Showcasing geometry in architecture, an earthenware factory stands enclosed by stunning brick walls in a brownish orange hue. Aptly named the “Terra Cotta Workshop”, it’s unlike anything else out there. The building exuding friendship and goodwill is located in Quang Nam, a city on Vietnam’s Central Coast known for a richness of heritage and vibrant culture. It’s the brainchild of Tropical Space, a design studio acclaimed for its environmental responsibility manifested in the use of common materials, notably bricks made the old-fashioned way. Together they give rise to an architectural style that’s aesthetically pleasing, plus it’s a perfect fit for the humid Tropical climate prevailing in the region.
The building offers 682 square meters of industrial space. It’s a unit of construction added to an existing plant belonging to a ceramic artist. In term of spatial planning and relationship between different elements, the Terra Cotta Workshop is divided into three parts, namely, the observation zone and the earthenware workshop, both of which are disposed on the periphery within the building.
They are connected to the old factory building via an outdoor passage along the side. From here local artisans can be seen going about their specific trades in an area near the river. The third part contains a kiln for firing pottery and baking earthenware, also called terra cotta. The furnace itself is about two decades old. It’s the heart of the studio workshop in which goods are manufactured.
An area map shows the location of the Terra Cotta Workshop in relation to the old studio building. Courtesy of Tropical Space / Courtesy of Tropical SpaceThe first floor plan illustrates spatial arrangements of the workspace enclosed by brick walls made of geometric shapes. / Courtesy of Tropical SpaceA drawing shows the mezzanine floor plan in relation to the furnace located at the center. / Courtesy of Tropical Space.A front elevation view in cross section shows the relationship between buildings that combine with one another to form a whole. / Courtesy of Tropical SpaceAn isometric drawing shows the coming together of the various parts of the circular building housing the kiln for firing pottery. / Courtesy of Tropical Space.
The building’s outstanding features include, among other things, countless rows of openings in the brick walls. Placed at eye level, they afford clear views of every step in the clayware manufacturing process. A good customer experience begins with the corridor paved with the crushed remains of earthenware. It’s a distinctive aspect that provides a glimpse into the world of pottery making industries. Further along the path is the place where the clay is worked into dough with the hands as it transforms into ornamentally shaped outlines ready to be fired into finished products.
A passage paved with the crushed remains of earthenware allows access to different parts of the studio workshop.An earthenware manufacturing zone lies adjacent to a river.
The walls made of quadrangular and circular shapes are designed to enclose and divide an area of land into well-connected workspaces. Apart from providing an uninterrupted view of the manufacturing process, the openings in brick walls allow plenty of natural light into the interior, further enhancing the timeless beauty of brick architecture.
A circular brick wall encloses the kiln for firing pottery that lies at the heart of the Terra Cotta Workshop.
Plus, they promote good ventilation keeping the studio workshop cool. Above and beyond all other consideration, the furnace at the center of the floor plan makes it possible for visitors to observe every step of the process. At the same time, the factory layout is neatly planned to create indoor-outdoor connections while taking every precaution to reduce environmental impacts. This is evidenced by the building’s exteriors made of fired clay that blend beautifully with the surroundings, a distinctive feature that is Tropical Space’s signature.
A mezzanine inside the kiln for firing pottery is illuminated by light streaming in through the rooftop and the perforated wall.Generous openings in the brick walls provide a glimpse into the world of pottery making.
In the big picture, the Terra Cotta Workshop is the story of wisdom traditional to the people of Vietnam, an account of history and culture retold by designers who embrace materials sourced directly from nature. The result is a factory that has a spacious layout with well-proportioned workspaces, plus they make friends with nature and open to welcome visitors with open arms. And that’s precisely the message the design team at Tropical Space is trying to communicate.
A view from a higher angle shows the Terra Cotta Workshop in relation to the old studio building.
/ Story: Kangsadan K. / English Version: Bob Pitakwong /
/ Photographs: Kukkong Thirathomrongkiat /
Here’s a restaurant ensconced in lush greenery on the bank of the River Kwai in Kanchanaburi, a province in the western part of Thailand. It got the inspiration from the scenic beauty of a forest landscape and creative use of local materials. The result is an attractive eatery in an idyllic setting, one that speaks volumes for the virtue of humility towards nature.
The color and texture of local building materials blend together beautifully with the natural environment along the River Kwai Yai in Kanchanaburi.
From a distance, a fine view of the restaurant building merges into the lovely canopy of green along the stretch of the river known as Kwai Yai that runs through Kanchanaburi town. Its exteriors in warm shades of brown prove a perfect complement to a bank of earth covered in smooth river rocks that visually connect with the landscape. In a way, it’s an expression of cordial greeting, an invitation for customers to step inside, enjoy good food and take in a pleasing view of the river.
A drawing of the ground floor plan shows restaurant spaces in relation to the retaining wall shaped like the letter U. / Courtesy of PHTTA Living DesignA drawing of the second floor plan shows the location of a gallery along the outside of the wall used for al fresco dining. / Courtesy of PHTAA Living DesignA drawing of the side elevation view in cross section shows the location of a retaining wall in relation to the River Kwai water line up front. / Courtesy of PHTAA Living Design
Technically, the restaurant gets its rich color with a brownish hue from steel frames mixed with timber and other building supplies sourced directly from within the community. It’s thoughtfully devised to fit in well with the embankment situated below that’s built to prevent flooding in the area.
KAAN River Kwai Restaurant is the brainchild of PHTAA Living Design, a Bangkok-based studio renowned for creating architectural language that treats natural features as the integral part of design. The project offers 800 square meters of usable spaces that fuse with the surroundings to form a whole, while the River Kwai Yai provides access via waterborne craft to the shopfront. It’s also accessible by a road on the opposite side of the river.
A wall of earth, concrete and river rocks protects the riverbank from corrosion, meanwhile providing structural support and visually connecting with the natural surroundings.
The riverbank being three meters high from the water line makes it a challenge that tests the abilities of the team of architects. On the one hand, it’s good to be able to get a better view of the surroundings. On the other hand, years of water flowing down from the mountains have left the riverbank in danger of collapse. So a wall of earth covered in thick cement and smooth river rocks has to be built to prevent damage caused by corrosion.
In terms of color and texture, river stones made round and smooth by the action of water and sand perfectly blend with the physical surroundings. More importantly, they are easy to find, strong and water impermeable, making them a material of choice relevant to the context that forms the setting of the project.
A gallery overlooking the beautiful River Kwai is used as dining area.
As the lowest load-bearing part, the wall of earth reinforced by concrete and river rocks is capable of providing structural support for the safety and physical comfort of staff and customers alike. By design, it’s a clean well-lighted and well-ventilated place offering a high standard of performance as one would expect of buildings used for commercial purposes.
Semi-outdoor room for al fresco dining provides visual connections with the serene and peaceful River Kwai.
In a few words, KAAN River Kwai Restaurant is the product of a reinterpretation that treats characteristics unique to a particular area as more important than other things. It involves rethinking the state of affairs at hand and making appropriate adaptations to create exciting, new design, meanwhile showing humility towards nature by subtly blending in with the green of the pristine forest.
The name “Office for Trees” may sound unfamiliar, but that’s precisely what it’s meant to be. Here’s a modern workplace adorned with shade trees, shrubbery and hanging vines strategically placed to keep the heat out and embrace the beauty of every corner of interior design.
Seen from the street, the “Office for Trees” boasts the beauty of a see-through façade overlooking a well-maintained, inviting front yard.
Located in an urban district in Khanh Hoa Province, south central Vietnam, the building bears some resemblance to a solarium from a distance. It boasts a see-through façade made up entirely of glass to admit sunlight. Inside, beautiful workspaces enclosed by glass walls are disposed around a lush interior courtyard filled with trees and a pathway giving access to all the rooms.
Taken as a whole, it’s design that speaks volumes for the concept of the sustainable use of natural resources. While the country’s economy is picking up speed, the hidden danger of rapid urban growth is real. Lack of green spaces in the city and the realities of today’s climatic conditions are permeating all facets of people’s lives, affecting their health and well-being to put it mildly.
Conscious of changes in the environment, Pham Huu Son Architects, a group of young and dynamic architects based in Khanh Hoa, set out to create a different kind of business premises by incorporating the basic elements of nature into building spaces. The result is an ultramodern office providing 650 square meters of work area that’s calm and more conducive to creativity. Plus, it’s capable of carrying out the complete functionality for a variety of business operations.
A drawing of the first floor shows the main entry area (left) in relation to a stepping-stone garden pathway lined with green plants running the entire length of the building. / Courtesy of Pham Huu Son ArchitectsNature at work, a drawing of the office’s upper covering illustrates rows of skylights alternating with planter boxes filled with green plants. / Courtesy of Pham Huu Son ArchitectsNature at work, a drawing of the office’s upper covering illustrates rows of skylights alternating with planter boxes filled with green plants. / Courtesy of Pham Huu Son Architects
The “Office for Trees” consists of two buildings separated by an inner courtyard. Walk in the door, and you come to an impressive office reception/waiting room connected to the main office space at the rear.
Named the “Model House”, it contains an interior mockup complete with a bedroom, dining room, kitchen and bathroom designed to give customers a feel of how the design works. Between the buildings, a lush courtyard creates a focal point in the outdoors, improves natural ventilation and opens to admit daylight.
But what makes it stand out in a crowd is the glass façade that rises from the floor to the ceiling, resulting in a bright and airy office overlooking a koi pond and a well-kept, inviting front yard.
To reconnect with nature, the reception/waiting area is hemmed in by lush vegetation with a stepping-stone garden pathway connecting the front to the back of the building. Overall the interior is simple, clean and uncluttered with only a few pieces of furniture characteristic of minimalist ideas.
The office reception room up front is glazed using clear glass that stands tall from the floor to the ceiling. The interior is light, airy and uncluttered with a few pieces of furniture characteristic of minimalist design.Glass walls separate the ”Office for Trees” waiting room from a koi pond in the front yard adorned with lush vegetation.
A design based on mutually beneficial relationships, the “Office for Trees” is able to provide a comfortable work environment. On the outside, green plants thriving vigorously under the big hardwood canopy trees act as engine that drives natural air circulation, keeping the interior workspaces nice and cool throughout the day.
At the same time, an underground water tank keeps the gardens well supplied all year round, resulting in well-maintained landscapes. On the rooftop, solar panels provide clean and green energy, keeping the “Model House” cool and saving electricity costs.
Reconnecting with nature, a stepping-stone garden pathway lined with lush vegetation creates a sense of space in the workplace made light and airy by design.A park table and benches provide perfect outdoor room to chill out. They sit on the top of an underground water tank, a clever hack to save floor space in the inner courtyard.
A drone’s eye view shows the “Office for Trees” rooftop covered in planter boxes filled with lush foliage alternating with skylights providing ventilation and natural daylight.
Lastly, it’s clear that green spaces, adequate lighting and good ventilation play a vital role in improving health and productivity in the workplace. Together they create an atmosphere conducive to creativity, increased energy and enthusiasm for life. Thanks to well-thought-out design, there are amazing qualities aplenty here at the Office for Trees in Khanh Hoa, Vietnam.
/ Story: Kangsadan K. / English version: Bob Pitakwong /
/ Photographs: Jar Concengco | Design Will Save the World /
Characterized by charm, good looks stripped down to the bare essentials, a two-story mountain retreat embraces the beauty of imperfection of brutalist architecture. From a distance, the rough appearance of raw concrete enhances the building’s exterior and façade rising above terraced contours that follow the natural descent towards the lush green landscape below.
Thanks to trees creating a camouflage privacy screen, a brutalist style mountain retreat merges harmoniously into the dark green of a wooded hillside outside Batangas City, the Philippines.
Located in Batangas, a city two hours by car to the south of Manila, the quiet vacation getaway named “Casa Borbon” is the brainchild of Cali Architects, an architectural practice based in Baguio City. It offers 77 square meters of living space nestled among trees and wooded hills. It was a difficult job, but the design team led by Amon Cali was able to create a home that merged into the countryside, a place advocating thoughtful use of the landscape and keeping the environment exactly like they found it.
A drawing of the master plan shows the positioning of a brutalist style home built into the hillside, hemmed in by trees that have been jealously preserved. / Courtesy of Cali ArchitectsA longitudinal view of the house plan in cross section shows the positioning of living, functional and utility spaces in relation to elements of nature in the surroundings. / Courtesy of Cali Architects
Made for cozy simple living, the brutalist style home boasts generous wall openings that admit plenty of natural daylight and cool breezes into the interior. As the architect intended, it exudes an air of raw, vibrant personality evidenced by what appears to be bare concrete surfaces and stark geometric shapes. By emphasizing honesty and natural materials, it blurs the boundaries between indoors and outdoors; meanwhile, treating functionality as more important than architectural embellishments.
Stark geometric shapes paired with the exterior devoid of embellishments create a unique look that gives the home warmth and a touch of nature.
But there is more to it than meets the eye. Where appropriate, polystyrene wall cladding is installed. It’s a lightweight material that’s resistant to water and moisture, plus it’s able to withstand a wide range of extremes of the seasons. Because it’s easy to install, the builders were able to complete the project in just eight months.
Taking everything into account, the house plan embraces minimalist interior design. On the ground floor, the dining room at the center gives an impression of the positive energy of family life. Nearby, tall glass walls separate the living room from a small dipping pool with poolside deck furniture. The second floor holds a more private area consisting of a sitting room and two bedrooms with balconies overlooking breathtaking landscapes.
A plunge pool and deck area with furniture lie between growing plants and the living room enclosed by glass walls.A simple poolside chair blends seamlessly with the minimalist outdoor environment.Generous openings on the second floor balcony allow air to flow in and out freely, creating the perfect chill-out zone with a view of the surrounding landscape.
From architectural viewpoints, Casa Borbon is unique in that the second floor can be accessed via stairs located both inside and outside of the house. Indoors, a spiral staircase built of steel connects downstairs to upstairs. Outdoors, another set of stairs leads to the second floor and continues to the rooftop deck hemmed in by planter boxes for gardening.
For privacy reasons, an outdoor set of stairs provides direct access to the second floor without passing through the interior of the first floor.An indoor spiral staircase crafted of steel gives access to the second floor. Designed to safe floor space, it blends beautifully with warm minimalist interior design.The rooftop deck is open to the sun, hemmed in by planter boxes for gardening.
In a few words, it’s well-thought-out home that conveys a great deal about brutalist architecture, one showcasing the rawness of materials fit to perform in the Tropical climate prevailing in Southeast Asia.
The lush appearance of plants growing vigorously makes the house entryway warm and welcoming in contrast to the rigidness of bare concrete walls.
Like the opening scene of a movie, a luxury resort named Amber Kampot nestles warmly amidst lush mangrove forests and tidal ponds straddling the boundary between land and sea in southern Cambodia. Embracing the charm of rural life, it offers a wonderful panorama of the Kampot River lined with picturesque fishing villages. Needless to say, the region is widely regarded as a treasure trove of culture, history and beautiful coastlines.
The waterfront resort is aglow under the lights as the night unfolds. Seen from a distance, the building façade built of heavy timber framing is stained to a dark shade that perfectly blends into the wider landscape of southern Cambodia.
Characterized by rectangular precision, the waterfront vacation getaway consists of a principal building that includes foyers, service facilities and the entrance to villas for guest accommodations. The luxurious country villas come in three types, each offering a spacious veranda overlooking a meticulously manicured lawn and gardens bursting with curb appeal.
Amber Kampot boasts 6,000 square meters of indoor and outdoor living space designed for travelers seeking luxury accommodations in a peaceful environment. The overall effect is impressive. To the West, the misty mountain peaks of Bokor National Park are visible from miles around, while the tidal mouth of the Kampot River creates unforgettable hotel experiences.
A drawing of the floor plan of Villa Type 1A. / Courtesy of Bloom ArchitectureA drawing of the floor plan of Villa Type 1B. / Courtesy of Bloom ArchitectureA drawing of the floor plan of Villa Type 2. / Courtesy of Bloom ArchitectureA drawing of the floor plan of the principal building and nearby swimming pool overlooking the Kampot River. / Courtesy of Bloom ArchitectureA charcoal sketch of the master plan illustrates the positioning of the principal building, the riverfront pier and villas for guest accommodations disposed around tidal pools and pristine mangrove forests at the estuary of the Kampot River, southern Cambodia. / Courtesy of Bloom Architecture
Apart from nature’s most unspoiled landscapes, fresh air and sunshine, vernacular style homes stand as a testament to the fishing community’s rich cultural heritage. Together, they provide the Phnom Penh-based firm Bloom Architecture with valuable inspiration. And the result of all this is a hideaway luxury resort warmly cocooned among the trees, green foliage and tidal pools.
From a design point of view, the principal building and villas for guest accommodations are built strong, thanks to heavy timber framing stained to a dark shade that blends with the natural surroundings. Quality stains penetrate the wood grain, preventing moisture damage. Plus, they merge with growing plants and bodies of water in the background, creating a verdant oasis perfect for relaxation.
A diverse array of foliage plants adds privacy screen protection to a villa for guest accommodations.
Amber Kampot offers three types of accommodation, including detached and semi-detached houses known as Villa Type 1A, Villa Type 1B, and Villa Type 2. They vary in size depending on the number of guests staying and share one outstanding feature – an off-the-grid getaway where privacy takes priority. Each villa has a roofed platform along the outside that connects with nature, creating a perfect blend of cozy indoors and beautiful outdoors.
Step into the room, and you find the interiors painted a cool-toned white alternating with spots lacking embellishment intended to showcase the rawness of wood and concrete surfaces. Together they speak volumes for the beauty of vernacular culture – the forms and the crafts of carpentry unique to skilled builders in this part of Cambodia. Their signature lies in the perfect blend between traditional woodworking, an emphasis on natural lighting and the floors covered in sandstone pavers.
Plants with colorful foliage permeate through the living spaces at Amber Kampot, blurring the boundaries between indoors and outdoors.
Minimalist vessel sinks paired with greenery give off good vibes.A glass wall hung with pleated curtains opens and shuts as needed to regulate the amounts of light streaming into the room. It visually connects with a lush lawn hemmed in by trees and the understory of colorful shrubbery.
Outside, gray stone paver patios, foot bridges and garden pathways give access to all the villas. Each one of them is enclosed by a fence of wooden stakes that doubles as privacy screen protection within hotel premises. Nearby, trees and the understory of shrubs and hanging vines thrive luxuriantly keeping the villas cool in summer.
A garden bridge gives access to all the villas on the resort set amidst pristine mangrove forests at the tidal mouth of the Kampot River, southern Cambodia.
Back on the waterfront, the principal building contains a restaurant offering fusion cuisine bringing together ingredients from different cultures and recipes. As to be expected, there’s also a spa for health and beauty treatment as well as a gym and a swimming pool. Nearby, a riverfront esplanade provides ample space where people may walk for pleasure.
Fresh air and sunshine! The riverfront resort is silhouetted against mangrove forests with the misty peaks of Kampot Mountain visible from miles around.
Briefly, Amber Kampot is a marriage of rural charm and well-thought-out design, a translation of complex ideas into a form easily understood by everyone. Unequivocally, the design team at Bloom Architecture has succeeded in creating a romantic villa getaway ensconced in nature. Swing by Amber Kampot on your next country sojourn.
Amid the ever-changing trends setting the stage for the future, there are people who feel a yearning to live a simpler, more traditional lifestyle. Their emotional attachment to family roots and cultural origins is set down in permanent forms. Here, the story of a Hmong family’s journey is manifested in a house that has since been renovated as a homestay in Ha Giang, a province in Vietnam’s Northeast renowned for its unspoiled countryside.
An aerial view of the old cluster house renovated as a homestay in relation to traditional-style homes in the neighborhood.
Beautifully restored to its former glory, Pavi Homestay offers 380 square meters of usable space ensconced in a region famous for its richness in long-standing traditions. In this remote corner of Vietnam bordering on China, misty blue mountains can be seen from miles around. It’s easy to get why every aspect of Hmong culture is jealous preserved, residential architecture included.
A side elevation view of Pavi Homestay silhouetted against the mountain peaks and wooded hillsides of Meo Vac, a rural district of Ha Giang Province.
As tourism grows, demands for accommodation increase. And that’s where the architectural firm Trung Tran Studio based in Son La is brought into play. It’s tasked with renovating this old house as a homestay and, at the same time, maintaining every distinctive feature in its original state. Before you know it, the old cluster house unique to Hmong culture transforms to take on a new role as homestay destinations.
A diagram shows the ground floor of the old cluster house before renovation. / Courtesy of Trung Tran StudioA drawing of the ground floor after renovation shows the positioning of rooms for guest accommodations in relation to a system of roofed corridors and support facilities, including a small restaurant and bar. / Courtesy of Trung Tran StudioA diagram shows the second floor of the main house before renovation. / Courtesy of Trung Tran StudioA drawing of the second floor of the homestay project shows details of space utilization in the main house, the side house and semi-outdoor rooms after renovation. / Courtesy of Trung Tran Studio
Pavi Homestay is located in Meo Vac, a rural district of Ha Giang Province. Beautifully handcrafted, the buildings and the land merge into the mountain valley environment where time goes by slowly. It consists of three parts; the main house, the side house, and a system of roofed corridors for walking along.
The old house nestles warmly in an area known for considerable diversity in cultures and lifestyles. Together they convey a great deal about the ethnic communities living in the region, which also includes Dong Van and the Dong Van Stone Plateau.
The newly renovated main house is a two-story building offering eight rooms for guest accommodation. Here, the details make all the difference in design. Each room boasts the quality of being individual in an interesting way. Each one of them gives a sense of being a small stand-alone home, although they are all in one place.
Unlike the main house, the side house is designed as a family lodging. It’s easy to get why age differences in consumer behavior are factored in the house plan. This is evidenced by the way a row of three rooms are separated for privacy, each one of them fully equipped with modern conveniences.
As to be expected, the bedroom for mom and dad is located downstairs, connected to the rooms for kids by a flight of stairs. The children’s rooms are decorated with curved designs giving off good vibes, plus they create a sense of space, privacy and deep relaxation.
A glimpse into the side house made for family accommodations. The parents’ bedroom is on the ground floor connected to kids’ rooms by a flight of stairs.
Step outside, and you come to a system of roofed corridors providing access to all the rooms and support facilities, including a small restaurant and bar. Overall, the outdoor ambience is peaceful with a wonderful panorama of the mountain peaks and wooded hillsides that have made Ha Giang Province a sought-after destination for travelers.
An atrium hemmed in by a system of roofed corridors offers plenty of ample space for an al fresco luncheon and dinner, or a rendezvous with nature.
Inside and outside, Pavi Homestay is different from what is usual in that its physical appearance is pleasingly old-fashioned plus the quality of being local. For strength and durability, the original heavy timber framing, posts and beams remain very much intact. They were put together by traditional methods of construction.
A room decorated with lots of wood makes the interior feel warm and welcoming.
The building exteriors have the appearance of rammed earth walls, roofed over with unglazed, brownish colored tiles like everything else in this part of Vietnam. Such is the elegance and standard practice since times past. Together they work in tandem to make Pavi Homestay attractive in its own special way, in the meantime providing a window into ethnic Hmong culture from past to present.
The rough texture of rammed earth walls boasts the beauty of vernacular homes unique to Hmong culture.Arched doorway openings go hand in hand with open-concept floor plans, making a modest room feel spacious.
Archway forming passages between rooms create a harmonious fusion with the natural environment.As the evening unfolds, the atrium is aglow under the lights in contrast to the dark gray of earthen roof tiles that form the upper covering of Pavi Homestay.
In a few words, Pavi Homestay is the story of rich and subtle meanings, a travel destination embraced by nature and time-honored human tradition unique to Vietnam’s Northeastern Region.
An aerial view shows a part of the verdant countryside that’s home to a Hmong community where Pavi Homestay is located.
/ Story: Wuthikorn Sut, Kangsadan K. / English version: Bob Pitakwong /
/ Photographs: Soopakorn Srisakul /
A home and café combination merges into the countryside vernacular of Chanthaburi, a province in Thailand’s eastern corridor bestowed with pristine forests, mountains and sea breezes. Designed for the Tropical climate prevailing in the area, it boasts the simplicity of extended eaves overhanging the walls. Together they provide protection from the elements keeping the interior cozy and cool in summer, while the gable front glazed using clear glass affords the view of a beautiful garden landscape.
Named “Ruen Lek”, the small contemporary home consists of two parts; a semi-outdoor café located downstairs and a living space upstairs with wrap-around balconies made for coffee or just chilling out.
The brainchild of GLA Design Studio, a Bangkok-based architectural practice, the home and café combination offers 110 square meters of usable space. It stands parallel to a nearby homestay destination called “Baan Lek Villa”, separated only by a center courtyard lying in between.
The upstairs living space with a garden view is enclosed by a wrap-around balcony made for coffee and floor seating ideas.
By design, the yard filled with greenery and fresh air provides a respite from the hustle and bustle of daily life, while lush lawns hemmed in by healthy trees and shrubs create a cooling effect during warm weather.
A diagram of the first floor plan shows the positioning of the coffee shop, customer service areas and support facilities in relation to outdoor environments. / Courtesy of GLA Design StudioA drawing of the second floor plan shows the living space with a home office enclosed by a wrap-around balcony made for relaxation. / Courtesy of GLA Design StudioA front elevation view shows the small home and café combination on the right side of the property, separated from the main homestay villa on the left by a center courtyard filled with greenery. / Courtesy of GLA Design Studio
Thoughtfully devised to run cool in summer, the first floor is kept closer to the ground, slightly raised at plinth level. For good ventilation, the storefront and a side wall are fitted with bi-fold door systems that fully open from one end to the other, while the other side wall lined with a souvenir display shelf is glazed using clear glass paneling for visibility.
Awning windows at the top of the glass wall open to admit fresh outdoor air. Underneath them, glass paneling lined with a souvenir display shelf lets natural daylight shine through.
The coffee bar itself is set further towards the back with plenty of room behind it for cooking light meals. From here, the nearby “Baan Lek Villa” homestay can be seen across the center courtyard. Up front, a few sets of tables and shares are ready for customers who prefer relaxing and dining in the open air.
A place to hang out with friends, the coffee bar is set further towards the back, creating a sense of depth. There’s plenty of room behind the countertop for making drinks and cooking light meals.
Taken as a whole, the small café makes a good first impression as a peaceful place to enjoy a nice cup of bean juice, lean back and chill. Besides good local food, the atmosphere is warm and welcoming, thanks in part to the crisp cool canopy of overhanging trees, native shrubs and vines thriving luxuriantly. Together they bring back memories of Chanthaburi in times past like the architects at GLA Design Studio intended.
The second floor contains a humble abode and office space with a large drafting table. Simple, well-lit and well-ventilated, the room is enclosed by a wrap-around balcony designed for sitting on the floor with legs hanging. The side entrance at the top of the stairs affords views of green spaces and, beyond, the Baan Lek Villa homestay. For privacy, the second floor of Ruen Lek is set slightly lower than that of the main villa.
The upstairs living space with a garden view is enclosed by a wrap-around balcony made for coffee and floor seating ideas.
For privacy, the second floor of the home and café building is set slightly lower than that of the nearby main villa.
Except for the glass façades on two sides, the walls are built of handmade bricks and the floors covered in fireclay handmade tiles sourced locally. For charm, good looks that blend into the community and local traditions, door and window casings and decorative materials are made entirely of real wood.
Morning light creates a warm ambience, enhancing the brown of wooden balcony floors and the orange of fireclay tiles on the home office floor.
From a design point of view, it’s a home that speaks volumes for a desire to be close to nature and a love of the allure of Chanthaburi’s unspoiled countryside. And the team at GLA Design Studio has succeeded in doing exactly that. The result is a cozy dwelling that’s a little bit modern, a little bit country mixed in one place that’s simple yet attractive, inviting and warm.
A center courtyard filled with shade trees and lush foliage separates the home and café combination from the nearby Baan Lek Villa homestay.A way to connect with nature, the center courtyard is kept cool by shade trees and lush vegetation. Nearby, a driveway surfaced with gravel gives access to the main villa raised on piles.
Tucked away amidst the crisp mountain air and dense green plants thriving under tree cover, a quaint country café takes center stage giving off friendly vibes. It’s enclosed by glass walls on three sides, while perimeter fence walls of large breeze blocks in pastel brown speak volumes for the humble origins of mankind.
Lying furthest from everything else, a lazy brook passes by reflecting sunlight glistening with sparkles in misty winds. Aptly named “Mitbury the Public House”, the café and nearby support buildings merge into the cool shade of wooded hills in the backdrop. It’s arguably the most exquisite kind of scenery. And it’s located right here in Mae Rim District, only a short ride from Chiang Mai’s city center.
At the risk of stating the obvious, the aroma of coffee beans being ground and roasted in the background smells like heaven. There’s nothing like chilling out, sipping one’s favorite Morning Brew on a quiet day at nature’s edge.
The project comprises three small buildings with a chic coffee bar located at the center of the property. The other two buildings lie hidden in plain sight behind the walls of perforate blocks in muted brown designed to promote ventilation and regulate sunlight. The coffee bar itself affords 140 square meters of restaurant space canopied by overhanging trees.
A charcoal sketch of the premises illustrates the positioning of the café and two support buildings enclosed by a perforate wall and surrounding terrain features. / Courtesy of WOS ArchitectsA side-elevation view of the café building in cross section, silhouetted against a breeze block wall lying under the canopy of overhanging trees / Courtesy of WOS Architects
The brainchild of WOS Architects, a Bangkok-based architectural practice, Mitburi the Public House is a design masterpiece that seeks reconnections with the natural world.
Walk in the door, and you find an ample space used for guests and seating. Interestingly, the rough textured wall in soft pastel beige at the back is the sight to behold. It stands overlooking the space used for preps, the coffee bar and kitchen.
From a distance, a paved passageway glides past lush lawns leading to first building that houses the café and kitchen. The second building holds storage space and staff quarters, while the third is a complete toilet building. By design, they lie hidden from view behind the perforate brick walls.
A footbridge gives access to nearby wooded hills. It’s built of structural I-beam framing, with wooden planks and railings of wire infill panels for protection against slip and fall accidents.
All of them are built of structural steel framing. Where appropriate, the exterior walls are crafted of natural building materials sourced from within the community. Immediately appealing among them is the floor tiled in grayish brown. It lies covered with thin slabs of baked clay from a local kiln, creating charm, good looks that embrace imperfect simplicity.
For visual continuity, the café building itself is enclosed by glass walls on three sides, with a pair of transom windows at the top of the front door. A clean, well-lighted place, the interior is warm and welcoming, thanks to pale soft lights that are less distracting, adding romantic appeal to the room.
From inside the café, glass walls provide undisrupted visual continuity between indoors and outdoors. The floor is tiled in reddish brown slabs fired the old-fashioned way by a local kiln, the beauty of imperfections that blends with the surroundings.The café building stands among the trees, enclosed by glass walls on three sides. They open to admit natural daylight and fresh outdoor air into the room.
Out-of-doors, yard landscaping ideas are just impressive. Perforate blocks in reddish brown fill up the entire boundary fence, blending seamlessly into the dark green of the forest’s edge. Located furthest to the rear, a footbridge built of steel I-beams, wooden planks and wire infill railings provide access to nearby forested hills.
Attention to detail is evidenced by the breeze block fence in muted brown that separates the business premises into clearly defined zones depending on functionality.The complete toilet building stands hidden from view, separated from nearby lush lawns and café space by a wall of perforate bricks for ventilation.
The I-beams are painted a grayish green hue that merges into large areas of old woodlands in the background. Underneath the footbridge, a babbling stream runs idly by meandering through the rock-covered forest floor. Above it, cool breezes and leaves rustling in the trees entice the imagination.
Overall, the business premises keep firmly to the owner’s initial resolve to leave every tree and the nearby brook where they have always been, giving rise to house-among-trees ideas. For a good reason, they are built small and disposed around the periphery of the project site. The building shell is topped with a simple gable roof made of natural materials that are friendly to the environment.
To live and let live, a native tree stands where it’s always been. Cutting it down is not a choice.
Nature lovers should find the small café in the woods a paradise, thanks to rocks being used to create a set of steps leading to the glass-glazed façade, a clever hack to create visual continuity between indoors and outdoors.
Surrounded by lush lawns and shade trees, a set of rock steps adds beauty and functionality to the building’s glass-glazed façade.
Thanks to thoughtful design, the trio of small buildings in earthy browns lies beautifully ensconced among the trees and wooded hills in the background. Day in, day out, the smell of coffee ground and roasted fresh on site induces a sense of warmth and comfort among people who feel a yearning for the mountains.
It comes as no surprise that they name it “Mitbury”, a Thai term literally translated as a place for friendly people, and in this particular case, a café built into nature that celebrates the easy, laidback lifestyles that have made Chiang Mai famous. Swing by next time you’re in town!
Central Java, Indonesia – Neat and clean walls rise above a reflecting pool and lush lawns brightened up by shimmering lights. They are made attractive by warm-toned whites and smooth curved lines twirling lightly around like poetry in motion. Shaped into alternate ridges and grooves, the concrete surfaces in zingy warm hues slant up to the skyline reminiscent of a graceful dance. It’s an amazing innovation thoughtfully devised to sync with rhythms in the urban landscape that gives it aesthetic appeal.
A welcoming reception area lies adjacent to the reflecting pool designed to blend with the rounded contour at the very top of a white wall separating the restaurant’s interior from the exterior.
The clean, well-lighted trio of restaurant, café and bar is located in Central Java, an Indonesian province that’s home to the famous Borobudur Temple, one of the greatest Buddhist monuments in the world. Named “Tanatap Wall Garden”, it’s a delightful business space in a class of itself, one that advocates for form and function being joined in a way that requires less energy to operate.
The restaurant-cum-café and bar, together with its land that forms a verdant oasis, affords 2,500 square meters of commercial space nestled among beautiful cityscapes. It’s an all-encompassing design that combines commercial real estate with elements of nature in close physical association to the advantage of both.
A charcoal sketch shows the positioning of functional spaces in relation to existing big trees, a relationship to the advantage of both. / Courtesy of RAD+arA side elevation view in perspective illustrates the positioning of restaurant, café and bar spaces under lush tree cover. / Courtesy of RAD+ar
The concept delineated above is the brainchild of a high performing team at RAD+ar, an architectural practice based in Jakarta, Indonesia. The team of architects was tasked with transforming what used to be a parking garage into a calm, secluded garden in which to wine and dine; meanwhile preserving the existing natural environment and the property’s significance as part of a central business district.
The result is a piece of architecture showcasing perfectly clean, white walls rising among very big lush trees, a beautiful sight unlike anything out there. Viewed from above, the floor plan consists of three straight lines on the ground moving centrifugally from the center. Along these lines, concrete walls rise to different heights forming gently curved lines at the very top as they traverse among stands of homogeneous trees.
Viewed from above, the restaurant-cum-café and bar merges into beautiful and cool landscapes so that they become an indivisible whole.
Apart from bringing shade and regulating temperatures, the trees growing wild in every direction give the business premises charm, good looks that please the senses and the mind.
It’s design that comes from understanding the warm, humid climate prevailing in Central Java, and the company’s principles advocating for simple and sustainable lifestyles. Together they are the key attributes that make Tanatap Wall Garden one of the most agreeable places to be.
For a good first impression, the welcoming entryway is adorned with green spaces that create positive moments in people’s lives. It’s connected to a pathway system leading to cool and restful places amid the beautiful backyard landscape.
Old trees and new walls become inextricable parts of the design advocating for sustainability.
On the way, an 800-square-meter reflecting pool provides a focal point in the scenery, bringing joy, pleasure and contentment in nature’s peaceful embrace. Interestingly enough, tiers of seats similar to a sports arena are added to the mix in a way that’s proper in the circumstances.
A reflecting pool under tree cover provides a focal point in the landscape. It works in tandem with other passive design strategies creating thermal comfort for both indoors and outdoors.A lounge area offers wide seating space and flexibility seamlessly integrated into the building’s architectural styles.
In addition to being a rendezvous for good food and drinks, Tanatap Wall Garden offers an enormous richness of nature-inspired outdoor rooms for those who love spending time indulging in music and live stage performances.
Keeping to its original concept, an amphitheater is put in for customers who appreciate dramatic works as a genre of literature and expression of ideas encouraging participation in the discourses of society. All of these features are neatly integrated in one cohesive design aesthetic.
Tiers of seats similar to a sports area lie under a pedestrian bridge connecting different parts of the building. By design, it’s a work of art that keeps creative energy flowing.
In short, it’s a metamorphosis of purpose that results in neat and clean white walls transforming into a stunning commercial space, in this particular case, a trio of restaurant, café and bar set amidst a verdant oasis.
From inside looking out, a part of the white wall with ridges and grooves in it is visible through the doorway at the furthest end.The restaurant has a lovely garden under tree cover for those who prefer to wine and dine alfresco.
Drop by Tanatap Wall Garden for a drink or two next time you sojourn in Central Java. It’s an opportunity to experience the beauty of architecture and nature coming together in one indivisible design.
/ Story: Kor Lordkam / English version: Bob Pitakwong /
/ Photographs: Nantiya, Weerawat Sonriang /
It all started with a 30-year-old, three-story townhouse and a company of architects Studio Miti in need of a new home. Like a fortunate stroke of serendipity, they found exactly what they had been searching for, a building with a wide, six-meter frontage abutting the street, an architectural quality attribute that gave it a decided plus.
The new building facade consisting of lightweight concrete blocks in slate gray is built of a framework of iron securely anchored to the original supporting structure of concrete masonry construction. The building’s principal face can open and shut as needed to regulate the amounts of natural daylight and fresh outdoor air streaming into the rooms. More than anything else, it’s design that meets engineering standard requirements and specifications for safety and durability.
Needless to say, it’s hard to find anything like it nowadays. More importantly, it’s located in an easily accessible community area with a variety of amenities, eating places and businesses serving surrounding populations.
Studio Mitimanagement obviously saw the potential of it developing to future success. And that’s what gave them the inspiration going forward. They set off without delay to breathe new life into the old townhouse, transforming it into a modern design atelier that’s the home of the company’s finest 20-strong staff.
Their secrets lay in creating an exciting new external envelope covered with lightweight concrete materials. And the result of all this is a pleasing visual appearance unlike anything out there. Architecturally speaking, it’s an interesting amalgam of color, texture and the perception of shape and size that inspires admiration.
A set of wooden steps rises past a trough where leafy plants grow leading to the reception room on the ground floor.
Ground floor interiors afford comfortable workspaces designed to boost productivity, with communal facilities such as small meeting rooms and client reception areas neatly arranged throughout the building. There’s also a casual dining area with a kitchen and pantry, not to mention recreational spaces with a ping-pong table and quiet nooks to chill out.
Taken as a whole, it’s design that speaks volumes for the company’s operating principles — investing in a conducive work environment so as to reduce stress and improve concentration. Likewise, it makes perfect sense to ensure its design team can stay focused on the task at hand.
The corridor is separated from a meeting room on the ground floor by a folding glass door system, a clever tool that defines boundaries in a way that’s easy to understand.
With the folding glass door system stowed away, the ground floor serving multiple functions as a meeting room, storage room and recreational area instantly transforms into one big open space.
Climb a flight of stairs, and you come to the main meeting room reserved for formal meetings or when work needs total concentration. There’s a customer reception area nearby that makes a great first impression, with facilities for online video conferencing, a dining room and areas used for recreation.
Different from what’s usual is the building façade that can open and shut as needed to regulate the amounts of natural light during the daytime or admit fresh outdoor air into the room in the late afternoon, a clever hack to save big on energy bills.
The stairway leading to workspaces on the upper floors remained where the old, tired looking stairs had been prior to renovation, only slightly altered to give it a look that belongs to the present.A glass-wall and sliding-door system provides visual continuity from inside the room to the balcony hemmed in by the front façade that can open and shut as needed for privacy, light and fresh air.Wooden bookshelves of a modular nature are the epitome of imagination and resourcefulness. They stand ready to be taken apart and reassembled elsewhere if needs be.
The third floor holds ample workspaces with a mezzanine just below the high-pitch roof. Together they boast the comfort of a high-ceilinged room made light and airy by design. For lack of a better word, it’s the pride and joy of some 20 staff members working here as a team.
Of all parts of the building, the roof received the most extensive renovation. To get where they wanted to be, the architects had the old roof torn down to make room for a new high-pitch upper covering.
This gave the interiors much more space overhead, more natural light and aesthetic appeal. Plus, new ceilings built flush with the underside of the roof add real character to the room, while the mezzanine provides extra storage space just below the roof.
Third-floor workspaces are light and airy by design, thanks to high ceilings aligned with the underside of a new high-pitch roof. Plus, there’s plenty of ample space providing neat storage solutions on the mezzanine just below the roof.
All things considered, it’s about creating a workspace that bodes well for the good health of all members on the team, while inspiring productivity and job satisfaction. These qualities can only come from having access to a conducive work environment, the ability to stay focused on work and freedom from noise and distractions.
To achieve the desired results, all the workspaces and functional areas are warmly cocooned inside a solid external envelope made of lightweight concrete materials. Yet they feel connected to the elements of nature, thanks in part to large openings in the front façade that let natural light and fresh air stream into the rooms on the second and third floors.
An opening in the mezzanine reinforced by a steel I-beam system provides visual continuity from above and below.
Not only that, all the arrangements in place also allow the architects to experiment with exciting ideas and innovative materials never before seen, among them a new kind of lightweight concrete materials for wall construction.
The building exterior showcases the ridges and grooves in concrete blocks cut open and left exposed to the weather, thereby allowing time to leave its imprint.
In Studio Miti ‘s most recent experiment, they decided out of curiosity to split an ultralight concrete block in half, only to discover that it contained ridges and grooves on the inside creating light and shadows. They then proceeded with installing the ultralight blocks inside out, thereby showcasing the beauty of imperfections of materials on the building’s exteriors.
It’s sort of going in the opposite way of what usually happens.
The result is charm, good looks without embellishments or decoration of any kind, one that creates an interesting light and shadow play when touched by light. Plus, it’s a spectacular sight that changes with the time of day.
In the fewest possible words, it’s a renovation that conveys a great deal about Studio Miti ’s belief, which says that, first and foremost, it makes a lot of sense to be material savvy. Better yet, it’s prudent to investigate the material before using it. Why? Because knowledge of materials and how they perform in real situations is essential to creating architecture.
A side-elevation view of Studio Miti’s new home shows the exteriors adorned with lightweight blocks in slate gray, a feature that gives it distinctive character.With the façade closed, the building looks perfectly solid, transforming Studio Miti’s new home into a piece of architecture in a class of itself.
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