Blog : HOUSE

A Beautiful White House in the Sun-Kissed Rice Fields of Chiang Mai
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A Beautiful White House in the Sun-Kissed Rice Fields of Chiang Mai

/ Chiang Mai, Thailand /

/ Story: Warapsorn / English version: Bob Pitakwong /

/ Photographs: Oum Chaonapreecha, Anupong Chaisukkasem, Rittirong Junthongsuk /

If the relaxed ambience of a country home is your ideal of what life should be, here’s a contemporary white house in the sun-kissed rice fields in Chiang Mai that will warm your heart. Needless to say, it’s built into nature. The famous Mount Doi Luang Chiang Dao is clearly visible from miles around.

The contemporary white home stands in the middle of it all under the big blue sky.
The contemporary white home stands in the middle of it all under the big blue sky.

For many people, a calm and peaceful home atmosphere is everything and everlasting. This white house under the big sky is exactly that — simple, humble and comfortable to live in.

The two-story home amid the sea of rice paddies belongs to Fasai Viseskul, an art therapist. As one would expect, interesting works of art are practically everywhere inside the residence inspired by French Colonial architecture.

Climbing rose plants thrive in the sun making their way up to a lattice awning over the front porch.
Climbing rose plants thrive in the sun making their way up to a lattice awning over the front porch.
[Left] Door panels are made of wood recycled from much older homes. Nearby stands a bench seat crafted of unused materials left over from house building. [Right] A set of wood slab table and bench seat comes in free form. It is made out of a tree trunk.
[Left] Door panels are made of wood recycled from much older homes. Nearby stands a bench seat crafted of unused materials left over from house building. / [Right] A set of wood slab table and bench seat comes in free form. It is made out of a tree trunk.
A large dining table is set facing outward to soak up spectacular mountain views.
A large dining table is set facing outward to soak up spectacular mountain views.

Fasai is a much traveled person, having been to many different places across the Northern Region. Impressed by the beauty of nature and landscapes, she recently relocated to Chiang Dao, a district of Chiang Mai known for its majestic mountains and pristine Tropical forests.

It’s a helpful place. Some colleagues of hers are stationed in the area, including those working with the Makhampom Foundation, an NGO.

The absence of solid room dividers on the first floor makes the interior living spaces very light and airy. Open concept design not only promotes visual continuity, but also makes it easy for future updates.
The absence of solid room dividers on the first floor makes the interior living spaces very light and airy. Open concept design not only promotes visual continuity, but also makes it easy for future updates.
The work room boasts the simplicity of a tabletop upcycled from unused door panels left over from house construction. The legs are crafted of square steel tubing.
The work room boasts the simplicity of a tabletop upcycled from unused door panels left over from house construction. The legs are crafted of square steel tubing.
A relaxed living room is illuminated by natural light thanks to glass enclosed loft ideas.
A relaxed living room is illuminated by natural light thanks to glass enclosed loft ideas.

Fasai selected all the decorating items for the home herself. They came from many different sources. She is very particular about fabrics, always insisting that everything is correct in every detail. She got traditional Lanna fabrics and ethnic materials from a crafts market in Chiang Mai. Bamboo basketry, rattan furniture, and other weaving crafts were obtained from nearby provinces.

The kitchen is Minimalist in style, intended for preparing simple meals. The counter is made of hand-hewn stone blocks made to look like brickwork.
The kitchen is Minimalist in style, intended for preparing simple meals. The counter is made of hand-hewn stone blocks made to look like brickwork.

[Left] The kitchen countertop and lower shelf made of hand-hewn wood slabs add a rustic appeal to the interior. [Right] A medicine cabinet is made of reclaimed wood. The homeowner had her neighbor make the woven bamboo cabinet door for her, a design inspired by her Mom, who in turn got the idea from a vintage hotel in Luang Prabang, Laos PDR. The house is mainly white because Fasai wanted it to feel light and airy inside and out.
[Left] The kitchen countertop and lower shelf made of hand-hewn wood slabs add a rustic appeal to the interior. / [Right] A medicine cabinet is made of reclaimed wood. The homeowner had her neighbor make the woven bamboo cabinet door for her, a design inspired by her Mom, who in turn got the idea from a vintage hotel in Luang Prabang, Laos PDR. The house is mainly white because Fasai wanted it to feel light and airy inside and out.
The house among the rice fields was built mostly of reclaimed timber recycled from much older homes. They were taken apart and transported up here ready to be adapted for new purposes.

And yet the overall effect is very nice, although it was built of simple and inexpensive building materials. They included the house floors made of white cement in glossy finishes, and pieces of furniture made on site by upcycling unused building parts, such as door and window panels.

A vintage shade of white chalk on the staircase breaks the harsh appearance of dark colored wood.
A vintage shade of white chalk on the staircase breaks the harsh appearance of dark colored wood.

Let’s take a look inside. The first-floor interior boasts the simplicity of a clean and uncluttered open house plan. There is ample space for a workroom, living room and kitchen plus two bedrooms tucked away in a quiet, more secluded area of the house.

The second floor holds a relaxed sitting nook by the wall with a flight of stairs at the center. There are four bedrooms, all with the view of the misty air above the mountains and seemingly endless paddy fields. All of them come complete with a bathroom en suite and a private balcony. To increase privacy, the bedrooms are disposed in four directions and located away from one another.

In all the bedrooms, lampshades on nightstands are crafted of beautiful traditional Lanna fabrics. Elsewhere, light fixtures are covered in bamboo woven shades to add a rustic appeal to the home. All interior décor accessories are handcrafted in either traditional or vernacular fashion.

A rustic paper lantern chandelier illuminates the stairwell. Fasai made it herself using a mix of traditional fabrics and raw paper rolled up and bundled together.
A rustic paper lantern chandelier illuminates the stairwell. Fasai made it herself using a mix of traditional fabrics and raw paper rolled up and bundled together.
Throw pillows on handcrafted floor mats are set up to entertain house guests in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere on the second floor.
Throw pillows on handcrafted floor mats are set up to entertain house guests in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere on the second floor.
The bedroom is Minimalist in style. It is awesome to wake up and take in the same spectacular view every morning.
The bedroom is Minimalist in style. It is awesome to wake up and take in the same spectacular view every morning.

For Fasai, the lovely white home in the fields is a perfect country hideaway at least for now. It’s her intention to live here permanently in the end. With the beautiful rice fields, gorgeous plants in the garden and such wonderful weather, a visit here is an enchanting experience indeed.

The bedroom is simple, uncluttered and set entirely in cool-toned whites. Wood boxes in the recessed wall and on the floor provide extra storage space.
The bedroom is simple, uncluttered and set entirely in cool-toned whites. Wood boxes in the recessed wall and on the floor provide extra storage space.
The bathtub is crafted on site using white cement. For privacy, the window is hung with a blind made out of handwoven ethnic fabrics.
The bathtub is crafted on site using white cement. For privacy, the window is hung with a blind made out of handwoven ethnic fabrics.

Owner/Decorator: Fasai Wiseskul

Visit the original Thai article…

บ้านครึ่งปูนครึ่งไม้กลิ่นอายโคโลเนียลกลางทุ่งนาในเชียงดาว ของนักศิลปะบำบัดที่แต่งบ้านด้วยตัวเอง

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Stacking Green: Integrating Nature-Inspired Design in a Row House
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Stacking Green: Integrating Nature-Inspired Design in a Row House

/ Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam /

/ Story: Ekkarach Laksanasamrith / English version: Peter Montalbano /

/ Photographs: Soopakon Srisakul /

This residence in Ho Chi Minh City has an interesting form and exterior that has drawn us to see with our own eyes. Named “Stacking Green”, this row house design received an award for outstanding design and architectural works at the 2012 World Architecture Festival in Singapore. It’s not surprising that it received a citation for architectural excellence in the residential building category. The way that it dealt with complex urban problems in a simple way yielded an array of fascinating outcomes.

row house
The stairway reaches the top floor of the house that holds a guest bedroom with a sundeck.

The four-story townhouse offers a total of 250 square meters of usable space. The frontage abutting on the street is 4 meters wide with a whopping 20-meter depth. The interior is especially designed for the three people who live here, one of whom is an old person. Hence, one bedroom is placed on the lowest floor, so there’s no need to climb the stairs.

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Since the house plan is long and narrow, bringing sunlight into the interior living space is a very good idea.

The second floor consists of a dining room, kitchen and living room, while the third holds the master bedroom with an open floor plan bathroom. The guest bedroom is located on the fourth floor.

row house

It’s a well-known fact that people’s homes in Vietnam are often compactly built in townhouse form to use as little property space as possible, often resulting in cramped residences and unattractive-looking building fronts.

Here, the architects have incorporated privacy in the design so that no one can look in from outside. At the same time, it gives the homeowners a sense of peace and contentment. Overall, it’s a design thoughtfully devised to reduce pollution from the street.

row house
This row house may not have any eye-catching features from the outside, yet its half-open, half-opaque design allows natural light to enter through the rooftop, creating a cozy home ambience within.
As the leafy plants reach their full size, the level of privacy correspondingly increases.
As the leafy plants reach their full size, the level of privacy correspondingly increases.

Additionally, both the front and the back of the house feature rows of containers stacked one on top of the others with open air spaces at intervals. In all of them, lush green plants thrive luxuriantly screening the view inwards and creating attractive façades.

The house also has open ports which run up and down through all the floors. This kind of stack ventilation effect allows for hot air from below to rise and vent out through the rooftop. And by the same token, fresh cooler air is drawn inside keeping the heat down even at high noon.

row house
Sunlight through a glass skylight in the roof shines down into the dining room on the second floor.

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In the front yard, a leafy shade tree improves air quality, while vertical gardening on the front and back facades has spaces between stacking containers that allow plants to grow. The open spaces between planter boxes are determined by the types of vegetation planted. The full height of a plant is used to fix the spacing between planters on each floor.

Step inside, and you find there are hardly any walls separating the home into different rooms, except for bathrooms. This creates efficient ventilation throughout the home, at the same time giving it an open, uncluttered feel.

Besides giving privacy and cooling shade to the house, the planter boxes and leafy vegetation also act as a safety feature.
Besides giving privacy and cooling shade to the house, the planter boxes and leafy vegetation also act as a safety feature.

In this way, when container plants reach their full heights, they become the outer envelope of the building. Together they go to work all day and every day filtering out harsh UV rays from the sun, at the same time letting the cool breezes flow through.

The architects picked only the trees and plants with fine and delicate foliage so as not to block the wind, and for ease of use, they installed pipes for an automatic watering system.

row house

Concrete planter boxes holding plants on the front and back facades have the added convenience of an automatic watering system.
Concrete planter boxes holding plants on the front and back facades have the added convenience of an automatic watering system.

Architect: Vo Trong Nghia Architects

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Brilliant Home Office Combination of Studiomake
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Brilliant Home Office Combination of Studiomake

/ Bangkok, Thailand /

/ Story: Ekkarach Laksanasamrith / English version: Peter Montalbano /

/ Photographs: Ritthirong Janthongsuk / Styling: Pakawadee Pahulo /

Despite the building being long and narrow, a team of architects at Studiomake managed to turn it into a perfect home office integration that would inspire productivity. The Bangkok-based team of designers, architects and educators is known for its specialized skills and experience in various types of architecture.

Home Office

When it came to designing their own home office, Orapan Sarasalin Schafer and David Schafer opted for an architectural steel design for its lightweight look that’s right for the prevailing climate in Thailand. It’s a layout that emphasizes an open, uncluttered living space with plenty of wall openings, windows and doors for good ventilation and heat dissipation.

Home Office
Furniture in the workspace is movable. It can be easily arranged to avoid visual clutter and improve traffic flow, lighting and air quality.

By design, the building performs a dual role. The first floor holds a fully equipped office space, while the second floor is used as a residence. Overall, it’s thoughtfully devised planning made easily adjustable for future updates. The crossbeams resting across the tops of columns support weigh over an extra long span, five meters to be exact.

Home office design offers many benefits, among them the freedom to create the ideal work space like the owners intended, plus the peace and quiet that suits their lifestyle needs.

Home Office
[Left] The work space is well lighted thanks to generous wall openings that let natural daylight stream into the interior. / [Right] A floor standing wall-mounted bookcase made of steel is designed by the homeowners. For practical purposes, the bookends are adjustable.
Home Office

The workshop boasts high ceilings for better ventilation, plus it has ample space for equipment and tools needed to perform various tasks.

Home Office

There is attention to detail in all parts, especially the integration of natural elements like plants and light into the built environment, making the interior work space feel light, airy and conducive to creativity. And they don’t come by accident. Rather, every building strategy and material is tested first to see if it’s suitable for a particular application.

This helps to understand whether a specific material is right for the task, plus it narrows down the choices to the best selection. And the same careful consideration applies to both upstairs and downstairs. Examples of this include high ceilings and a wall of bookshelves designed to maximize work space utilization.

Taken as a whole, the lower floor contains a fully functional work space and offices, while the upper floor in and of itself is a complete home, consisting of two bedrooms with a bathroom en suite, a relaxing living room, kitchen and dining room.

Home Office
The headboard in subdued bluish gray color separates the main bedroom area from the dressing room. High ceiling design creates a sense of space making the room feel light and airy.
Home Office
Rooms on the second floor are accessed via a wide corridor with room for a small dining space and a nook beside the wall offering peace and seclusion.
The translucent sheet seen here is of polycarbonate, which allows light to pass through, but not exposed to the outside.

With respect to the office area, the floor plan is simple and straightforward. Electrical wiring is neatly installed and piped to various locations hidden from view. The pillars supporting the tall vertical structure of steel are evenly spaced for proper load bearing, while the building façades are made attractive by crisp clean lines.

For indoor thermal comfort, important aspects such as heat insulation, soundproofing, and ventilation are carefully thought out and incorporated in the design. In the fewest possible words, it’s all about attention to detail that makes this modern home office a perfect place to be. Brilliant!

Home Office
The steel building looks lightweight. It’s made strong and durable using semi-industrial materials, an interesting way to refresh the home’s curb appeal.

Owner/Architect: Studiomake (www.studiomake.com)

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An Open Concept Urban Home with a Minimalist Flair in Kuala Lumpur
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An Open Concept Urban Home with a Minimalist Flair in Kuala Lumpur

/ Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia /

/ Story: Ekkarach Laksanasamrith / English version: Bob Pitakwong /

/ Photographs: Soopakorn Srisakul /

With the creative use of design elements, this Minimalist house in Kuala Lumpur feels bright, airy and comfortable, albeit having only a small number of windows. The open concept urban home with a stylish flair was designed and built by Tony Heneberry of 2’s Company, formerly JTJ Design, under the concept of a great place to live in.

Minimalist urban home
Growing trees add some freshness and makes the house more of a great place to live in.

As simple as that, here’s the story of a metamorphosis of purpose, in which a duo of unexciting shophouses transformed into an incredibly warm and roomy living space in the heart of town. After he had bought the two units attached to each other, Heneberry gave them a complete makeover, tearing down the dividing walls and combining them into one coherent whole with increased usable spaces inside.

Minimalist urban home
Green foliage adds joy to cooking, making it feel like living out in nature.

The result is a 7-meter-wide façade looking much better than when Henebery found it. He removed the existing solid walls between them and assigned new functions to the interior spaces. The living room with dining area on the second floor is spacious, with a lot of open areas in accordance with the “open plan” concept.

Minimalist urban home
Trees chosen for the center courtyard have medium-sized leaves to keep the house airy and not too dense.
Minimalist urban home
Using an “open plan” design means the interior is all connected, which avoids a cluttered look.
The new set of stairs illuminated by a rooftop skylight is one of the spots everyone likes the most.
The new set of stairs illuminated by a rooftop skylight is one of the spots everyone likes the most.

For practical reasons, the old staircases were torn down and replaced by new ones built in a better, more convenient location. The new sets of stairs crafted of steel sit in a hallway next to the center courtyard, leading the way to the second floor.

The courtyard is filled with trees, as a main relaxation area of the house, where a glimpse of outdoor experience is brought inside in harmony. The trees also create visual continuity by naturally drawing the eyes towards the interior.

The stair to the third floor is set in another location. It sits against the outer wall, to preserve the space inside, which is an area for work and rest.

[Above] The wooden roof truss painted all white makes the overhead space look taller and more spacious. / [Below] The new metal staircase is aesthetically pleasing, thanks to the absence of solid risers between the treads. For good ventilation, expanded metal grating is used instead.
[Above] The wooden roof truss painted all white makes the overhead space look taller and more spacious. / [Below] The new metal staircase is aesthetically pleasing, thanks to the absence of solid risers between the treads. For good ventilation, expanded metal grating is used instead.
Minimalist urban home
Natural light turns second-floor living and work spaces into a well-lighted place, plus high ceilings add an airy feel to it. The disadvantage that comes with having only a few windows is nicely compensated for by the creative use of design elements, rooftop skylights among them.

As for the ventilation system, hot air is able to float up through the hallway and then flows out through window louvers and vents on the rooftop.

Another plus is, this Minimalist urban home faces south. So, by putting planter boxes on window frames, a simple vertical garden is added to filter sunlight and enhance privacy for the people living inside. The bottom line. This newly renovated home is truly a breath of fresh air.

[Left] The hallway wall surface is covered with crushed concrete recycled from the old shophouses. / [Right] Lush green vertical gardening adds a refreshing change to the front façade rising above the carport.

Architect: 2’s Company (www.facebook.com/JtjDesign)

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Siri House: From Ordinary Shophouses to a Charming Family Co-living Space
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Siri House: From Ordinary Shophouses to a Charming Family Co-living Space

/ Bangkok, Thailand / 

/ Story: Wuthikorn Sut / English version: Bob Pitakwong /

/ Photographs: Rithirong Chanthongsuk /

Who would have thought a pair of shophouses lacking interest and imagination could turn into a pleasant family co-living home? Only recently the shophouse duo located on Surawong Road in the heart of Bangkok’s downtown was tastefully renovated as a shared residential community model. The result is a co-living space and place of business integration that’s well designed, full of life and energy.

Co-living space

The place of residence aptly named “Siri House” is the brainchild of the Bangkok-based architectural firm IDIN Architects Co., Ltd. Architect Jeravej Hongsakul is the driving force behind the design and renovation project. He attributed the firm’s success to its ability to reinterpret co-living spaces from entirely different perspectives.

Co-living space
The building’s diamond-shape façade bears the distinctive hallmarks of the family’s jewelry business. Plus, it highlights the three design considerations that create an effective and attractive composition – the qualities of being direct, clean and outstanding.
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Flashback. The early stage before the renovation project takes physical form.

“There’s a solution to every challenge,” said Jiravej. When horizontal living is no longer the suitable choice in an urban setting, the idea of vertical living comes in handy so as to combine residential and social areas in one coherent whole. And in this particular case, the only way to build is upwards.

In essence, it’s about creating a happy, healthy and thriving home, and hence the name “Siri House” meaning the place of prosperity.

Co-living space

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The family living space on the top floor consists of a dining room and nearby sitting area holding a home theater and spaces for relaxation.

Co-living space

A new landmark on Surawong, the building with a distinctive facade belongs to Suree Sirivatjanangkun who shares the co-living space with her siblings.

On the emotional bonds between the people and the place, she said, “We figured it should also be an office for our family business. It’s better to live and work together as one extended family, a big family in the business neighborhood.”

Co-living space
The house has four private residential units accessible via the entrance hall illuminated by natural light.

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“We wanted a living space that is warm and welcoming, the kind that provides a modern living atmosphere in which family members interact and socialize with one another. Everyone needs a place and time to unwind and still wants to see and care for each other. To me, that’s co-living.” Suree continued.

“Precisely, we wanted a design that’s inclusive, in which every one live together sharing a co-living space, not the type that’s divided into different floors, one floor per person. That would be no different than living separately.”

Co-living space

With this in mind, Jeravej came up with a solution. “I designed each residential unit to be able to stand alone and is fully functional. I paid attention to detail in each component, from the living room, bedroom and workspace, to the double volume leisure room, bathroom and kitchen, and made sure they fitted together in an effective and practical way.

“Because it’s a good-sized place with lots of functions, I needed to manage them very carefully. To improve traffic flow in the home, each residential unit is accessible via the main hallway that allows plenty of natural light into the interior. And by design, each unit is unique in its own special way.”

Co-living space
Bedroom windows at the rear of the building open to relaxing greenery. Nearby, a clean, uncluttered workspace is peacefully ensconced behind the diamond-shaped façade overlooking the street in front, a scene reminiscent of a cafe-esque view.
Co-living space
The family business operation on the first floor offers customer reception seating in deep blue that calls to the mind feelings of calmness and stability. Nearby, a lightweight spiral staircase leads to meeting rooms on the mezzanine.

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The homeowner wrapped it up nicely. Siri House will always be home to the close-knit siblings who live and work here. To them, it doesn’t matter it’s built for horizontal or vertical living arrangements. More so than anything else, it’s about living a lifestyle centered around family relationship, a good quality of life, and being in a location that’s great for doing business.

Bottom line, the mid-city co-living space is named “Siri House” for obvious reasons. To do business, you need Siri. It’s a word meaning prosperity and the quality conducive to success. You get the idea.

Co-living space

Co-living space

Architect: IDIN Architects Co.,Ltd. (www.idinarchitects.com)

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A Hybrid Timber and Concrete Home in the Enchanted Countryside
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A Hybrid Timber and Concrete Home in the Enchanted Countryside

/ Ratchaburi, Thailand /

/ Story: Wuthikorn Suthiapa / English version: Bob Pitakwong /

/ Photographs: Soopakorn Srisakul /

A striking trio of wood shingle roofs emerged as we took a turn onto a rustic country road in Ratchaburi, a province an hour’s drive from Bangkok. The hybrid home built of a mix of timber and concrete sits gracefully amid the rice fields.

Ratchaburi Home
An aerial view of the center courtyard with a sundeck that looks as if it were floating in midair. Lush foliage adds natural touches to the home and serves as a privacy screen.

Nantapong Yindeekhun and his family sojourned in this part of Ratchaburi after massive flooding hit Bangkok and the immediate vicinity in 2011. It was the love for the pleasant aspects of the countryside that eventually led to the decision to put in a home here.

To accommodate the needs of every family member, the new house took up a large space. For privacy, all the rooms are quite separate from one another, and yet easily accessible via a system of sheltered corridors.

On the whole, the outdoor living room is cool and comfortable, thanks to a rock garden in the center courtyard canopied by overhanging trees. Viewed from above, lush foliage act as a curtain for privacy adding a calm and peaceful atmosphere to a home office on the ground floor.

Ratchaburi Home

Ratchaburi Home

Ratchaburi Home
The combined workroom and sitting spaces boast clean, uncluttered design with an emphasis on space optimization.
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The interior wall has textured concrete finishes in subdued greens.
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The mezzanine cabin bedroom comes adequately sized and boasts the rustic feel of an attic-style living space.
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One of the upstairs rooms has a bench seat by the balcony. Nearby, a flight of stairs leads to a sleeping room on the mezzanine.
Ratchaburi
The center courtyard hemmed in by the passage lies within easy reach, while long roof overhangs protect the walkway and exterior walls from the elements.
The sheltered corridor and balcony systems rest firmly on cantilever beams, a rigid body supported at one end and extends out over open space. It’s a cost-effective building strategy and makes good architectural sense.
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A peaceful rock garden is accessible via the entry area on the ground floor. Trees planted at a good distance from one another keep the courtyard in shade for much of the day.

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The designer explained: “I think cantilever beams are like bonuses that the main structure has to offer. They eliminate the need for extra foundations and save time. Supported by the main structure, the balconies and corridors are 1.50-meters wide. At the same time, the building envelope boasts the beautiful rustic appeal of the rice granary in former times.”

Ratchaburi Home
The front façade has a flight of stairs on the left side leading to a guest reception room on the second floor. Overhead, extended eaves spreading in all directions of hip roof design shelter the home from the harsh sun and rain.
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A private library offers plenty of reference materials and tools needed to pursue a career in design and technology. The book collection is protected by a wood shingle roof, while glass walls allow abundant natural light.

According to Nantapong, the house is built for the most part of untreated lumber for the simple reason. It’s less expensive than treated wood, and there’s no exposure to harmful chemicals. Its durability relies on the quality of the wood itself.

Take for example Takhian-thong timber (scientific name: Hopea odorata) that’s mainly used in this project. This kind of timber has stood the test of time. It’s widely used in building boat piers and can tolerate years of rain and sunshine.

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The spacious kitchen makes use of a clean design to showcase the natural texture of bare concrete finishes. Floor tiles in shades of black add interest to the well-ventilated space designed to make pungent odor go away quickly.

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“For the time being, I am commuting between my home in the city and this country hideaway. One day, should I grow tired of living in the city, this is definitely the place I want to be. It is beautiful living out here. In the cold season, natural daylight is just about right, warm and comfortable. You just have to see it yourself,” said the homeowner/designer.

Ratchaburi

In the fewest possible words, it is where the modern meets the charm of rustic life, which gives this hybrid timber and concrete home in Ratchaburi a warm and humble feel like no other.

Ratchaburi Home
A small wood bridge leads to the serene backyard and, beyond, a home office area and the library right above it. Plans are afoot to turn this outdoor space into a garden.

Owner/Designer: Nantapong Yindeekhun

Visit the original Thai article…

บ้านที่มีลมหายใจ…และกำไรของชีวิต

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A Chiang Mai Modern House with Cantilevered Steel Frame

/ Chiang Mai, Thailand /

/ Story: Otto Otto / English version: Bob Pitakwong /

/ Photographs: Sungwan Phratem /

Concrete slabs and naked walls are commonplace in contemporary architecture. Here’s a modern house in Chiang Mai that illustrates this. The structure is built strong, using concrete columns and load bearing walls supporting a concrete slab floor on a framework of steel. What arouses one’s curiosity is the rigid structure and cantilevered steel frame integration that gives the home huge visual curb appeal plus the vintage nude wall texture.

Chiang Mai Modern House

Measuring 8 meters from front to back, the box-shape structure is built on the east-west alignment. Unusually long in relation to its width, the unyielding steel girder is fixed at only one end projecting into the open air, forming the upper covering of a carport situated directly below.

Next to the parking garage, a naked load bearing concrete wall shelters a storage room, a kitchen and private living space from the glare of afternoon sun.

Chiang Mai Modern House
The rigid cantilevered steel frame 8 meters in length forms the upper covering of the carport right underneath it.

Chiang Mai Modern House

Chiang Mai Modern House
There is visual continuity from the interior of the house to the poolside veranda and the courtyard at the far end.

The interior of the house features a spacious rectangular-shaped room that runs parallel to the poolside veranda, separated only by a clear glass wall.

The platform along the outside of the building is protected by a concrete slab jutting out about 2 meters from the exterior wall. The semi-outdoor room has plenty of space for a pantry, living area and workroom overlooking a lush green landscape.

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An uncluttered multifunctional space looks out over the veranda and, beyond, the swimming pool.
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The entrance area boasts a light and airy open space with the doorway set aside to the left, unseen from this angle. The foyer on the right side opens to a poolside veranda.
Chiang Mai Modern House
The master bedroom overlooks the swimming pool with a courtyard on the left and, beyond, the front yard by the carport.
Chiang Mai Modern House
The L-shaped veranda floor is covered with tiles in cool grays with blue undertones that blend with the water surface. Overhead, a concrete slab extending from the wall serves awning that protects against too much sun and rain.

A few steps away from the general purpose room, you find a sharp 90-degree turn leading to a small bedroom with bathroom en suite tucked away in a quiet corner. At the farthest end lies a master bedroom, also with a poolside view.

From a technical perspective, it requires meticulous planning, great care and attention to detail to create a beautiful modern home like this one. And this house is a perfect example of that — a contemporary home that’s light, airy and comfortable plus a cantilevered steel frame that boosts its curb appeal.

In a nutshell, it’s a design that sends out a strong message. Human ingenuity has the power to overcome any obstacle, be it in life, design or engineering.

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Chiang Mai Modern House

Architect: Plankrich (www.plankrich.com)

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S11 House: An Impressive Energy Efficient Home in KL
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S11 House: An Impressive Energy Efficient Home in KL

/ Kuala Lumper, Malaysia /

/ Story: Ekkarach Laksanasamrit / English version: Bob Pitakwong /

/ Photographs: Rithirong Chanthongsuk, Soopakorn Srisakul /

Don’t judge a book by its cover. This modern Tropical home in Kuala Lumpur is more than meets the eye. Precisely, all passive design strategies imaginable are integrated in the house plan, clever hacks to save big time on utility costs. The house is nestled among the trees on a piece of land where an old family home had stood for 60 years. It’s gone now, demolished to make room for a new residence.

Kuala Lumpur
The lacy shades of overhanging trees improve air quality and keep the house cool during the daytime.

Some things are better left unchanged. The relaxed ambience of the land is maintained, thanks to the homeowner and the architect together sparing no effort to preserve all matured trees on the property.

To ensure nothing goes to waste, Tan Loke Mun of ArchiCenter, an architectural practice based in Selangor, managed to incorporate building materials from the old house in the project codenamed, “S11 House” in Kuala Lumpur. Its environmental conscious design has earned the house a platinum award from the Green Building Index (GBI), Malaysia’s industry recognized rating tool for building sustainability.

Kuala Lumpur
The design makes use of stronger frames and larger concrete beams to avoid having too many columns in the interior living space.
Kuala Lumpur
The ground floor boasts high standards of comfort – a light and airy interior living space. The absence of solid room dividers creates visual and spatial continuity between indoor and outdoor rooms.
Kuala Lumpur
A living room looks spacious and bright thanks to the 3-meter-high ceiling. Brick walls in subdued shades of orange paired with gray naked concrete make the home feel warm and welcoming.

There is attention to detail every step of the way. Among other things, pieces of concrete from the old house were recycled and adapted for a new use as walkway pavers along the exterior walls. Old bricks were also given a new lease on life, while steel window grids were reused for their strength and durability. At the same time, recycled timber also found a new purpose as scaffolding during construction due to limitations on steel rods.

Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur
Naked concrete finishes add natural touches to the interior, while passive cooling systems and intelligent use of materials go to work reducing energy consumption.

Built along the north-south axis, the house stands to allow fresh outdoor air to enter on one side and exit on the other. Hence, large windows and other wall openings are installed to create cross ventilation that reduces heat buildup in the interior. In the meantime, west-facing exterior walls are made of lightweight anti-heat-absorbing materials. All of this translates into big savings in utility costs and improvements in the efficiency of air conditioning systems.

What’s more. In the backyard garden, lush vines and other trailing woody-stemmed plants thrive on trellises. They work in tandem with five full-grown trees to provide buffers against the sun on hot summer days.

To create thermal comfort in the interior, extra thick insulation is applied under metal sheet roofing. Where appropriate, the windows are glazed using low-emissivity glass to protect from the sun’s harsh glare.

Kuala Lumpur
The first floor bedroom features simple design. The entire space is well-ventilated thanks to a high ceiling and large openings in the exterior wall.
Kuala Lumpur
Natural light illuminates the bathroom, creating beautiful visual effects and reducing electricity use.

To keep the heat out and the interior cool, the three-story home (including a basement) has an air duct system that lets hot air dissipate through rooftop vents. With this ingenious design, no air-conditioning machine is needed.

Kuala Lumpur
The second floor boasts a large living space with double height ceilings and transparent glass walls.

For the most part, building materials are used in their true forms. Painting and coating are minimized if ever needed. Otherwise, naked concrete, bare brick walls and timber in its neutral wood tones prevail. Where a layer of paint is needed, the designer chooses Low VOC paints (low volatile organic compounds) to minimize impacts on the environment.

In a nutshell, it’s a design that speaks volumes for architecture of the future – an environmentally conscious place of abode thoughtfully devised to perform in perfect harmony with nature.

The home’s double-swing gate is crafted of steel rods in a lighter shade of gray. Welded wire patterns ensure good visibility and uninterrupted air flow.

Architect: ArchiCentre by Tan Loke Mun

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Chinoiserie Chic / Timeless Wood Décor Charm
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Chinoiserie Chic / Timeless Wood Décor Charm

Chinoiserie style brings out the charm of wood crafted panel and East Asian traditional décor.

/// Thailand /// 

Story: Attavanti /// Photo: Rithirong Chanthongsuk /// Architect: Kanit Tantiwong /// Interior Designer: Suwannee Chanthai

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We have seen many Chinese-style homes built on ground level. This one sits on higher ground. Naturally, it is more difficult to build a home on a slope. But the homeowner decided to give it a go to this land in Phuket.

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One of the hallway walls is covered in Chinese calligraphic tiles imported from China. The pieces demonstrate the evolution of one word – “Fu” meaning wealth.

The property spans across a land of almost an acre. The 5-unit complex is based on an O-shaped plan with the main villa at the center surrounded by single-story annexes scattered across the landscape. Inspired by arcade designs, a garden pathway runs along the edges of the roof providing access to all units.

According to Voranuch Saencharoen who owns the place, a grassy hill at the center court reflect traditional Chinese wisdom. “The house was originally belonged to a Western gentleman and his wife. At that time, the land was half an acre. When we bought the place, a Feng Shui master recommended us to expand the space to an adjacent land.”

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The main villa on the hilltop looks out over the contoured landscape with the bedroom annex for children to the left. The lush courtyard with tall trees descends slightly to other parts of the residential complex.

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Kanit Tantiwong, a friend of the family, was responsible for the design. He initially came up with a beautiful Modern Balinese design, but the owner insisted on going the Sino-Portuguese style. Most of Sino-Portugese buildings are shophouses, not detached house. As a result, the designer and the homeowner had to do a lot of research.

As the construction got underway, Voranuch was seeking for materials from both inbound and abroad. “To me, building this house is also an experience to learn new things. For example, I learned that white plaster was used in the old days to cover wall cracks but it’s sensitive to humidity. So, I had to search for a solution and finally found one.”

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Voranuch took care of the décor, while her other half, Thanawat Surachetkhomson was responsible for the structural enhancement and construction. Antique Chinese-style door panels were assembled from various origins, including Phuket, Bangkok, and Chiang Mai. The roof was inspired by ancient Korean homes, which in turn was influenced by Chinese architecture. The roof tiles were custom made in Thailand, with some tweaks in design. A vintage-looking charcoal stove was inspired by one of Voranuch’s trip to Phuket Museum. Only this one is using gas instead of charcoal.

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A floor-to-ceiling glass opening allows natural light into the workspace. The office door is an old Chinese-style panel.
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Equipped with modern furniture, the living room differs from other interior spaces. Running-bond brick walls add a vintage feel.

Above all, seems like the charm of chinoiserie-style lies in the house’s old-fashioned doors and window. Ceiling-height windows were equipped with plantation shutters at the top and ventilation grids were added where necessary, creating a good balance between the old and the new.

 

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A sundeck and a veranda stretching from the main villa surrounded by an infinity pool in the backyard.

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The wood-crafted door and windows with elaborate details of Sino-Portuguese characters.

link: http://tantiwong-architect.com/

A Trendsetting Row House Renovation in Chiang Mai
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A Trendsetting Row House Renovation in Chiang Mai

/ Chiang Mai, Thailand /

/ Story: Atta Otto / English version: Bob Pitakwong /

/ Photographs: Sungwan Phratem /

The Plankrich Co., Ltd, led by Kwanchai Suthamsao, is known for being at the forefront of trends in row house design and renovation. Only recently when the firm undertook the restoration of a row house trio in Chiang Mai, many design aficionados were expecting to see exciting new innovations and exquisite materials. As it turns out, the redesigned homes boast a beautiful mix of simplicity and vintage charm with design for practical modern living. Especially for his own end unit, Kwanchai’s main goal is to create a place of abode that best answers his urban lifestyle. The three-unit row house block is conveniently located in a central neighborhood of Chiang Mai.

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The newly designed front façade boasts an interesting mix of lightweight materials. Weathered boards in varying shades complement the pastel gray of fine-ribbed, corrugated sheet metal.

On reasons to invest in a row house, Kwanchai said: “A single, detached home is out of the question; land has become very expensive. The only option is a row house. After a survey, I chose this three-unit shophouse block. The size is about right; the price is fair and not too high. This way I am able to give it a complete makeover.”

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For good ventilation, the old staircase was removed to make room for a new set of stairs without risers between the treads. It’s supported by an I-shaped steel beam.

Kwanchai had practically everything inside removed, including the old bulky staircase so as to make room for a new flight of stairs without risers between the treads for better ventilation. The only things remaining were pillars and beams.

The floor plans for all three units were completely redesigned. He wanted each one of them to have its own unique character, but space was limited. So, he only focused on making his end unit look different instead, at least for the time being.

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A small guest room with a shelf-like bunk is tucked away at the rear of the first floor.

To accommodate visitors from time to time, there’s a compact guest room at the far end of the first floor. Custom-designed double bunks make it suitable for sleeping two guests. In all three units the mezzanines were taken out, while the omnipresence of reclaimed timber beams and long planks making up parts of the wooden floors brings back vintage charms.

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A bulky upholstered sofa adds warm, cozy feelings to the interior. Window treatment ideas with wooden slat blinds allow natural light into the home.

The second floor is neatly planned for multiple uses. There’s a sitting room in the front section, dining space in the middle, and the kitchen and bathroom at the rear of the building. The dining area is made a bit small to make room for the stairway.

Overall, the furnishing and decoration of the interior conveys a great deal about the owner’s love for vintage collectables. Oblique-aligned wooden walls and floorboards give a warm, homey feeling.

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The second floor holds a dining room. The floorboard and walls are covered in reclaimed wood from the homeowner’s collection.
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An L-shaped kitchen counter creates an easy flow workspace. Cabinet doors in light shades of beige make the room look clean and bright.
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Microwave and convection ovens are on one side of the aisle, with the washer and dryer on the other. The door at the end opens to the dining room.

The third floor holds a bedroom in the front section that’s kept clean and uncluttered, with the wardrobe and bathroom nearby separated by a sliding door. The overall effect is impressive; the interior boasts a clean neutral shade for relaxation. There’s a minimal amount of decoration while furniture is reduced to bare essentials.

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The bedroom is kept clean and uncluttered to provide a balance for limited spaces. The walls are covered in beech boards. Large sliding doors open to the cube-shaped glass enclosure that adorns the front façade.
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The changing room-cum-walk-in closet offers wardrobes on both sides of the aisle, which connects to the bathroom at the far end.

Taken as a whole, the secret to success lies in constancy of purpose and using reclaimed wood as the material of choice. The interior living space is cozy and comfortable, thanks to large windows that allow plenty of natural daylight. The result is a bright and breezy place of abode that’s small but has everything for a vibrant city lifestyle.

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A glass wall with sliding door allows diffuse light into the sitting room at the rear of the house.

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The staircase landing [left] provides access to a neat built-in cabinet made of reclaimed wood. The staircase without risers between the treads [right] offers niches for shoe storage.
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Marks on the wall and concrete structural framing tell stories of a recent home makeover. The homeowner intentionally left them as a personal reminder. [right] A rusty sconce attached to the wall adds rustic charm to a bare concrete wall. Beneath it is a wood box storage for home improvement tools.

Owner/Architect: Kwanchai Suthamsao of Plankrich Co.,Ltd. (www.plankrich.com)

Visit the original Thai article…

Chiang Mai City วิถีชน (ใน) เมือง

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