The standard concept of “townhome” gets thrown out the window the minute you see this exotic oriental home.
/// Thailand ///
Story: “kirakira,” Photos: Sitthisak Namkham, Style: Somboon Gringgrai, Owner/Designer: Pantavit Lawaroungchok of Apostrophy’s The Synthesis Server Co., Ltd., Contractor: Hem Heepkaew of Happening Design and Construction Co., Ltd.
The townhome stands prominent behind green grass and trees. The house exterior features wood and stone, also containing the spirit of nature. The simple lines of the house in grey, white, cream, and brown convey a feeling of comfort.A relaxing spot in the front: A banyan hedge by the kitchen forms a sweetly refreshing green wall.The family’s favorite hangout, with fancy furniture and bright gold ornamentation harmonizing in a common theme. A wall of black marmo granito in the back almost makes you think you’re in the lobby of a 5-star hotel.Dining corner, with a mixed array of furniture. At the side is a show wall with some of Pantavit’s most prized collections.
Pretty posh for a “townhome”, the mood is reminiscent of a formal dinner in a luxury hotel. An emphasis on lighting arrangement and bright, shiny furnishing makes for a uniquely elegant charm.
Pantavit Lawaroungchok, owner/design director of “Apostrophy’s” design studio, was experimenting with new urban living concepts and transformed his family’s property into something resembling a ritzy resort.
There are a lot of remarkable things about this house, beginning with the large central room’s “triple space” concept vertically connecting it to the sky, with a three-story tall clear glass “moonroof ” that opens and shuts by remote control to add dimensions of light and shade to each level. The open design also facilitates interaction among family members between floors.
On the first floor is a living room, dining area, kitchen, and vertical garden. Pantavit’s mother’s and aunt’s bedrooms are on the second floor, along with a small living space and Buddhist altar room. The third floor holds Pantavit’s master bedroom, actually more a kind of super-fancy penthouse with a bedroom, an entertainment area, a master bathroom , a dressing room, and a small garden on the balcony.
From the dining room looking out toward the entryway in front: furniture arrangement clearly splits the space it into definite zones. /// One of Pantavit’s favorite spots is the 3.5-meter dining table. It doubles as a place to work, or just to read.Cabinet shelves have a mesmerizing shine: these are fabricated separately, then put together and finished using a spray-paint technique similar to what’s used in auto body shops.
Its interior decor consists of furniture and other items with a contemporary Asian look, a lot of it collectibles Pantavit fell in love with and brought back from trips abroad.
The area in back is built out into a 7.5-meter-high vertical garden, with plants divided into 3 zones, each receiving the same amount of light, moisture, and water through an automatic sprinkler and UV sun lamp system. The automation helps ease the hurried lifestyle of urban dwellers.
The exotic oriental house design is a fine expression of beauty that can be found in mixing Asian styles, and at the same time is a useful experiment in urban family living and novel use of space.
The back area of the townhome is transformed into a super-hip vertical garden. Here you can lounge around in this hanging modern-looking bubble chair made of clear acrylic.The stairwell is decorated with a very interesting abstract painting, intentionally placed there for its patterns that play with the planes of wall and floor. /// A “living room” corner on a mezzanine level has a warm, easy atmosphere.The walkway on the second floor is lined with beautiful pictures. From the guard rail, the lower floor can be seen, and family members on different levels can interact.Inside Pantavit’s aunt’s bedroom we’re greeted by soft, inviting, and restful lighting. The vertical patterns on the wall fools the eye into thinking the room is larger than its actual size.The master bedroom on the third floor is done in white, cream, and browns. Mirrored panel behind the headboard makes the room appear to be larger.The master bath has a shower section and a bathtub. A washbasin is designed for two. One of the walls has openings to let the natural light in. /// In the master bedroom directly adjoining the bathroom, a dresser is arranged along the wall in the dressing room. Venetian blinds are on one side of the wall for sufficient light during makeup.
This pristine mountain retreat at Khao Yai, Nakhon Ratchasima evokes a flashback of Safari scenes in the 1985 film “Out of Africa.” It consists of a group of buildings that merges into the lush green contours of geography and topography of the area. A stream runs through it. The relaxing sounds of a babbling brook are soothing to the mind as it moves under the canopy of tall trees into a larger tributary somewhere far away.
The first building, nicknamed the Clubhouse, serves a dual purpose as a welcome area and common room open to everyone. Its funky yellow façade is adorned with reclaimed timber recycled from an old ship hull, evoking pleasant memories of an installation art show.
“I like being by the sea. Mountains are not my kind of place. But this location changes everything. It’s different from other places. There’s a small stream flowing through it. The gentle rush of water flowing enlivens the entire natural surroundings,” said homeowner Piset Chungyaempin, who is executive chairman at Piko (Thailand) Public Company Limited.
Here, ecosystem health takes precedence. To transform his property into a perfect holiday home, Piset avoided cutting down trees the best he possibly could. He has a plan. With a smile, he said: “The house is a holiday retreat for now, but in the future we can live here long term.”
The kitchen inside the Clubhouse has a rustic country flair. The walls in shades of orange characteristic of Fresco architecture add the charm of a Tuscan village to the atmosphere. The kitchen island is crafted of pinewood in light hues to bring out the superb natural wood grain that whispers a soft rustic appeal.“The kitchen is probably the most expensive part of the house,” said Piset. “It’s designed to look as if it had been around for some 50 years. The cooking range, for example, is a new technology remade to imitate the Retro styles in times past. It stands in perfect harmony with a relaxing vintage ambience.”
In sync with the rhythms of nature, the house plan twists and turns around the existing trees. The homeowner made a choice from a range of possibilities. Instead of one big house in the woods, he chose a design consisting of three smaller buildings. The result is a charming trio that’s comfortable, warm and welcoming, plus a sense of space and privacy.
“This room is affectionately called the Aquarium although people live in it,” said Piset. Spectacular views of hillside landscapes can be seen from here. It’s a glass-enclosed living room with a typical Safari feel to it. Furniture pieces strike the right balance between old wood, leather, and vernacular style upholstery.The dining area boasts a Mexican-style teak table from the Crossroad, a Chiangmai furniture store. Upholstered wooden chairs with genuine leather backrests came from the Netherlands.
The first building has two levels, which Piset nicknamed “The Clubhouse.” It serves a dual function, as a welcome area for entertaining guests and a common room for use by anyone at any time. There is a mid-sized kitchen with a hint of cool country vibes on the first floor.
The second building holds a rustic home living space by the water. At present, it’s a living room setting. When needed, it can easily sleep up to four people. Piset’s favorite nook is the front porch overlooking a carp fishpond and a small stream nearby. He plays the guitar and does his hobby projects here sometimes.
The building that houses Piset’s private residence has turns and angles intended to avoid cutting down trees on the property. The floor plan allows for nature to permeate the living spaces to the max.
The ground floor of the private residence can be rearranged to accommodate visiting house guests. The room in Safari style is adorned with area rugs, throw pillows, and upholstered chairs crafted of vernacular fabrics. The ceilings, floors, door panels, and cabinets feature beautiful wood grain in natural shades.The master bedroom is spacious with a bed made of old wood in it. “Like a fortunate stroke of serendipity, it’s by chance that I came across old railroad ties listed for sale. They were very heavy and needed seven to eight people to transport them up here,” said Piset.The front porch overlooking a carp fishpond is Piset’s favorite nook, where he likes to play the guitar, or just relaxes in the comfort of a wicker chair that he brought over from his old house.
Piset named the third building “Tarzan’s house.” His son lives here. It’s a one-bedroom house on stilts designed to look like a treehouse.
There is a small pantry for making simple meals and a balcony that doubles as a lookout post. Its most interesting feature is the hydraulic powered staircase that’s neatly stowed away when not in use. It’s like he’s actually living somewhere up there in the treetop.
[Left] A bathroom countertop crafted of reclaimed wood brings out the beauty of raw natural textured finishes. / [Right] An old bookshelf speaks volumes for the homeowner’s personal interests. It’s filled with publications on guitars, boats, and Safari style decor. All things considered, it is a small world embracing Safari themes and colors that Piset has come to love. It is a living space rich in spirits of adventure and memories of enchanting experiences.
Taken as a whole, it’s a group of three buildings that differ greatly from one to the other. Nonetheless, they share a few common characteristics — a mix of Moorish, Safari, and rustic country styles. Decorating items for the most part reveal a taste for the beauty of raw textured finishes, while furniture comes in the Antique style.
The bedroom inside “Tarzan’s house” showcases Spanish-style antique cabinetry bought from a Chiang Mai furniture store. To give it a vernacular touch, the walls and ceilings are made of woven bamboo paneling mixed with OSB boards.[Left] A spacious bathroom feels very relaxed. Piset said: “It’s designed to eliminate fear of a confined space.” / [Right] A countertop is made to look as if it were floating. Wooden parts in muted colors imitate antique wood finishes, while a mix of brassware and marble adds a touch of class to the interior space.
This modern classic house was inspired by the classic style of architecture, but adapted for a simpler look to fit contemporary ways of life. The interior is spacious, with a very high ceiling.
/// Thailand ///
Story: Supachat Boontang /// Photos: Sitthisak Namkham /// Style: Somboon Kringkrai /// Architecture: The Emperor House Co., Ltd. /// Interior Decoration: 8 Interior Architect /// Landscape Architecture: Little Tree by Siritvit Riubamrung and Charturong Khunkong
The parlor’s white wall brings out the gold of decorative wall mirrors and hanging lamps. Orchids are arranged in small bouquets.The reception parlor and living area in white and cream is fresh and bright with classic purple armchairs, which the owners really love. A glass wall and a golden center table with super-shiny surface help to break up the room’s dazzling whiteness and add an elegant touch.The parlor is separated from the large main room of the house by a folding wooden partition that keeps the room from being too hidden away. /// To one side of the dining room is a small, relaxed corner for morning coffee and informal breakfast.The dining area comes in white from floor to ceiling to walls. A green mosaic tile and black and white graphic pattern on the rug help keep the space from appearing too empty and bland.The “living room” corner on the second floor has grey shelves behind it. The strong brown of the sofa and gently patterned throw pillows give warmth to the room and make it an attractive place to be.
To make the house look warmer and more welcoming, the designers pared down the size of large areas by using arches for demarcation.
Cream and white, light colors relaxing to the eyes, were used in unique combination with a different color in each room, creating charm and interest with purple, emerald green, and gray.
The interior decor doesn’t clearly indicate any particular style, but retains a classic foundation, or better said, a hint of American classic, reducing decorative elements for a more elegant presence, yet still warm and inviting.
Upstairs, they “living room” corner right near the staircase in the center of the house, is a practical place to meet and chat before bedtime.The master bedroom is symmetrically designed like a fancy hotel room. Following the designer’s suggestion, white and navy blue are used in tandem for a dignified atmosphere.Contemporary wallpaper adds a special look to the entryway connecting the dressing area to the master bedroom.
Furniture placement emphasizes a balance consistent throughout the house and garden. There is minimal ornamentation, but everything is arranged correctly for the house to come off as posh, beautiful, and well set up.
Nature is brought in boldly to supplement the classic house. There is a wonderfully shady and green English garden with a stylish gazebo for relaxation and socializing. All in all, this is a modern classic home truly shaded by nature.
Simple but effective, a mirror with a fashionable, classically elegant shape hangs on the wall. /// The dressing room has a built-in cabinet with a clear glass surface for easy access to stored items.The small bedroom features a gorgeous combination of lavender, white, and cream made for a sweet atmosphere.At the side of the house is a shady English-style garden, planned in symmetrical balance, with a gazebo front and center whose design matches well with the house.The small building is used for receptions and dining on important occasions. /// A cute spot for socializing, the area showcases alternating paved and grass blocks in the chessboard pattern often seen in English-style gardens.A roof of clear glass lets natural light into the mid-garden gazebo. Surrounding aluminum-framed glass walls connect a view of the garden outside.
Our team meets the owners of this modest-sized condominium. With beaming smiles, the owners open the door of their little perfect room for two to greet us.
A table with wrought-iron legs topped with wood harmonizes with the straightforward designs and colors of the chairs and the metal-framed sliding door. To prevent the room from looking too dark, the designer put in the golden stools.The owner tended to buy similar accessories to what she already had because she didn’t see them in her sight. To solve this, the designer made space for hanging small accessories on the side of the cabinet. The owner likes the idea a lot.
“We met our designer all because of Room Magazine,” one of the owners said. She was referring to the owner and designer of a Parisian-style suite featured on the magazine’s March 2012 issue.
“I had already bought the place, but didn’t know where to start. Every day I dropped by at a bookshop to buy books and magazines on interior decoration, bring them home and talk with Aor and my parents. This went on and on, until we saw that edition of Room. Well, for me that was love at first sight. And Aor felt the same way.”
View from the entrance. A metal framework partitions the space into a dining area and a parlor. From this angle, it’s like looking into an outdoor greenhouse.
There were plenty of problems to be solved with this room. Accommodations and adjustments had to be made for their lifestyles and personalities. Bell works in the fashion business, and likes putting on makeup while watching the morning news. Aor gets up later. So they put a vanity and a television outside the bedroom.
The bedroom is simple but striking. The pigeon-gray wall contrasts with the crimson bed sheet. Gimmicks lie in details, such as using an industrial lamp instead of an ordinary reading light, while a fancy crystal chandelier-like lamp is hanging on the far side.
Bell doesn’t see herself as full of feminine sweetness. Her favorite color is “pigeon grey,” which has a hint of blue. But she also wants the place to be a comfortable one for Aor, her other half, too. The couple then trusted in the skills of their designer and let him run his own ideas to work on the transformation of the space.
The designer has managed to adjust the room plan and move a door for added convenience. He also inserted a little pet door for Minnie, their dog. The door has a unique look, studded with different kinds of brass rivets.
The end result was more than satisfying. When they had their first look at the designs and models, they were delighted. “It was really gorgeous! Aor and I made almost no changes from his original design. It was exactly what I’d had in mind, in both design and function. We both saw it as the perfect solution.”
The path from design to finished work wasn’t all smooth sailing. Little problems popped up along the way. Sometimes it was the contractor not sticking to the specs. Other times the details or materials weren’t exactly what they had pictured. “The flooring with black and white chess pattern, some parts of the white stone turned yellow, or had a little stained, but I left them that way. If things weren’t too ugly, we were OK with them. Actually, I was impatient and wanted to move in really fast.” (laugh)
The intricate patterns on the closet surface are the designer’s solution to the original design. “These started out as engravings, but it was taking so long. The designer turned them into illustration works instead. The closet ended up being really beautiful, and we love it.”
Maybe it’s destiny that brought Bell and Aor to fell in love with the Parisian-style studio. But beyond the destiny, it’s the matter of efforts and understandings that make the perfect room for them.
This unusual home with intriguing ideas hidden inside belongs to Vazzan Tirangkura. With a big smile, he told us the story behind it. “It’s called The Tinman House because I was impressed with Tin Woodman, the fictional character who was looking for his heart in L. Frank Baum’s novel, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.”
The coming together of vertical and horizontal lines gives a sense of youthful exuberance to the box-shaped house perfectly fitted for a rectangular plot of land. Grayish-black checker plates act as a double skin that prevents heat and filter sunlight, keeping the interior cool and comfortable.
Vazzan had looked for the right location for years before he came across this piece of land by accident. “I was driving one afternoon and got lost. As luck would have it, I made a turn into this side street and found a house listed for sale right there in front of me. The land was 53 square wah (212 sq. m.). I thought about it for a night and went back to settle the deal first thing the next day.”
After a consult with Jun Sekino of Junsekino Architect and Design, the rest was history. Jun Sekino was his favorite architect, who continued to translate his ideas into reality.
“Vazzan wanted this house built for a small family with two kids.” He was single at the time. It sounded ridiculously dreamy to me. But once finished, the Tinman House reflected both the homeowner’s character and a living space that’s raw, something in its true state not pretending to be more palatable than it actually is,” said Jun Sekino.
A modern Buddhist altar is made from a laser-cut metal plate, giving a raw and sleek look, which goes well with the house’s materials and linings.
The rectangular house plan offers 415 square meters of space for practical and effective use. The stairway works as a core ventilation stack. The linear interior hallway distributes functions to all the rooms.
The first floor has a carport, a welcome area, living room, dining room and kitchen, while the second is divided into a library, workroom, dressing room and guest bedroom. The quiet and more secluded third floor holds a master bedroom and children’s bedroom. On the fourth floor lies a sky garden with a peaceful lounge offering privacy.
The open entranceway adopts traditional Asian-style flooring to suit the modern environment. The outcome is an airy area that feels comfortable without air conditioning.
On the whole, it’s a creation based on form-follows-functions and ergonomic concepts. For best results, the homeowner participated in planning every step of the way. He questioned every detail so that all the building designs performed the function tailored to his needs.
Bright yellow epoxy flooring in the dining room; the color is chosen to encourage an appetite. A mirror panel connects the dining room to the living room. Louvers are installed from floor to ceiling. So the wind can flow through and the view outside can be seen.
Minimalist design appears not only in its look, but also in the house’s functionality. There are no door knobs. Instead, bolts are applied for every door in the house. Isn’t that exciting? It’s been a while since we last saw a bar that slid into a socket to fasten the door and window.
The kitchen combines a striking red color with a raw, industrial style. The counter boasts the beauty of simplicity in the form of polished concrete finishes. Supplies are stored inside built-in checker plate closets.
Overall, the decoration is done in a loft style that brings out the true nature of materials. Reclaimed timber recycled from the old demolished house find new purposes as a gigantic bookshelf (0.60 x 29 x 3 meters in size), a work desk, a bedside table and flooring materials, to name but a few.
There are plenty of ideas that take modern loft decor to the next level. Built-in furniture is all custom made, pushed up against the wall to create a roomy living space. The pieces are made from industrial supplies, for example, water pipes, metal plates, expanded metal grating, and checker plates.
More so than anything else, it’s the use of primary colors that adds a refreshing change to the home — red, yellow and Majorelle blue.
A loft-style guest bedroom is ready to welcome his “don’t drink and drive” friends. Shelf-like metal bunks with mattresses have enough room to sleep two people comfortably.[Left] An expanded metal mesh door adds an airy feel to the dry part of a bathroom. Polished concrete finishes paired with a stainless steel bucket make a simple set of wash basin and counter. / [Right] A red custom-made metal door breaks the rawness of unpainted concrete.A roomy workspace on the second floor can be seen in full view through a rope net hung in the middle of the third floor. The wall on the west side is filled with an array of bookshelves, which as a whole provides a buffer against heat.
Taking everything into account, the building external envelope is clear and simple, while interior design is lively and fun. All the spaces and functions are interconnected to serve everyday needs. No doubt it’s a perfect home for a small modern family.
Sharing his slice of paradise, Vazzan said: “Because I travel a lot, I’m very happy when I have a chance to stay home. I love every corner in this house. Each of them is designed having me as its center. It’s thoughtfully devised to be simple, practical and timeless. Even in the next 20 to 30 years, it will always be a contemporary home.”
The stairway is painted Majorelle blue, an indelible visual impression Vazzan experienced during a recent trip to Morocco.Simple master bedroom décor affords a warm, relaxed atmosphere. The headboard is adorned with a laser-cut metal plate featuring dragon and swan design. The metal bed frame is designed by Vazzan himself.
Before we say goodbye, Vazzan has a piece of advice for those planning to build a home of their own. “The owner has to take part in the design, because he or she is the heart of the house — The Tinman House included. The heart of a home is borne by its owner.”
Viewed from the top, a spiral staircase in Majorelle blue connects the dressing room to the bedroom on the second floor.
Surrounded by mountains and the clean, pure beauty of nature, the owner of this lovely home in the hills feels there is no better place for him and his family to have a wonderfully peaceful retirement life. No more do they have to travel abroad for relaxation.
Surrounded by mountains and the clean, pure beauty of nature, the owner of this lovely home in the hills feels there is no better place for him and his family to have a wonderfully peaceful retirement life. No more do they have to travel abroad for relaxation.We come in from the carport to a welcoming parlor furnished with an antique console dresser.The stairway in the entry hall leads up to the second floor.The living room adjoins the dining area. This part of the house is light and spacious, with glass doors on all sides.
The house is modeled after residences in the Cotswolds, an ancient rural area in the south of England, and adapted to suit the weather and available building materials in Thailand. With a steep, narrow-eaved roof, it has arched entryways and many windows. The top floor is really an attic, with the roof as ceiling. There is a fireplace and chimney for use in the cold season. The charm of the house shows in the craftsmanship.
The island can easily switch uses to serve as a dining table
The living room has a high ceiling, with beams added in to illustrate details of house construction.
The workroom is warm and comfy with long glass windows looking out on the garden.
Outer walls are of stone, which provides good insulation, and the longer the house stands, the more classic its beauty will be. The interior is open and comfortable. Glass windows and doors open wide for garden views, besides catching the breeze and letting in natural light during the day.
Colors are earth tones, warm and relaxing. The garden is designed to match the style of the house: warm and natural-looking, after the fashion of English gardens.
Where the home environment is naturally lush and green and the weather is cool and comfortable almost the whole year, each day of life brings deep relaxation and comfort.
The master bedroom with charming country-style furnishings: Wooden beams are set above the bed for decorative effect. Recessed and indirect lighting provides a soft, relaxing illumination.
Bedroom décor on the lower floor features cream tones, with olive-green walls. /// The master bath has a double washbasin with a stylish marble countertop .A verandah with warm-colored wicker sofa and chairs opens out directly from the living room. On good-weather days this is a great place for breakfast or an informal lunch.The deck on the far side of the house is under an extended roof. Table and chairs are set out for easy dining or a small family party.The kitchen building is for serious food preparation. Split off from the main house, it still has a section for non-cooks to sit and hang out. /// A small swimming pool, set off from the house, is covered to protect against the heat.
The impeccably proportioned home is a homey condo in a skyscraper-studded Thonglor District. Ten years ago, his parents bought 70 square meters worth of room here to use for rental income. As the room deteriorated over time, the owner found a chance to transform it into a home of his own.
“I wanted an ordinary cabinet, but we couldn’t find a cabinet to match the other ones. One day I stumbled across a telephone booth, which was big enough to hold a washing machine. Finally I decided to put it in for a unique look!”Different shades of teakwood add dimensional depth. Silver lamps draw attention to the pipe system on the ceiling.
Thanks to the owner’s job as marketing manager, working in real estate put him in touch with Arujit Lertkitja, interior designer for Coquo Studio. When Oat sounded him out about taking on this project, he got back a slew of ideas for a dream house makeover: “I didn’t know what the style I wanted was called, so I opened up magazines looking for keywords, and sent Oh over two hundred reference photos. Oh’s suggestion was to add sweet details by selecting lighter shades of wood since my wife would be living here, too.”
A metal-framed mirror wall creates an illusion of a larger kitchen.
From the reference pictures and many heart-to-heart chats with the designer, the two came up with the “industrial loft” style. From a two-bedroom flat, it was converted into a studio. Just one bedroom was left. Walls were demolished to connect the kitchen, dining room, and living room, while doors were put in to clearly define private areas: bedroom, bathroom, and dressing room.
This white-themed kitchen corner has an especially sweet and classic look. It’s a “full kitchen” for people who like to cook. The island adds an extra space. It also functions as a cocktail bar during a party. /// The chic-looking built-in shelves hold the owner’s books and collectibles.
The old condo ceiling was completely removed to display the newly installed pipe and conduit systems. Besides adding the rawness, the removal also raised 20 centimeters from the original ceiling height. They used materials with rough surfaces, such as white brick and black window frame, all for a slick and modern look on a budget.
For a more relaxing look, brick pointed white add texture to the walls in the living room and workroom. /// Floating shelves and tables lined along the wall reduces tension while providing full functionality.
To add warmth and reduce the room’s harsh roughness, the owner and the designer kept the teak floor, but scoured and polished to make it pale and bring more light into the room. Oh decided on built-in furniture with some movable teak pieces, planed them down and painted them white for a softer look.
These fit in nicely as a set when mixed in with furniture from old houses, which the owner himself had searched out and selected.
The owner replaced the old bathtub with a shower, separating dry and wet bathroom areas with a black-framed metal partition. The wood tile floor here brings a warmer feeling and a connection with other rooms.
“I was consulting with the designer about furniture all the time. Before buying, I sent pictures to get her comments and suggestions. Sometimes she’d run into something really suitable, and just buy it herself in advance.”
The clean and orderly bedroom connects to a dressing room. The black metal door frames go well with the other parts of the home. Large glass pane along the corridor makes the space look wider and more open.
Besides the totally pleasing décor, the impressions of this house left us with the kind that really makes a place a “home,” in contrast to just a “place to live”. The word “homey” really fits the surprisingly mellow ambience of this industrial loft residence.
Having wooden-shuttered windows behind the wash basin connecting to the bedroom creates a nice view from the bathroom, and also lets more natural light come in.
/ Story: Ekkarat Laksanasamrit / English version: Peter Montalbano /
/ Photographs: Sitthisak Namkham /
A person’s sense of proportion in creating a house to suit his own lifestyle can have energizing results. We recently visited a modern steel framed home in Bangkok’s Viphavadi Rangsit area that illustrated this. Nutt Chenyawanit, owner of Tin Home Toy merchandise, designed this house as a reflection of his identity.
A high pitched gable roof and bare concrete surfaces set at varying depths for a modern appeal.
From details of home décor, such as galvanized iron and stylish plant containers, to the overall house design, we saw a modern steel framed home that retained the flavor of Tropical architecture.
Open and relaxed in a traditional house style reduced to essentials, with a high pitched gable roof, extended eaves and awnings for sun and rain protection, this house with a modern appeal looks the epitome of good design, one that holds the secret to what makes people happy in life. An it looks fun to live in, too.
We asked the homeowner for his thoughts on design. He explained: “We like high ceilings; low ones feel cramped. The living room and stairwell area reaches up a full two stories, and elsewhere on the ground floor ceilings are generally three meters or higher. On the second floor, ceilings follow the roof slope, for the most part.”
The exception is the master bedroom, which has a standard ceiling height. “Bedrooms with high ceilings feel too buoyant,” he said.
The carport beneath an attractive latticework awning that blocks sun and rain.The entry area has eaves overhanging the walls reaching out 4 meters, both aesthetic and practical.
The Tin Home Toy office building next door, built in a similar style, was here before the house and now is separated from it by a swimming pool. Nutt favors architecture with steel-based frames that give it a raw cool modern style.
The metal post-and-beam design for floor and roof here made for rapid construction and quick cleanup. It presents a stylish façade of show brick walls and glass panels.
Next to the garden a metal-frame eave filters sunlight above a rest area, keeping it cool and comfortable even in bright sunlight.The walkway around the house is set out in straightforward lines using low-maintenance materials such as concrete patio pavers.
Extended eaves, large doors and windows provide good ventilation and make the house comfortable for living. Metal frameworks minimize the need of support posts for the extended eaves, freeing more space for parking. High ceilings allow warm air to rise and exit through upstairs windows.
The different textures of metal, glass, concrete, and wood mix and match well. The swimming pool is a great feature, beneficial for both the home and the office next door.The living room with a double height ceiling is open wide on two sides to catch the sun so artificial light isn’t needed.
Usable space on the ground floor holds the living room, stairwell, dining room, kitchen, and service areas like a storeroom and laundry. Upstairs consists of bedrooms and a workroom. Hallways are at least 2.5 meters wide for a spacious feel.
Walking around, a visitor has the sense that each space is made for specific purpose, some for children, some for moving around in comfort, some for convenience.
Old-fashioned shelving at the far end of the living room reaches up to the mezzanine.
Although the ceiling is really high, it has a horizontal dimension, too, as the mezzanine is filled with built-in cabinets and bookcases.A small storage space by the stairs for bicycles gives a hint about Nutt’s spare time activity.
A closer look at the details reveals a “set aside” concept that reflects the way good judgements are made. In this particular case, it shows in design innovations such as high ceilings that bring the sort of happiness and contentment we find in this modern steel framed home.
The master bedroom overlooking the garden is simply decorated in white and wood colors.The bedroom with windows opening into the bathroom: open, relaxed, and good ventilation.The ceiling follows the roof slope in this relatively large bathroom. An array of wooden shutters opens directly into the bedroom.One side of the dining room is a food preparation area; on the other a line of windows looks out over the carport.
Architect: Nutt Chenyawanit and Jirayut Chaiyajamrunphon
/ Story: Wutthikon Sut / English version: Bob Pitakwong /
/ Photographs: Soopakorn Srisakul /
Nestled in the countryside at Baan Rai Thawsi just outside of Pak Chong, Nakhon Ratchasima, this light, bright and airy home is bursting with joy. Away from city lights, it’s built around a tree to reap the health benefits of fresh air, sunshine and cool trees providing shade in the environment. Here, the towering mountains of Khao Yai National Park to the south can be seen from miles around.
Seen from a distance, the transparent house façade is designed to take in an expansive panorama of countryside landscapes. The upper floor under a mansard roof holds calm and peaceful bedrooms.
Homeowner Piyaporn Taepaisitphongse was first introduced to Baan Rai Thawsi while her mother was attending a meditation retreat at nearby Baan Boon village, taught by the revered Buddhist monk Ajaan Jayasaro.
It’s easy to get why she came away impressed. Out in the foothills, it’s calm and peaceful. In her words: “Mom brought me here and I liked it. She wanted a country house, so here we are!”
A healthy tree thrives in the middle of the house plan, a focal point for people going from one part of the house to another.
Piyaporn’s mother added: “We built it here for a lot of reasons. As Bangkok people, we feel safe living in a housing development. Here neighbors watch out for each other, plus it’s a peaceful and comfortable atmosphere.”
This was certainly clear to our team. Most households are also practicing meditation, adding to the pleasant ambience.
In a creative way, the tree at the center of the house plan connects the home with nature. Nearby, concrete walkways around the building fuse into a single path reminiscent of classic Japanese design.The walkway around the building connects people of different generations. For Grandmother, it’s a place for walking meditation. For the little ones, it’s a semi-outdoor area to run and play in.
Piyaporn said: “We wanted a place to live after retirement, when we get old. And Mother is making plans now. We like the design by Rujnumporn Keskasemsook, of Sook Architects. He’s the one who created this open and airy house.”
The tree at the center of the house plan blocks the sun’s harmful rays from penetrating the walls, keeping the living room cool and comfortable during daytime hours.The kitchen conveniently connects to the dining room and living area, thanks to an open concept floor plan that promotes interactions and socialization processes in the family.
Architect Rujnumporn’s design also includes lodging accommodations for houseguests staying overnight and pathways to get out there and experience the natural surroundings firsthand. From the front, we get a wide view of the duplex style home that blends right in with the environment.
The downstairs external envelope is glazed using clear glass standing tall from floor to ceiling, surrounded by covered walkway systems that also double as a porch.
The upstairs is quiet and secluded, sheltered by a mansard style roof that makes the house feel roomy and light. The mansard boasts the beauty of subdued color combinations of whites and grays, adding to the home’s proper, orderly look. At the same time, the tree in the middle stands out from the surfaces, easily noticeable from afar.
The little children’s bedroom boasts bright furniture colors silhouetted against the walls in cool-toned white. As might be expected, the bed has drawers for storing toys.
Overall, interior décor is simple, partly because it’s a vacation home. Plus, the homeowner prefers it that way. Furniture for the most part is movable, except for the kitchen that contains built-ins for ease of maintenance.
Flooring and ceiling materials are made of dark-colored artificial wood, creating a visual contrast with the building’s glass enclosures. It’s a design that seeks reconnections with the natural world outside while creating a warm and peaceful ambience inside. In the evening, sunlight shining softly through the tree creates breezy patterns like poetry in motion on the white walls.
Easygoing décor in the bedroom with a slanted ceiling that matches the mansard roof. There’s quiet reading nook by the wall.
From the outside, the two wings stand separated by a tree in the middle of the home plan. One wing serves as small hostel with eight beds for guests; the other wing holds the family residence with a bedroom downstairs for Mother, and the other bedrooms upstairs for the homeowner couple and their little children.
The “house built around a tree” in Pak Chong seems like the perfect example of a co-living arrangement, one that gives special importance to family togetherness and the joy of staying in close touch with nature.
Little children enjoy tending plants thriving in the backyard garden; among them, sunflowers, okra, and other green vegetation. It provides a conducive learning environment for kids. Out here, nature is the best classroom.
The cottage is nestled amidst a thicket of lush tropical plants, including star gooseberry and orchard trees, also known as butterfly. Vibrant tones of green highlight the thriving foliage that has grown so thick it hides the second floor of the building.
The house stands enveloped by a thicket of green tropical plants. Tall trees provide a canopy to the interior spaces. Its design takes full advantage of natural ventilation and eliminate the needs for mechanical cooling.
Crisp, cool shades abound thanks to plenty of full-grown trees on the property. Long roof overhangs are built of concrete in smooth finishes. They exist in harmony with textured brick walls that speak to the traditional lifestyle of the area.
Located in Chiangmai, “Junjun Shop & Café” is widely known among handicraft lovers. It is a home with a retail shop in it. The two-in-one business address belongs to Pithichinda Chidsin and Kittiwat Sitthi. Behind the shop windows lies a chic small café. There are retail spaces right next to it that boast a full array of craft items and local handmade goods.
The owners sit by the glass windows enjoying their coffee on a sunny day. /// Kittiwat is not only a skilled craftsman, he also knows a lot about coffee making.
Inside, brick walls with textured finishes add a raw feel to the ambience. They stand tall reaching all the way to the roofline. Craft tables and chairs that fill the display area come from many sources. They represent the skill sets, taste, and styles that the owners admire the most.
Despite its relatively small size, tall ceilings design makes the ground floor business space look wide open and well ventilated. There is a staircase that connects it to the work studio upstairs.
According to Pithichinda, she and Kittiwat thought a home with business in it would serve their needs best. After their final decision to move here, they left the designing work in the good hands of their architect friends.
“I wanted an open space design. I would prefer bricks and wood rather than other materials in order to give it natural appeal and communicate Chiangmai local craft styles. I didn’t give much thought to the decoration. They were sentimental items that I have been collecting, mostly DIY handmade stuff. Kittiwat loved growing plants. So we put in lots of them,” Pithichinda said.
On the second floor, two cottages sit snugly apart from each other. The first is the couple’s residential unit with a bedroom/bathroom combo. The interior is minimalist in style with only a few pieces of furniture. Smooth concrete walls are painted white to give it a light and open atmosphere. There is a staircase that conveniently connects it to the business spaces.
A coffee corner sits on the patio decorated with old pieces of furniture. Long roof overhangs and the crisp cool canopy of tall trees combine to make the area very comfy.
The second cottage features a stark contrast. Its walls are crafted of brickwork with textured finishes that blend well with the business spaces below. It serves multiple purposes as a work studio, living room, and reading room. The business area below can be seen in full view from upstairs. The living room boasts old-fashioned furniture and a rich array of collectibles that the couple has acquired over the years. Other functions, such as kitchen and laundry are performed back in the old house nearby.
Exterior boundary walls separate the new and old buildings. Hollow bricks design promotes natural airflow and serves as a privacy curtain for areas that needs protection.
The two cottages are linked to each other via an open-air deck that has since become an ideal place of rest the two homeowners. It serves multiple purposes, ranging from furniture evaluations to dye testing to growing plants. More often than not it is used for just relaxing after a hard day’s work. “The two of us used to go camping out in the woods a lot. We hardly have time for that now. So, The second floor deck comes in handy. Sometimes, our friends come by and we enjoy the barbecue together up here.”
On the second floor stand two cottages set apart from each other. The atrium that lies in between serves multiple purposes.
The bonfire, the smell of firewood and the cottage itself evoke fond memories of the good old days that the couple still cherish and care for lovingly. There is nothing like coming home to a company of good friends and camping out again, albeit on the deck.
The bedroom is painted in white that look great with doors and windows. Personal belongs, mostly collectible items, are stored in suitcases. /// The craftsman’s work studio shows the owners’ workbench and desk. Box-shaped shelf is mounted on the wall where necessary tools and utensils are keep within easy reach.
Old theater seats made of wood are placed here temporarily as the homeowners try to find a perfect spot for it.
The cottages boast a simple gable roof style that is typical of small-sized homes. Exterior decorating details are minimized. Clean geometric design underneath the sloping planes enhances its modern home character.
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![[Left] A bathroom countertop crafted of reclaimed wood brings out the beauty of raw natural textured finishes. [Right] An old bookshelf speaks volumes for the homeowner’s personal interests. It’s filled with publications on guitars, boats, and Safari style decor. All things considered, it is a small world embracing Safari themes and colors that Piset has come to love. It is a living space rich in spirits of adventure and memories of enchanting experiences.](https://livingasean.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/012-8-1024x730.jpg)
![[Left] An expanded metal mesh door adds an airy feel to the dry part of a bathroom. Polished concrete finishes paired with a stainless steel bucket make a simple set of wash basin and counter. [Right] A red custom-made metal door breaks the rawness of unpainted concrete.](https://livingasean.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/008-8-1024x730.jpg)
