a strong first impression of house walls built of concrete blocks stacked up to create an upright structure. The walls double function as a building envelope and a fence enclosing an area of land. Gaps in brickwork allow air and light to pass through.
The house plan prioritizes convenience incorporating thoughtful features, such as a gentle ramp for wheelchair access to the interior living space. There is attention to detail for the health and well-being of both working-age people and seniors in need of medical care, a perfect example of good work-life balance.
A carport is built separately from the main entryway that gives access to the private living space and the home office zone.
Here’s a house with a dedicated workspace, a stunning industrial exterior home offering an escape from the outside world. It blends the raw texture of a concrete breeze block façade with cool, clean lines and neutral colors. The pleasantly simple sanctuary adorned with lush greenery evokes timeless charm while the canopy of overhanging trees provides a refreshing retreat from the sun. It’s a welcoming streetscape offering a beautiful moment for passersby to pause and appreciate nature. Step inside, and you come to the heart of a home embracing health and wellness.
The long tall hallway enclosed by a breeze block wall provides light-filled transitions giving access to other parts of the home.
Called “10 11”, the house with a numeric name is nestled in a peaceful residential neighborhood in Muang District, Khon Kaen Province. Needless to say, it allows easy access to the city center. Prior to this, the homeowners and architect duo at S Place Studio, had lived in a townhome in Khon Kaen for the past 15 years. After their elderly mother had fallen ill, it was time to rethink the size and design of their home. As to be expected, they were looking for the kind of living space with plenty of room for a home-based care environment. The result is a right-sized, single-detached home with seamless indoor-outdoor transitions for comfortable, sustainable living. That’s the most fundamental part of the concept.
A set of stairs built flush against the wall gives access to the home office zone on the left. Alongside it, a passageway leads to a personal sanctuary framed by natural greenery at the farthest end.
The new house sits on 100 square wa, a traditional Thai unit of land measurement equal to 400 square meters, which is enough for a full-time architecture office and private living environments. It connects with nature by integrating views, using natural materials and decorating with greenery, ultimately improving health and well-being. It was pure serendipity that they found this piece of land with an old tree standing in the middle.
They wasted no time turning it into a focal point of the landscape. The heritage tree acts as a natural air conditioner regulating temperatures and shielding the home from the sun. It’s a brilliant design where the house’s rooms wrap around a center courtyard, thereby maximizing natural light and ventilation.
A bi-fold door system made of pivoting glass panels opens and slides on track connecting the home workspace with a courtyard oasis.
An inviting semi-outdoor pathway gives access to a plant-filled private sanctuary cherished by family and guests.
The courtyard mostly enclosed by the walls of the L-shaped home organically separates the private residential wing from the home office zone. From the street, the house’s front façade made of cement breeze blocks doubles as a physical barrier protecting privacy and a modern exterior adding decorative accents to the home. Holes in concrete blocks are specially designed to permit natural light and airflow, culminating in good working and living environments.
An open floor plan brings a sense of openness, blending the living room, dining area and pantry into one large, continuous space. Alongside it, sliding glass doors open from one end to the other creating an unobstructed view of the sky-lit courtyard.
With respect to spatial design, the house’s floor plan is sectioned into clearly defined, recognizable spaces. The home office zone is located up front by the entry area. Nearby, a hallway behind perforated brick walls creates light-filled transitions separating work areas from private living spaces. Along the passageway, a wheelchair ramp with gradual incline ensures the safety of the elderly mother. It gives access to a vibrant center courtyard adorned with lush vegetation.
The upstairs bedroom in shades of black is designed to minimize visual distractions, creating a cocoon-like atmosphere for complete relaxation.
The residential wing is a standard two-floor building that serves as a private sanctuary for quiet zones. The ground floor has a living room with double-height ceilings, a dining area nearby and, beyond, Mom’s bedroom. The homeowners’ cozy bedroom retreat is upstairs. A courtyard view from the two bedrooms seamlessly merges the home’s interior with its outdoor environment.
Taken as a whole, the interior feels surprisingly open thanks to a free-flowing layout that maximizes space and enhances natural light. The downstairs is enclosed by a sliding glass door system that doubles as the building’s exterior wall. All furniture is placed lengthwise rather than across leaving the center space open for easy traffic flow. The upstairs is a little more private and connects with the outdoors via a balcony on the outside of the building.
The house named “10 11” symbolizes creative ideas and a commitment to achieving a specific goal. In this particular instance, it’s about creating a healthy environment that best answers the homeowners’ work and personal lifestyle needs as well as supporting an elderly mother’s medical needs. The result is a right-sized home that wraps around a center courtyard, blending residential and professional areas into a single entity and creating a strong support system that ensures family members never face difficulties alone.
“O+O House” is a single-level steel-frame country retreat created by Junsekino Architect and Design. Tucked away in a peaceful rural setting at KhaoYai, Nakhon Ratchasima, it belongs to a homeowner planning for life after retirement. It’s built using a framework of steel to achieve a lightweight look that merges into a beautiful hillside. From a distance, the house appears as if it were floating or lightly tapping the ground. To create the least impact on the environment, it involves no landfill or alteration of any kind. The building itself gets its inspiration from a wildlife observatory. For relaxation, there is a center courtyard that brings in natural light and fresh air.
From a distance, the house’s entrance appears to sit at road level. Opaque facades provide privacy by blocking direct lines of sight from the outside.
As we all know, the areas surrounding Khao Yai National Park in Thailand top the list of destinations for building a home that offers the tranquility of the countryside. Plus, they lie within easy reach of Bangkok. For precisely that reason, owners decided to purchase a parcel of land within a development project called “Pirom At Vineyard”. And the rest was left in the good hands of the architectural firm Junsekino Architect and Design. Their quiet, secluded mountain retreat in Nakhon Ratchasima is aptly called “O+O House”, derived from their cute nicknames.
Balancing present lifestyles with long-term investment value, the couple wanted a house that serves as a weekend getaway with the intention of making it a full-time retirement single-story home. The architect responded with a single-story living space with open floor plans and easy accessibility that’s perfect for a family with dogs. Being situated on a corner lot ensures that panoramic vistas of nearby mountains can be seen from anywhere.
The house’s rear facade is elevated on a sloped landscape with a panoramic deck overlooking rolling hills below. The foundation that distributes the weight evenly onto the soil contains three distinctive parts working alongside each other to support the superstructure, the service area, and opposite ends of the building.
High ground that opens to views of rolling hills below provides the architect with invaluable inspiration, culminating in a home that looks like a wildlife watchtower hovering over the landscape. The overall effect is impressive thanks in part to significant underfloor spaces, a sight that evokes the image of traditional Thai houses reimagined to blend cultural aesthetics with modern practicality.
Panels of glass and operable wall openings foster feelings of openness, calm and purpose. They make the home feel more spacious, well-lit and well-ventilated.
To nurture a connection with nature, the architect chose a box-shaped massing to create the perception of the house’s shape, form and size focusing on geometric simplicity, clean lines and open spaces. As is expected, the house exterior is surrounded by a system of verandas that bridges the gap between indoor and outdoor living. Large glass openings in the walls enhance the home by taking in stunning mountain views, while all the rooms give access to the roofed platforms along the outside of the house.
A courtyard enclosed by the house’s glass walls blends nature with living spaces. The overall effect is stunning thanks to operable wall openings that bring natural light and fresh mountain air into the home. The roof that slopes inward direct rainwater into the center courtyard, while grating under the roof edge creates calming visual effects during rains.
And wait, there’s more. A courtyard in the middle of the home offers a tranquil oasis boosting physical and mental health. All of these features are designed to bring more natural light and fresh air into the home, while open floor plans maximize social interaction and visibility to ensure care and safety.
A welcoming foyer features a bench for removing shoes upon entering. It serves as a transitional space between the outside world and the home’s private living areas.
An open-concept living room fosters the sense of openness, while transom windows installed above glass doors, windows and walls reconnect with the sky and trees creating a deep, calming bond with nature.
The house plan is simple yet clearly defined focusing on comfort and functionality. An attached garage gives access to a hallway leading to a welcoming guest bedroom on the right side and other functions on the left including a kitchen, pantry, living room and the main bedroom at the farthest end of the first floor.
A concession window with sliding glass panels is designed for easy food transport, a clever hack to keep cooking smell out of the living room.
By raising the main living space over sloped ground, versatile underfloor rooms are created, transforming empty spaces into functional areas, ranging from sitting room to swimming pool to vegetable gardens and semi-outdoor entertainment spots.
Underfloor rooms serve as versatile storage space with dedicated areas for household equipment. From a distance, the building looks like a piece of paper resting over undulating countryside, securely supported by pillars at the center. As the architect intended, it merges into the mountain landscape, rather than sitting on top of it. According to Jun Sekino, of Junsekino Architect and Design:
“I want to create a house that blends into the environment. Not black. Not white. But a gray-toned house characteristic of homes in the countryside. It’s the kind that grows faint and disappears into the background. This is achieved by maximizing horizontal lines while keeping vertical structures out of sight and using cantilevers that span 4 meters from end to end. The result is a building that appears lighter than normal.”
The architect chose structural steel framing for its superior strength and durability. At the same time, all key elements are carefully thought out to appear lightweight, including the fascia covering the ends of rafters. The platforms along the outside of the house are roofed over with acrylic panels, creating bright, weather-resistant outdoor rooms. The same applies to gutters beneath the roof edge designed to carry off rainwater. Together they create calming visual effects during rains. By design, the verandas act as an extension of living space, providing a place to enjoy coffee on a rainy day and the breathtaking panoramas you won’t find in the city.
Aside from being low-maintenance and highly durable, steel frames are clearly the right choice for projects located in the provinces and remote areas. They can be manufactured to meet precise specifications and demanding work environments. Steel frames are easier to check for correctness than concrete construction. And by lessening the environmental footprint of the building, they create a mesmerizing floating effect, not to mention being totally recyclable at the end of their useful lives.
The covered veranda with artificial wood plank flooring offers a perfect outdoor escape, come rain or shine.
A few words succinctly describe this place. Here’s a home that gives a practical exhibition of how structural steel can merge into the environment through sustainable design, one that blends with the sky, thanks to an elevated structure that creates a floating effect. Enhanced by natural light flow, rains and mountains that appear to stretch farther than the eye can see, it’s a piece of architecture designed to answer present and future lifestyle needs, meanwhile creating the least environmental impact.
/ Story: Baralee P. / English version: Bob Pitakwong /
/ Photographs: Apinine Thassanopas /
Here is a 30+ year old townhouse in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia that has been renovated to provide a healthy environment ideally suited to consistent warm weather year-round. It’s the story of a tropical style house being updated to enhance comfort and enjoyment, ultimately resulting in an open plan layout where different areas flow into each other and connect with outdoor spaces nearby. Thanks to proper ventilation and the presence of natural illumination, the home feels more uplifting with greater overall satisfaction.
This is achieved by taking down dividing walls to create large, unified spaces in the interior. Plus, being an end-of-block unit makes it possible to install large openings in walls to bring in cool air and drive out heat. Where appropriate, old roofing materials are replaced by corrugated transparent sheets creating a skylight system equipped with blower fans to expel hot and humid air from the building. In the meantime, more plants are put in strategically to create natural façades in all directions. The vertical green spaces provide protection from sun’s heat making the home comfortable without relying on air conditioning.
Courtesy of OTCQ Architects
This vibrant townhouse is in Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia which is located just north of the equator. The region is known for being hot and humid year-round, not to mention heavy rainfall brought on by two monsoon seasons. Who would have thought? A simple but clever idea can make such a difference in creating a comfortable living environment. Thanks to meticulous planning, there is almost no need for air conditioning. The AC is turned on only twice a year, max.
Here the journey begins. A townhouse that’s over 30 years old in Peninsular Malaysia has been tastefully renovated as a German expat’s dream home providing ample space for his adorable pet dogs. OTCQ Architects undertook the remodeling project, successfully transforming it into a house with a peaceful yard. Precisely, it’s about redefining tropical design along more practical lines by integrating the home into its natural surroundings to maximize comfort and functionality.
Architecturally speaking, end-unit townhouses offer many benefits typically associated with detached homes. In this specific case, the team of architects at OTCQ think it wise to move the main entryway from under the triangular gable façade and position it on the wide side of the rectangular house plan.
By embracing the concept of adaptive reuse, they make certain that all essential structural components, including pillars, beams and the entire roofing system, remain intact. Where appropriate, non-load-bearing walls are removed to create a fluid, open-concept space that maximizes natural light, improves ventilation and fosters social interaction. Meanwhile, large windows provide an unobstructed view of the outdoors, blurring the boundaries between living spaces and the surroundings ultimately creating healthier, more pleasant living.
The original roof system remains intact. Where appropriate, corrugated clear polycarbonate panels are installed to maximize natural daylight in the interior living space. At the same time, rooftop exhaust fans help dissipate heat quickly keeping the home cool and comfortable year-round.
The new façade not only defines the home’s character through a wide horizontal presence but also allows for an open floor plan that makes indoor and outdoor rooms feel spacious, well lit, and well ventilated. As the architects intended, generous exterior wall openings, such as wide sliding doors and floor-to-ceiling windows, bring in natural light and fresh air to make the home feel cozy and inviting. Proper ventilation is highly effective in dissipating heat quickly, while strategically placed clear polycarbonate roof panels keep the interior dry by preventing condensation and moisture buildup. They work alongside the exhaust fans installed in the rooftop to create indoor thermal comfort.
Mr. Sebastian, the homeowner, (left) and Mr. Oscar Tan of OTCQ Architects (right) enjoy conversations in the kitchen dominated by a cast-in-place concrete counter. The open-plan living room, dining room and kitchen area act as the heart of a home, a place for bonding and sharing meals with friends and loved ones.
The open-plan ground floor gives the townhouse a more spacious and airy atmosphere creating a visual flow where all areas feel connected from the living room to dining room and kitchen. A long dining table with a cast-in-place concrete countertop nearby is immediately visible upon entering. It acts as the heart of a home functioning as a vital space for bonding and sharing meals with friends and loved ones. There is a kitchen counter nearby for preparing and cooking food. As to be expected of well-designed tropical homes, brick flooring provides a warm, textured aesthetic creating a seamless indoor-outdoor living space.
Open plan design combines the living area, dining room and kitchen into one cohesive space, a clever hack to make the home feel more spacious, well lit, and well ventilated.
The second floor feels like a mezzanine, rather than a completely enclosed, separate level. It has a sitting room with a productive home work area nearby. At the far end lies an open-concept bedroom with an open bathroom en suite offering an airy, expansive feel. An S-shaped privacy wall separates wet and dry areas, while the wash basin is slightly elevated to a comfort height. At the same time, brick flooring creates a vintage, rustic feel that goes hand in hand with the floor below.
A large window floods the upstairs work area with natural light. It opens to improve ventilation as the need arises.
With regard to interior decoration, the overall effect is impressive yet simple keeping only necessary furniture to reduce clutter. Natural, imperfect elements speak volumes for the homeowner’s passion for a raw feel in interior decoration. The same is true of the townhouse exterior that’s adorned with healthy trees and climbing vines offering aesthetic, environmental and practical benefits.
Climbing vines on the front façade create a living privacy screen protecting the home from the dangers of extreme heat.
Together they serve as natural privacy screens while providing year-round noise reduction and protecting the townhouse from heavy rain, wind, harsh sun and extreme temperatures. In short, all of these factors combine to establish the character of tropical design that relies on passive cooling, proper ventilation and blurring indoor-outdoor boundaries to create healthier, more pleasant living.
This cube-shaped house in Prachinburi, Thailand features a wide façade designed to improve its aesthetic appeal. Thanks to its small footprints and efficient rectangular layout, it prioritizes health and well-being for a life after retirement. There is an ample patio with a gentle ramp for easy wheelchair access in the future. Glass block walls and skylights above a double height room nearby bring natural light into the interior.
The front yard is hemmed in by white wooden fencing. Slender-leaved willows lined along the fence foster an atmosphere of calm away from the hubbub of the city. Together they create a dense, living privacy wall reducing noise and filtering out dust and smoke from passing cars.
Open floor plans work in tandem with sliding glass doors to create a bright and airy feel; meanwhile, connecting rooms within the building. It’s a nice way to avoid loneliness in old age. There’s a small courtyard enclosed by a privacy hedge that filters air pollution from streets. The ground floor has a multipurpose room that can convert into a sleeping chamber with an en suite accessible to wheelchairs. In all parts, it’s conducive to safety, comfort as well as physical and mental health.
Courtesy of S Pace Studio
A single-detached house located on Prachinburi’s main thoroughfare originates from a desire to create a sanctuary of well-being for aging loved ones. Planned for life after retirement, it’s out of the way, cozy and intimate, where time well spent is time spent with their children and grandchildren.
It’s the direct result of hard work overcoming the challenges of a roadside location and limited land size. By design, the new house respects city planning laws adhering to general plans and building standards, ultimately creating an improvement in living conditions after retirement.
A level surface provides critical safety and enhances aesthetic appeal. There are no raised edges that create barriers to wheelchair access. Bi-fold doors and sliding glass walls work effectively with a high-ceiling room creating a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor areas.
The house is built on a small, 60 tarang-wa plot of land (about 240 square meters) that’s common for residential use in Thailand. There’s a problem with the frontage of the land abutting a main thoroughfare. In this manner, the building is required by law to be situated at a distance of 12 meters from the center line of a primary public road.
Such restrictions leave only a 5 to 6 meters wide area of ground that can be designated for house building. The architect overcomes the challenges by creating a wide shallow-lot cube house positioned tightly against the rear property line. The result is a rectangular house plan with an ample multi-use terrace overlooking the front yard. Plus, there’s a wheelchair accessible ramp up front providing critical benefits for the elderly with mobility challenges.
A terrace at the entrance creates an inviting transition space with a wheelchair accessible ramp for future use. There are no raised edges that impede the movement of people with limited mobility. The loss of square footage required by law is nicely compensated by open-concept design that maximizes natural light flow making the small home feel larger.
The two-story house offers 130 square meters of living and usable space. It’s rich in features designed to make small spaces feel bigger, especially the front façade built of glass blocks that enhance privacy while maximizing natural light all day every day.
The sitting room with a dining space nearby is illuminated by a soft, diffused glow created by surrounding glass block walls. Paired with high-ceiling design, they enhance interior brightness and add architectural texture to the right-sized room.
As is the case with wide shallow-lot floor plans, house pillars act as structural dividers that partition spaces into three distinct functional zones. They fit perfectly into one large, open concept house plan promoting natural light and improving traffic flow.
The first zone to the left has a living area with dining space and functional tasks including the kitchen, powder room, and laundry area. There’s a multipurpose room on the second floor that visually connects upstairs to downstairs via a sliding wall system. The room that provides storage spaces can convert to a bedroom for visiting houseguests, or workspace if need be.
The second zone or mid-section contains a stairwell and a double-height entrance foyer that makes the home feel airy and bright. Its surrounding walls are made of glass blocks while an openable skylight enhances natural lighting and dissipates indoor heat by utilizing the chimney effect.
At the same time, decorating with plants blurs the lines between indoor and outdoor living, providing significant health and aesthetic benefits. In essence, it’s about making use of fresh air, sunshine and the greenery of the landscape to boost overall well-being.
The middle section serves as the functional heart designed to bring the outdoors in to enhance well-being in the home. Like so, the stairwell is adorned with a mini interior courtyard that benefits from natural light and seasonal southerly winds.
The third zone is on the right-hand side containing a multi-use room on the first floor and the owner’s bedroom on the second. The downstairs room is a versatile space by design, capable of being adapted to many functions including a bedroom in the future when climbing stairs become more difficult. When the time comes, built-in storage spaces in the room can convert to wardrobes in which clothes may be hung or stored. Plus, it has a wheelchair accessible bathroom en-suite while the doorway without a threshold provides a seamless transition for the safety of aging loved ones.
The bedroom situated upstairs feel light and airy. There’s good reason to choose a movable bed for aging loved ones. In the future when climbing stairs becomes unsafe, it may be necessary to move the bedroom downstairs.
What’s more. Thoughtful landscaping plays a central role in improving well-being despite being a small house. Adding greenery to the front yard landscape provides many environmental benefits, including reducing noise and filtering dust and smoke from passing cars. In this particular instance, thriving willow trees with lance-shaped leaves create a dense, living privacy wall. From an architectural point of view, the strategically placed trees soften the sharpness of geometric cube-shaped architecture resulting in a welcoming and balanced aesthetic.
All things considered, it’s a cohesive, multifunctional home that flows, creating visual continuity thanks to bi-fold doors and sliding glass walls that maximize natural light making the interior feel airy and bright. The well-thought-out floor plan ensures smooth and safe movement from indoor rooms to the terrace overlooking the front yard.
The house’s massive facade is built of glass blocks. To ensure a rigid and safe structure, steel reinforcement strips, aka flat bars, are installed at intervals, every two meters precisely. For strength and durability, they work in tandem with adhesive used for bonding glass blocks together.
There isn’t a small, poorly designed room that increases isolation for older adults. Quite the opposite, it’s a home that feels like a shared communal, social environment when children and grandchildren visit — a private sanctuary that promotes the physical and mental well-being of aging loved ones.
/ Story: Kangsadan K. / English version: Bob Pitakwong /
/ Photographs: Nantiya June /
A three-story townhouse nestled in the heart of Bangkok’s downtown tells the story of a family in the good old days. Photographs from 40 years back show Mom and her two daughters, documenting an account of past events in their lives amid change driven by city growth. When it came time to update and make it comfortable and safe for everyone, the homeowner decided to leave it in the good hands of a team of architects to bring it to a good state of repair.
It’s a restoration townhouse project that came at the right time as Mom was getting older. Among others, a lift was installed to make moving easy from one floor to another. The opportune use of the elevator also saved floor space, making the whole house interior feel large, warm and cozy despite being in the middle of a big city.
A drawing illustrates space utilization on the first floor. / Courtesy of WOS Architects
A drawing of the second floor plan. / Courtesy of WOS Architects
A drawing of the third floor plan. / Courtesy of WOS Architects
A diagram of the covered rooftop deck. / Courtesy of WOS Architects
The family living room lies next to an oblique stairwell set at a 45-degree angle.
The dining room feels bright and airy, thanks to an open floor plan illuminated by large windows at the rear of the building.
To maintain structural integrity, the renovators make certain that the framework of the split-level townhouse remains intact. The townhouse consists two parts, the front and the rear accessed via an oblique stairwell set at a 45-degree angle in the middle of the house plan. A skylight system built into the rooftop deck lets natural daylight shine through from the uppermost point all the way to the first floor.
A view from above. The non-parallel, angled staircase is set at 45 degrees, adding visual appeal to the interior.
The overall strong, well-designed house makes it easy for the architects to make slight adjustments to achieve a perfect fit. The result is a bright and airy interior with spatial arrangements tailored to specific family lifestyle needs. In essence, it’s a design that takes the precaution of safety and comfort for the aging parent.
First things first, the architects searched out the best spot to install the elevator to make sure there is no negative impact on the existing structure of the house. For a more wheelchair-friendly interior, the first floor entrance hall in front of the lift boasts an open plan that’s conveniently connected to the living room and dining room nearby.
The wash area at the back of the house is well-lit and well-ventilated as a result of well-thought-out design.
The workspace holding a kitchen and a bathroom is a memory come alive, thanks to the walls painted a mix of cool-toned white and yellow colors.
Where appropriate, a gently inclined ramp is put in to join two different levels while the room at the rear of the house transforms into a kitchen with a bathroom close by. A few steps away, a wash area feels open and airy, thanks to a volume of space overhead that rises three stories high all the way to the upper covering of the building.
The firstborn’s bedroom on the second floor has a balcony designed to admit natural daylight and catch the breeze.
The second floor holds two bedrooms. Mom’s bedroom occupies the front wing of the house while that of the firstborn is tucked away at the rear. The younger daughter’s bedroom is on the third floor directly above that of her sister. All three rooms give a feeling of comfort and relaxation with furniture doubling as room dividers. Mom’s room is more special, thanks to a semi-outdoor gallery protected by a façade of louvered panels.
Mom’s bedroom on the second floor is especially large, equipped with modern facilities for the comfort and convenience of the aging parent.
Together they keep the sitting room cool, well-lit and well-ventilated. By and large, it’s the picture of faux wood slats filling up the angled face of the building. Meanwhile, the two bedrooms at the rear create a sense of connection to nature, as a result of generous openings in the wall letting fresh outdoor air into the home.
Large windows and, beyond, a façade of mesh wire infill panels admit light and fresh outdoor air into the bedroom on the third floor.
A work of outstanding design is evidenced by the storage cabinets built flush with the walls in many parts of the townhouse. The interior living space is light and airy, while warm paint colors paired with vintage wooden furniture make it feel warm and inviting. In a few words, it’s a home characterized by the power of storytelling about strong family bonds. Here, a relationship made in heaven is expressed in a rich, subtle and happy way.
This house appears in the special Baan Lae Suan issue on the theme of “Cozy Living in Urban Homes” is out now. Design lovers, this one is for you. It’s the latest in the ongoing “ASEAN Tropical House Series”.
The exciting new bilingual edition (Thai-English) is a nice little collab between the Baan Lae Suan Press and its English language media arm Living ASEAN. It’s the coming together of ideas for dealing with the problem of limited space, turning site constraints into solutions. Precisely, it looks at problem solving techniques, ultimately creating small urban homes that are right within the context of Southeast Asia. In this issue, ten houses are chosen for their exemplary designs that inspire. It’s meant for architects, designers, and homeowners searching out new ideas for creating a living space that’s cozy and comfortable plus it blends in beautifully with the environment.
/ Story: Kangsadan K. / English version: Bob Pitakwong /
/ Photographs: Nantiya June /
The cacophony of narrow shop front styles and crowded roads lined with street food stalls has attracted a young architect to a quaint old town on the bank of the Chao Phraya River. He found what he’s been looking for.
A front yard garden filled with green foliage contrasts with the white wall, making the small living space feel warm and welcoming.
A shophouse exuding old world charm in Bangkok’s Talad Noi neighborhood had the potential to be renovated as a new home. In a short time, it transformed into a three-story living space with all features and options despite its small size. The old opaque façade was removed and replaced by a new exterior that’s light and airy. It’s thoughtfully devised to merge perfectly into the narratives of the area known for its richness in history and the ambience pleasantly reminiscent of an early time.
Courtesy of Ekkachan Eiamananwattana, Phuwasit Buakhao
Courtesy of Ekkachan Eiamananwattana, Phuwasit Buakhao
Courtesy of Ekkachan Eiamananwattana, Phuwasit Buakhao
From a tired old place, the building made a thorough change in the form, resulting in a beautiful white home on a narrow lane that stands out from the crowd. There’s a lush garden bed in the front yard and trailing plants thriving among white slats that from the house façade. Together they harmonize in color and texture with original features of the house. It’s a great way to add instant curb appeal and welcome family and friends to the home. Past the steel panel fence painted white, the atmosphere is cozy and comfortable despite the house being located at the end of a narrow lane. Like the architect intended, the home is well-ventilated and well-lit by natural light, qualities that help banish stuffy rooms.
The waiting area is made attractive by an old weather-beaten wall with hanging bike storage.
A full kitchen setup with range hood venting keeps the room clean, drawing fresh outdoor air into the home via front and back doors.
Take a look at the first floor. The waiting room up front is simple and practical with only a few pieces of furniture. It’s made colorful by peeling paint on old plaster walls left behind by the passage of time. On the whole, spatial arrangements are proportional to the narrow house plan, with the stairs and a kitchen sharing space designed to create an airflow pattern that eliminates odors through an opening at the rear.
The passage of time has left an imprint on the stairs wall, mixing textures and putting old and new design together in contrast.
On the second floor, the plain hallway gives access to a cozy nook tucked away at the far end. It’s lined with functional storage spaces and a bathroom with a vessel sink countertop built flush against the wall to save floor space. The quiet corner provides an oasis of calm with upholstered seats and wooden furniture handcrafted by local artisans.
The upstairs living room feels relaxing with a few pieces of furniture, while overhead bike storage speaks volumes for the homeowner’s lifestyle.
The bedroom has a pleasant, soothing ambience, tucked away on the third floor behind a large glass wall and a balcony filled with green plants, a nice way to welcome morning sunlight into the home.
The third floor that previously was a rooftop deck has since been renovated as a bedroom that’s the right size for the compact house plan. It’s cozy and comfortable, thanks to a large glass wall and a balcony filled with green plants. The balcony is in turn enclosed by slatted wall panels that regulate the amounts of sunlight shining into the interior painted a cool-toned white.
A slatted wall panel on the edge of the balcony regulates the amounts of sunlight shining into the bedroom.
Albeit restored for living at the present time, the home still retains the original support structure, intricate shapes and features exactly where they’ve always been. In essence, it’s about preserving the memorabilia in place because of their historical interest. They include peeling paint on old plaster walls that time forgot, wooden furniture handcrafted the old-fashioned way, even old plant containers scattered on every floor.
Together they bring back warm childhood memories plus it’s design that admits natural light and promotes good air circulation keeping the house cool and comfortable in summer. It’s the very picture of a house renovation done right, one that perfectly fits into the small space, yet it has the feel and functionality of a happier home.
This house appears in the special Baan Lae Suan issue on the theme of “Cozy Living in Urban Homes” is out now. Design lovers, this one is for you. It’s the latest in the ongoing “ASEAN Tropical House Series”.
The exciting new bilingual edition (Thai-English) is a nice little collab between the Baan Lae Suan Press and its English language media arm Living ASEAN. It’s the coming together of ideas for dealing with the problem of limited space, turning site constraints into solutions. Precisely, it looks at problem solving techniques, ultimately creating small urban homes that are right within the context of Southeast Asia. In this issue, ten houses are chosen for their exemplary designs that inspire. It’s meant for architects, designers, and homeowners searching out new ideas for creating a living space that’s cozy and comfortable plus it blends in beautifully with the environment.
/ Story: Natthawat Klaysuban, Kangsadan K. / English version: Bob Pitakwong /
/ Photographs: Nantiya June /
A house that’s right for the size of the land is just what this homeowner has been looking for, one that can satisfy his passion for living in close touch with nature in Bangkok.
Lush foliage and overhanging tree branches welcome visitors to nature’s warm embrace.
The homeowner’s passion for plants is evidenced by an abundance of green spaces in the house plan. / Courtesy of Studio Bewell
A drawing of the front elevation view of the house in cross section. / Courtesy of Studio Bewell
Wind back the clock. The existing family home where he had previously lived was decorated mostly with potted plants. And when it came time to put in another house on the premises, he thought it wise to leave it in the good hands of professionals, at the same time working closely with them to create a home that would reveal his true self and his love for gardening.
Open plan design gets rid of stuffy room, a way to overcome the problem of limited space.
A skylight on top of a vaulted ceiling creates a volume of space overhead, making the living room feel bright and airy, at the same time allowing plants to capture the energy of the sun.
The result is a home among trees that boasts the beauty of living spaces cocooned by the warmth of luxuriant foliage. He started planting trees while construction was underway, content to watch them grow from the very first day the new house rose from the ground in a designated area.
The center courtyard provides fresh air for people and plants, meanwhile keeping the house in shade for cool and comfortable living.
Sliding doors glazed using clear glass afford a view of the center courtyard and bring fresh outdoor air into the home.
From a distance, the perimeter fence merges into lush vegetation, conveying a great deal about design thinking that integrates natural elements into design in ways that arouse intrigue and interest. It’s a layout that speaks volumes for a relationship between the homeowner and various plant species in the yard. The trees and understory plants take prominent positions in and around the well-planned single-story home.
A pleasing vista of the courtyard designed with overhanging tree branches in mind.
From inside every room, a bright interior courtyard filled with greenery and garden pathways can be seen in full view, effectively blurring the boundaries between indoors and outdoors. The center courtyard performs a dual role. It creates visual continuity between the home and the landscape.
At the same time, moisture in the atmosphere transforms the entire premises into a peaceful, refreshing garden oasis. By design, the green courtyard splits the house into two separate wings. A corridor adjacent to the living room and dining room gives access to private living spaces tucked away in quiet corners. Along the way, a bare brick wall in grayish hues keeps the two wings apart, simultaneously serving as part of interior decoration.
The laundry room located at the far end is fully equipped to perform everyday functions.
A sitting nook at the rear of the house has quite a charm to it. The room is well-lit by natural light, featuring the simplicity of bare brick walls in shades of gray and a small tree.
The concept is clear. When the trees are regarded as part of family, design must ensure that they are treated right like house occupants behave toward one another. This is evidenced by the way skylights are installed at the top of vaulted ceilings to allow indoor plants to capture the energy from the sun.
At the same time, the living room floor is set lower than ground level creating a volume of space overhead. Nearby, the trees and plants thriving in the courtyard get full sun that enables them to grow vigorously, providing a nice cool place to relax and unwind. In terms of the feel and functionality, the house boasts modern conveniences that fit together well with the layout forming a cohesive whole.
The materials and finishes are mostly wood, white walls and concrete blocks in shades of gray that merge with the color of the real wood floor. More than anything else, it’s sunlight working in tandem with texture on the walls that adds dimension and much-needed depth to the room, a perfect integration of nature in living space design and people’s lifestyle.
In a nutshell, the homeowner’s passion for nature is translated into a single-story house appropriate for the size of the landscape. Surrounded by an expanse of trees big and small, it feels calm and peaceful, thanks to passive design making space available for all things to go to work as nature intended. The result is a well-lit, well-ventilated place made for a healthy lifestyle and desire to be eco-friendly taking it one step at a time.
This house appears in the special Baan Lae Suan issue on the theme of “Cozy Living in Urban Homes” is out now. Design lovers, this one is for you. It’s the latest in the ongoing “ASEAN Tropical House Series”.
The exciting new bilingual edition (Thai-English) is a nice little collab between the Baan Lae Suan Press and its English language media arm Living ASEAN. It’s the coming together of ideas for dealing with the problem of limited space, turning site constraints into solutions. Precisely, it looks at problem solving techniques, ultimately creating small urban homes that are right within the context of Southeast Asia. In this issue, ten houses are chosen for their exemplary designs that inspire. It’s meant for architects, designers, and homeowners searching out new ideas for creating a living space that’s cozy and comfortable plus it blends in beautifully with the environment.
/ Photographs: Antoine Raab, Nataly Lee, Bloom Architecture /
A colonial terraced house stands the test of time in a quaint riverside neighborhood in Kampot, a city in southern Cambodia. The house that had previously fallen into disrepair and kept closed for years was recently restored to all its former glory. Beautifully renovated, it transforms into a home-cum-restaurant exuding good vibes. The dining room is downstairs, while the family home is tucked away in a quiet place upstairs. It’s the story of architectural preservation in an area rich in history. Things have changed, people’s lifestyles included.
Hiding in plain sight inside a colonial style commercial building, the family home-cum-restaurant tells the story of architectural conservation in a neighborhood known for its richness in history and heritage.
Like a journey through time, the downstairs dining room boasts a beautiful mix of old-fashioned porcelain tiles on the floor, uncovered brick walls and wooden furniture.
To make the old house fit for modern living, the design team focused on conserving all distinctive attributes in their existing state. They included, among others, the building façade with large arched openings on the second floor balcony, elaborate ornamentation, and weather-beaten looks on the walls left behind by the passage of time.
SECOND FLOOR PLAN (above) and FIRST FLOOR PLAN (below) / Courtesy of Bloom Architecture
ROOFTOP PLAN / Courtesy of Bloom Architecture
The bright and airy interior is connected to the courtyard accessible via glass doors that open to admit natural daylight and fresh air.
Together they chronicled events on a long journey through time. Where suitable, old timber recycled from the old house found a new purpose as part of furniture, while all the windows were built fresh, combining the old with the new.
Interior design showcases a textured wall in its existing state adorned with custom framed photo prints.
Despite the appearance of a colonial style commercial building, things have changed inside in a way that’s right for modern lifestyle needs. The downstairs dining room is light and airy with plenty of seating available. Wooden tables and chairs come in various shapes and sizes, while exposed wood beam ceilings make the room feel more spacious. Underneath it all, uncovered brick leave textures on walls, whereas the floor is of porcelain tiles showcasing the patterns unique to colonial times.
A spiral staircase gives access to the family home upstairs and continues on to the rooftop deck with skyline views of Kampot.
Viewed from a high angle, the center courtyard with a spiral staircase painted white brings sunlight and fresh outdoor air into the home.
Taking everything into account, the interior is impressive and well-lit thanks to a center courtyard with a steel spiral staircase giving access to the family home upstairs. As the most important feature of the house, it brings in natural daylight and increases ventilation, keeping the house cool in summer.
The upstairs family living room is spacious thanks to double height ceilings. Furniture is made of reclaimed wood left over from the renovation project.
The bedroom is well-ventilated as a result of large glass doors that open to connect with the center courtyard.
Arched openings on the building façade and elaborate ornamentation are jealously preserved for old times’ sake.
Plus, it creates a calm living space to relax and recharge after a busy day at work. Simply step out on the balcony to get some fresh air. From here, the spiral staircase continues on to the rooftop deck affording a wonderful panorama of Kampot. In a few words, it’s a renovation done right, one that breathes new life into a tired old home in an interesting way.
Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, is a densely populated, diverse metropolis renowned for being active and bustling with energy happening around the clock. Residential areas within the city itself are experiencing challenges including heavy traffic, the heat and noise, and increased air pollution to name a few. Many people are caught off guard by new construction projects and high-rise buildings mushrooming in their neighborhood.
The “Earth and Sky House” is a thoughtfully designed, beautifully built family home offering an escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. It’s energy efficient and has access to outdoor space and recreational facilities to enhance comfort and convenience. Thanks to its relaxed atmosphere, the house becomes a favorite hangout for friends and family. Plus, there is a dedicated space within the property for the owner to operate a business from home.
It all started with the owner wanting a home with a view of the landscape and sky. At the same time, he wanted a design that prioritized privacy without closing off his space. The architects responded with a three-story house plan, a single detached home built on 1 Rai of land. It offers 3,000 square meters of usable space. Aptly named “Earth and Sky House”, it’s a work of outstanding artistry by greenbox Design in collaboration with Poonsook Architects. Interior design is done by EKAR Architects. Together they succeeded in overcoming site constraints, framing them as opportunities for innovative design solutions. The result is a family home that is physically and psychologically relaxing, achieved by combining a natural ventilation system and advances in air conditioning technologies from DAIKIN, the world’s largest air conditioner manufacturer.
Come join us as we explore cutting-edge innovations shaping our world at DAIKIN Solution Plaza fuha: Siam. This experience allows a profound understanding of air, discovering every detail with true expertise and moving toward perfecting the air beyond what you’ve ever known.The show is part of the ASEAN HOME TOUR series, a weekly program on Baan Lae Suan TV.
Earth and Sky Home
The house with three levels of living space and an office is built on 1 Rai of land, offering a 3,000-square-meter total usable area. Nestled in a busy neighborhood of Bangkok, it offers a sense of privacy, a peaceful place to live, work and meet up with friends. The name “Earth and Sky House” conveys a great deal about the homeowner’s belief that human lives are enriched by relationships with the environment. It’s a concept he learned from experience working as a photographer. From his perspective, “a home doesn’t have to look like a home in the traditional sense”. Instead, it can be an expression of personal taste and value and, in this particular instance, a private world that has something for everyone in his family.
The above concept provides a seed from which new ideas grow, giving the architects means to translate creative thoughts into tangible results. In this case, the construction site has limitations that affect planning and execution. To build on a trapezoidal piece of land, first they assess the relationships between the physical location and its immediate environment. Only then can they start work on spatial planning, distributing people and activities to see how well it serves daily needs. Take for example the private office and a cozy space where family members can relax and enjoy quiet time together are secluded in a quiet, isolated spot away from the high-traffic zone that include guest reception areas. The overall effect is impressive with an emphasis on clearly defined open spaces that are visually pleasing, well ventilated and well lit by natural daylight.
The earth is portrayed through various elements, such as the choice of building materials, colors and textures that connect with nature. Seen here, volcanic rocks adorn a stone wall while the bathroom floor is covered in pebbles juxtaposed with smooth pavers in natural sandstone. Vertically stacked lava rock creates an atmosphere of harmony with the physical world. It makes unique outdoor decorations and doubles as a privacy screen for the home.
The sky is represented by open concept design that gives the home a more spacious feel and a sense of tranquility. The center courtyard under blue skies brings more natural light, fresh air and views inside, meantime, providing a dynamic connection to the outdoors.
The design duo who created the Earth and Sky House, from left, architects Surat Pongsupan of greenbox Design and Supat Vongruttana of Poonsook Architects. Sharing the vision that guided this project, they said:
Surat Pongsupan of greenbox Design (left) and Supat Vongruttana of Poonsook Architects, the two architects who make the homeowner’s wish come true.
“The idea of the earth is portrayed through stone surfaces and the use of vertically stacked lava rocks and travertine, which is a type of limestone, in various parts of the building. They include stone wall cladding that protects home privacy and fosters a sense of connections with nature.”
“The concept of the sky is integrated into the design through openings in walls, connecting interior and exterior spaces and creating visual flow. Like so, the wild blue yonder can be seen from every living space in the house. Take for example the living room enclosed by an eight-meter high glass wall and a spiral staircase that gives the feeling of walking to the sky.”
“The most outstanding feature is the center courtyard adorned with a well-tended small garden nicknamed the Pocket Park. Healthy foliage seems to come up at every turn, evoking a sense of a vibrant environment. There’s a lap pool nearby that’s built flush with the house wall. Windows fitted with glass in the rooftop allows light and fresh air in, turning the courtyard into a private outdoor space that opens to the sky.”
Making a good first impression with private living space design
Because the house is in a busy area where new high-rise buildings are expected to increase in the near future, the architects responded with an effective layout that prioritizes privacy. From a distance, the house facade built of stacked stone enhances privacy and curb appeal while reducing noise and protecting from the elements. Step inside, and you come to an impressive entrance hall providing access to various parts of the home.
The three-story house is divided into two wings to create distinct zones, typically separating private living spaces and areas for hosting guests. By design, the reception hall is brilliant with a modern touch to it, offering a relaxed, social environment. The net result is remarkable, thanks to natural stone wall cladding on one side of the room and the eight-meter high glass wall on the other. At the center of the room, light colored furniture paired with double-height ceilings creates a sense of spaciousness and opens the room to garden views, fresh air and sunshine.
A double-height ceiling paired with bookmatched marble wall coverings make the reception room feel bright and airy. Not far away, a pedestrian bridge flies overhead connecting two wings on the second floor. Graphic design using light effects on the underside of the footbridge, adding a curvy touch to interior decor. Furniture is neatly arranged to achieve a sense of balance, harmony and order. There is a long rectangular table that can seat ten people, flanked by a large sofa set on one side and a pantry table with a marble top on the other. Open concept design eliminates interior walls to create one large, unified space connecting different areas and improving natural light and air flow. In the fewest possible words, the room is party ready.
Taken as a whole, it’s a specially large house with many outstanding features for comfortable living. It’s evident that the team of architects has succeeded in creating a home that’s functional and aesthetically pleasing both inside and outside, yet there’s no compromise on privacy. A design with an enormous richness of light and airy spaces is a good case in point. As architects Surat and Supat put it, integrating nature into house design is just the right move that brings many benefits. In their words:
“The most fundamental idea that we further developed has led to a perfect fusion of natural materials and architecture, plus it’s about maximizing natural daylight indoors, letting it bounce back from surfaces, ultimately creating a tropical feel in the home.”
“The parts of the house dedicated to living are protected by walls made of vertically stacked rocks that double as privacy screens preventing outsiders from seeing in. Meanwhile, the west-facing wall is a different story. It’s intentionally constructed with gaps to allow air and moisture to pass through, a clever hack to keep the home cool and comfortable year-round. At sunset, rays of light shine through gaps in the wall, creating visual effects that enhance the home’s aesthetics.”
Interior decorating focuses on original and unique styles
Apart from the areas for receiving guests, the house also has ample relaxing spaces set aside for the family, including a sitting room that balances aesthetic appeal with comfortable furniture and modern amenities enhancing quality of life. As might be expected, the atmosphere is warm and welcoming thanks to a thoughtful layout that evokes a sense of ease and tranquility.
To be more specific, the sitting room is elegantly furnished and rich with warm tones creating a positive home atmosphere. It’s enclosed by the house walls glazed with wave textured glass that gleams when touched by light. Look up, and you find the ceiling with a wavy graphic pattern that evokes pleasant visual movement from one end of the room to the other. Needless to say, the extra long deep sofa is soft and cozy, flanked by a dining table set and a dream kitchen pantry that comes complete with modern conveniences.
The principal bedroom embraces a minimalist design approach, emphasizing the beauty of simplicity and uncluttered space with only a few pieces of furniture. A calming atmosphere is created by removing distractions in the bedroom. The only focal point is a platform bed with its low profile that gives the room a sleek and modern look. On one side of the room, window coverings improve comfort by regulating temperature, while a pair of bedside table lamps provides the ideal soft lighting. On the ceiling, curved design incorporating arched elements add a gentle touch to bedroom vibes.
Wave textured translucent glass creates a relaxing atmosphere, evoking the feeling of walking underwater. Other than that, the room is well-lit, spacious and cooled by an air conditioning system that blends with interior design.
Equally impressive is the principal bedroom that has an ensuite bathroom with a Jacuzzi and an oversized bathroom sink. As expected, the bathroom comes in a cool white shade that’s associated with cleanliness, clarity and calm plus it makes the room appear larger and brighter. On one side of the room, the wall curves upward for aesthetic reasons, creating a sense of fluidity and dynamism. A window installed in the roof increases natural daylight and improves ventilation. As time passes, changing light creates a wide range of visual effects in the room. Interestingly, the floor with smooth tiles and natural pebble stones speaks volumes for a connection with the earth and sky.
Every corner of the house is a journey, a living space full of memories
Apart from the two distinct zones for family living and receiving visitors, the house also has an office that the owner uses for work. For this reason, it makes perfect sense to establish a dedicated workspace with good lighting and a comfortable atmosphere. In this particular instance, a raised office space with large windows comes in handy to minimize distractions and set clear boundaries between life and work.
By design, other parts of the home can be seen in full view. From his vantage point the owner can see into the courtyard adorned with a pocket park, the guest reception area and the swimming pool nearby. For easy access, the home office has doors on both sides, a clever hack to improve natural ventilation, plus a paved outdoor area to take a break, prevent burnout and improve productivity.
Ekaphap Duangkaew of EKAR Architects
Ekaphap Duangkaew ofEKAR Architects is responsible for creating and overseeing the implementation of interior design plans. Sharing his ideal and perfect place of joy with us, he said the house design got its inspiration from a diverse range of the homeowner’s experience as a photographer and globetrotter. Precisely, it conveys a great deal about the concept that home is always a journey. It’s about creating dynamic spatial sequences showcasing elements marking the passage of time. Yet it never digresses from the original notion about human relationships with the earth and sky. This is evident in the design of a spiral staircase that’s in and of itself an architectural sculpture. Illuminated by a rooftop skylight system, the staircase and its surrounding walls evoke a feeling as if one is walking up toward the sky, a journey of aspiration so to speak.
“A work of interior design must have a definite wow factor. In this particular case, it’s about creating funky, futuristic looks that speak volumes for the homeowner’s experience as a photographer who has traveled the world. Every part of the house has a story to tell. And the designer is obliged to do exactly that – telling stories of journeys to new places across the globe. It’s quite a challenge for large house plans.”
“The architects and interior designers must stay focused on reducing overall energy consumption. They have to determine which part of the house can open to fresh air and sunshine and which part will require an air conditioning system to keep the interior cool and comfortable year-round. In the meantime, lighting is important. Sustainable design can be achieved by finding balance between natural light and the amount of sun’s heat passing through openings in walls. This is especially true in homes with double-height ceilings such as this one. There are parts of the house that will require air conditioning to create indoor thermal comfort. Plus, it’s reasonable to make sure an air conditioning system can be integrated with interior design, thereby becoming a perfect complement to the existing decor.”
A cozy living design thanks to good ventilation and knowledge of a tropical climate
The interior living space is cozy and comfortably cool thanks to a large air conditioning system known as VRV, or Variable Refrigerant Volume. It’s an advanced innovation developed by DAIKIN, the world’s largest air conditioner manufacturer. The VRV system connects outdoor and indoor units through a smart refrigerant network, supporting up to 64 indoor units within a single system.
The evaporator coil and blower fan are discreetly hidden, circulating cool air throughout the home’s ductwork. Daikin offers a variety of indoor unit designs to complement any interior style, and this home beautifully features two of them: the Duct Type, which delivers air through concealed vents, and the Cassette Type, which integrates seamlessly into the ceiling to create a refined, harmonious look.
According to Ekaphap Duangkaew ofEKAR Architects, “The VRV system provides benefits beyond just cooling. It operates quietly to create thermal comfort throughout the entire house, plus there’s nothing unsightly or visually jarring that can create an eyesore. The secret lies in concealing the home’s ductwork, indoor evaporator units and blower fans behind walls and ceilings, leaving only wall vent covers and ceiling cassettes visible to the naked eye. In this way, it’s possible to create large windows and doors to let natural daylight in, giving the home a bright and airy feel.”
There is much more to new air conditioning technologies than smart design integration. Rather, it’s about enhancing comfort and well-being by improving indoor air quality. Above all, it has to do with removing allergens and dust, especially PM 2.5 or inhalable particulate matter that’s considered a serious health threat. Because homes can easily become contaminated with dust, pollen and unpleasant odors, the design team chose to give the Earth and Sky House an extra layer of protection by installing the DAIKIN Streamer, an air purifying system that helps filter out allergens and keeping indoor air clean and safe from pollution.
Large by any standard, the Earth and Sky House looks the epitome of architectural design best fit for a tropical climate. It offers a whopping 3,000 square meters of usable space distributed across the three floors. A fully functional home, it’s clean and fresh thanks to correct building orientation that optimizes passive ventilation in response to wind direction, shade, and sunshine.
It proves that privacy can be achieved despite being in a busy urban neighborhood. The key is to create buffer zones, such as green space in a center courtyard that increases natural light and air circulation in the interior. In a few words, it’s an improvement in physical and mental well-being that comes from using architectural strategies in combination with modern technology.
Learn more about air quality and technology at DAIKIN Solution Plaza fuha: SIAM.
After touring the Earth and Sky House, it’s time to visit another interesting place in the heart of Bangkok to explore the essence of air quality and stay informed about the latest advances in air conditioning technology. Let’s stop by an ongoing exhibition that offers a deeper insight into the world of air — an experience that allows a profound understanding of every detail, moving toward perfecting the air beyond what you’ve ever known.
This is DAIKIN Solution Plaza fuha: SIAM, located on the fifth floor of Siam Pathuwan House. Stop by an exhibition to learn more about the “secret to clean air”. Admission is free. The exhibition showcasing new innovations in air conditioning technology is presented by DAIKIN, the world’s largest air conditioner manufacturer. The show titled “Perfecting the Air for All” is about keeping the air fresh and clean for everyone.
Prayut Thalerngnavachart, Assistant General Manager – Consulting, at Siam DAIKIN Sales Co, Ltd.
Prayut Thalerngnavachart is assistant general manager for consulting at Siam DAIKIN Sales Co, Ltd. He’ll tell us about Thailand’s first learning center dedicated to clean air, learning resources and latest innovations in air conditioning technology. In his words:
“Not only is DAIKIN a leader in air conditioner manufacturing, but it’s also an expert in air quality science. Because of that, we are in the best position to offer the highest quality products and services.”
The exhibitions are thematically divided into six zones, each featuring a distinct field of knowledge. Among other things, visitors will get to learn more about components of the air and technologies for air movement. It’s a show that conforms to the concept of “fuha”, a word arising by anomatopoeia –“fu” being the sound of cold airflow, whereas “ha” refers to the vibrations caused by warm gusts of wind. Together they inspire this exhibition, which is aimed at promoting an understanding of different aspects of global air movement and creating conditions conducive to physical and mental well-being.
The first exhibition is aptly named “Four Elements Zone”. It’s an interactive video presentation with a wide range of public displays showcasing the relationships between sun’s heat, humidity, clean air and global air circulation patterns – the key factor regulating the planet’s temperature.
Area 2 of the exhibition, named “Core Technology Zone”, reiterates the point that good, clean air can be achieved through a whole new approach. Presented by DAIKIN, it lays the foundation for air conditioning technology of the future, meantime, allowing viewers to experience the inner workings of an air conditioning system firsthand.
Area 3, named “Flagship Product Theater Zone”, sends a message that “good, clean air is not restricted to a single, specific location”. It’s a theater-style event showcasing the history of air conditioning system development by DAIKIN and cutting-edge technologies for clean air that can be put to good use in all kinds of space, ranging from homes to condominiums to offices and large business establishments such as hotels and shopping malls.
The fourth exhibition, named “New Value Zone”, communicates a concept that there is much more to good, clean air than just breathing. It’s an installation event showcasing the health benefits of pure, unpolluted air and a positive atmosphere that’s the key factor in improving the quality of life. The focal point of the show is a spherical balloon that reminds us of the amount of air a person breathes in an hour. There’s a daybed nearby set aside for relaxation and comfort that comes with the aroma of fresh, clean air.
Other attractions in Zone 4 include new innovations for keeping outdoor spaces cool. It’s a cutting-edge solution that was put to good use at Khalifa Stadium when Qatar was the host nation for the 2022 FIFA World Cup tournament. Because the stadium was located in the middle of a desert, DAIKIN was able to overcome the challenge of extreme temperature by inventing a large-scale cooling system that worked by blowing hot air out and replacing it with fresh, clean air to make the stadium more comfortable and free of disease.
Area 5, named “Current Products and Solutions Zone”, demonstrates that “good, clean air can be achieved through design”. It’s a show about creating solutions by using DAIKIN air conditioning systems that are capable of meeting consumer needs across all sectors, whether it be for homes or for large business establishments such as hotels and manufacturing facilities.
DAIKIN VRV air conditioning systems work by distributing variable amounts of refrigerant to multiple indoor evaporator units, meantime, regulating refrigerant flow to create a cooling effect at precise temperature. Equipped with inverter technology, the system is highly energy efficient, plus installation is flexible. One outdoor condenser unit can distribute variable refrigerant volumes to a variety of indoor units.
That’s not all. The company also has developed an advanced control system called “Reiri for Home” that works with DAIKIN air conditioners and other devices to achieve a smart home integration. They include air conditioners, ventilation systems, air purifiers, and a variety of home automation devices. All of them can be controlled from anywhere on earth via cellphones connected to WIFI and the Internet.
“Reiri for Home” technology works with IAQ (indoor air quality) sensors to monitor and provide a visual display of air quality index, PM 2.5 index, TVOC (total volatile organic compounds) index, humidity reading and temperature. Together they create a cozy home environment conducive to physical and mental well-being.
We now arrive at Zone 6, or “Co-Working Space Zone”. The theme of the venue is “good, clean air is for sharing”. It’s the last zone curated by DAIKIN Solution Plaza fuha: SIAM. Just a friendly reminder. Admission is free and the atmosphere is relaxing yet informative. Swing by next time you’re in the area. Sit back and relax, do some work, meet up and do a tutorial with friends. There are tables and chairs available for meetings, even TV screens to work with. Come experience a good atmosphere together.
In short, it’s about reaching out to connect with consumers across all sectors. As Prayut Thalerngnavachart puts it, “DAIKIN’s vision is to provide new value. Like so, fuha: SIAM is much more than a showroom for promoting products and services. Rather, it’s a strategy to open up spaces conducive to learning and inspiring people about the benefits of good, clean air that gives meaning to everyday life.”
Mark your calendar. The exhibition is open Monday through Friday from 08.00 to 17.00 hours. It’s located on the fifth floor of Siam Patumwan House. Click here for more details fuhasiam.daikin.co.th.
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