LIVING / Living ASEAN - Inspiring Tropical Lifestyle

A Bamboo House and Medical Clinic Built into Nature in Pak Chong

By livingasean
December 18, 2017
HOUSE,LIVING

/ Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand /

/ Story: Napasorn Srithong / English version: Bob Pitakwong /

/ Photographs: Nathawut Pengkamphoo, Anupong Chaisukkasem / Styling: Suanpuk Stylist /

Here’s a bamboo house with contemporary appeal immersed in nature. The home that’s also a medical clinic belongs to Dr. Nopharat Pitchanthuk and his wife Kanyapak Silawatanawongse. Without question, his interest in the natural therapeutic concept is expressed in the warm and welcoming ambience of the home office. The orthopedic doctor provides specialized care for the musculoskeletal system in the comfort of home amid the rustic charm of the countryside.

Asked how all this was accomplished, the physician said: “Upon graduation from medical school, I taught medicine and operated a clinic in Bangkok for several years before coming out to Pak Chong District, Nakhon Ratchasima. At first, we opened a branch office in the city area just to get an idea about patient demands in the provinces.

“I was fortunate enough to receive help from a good, kind person senior to me. He wanted to help patients in the rural area gain access to medical care. So, he let us use a facility free of charge for the purpose of opening a clinic.

“After having done it for a while, we felt like we were overstaying the welcome. At the same time, we needed a facility that would be more relaxed and convenient for the patients – preferably a green space that’s well lighted, open and airy. I just didn’t want the patients to feel tense and unable to relax as was the case with a hospital visit in general.”

Dr. Nopharat said: “For a while, we went searching for a location that would suit our specific needs. In the end, we came to a parcel of land that Kanyapak’s mother had bought some 20 years back. It was an area of woodland filled with dense shrubbery and other plants,

“We had the area cleared to make room for a grassy lawn and new trees planted. The house was ready in time for a wedding ceremony to take place. Needless to say we have grown emotionally attached to it from day one. The new home and the medical clinic now provides medical care for people in the rural area.”

Brickwork alternating with timber in shades of warm earth tones adorns the dining area adjoining the kitchen.

Why bamboo? The homeowner couple wanted their house in modern style to fuse into the pristine rural environment. Naturally, bamboo was the material of choice for it was easy to find the price reasonable.

Bamboo is also strong and can be used proportionally to the weight for which it’s intended. It’s fast growing and readily available as a building material. While it’s prone to be affected by moisture and insects, it can last a long time if well maintained.

[Left] A large awning window opens up to connect with the outdoors. / [Right] A sofa set in shades of indigo paired with earth tones on the walls and floor reduces a monotonous regularity in the interior living space.

Different kinds of bamboo were chosen to suit different construction needs. Pai Tong (scientific name: Dendrocalamus), and Pai Sang Mon (Dendrocalamus Sericeus), two Tropical species of giant clumping bamboos common to Southeast Asia, were used for house posts and other load bearing structures.

Other parts, such as roofing, walls, and ceilings were built using smaller farmed bamboos. They were adapted to fit in with modern building materials for durability and the conveniences of modern living.

[Left] The roof comes in two layers to better protect the house from the elements. To blend with the environment, the top sheeting is made of asphalt shingles, while the underlayment is built of split bamboo paneling. / [Right] Giant bamboo poles, or Pai Tong (scientific name: Dendrocalamus) are chosen to give rafters and roof battens their strength and ability to shore up the weight.

Selected to suit specific applications, bamboo poles are not painted or dyed. They undergo treatment procedures to increase durability, which include a thin coat of protective oils. Light color oils enhance the appearance that blends well with the natural environment.

Bamboo isn’t the only thing that contributes to the house’s rustic appeal. It’s the feel and functionality that go into making it unique.

At the same time, house-on-stilts design protects it from humidity, and makes it suitable to build on uneven ground common to this area. The bamboo floor at plinth height serves as engine that drives natural air circulation, which results in indoor thermal comfort.

The clinic interior features an open floor plan with large windows designed to connect to the outdoors. Large transom windows and the roof opens up to allow plenty of natural daylight, which translates into big savings on electricity.

Designed to soak up the view of surrounding landscapes, Dr. Nopharat’s office takes stress and anxiety out of everyday work life.

As for the upper covering, a gable roof with long eaves unique to traditional Thai-style architecture protects the home from the elements. Inside, vertical bamboo paneling alternating with horizontal split bamboo sheets gives a sense of perspective, while plenty of windows and overhead transoms allow natural light into the room.

In a nutshell, it’s sustainable design that harmonizes with the natural world, a work of architecture based on traditional knowledge and the concept of a sufficiency economy. The bottom line is life is all about balance.

Owner: Nopharat Pitchanthuk MD and Kanyapak Silawatanawongse

Huamark 09: A Concrete Block House Stands the Test of Time

By livingasean
November 21, 2017
HOUSE,LIVING

/ Bangkok, Thailand /

/ Story: foryeah! / English version: Peter Montalbano /

/ Photographs: Nantiya /

Codenamed Huamark 09, this four-story home wrapped inside the concrete block envelope belongs to architect Intanon Chantip, aka “Non” of the INchan Atelier, a Bangkok-based architectural practice. It’s a design experiment aimed at testing several theories that he’d arrived at through intense study and experience. The architect wanted his concrete block home to tell its own story through changes in the looks of construction materials. Precisely, all the years that pass by will leave their trace of time as the house ages. It will be interesting to see how the building materials perform in the course of time.

Concrete Block House — The concrete block home resembles four big boxes stacked one on top of the other. The fence that protects the first floor of the house is painted a cool-toned white that contrasts with bare walls on Levels 2, 3 and 4 intentionally left exposed to blend with other houses in the neighborhood.

Not that long ago, Non and his wife Tharisra Chantip, aka Ploy, bought this 80-square-wah property (320 square meters) in Hua Mark District on the outskirts of Bangkok. They had the old 30-year-old house demolished to make room for a new four-story concrete home integrating office, art studio and residential spaces to form a coherent whole.

The building external envelope is built of concrete blocks without plaster. It’s left uncovered on purpose so as to blend with everything else in the neighborhood. All together the usable space comes to 490 square meters.

The homeowner couple divided the property into northern and southern sections. They raised the property slightly higher from ground level to put in a garden to the north, then a rectangular building to the south.

The building’s long side runs east-west to block prevailing winds and allow openings to control sunlight and breeze streaming into the home.

The house’s four-meter width is comparable to most row houses in the area. Each side has double walls that work simultaneously for ventilation and heat insulation. Door and window openings reinforce the concrete block house’s primary relationship to weather conditions, wind, and sun.

On the south side are fewer openings because of a staircase, while north and east sides have balconies and various service areas reaching around to the west side, which also has the double walls characteristic of the building’s overall design.

The four levels are divided according to function. The architects’ offices are primarily in two first floor rooms: a larger one with a long work table for working in teams and a smaller one that serves as meeting room and library.

The second floor is a private residential area, with a living room connecting to kitchen and dining area.

The third floor contains one bedroom for Non and Ploy and another for Non’s mother. The two are connected with a shared bathroom.

The fourth floor is a studio for creative work and enjoyment. It’s designed with a view to high flexibility of function in expectation of anticipated future changes as little members of the household gradually grow up.

Architect: INchan atelier

Noble Ambience Sukhumvit 42

By livingasean
November 17, 2017
LIVING,PROPERTY

Because happiness and joy is worth achieving, Noble Ambience Sukhumvit 42 is born with the quality of bringing delight. From every perspective, simple and clean form goes to work complementing functionality and culminates in a distinctive character. It’s a living embodiment of Lagom, the quality of balanced living “Not too little, not too much, just right.”

/// Thailand ///
Story: Ektida N. /// Photography: Noble Development

Project Concept

The term Lagom [la-gom] redefines happiness from the Swedish perspective. It encapsulates all the essential characteristics in a succinct way, whereby features deemed unnecessary are reduced to achieve the perfect balance. The idea is manifested in what Noble Ambience is all about – simple and appropriate. Completeness in design is achieved without sacrificing the good qualities and functionality for modern living. It comes in handy as a happy home, a place to relax and unwind away from relentless hustle and bustle of city life.

Site Location – Not too little

Despite being in the city center, Noble Ambience sits embraced in the calm and quiet of a residential neighborhood. Travel to and from the site is convenient both by car and urban public transport. The right size project is situated near Digital Gateway and only about 350 meters from the BTS Ekkamai Station. Location being everything and everlasting, it makes travel to prime destinations along Sukhumvit and Ekkamai easy, fast, and convenient.

Exterior Design Concept – Not too much

Noble Ambience is an 8-story residential condominium project on Sukhumvit 42. The layout of the building is designed to embrace a verdant oasis that lies within. The condominium itself stands surrounded by green spaces and communities that have already been in existence, hence plenty of trees all about. Crisp, clean lines ensure the building fits in well with the rhythms and conditions in the environment. Tall, streamlined design reduces a feeling of being in confined spaces, resulting in a light and airy urban appeal without disturbing the charms of the surroundings.

Apart from a unique personality, a lot goes into creating green spaces for relaxation in the central courtyard. Where appropriate, larger than average balconies are put in at intervals to make room for green plants. Carefully thought out plans ensure they harmonize with the facades in both colors and textures, resulting in a perfect visual blend from every perspective.

For a pleasing visual blend where existing buildings are generally considered not too high, the project elects to use mainly earth tones, rich warm colors with a brownish hue, to slow down the pace of everyday urban lifestyle. This results in a more relaxing atmosphere. The overall effect is impressive, thanks to a swimming pool at the center that provides a welcome contrast with nearby tree lines in brownish colors. With a beautiful yard, every day is a happy day.

Interior Design Concept – Just right

Facilities

Step into an oasis of serenity and begin the journey to a simple lifestyle. That reason is enough for making Noble Ambience a cool and restful place. Experience true relaxation in the lobby done in Minimalistic style per the Lagom concept. Indulge in the simplicities of modern living the Swedish style. Glass windows that stand tall from the floor to the ceiling allow the verdant central courtyard to be seen in full view all day every day. Green design allows in plenty of health-giving natural light, and helps cut down on energy consumption.

It’s a good idea to work out while taking in panoramic views of the garden. The Glass House Gym is designed for you to do exactly that. The light and airy atmosphere is priceless and charming. Whilst there, experience the color that is changing hues at different times.

Amidst the Serene Courtyard, a swimming pool provides visual continuity all the way to the lobby.

One-bedroom type

The one-bedroom unit comes with all the functionality in the right proportion. The room space divider is there reduce the reliance on air conditioning, and limit it to where cooling is needed. There’s a kitchenette at the point of entry for easy offloading of grocery, thereby eliminating the need to disturb normal arrangements in other areas. Light fixtures are put in place according to needs in relation to furniture and other household appliances.

Two-bedroom type

The two-bedroom unit comes with an added dining area with all the functionality in position according to needs. Only lighter shades of colors are chosen to make it easy on the eyes and conducive to relaxation. Natural shades make the space look bigger and more airy. That’s why neutrals are the best palette for room design.

If your goal is happiness that comes from balance between work and relaxation, Nobel Ambience Sukhumvit 42 is the answer you have been looking for. Ensconced in the calm and quiet of a residential neighborhood, it is designed to accommodate modern lifestyle needs and go hand in hand with a hive of activity the city brings. In every sense of the word, happiness is all about balance.

Noble Ambience Sukhumvit 42 is only 350 meters from the BTS Ekkamai Station. Every unit comes fully furnished. Prices start at 3.59 million baht*. Register online for a 100,000-baht* discount now. Or drop in for a tour of demonstration units and make a reservation there from now until November 23, 2017. At Noble Remix Sales Office is located next to the BTS Thonglor Station (Exit 2). For more information, visit website at www.noblehome.com.

PSA: A Lush Compact Tropical House in Chiang Mai

By livingasean
November 10, 2017
HOUSE,LIVING

/ Chiang Mai, Thailand /

/ Story: Wuttikorn Suthiapa / English version: Peter Montalbano /

/ Photographs: Soopakorn Srisakul /

In house design, the phrase “limited space” raises worrisome questions for some. Here, though, homeowner Sarin Nilsonthi used modern Tropical design techniques and inner space connectivity to build large-house functionality and comfort into a compact house plan.

“I designed this house on one A4 sheet of paper,” said Sarin with a smile.

“Since it’s small, I tried to write down all the functionality we’d need on a single sheet of paper, and named the house ‘PSA,’ from ‘Paper Series A.’ I can still recall entertaining the idea of living in a small Tropical home with all necessary features and conveniences neatly fit into it.”

Overall, it’s a small house plan that takes account of the size and comparative relation to a whole. Like so, post and beam construction is done in somewhat unusual ways to create the right kind of space in each part.

“We didn’t set the beams and posts this way because we wanted to, but in order to set things up in the right way. Still, anyone living in this house will have to be the same height as my wife and I,” Sarin said smiling.

Upon our arrival, the first thing we saw was a massive steel panel which the homeowner left rusted on purpose to show a stylish authenticity of construction materials. The principal front that looks onto the street shields the second floor from heat while showing off the shipping-container design of the office area. Below is a carport paved with fine gravel reaching up to the house entrance.

Compact Tropical House — The carport and relaxation area beneath the home office section.

Sarin intentionally kept the front yard fence low to create a clearly defined “inside the fence” area. There’s a gravel yard with benches and trees which actually becomes a part of the house itself. The house walls are rough concrete all around, and H-beams sunk into the yard support the office section, which is raised above a lower area where Sarin and his wife Pairin Boonpinid plan to open a café in the future.

Inside, on the lower floor, the living room, dining area and kitchen are all connected, each ceiling at a different level. For good ventilation and a sense of spaciousness, the living room has a double height ceiling. Nearby, the ceilings in the dining area and kitchen are set slightly lower, with electric lighting giving them each a unique identity.

The staircase has no railing, so is accessed from any direction; you can just walk down to sit and relax in the dining area, which is also used to store kitchen necessities: spices, condiments, even a refrigerator.

The living room with a double height ceiling and tall glass windows.

Openings in the exterior walls are perfectly arranged to let air and light in for a spacious feeling.

Going up the stairs and turning left brings us into the container-shaped office, the rusted outer wall reaching up to the third floor as protection against heat. The container surface is rainproof, with a layer of insulation between it and a plywood surface that gives an orderly look to the interior. There is also a houseguest bedroom on this floor that’s currently being used as a reading room, but planned as Air B&B tourist accommodation once the café opens.

The workroom opens to greenery on both sides. It includes storage space and a large table for work and meetings.

The entrance to the master bedroom is in the back, accessible via a corridor next to the kitchen; Sarin designed it as a separate building so as to remain private when the café/hostel section opens. It’s accessed without going through other sections of the house. Here the floor is raised up above the ground as protection against moisture damage, and there is a skylight above for indirect lighting.

This bedroom has an overhead storage space reachable by ladder. The closet for clothes is below with a bed directly on the floor to give more space, and a bare cement ceiling positioned to reflect light indirectly.

All the above features combine to give this compact house a comfortable, airy feeling, enhanced by imaginative placement of openings for breezes and natural light.

Sarin refers to the greenery and openness as creating “breathing space,” as rooms are all interconnected, airy, sunny, and in touch with the natural world. He likens this house to a well-tailored suit: the tailor has to measure, ask about the wearer’s taste, and plan everything to be comfortable and pleasing. A truly beautiful design!

Architect: D KWA Architectural Design Studio

Box-Shaped Steel House Surrounded by Nature

By livingasean
October 3, 2017
HOUSE,LIVING

/ Bangkok, Thailand /

/ Story: Kor Lordkam / English version: Peter Montalbano /

/ Photographs: W Workspace /

This box-shaped steel house, hidden in shady green woods, has a cool, peaceful resort atmosphere. – hard to believe it’s right in the middle of a congested city!

Designing architect Boonlert Hemvijitraphan of Boon Design took up the challenge set by the owner: create a home on the limited plot that is neither cramped nor stuffy.

Boonlert said, “The challenge was to make that work within the urban context. Fortunately, the owner gave us a completely free hand; our job was simply to design a comfortable residence on a 360-square-meter (90-square-wah) property. The starting point was what we saw in the original landscaping here.”

The property was not large, and its location right in the center of a capital city was seriously limiting

How to build a comfortable residence here? The garden/orchard greenery was used as a tool to create a sense of spaciousness.

Instead of the house spreading outwards toward the fence, it rose vertically as a 2½-storey home with open space beneath the house used as a carport and multipurpose area, the rest of the property becoming a relaxing, park-like space.

High-ceilinged living room, naturally bright and airy, with a great view of outside greenery.

The large garden was set up to the south to get the best breeze and the best shade from plants and trees.

The garden is planted on soil raised 1.2 meters higher than before to be level with the 3-meter height of the living room.

The living room connects with the dining area beneath the mezzanine, with the kitchen behind the glass door

The metal bookshelf reaching almost to the mezzanine also acts as weight-bearing support for the staircase behind it.

The first floor has a high “double volume” ceiling for more natural light and ventilation. A steel staircase rises from the living room to the mezzanine, which holds a workroom and guest bedroom, and up to the second floor, the owner’s private space.

The single staircase up from the carport connects everything from the ground to the top floor.

Mezzanine walkway with banister and protective grating steel is the primary building material, but natural materials such as bamboo are also important.

Bamboo shades cover the house façade, filtering sunlight, protecting against rain, giving privacy from outside view, yet still allowing good ventilation.

“We used steel not because we especially wanted to use steel, but because it was light, and we wanted that quality,” explained Boonlert.

“Each material has its own particular value. Coming up with a principle means coming up with the quality we want. Design is a value in itself.”

The architecture of this house reflects modern times. It’s surrounded by the natural environment people long for, so no matter chaotic and confused the outside world, in this home there’s a mood of relaxation and contentment: it’s just a great place to live.

Elevated porch connecting to the garden.

Architect: Boonlert Hemvijitraphan of Boon Design (www.boondesign.co.th)

7 Skylight Design Ideas for Homes

By livingasean
August 27, 2017
IDEA,LIVING

/ Story: Samutcha Viraporn / Photograph: Living ASEAN Press Room /

The main benefit of having a skylight is all the natural light you get from it. Nobody likes being holed up in a dark or dimly lit home, especially at night. Well thought-out skylight designs provide your home with extra ventilation and minimize heating, cooling, and lighting costs. Here are some great ideas for energy efficient skylight designs that might interest you.

The project’s full article: http://livingasean.com/house/modern-tropical-house/

The project’s full article: http://livingasean.com/house/edgy-modern-house-triangular-design/

The project’s full article: http://livingasean.com/house/steel-house-2/

The project’s full article: http://livingasean.com/house/brick-house-for-a-tropical-climate/

The project’s full article: http://livingasean.com/house/7743/

The project’s full article: http://livingasean.com/house/8618/

The project’s full article: http://livingasean.com/house/compact-house-where-the-old-tells-a-new-story/

Right Renovation Leads to a Pleasing Hip, Modern Brick House

By livingasean
August 14, 2017
HOUSE,LIVING

/ Bangkok, Thailand /

/ Story: Foryeah!/ English version: Bob Pitakwong /

/ Photographs: Nantiya Busabong /

The houses in this area all looked the same when parents brought the owner of this newly renovated house here when he was a child; now he has renovated their home into a hip, modern brick house with 200 square meters of usable space on a property of 400 square meters.

modern brick house — The lower floor retains the old “tai thun” space below, a brick wall with angled patterns perforated for ventilation on the floor above.

“After studying abroad I lived in a condo for years, but modern urban life is too full of needless accessories, so I finally came back to this house for its serenity and privacy,” said Roj Kanjanabanyakhom, the owner and architect of his own home.

“I like peace and quiet, listening to music, watching movies, and that’s enough.”

A staircase up to the hobby room, apparently playfully designed for legs of different lengths.

The old house wall was removed in favor of tall “picture windows”

An architect himself, he was the designer and construction supervisor. Since the house was in an old condition, there were a lot of problems: leaks and seepage, rusty pipes, etc., even asbestos tile, now recognized as carcinogenic.

The structure of the house had to be almost completely torn down to its basic frame: pillars, beams, and a couple of walls.

Striking improvements were made to suit Roj’s lifestyle in both the new building at the front and the old house at the back. The newly built structure at the front consists of bright orange brick walls with ventilation spaces below.

A former open “tai thun” (the space beneath the stilt) area, half the ground floor, became his own bicycle maintenance shop, with the other half a carport.

On the second floor is a hobby workshop, and above that a roof deck where support pillars are capped with metal plates in anticipation of future additions.

At the back, the 2.4-meter outside wall of the old house was demolished and replaced with tall glass windows all around for a spacious feeling.

Bedrooms on the second floor were removed to create a “double space” area, and a projector was set up behind one wall for full-size movie viewing.

A skylight was put in to let sunlight in all day, relieving the stuffy, damp, dark atmosphere, and polycarbonate tile was laid on floor and walls.

“There were some difficult structural and material design limitations in the old house,” said Roj.

“Parts of the old roof weren’t able to support much weight, so besides replacing the asbestos with double Roman tile we used metal purlin trusses instead of wood.

“To avoid joint problems where the new roof meets the old gabled one, we used steel-reinforced flat slab concrete, which will be able to hold the weight of future additions.

“Sometimes it’s easier and cheaper just to tear everything out,” he continued. “But I renovated because I wanted to preserve the memories here,” said Roj with a smile.

And so here’s a home filled with remembrance, ready to bring present and future memories into the mix.

Owner/Architect: Roj Kanjanabanyakhom of Atom Design (www.facebook.com/atom.design.bkk)

A Breathtaking Trio of Modern Loft-Style Homes in Bangkok

By livingasean
August 13, 2017
HOUSE,LIVING

/ Bangkok, Thailand /

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

/ Photographs: Tanakitt Khum-on /

In former times as families outgrew their homes, by tradition Thais would put in more houses on the same property. They shared basic facilities and landscaping fitting together to form a cohesive whole. But this tradition has been disappearing. Nowadays, grown children move away into single-family homes of their own. In this case, though, Manit and Yanrak Manithikhun decided to build a trio of modern loft-style houses as future homes for their children on their piece of land.

The trio of modern steel framed homes are connected by the perfect pathway with a private garden in the middle.

“We knew our sons would want their private space, and we had a sizeable piece of land. We thought it would be a good idea to build three new houses right here for them in the same place,” said Manit.

“The three new buildings include one common house where the whole family can get together. It’s for entertaining guests, too. And I wanted an herb garden. Thinking forward to retirement!”

Steel frames and brick walls: the hip, unfinished “loft” look.

The three new homes were added to the existing principle house of parents that was built after the big floods hit Bangkok in 2011. The expansion plan included a private garden and common space where the family could spend time together.

It was made up of two steel framed loft-style houses for the sons and one building as a common room. By and large, it was designed to serve and filled in many parts that were missing in life, a garden and common room where the family can spend time together.

“The kids wanted the style to be simple and unfinished. The houses all have the same design, but they’ll change and take on the personalities of the families living in them,” Manit explained.

“I added the garden and shady spots. I wanted a resort-like feeling, and we have that now: garden, swimming pool, all in our own home.”

The cantilever deck that’s a part of the common building reaches out above the pool creating an impression of a home floating on water.

Besides a great family home with delightful common space, the architects also designed the house to be eco-friendly. The roofs were set at a 15-degree angle, facing south to prevent full sun exposure. All the houses – even the carports – have solar panels, reducing energy costs of the whole residence by 50%.

Solar cell panels installed on the roof at a 15-degree slant offer 50% savings on energy bills.

“We chose the steel house frame not only for speed in building, but also because there’s less noise pollution during construction than using other materials,” said house architect Piriya Techaratpong.

“Plus it gives a wider choice of forms than traditional concrete or column and beam structures, and is many times cheaper than building a concrete weight-bearing wall.

“The common house has spaced steel columns, with lightweight lines that give the impression the building is floating over the pool below. This is the elegant design we were trying for.”

The result of all this? A design that’s an expression of the unconditional love and aspirations these parents feel for their children.

Owner: Manit and Yanrak Manithikhun

Architect: Mee-D Architect Co., Ltd. (www.facebook.com/MeeDArchitect) by Piriya Techaratpong and Pawit Chuankumnerdkarn

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**A Brick House Cherished by Two Generations**

10 Great Plants for Tropical Rainforest Landscaping

By livingasean
August 13, 2017
GARDEN,IDEA,LIVING

How do you do tropical rainforest landscaping? Use high-tolerant plants that grow well in heat and humidity. Living ASEAN has put together the following list of 10 tropical species that are generally easy to find in all ASEAN countries:

/// ASEAN ///
Photography: Rithirong Chanthongsuk, Sitthisak Namkham

Bromeliads (Urn Plant): these are ornamental plants with beautiful flowers, slow-growing, easy to care for, and drought-resistant. They do well both where there is a lot and a moderate amount of sunlight. If one gets a lot of sun, the leaves become more and more colorful. Bromeliads give off oxygen during the night and absorb carbon dioxide, making them especially suitable for bedroom placement.

Spikemoss fern (Selaginella Involvens): a ground cover, this is also known as “medical spikemoss” or “peacock fern.” It’s fan-like, with rounded, flat, bushy leaves, and often found in dense forest around steep mountain slopes or near rocks that get moderate sun.

Left: Begonia: represented by many species, it thrives in humid forests, and is thought of as a forest flower. There are both edible and are inedible varieties., For an an alternate sour taste, edible varieties can be used instead of lime in tom yam soup. The inedible varieties have velvety leaves.

Right: Fan palm (Palas Payung): the standout feature of the fan palm is its wide, spreading leaves, resembling folding fans. It can reach four meters in height. Leaves end in sharp, thorny points.

Left: Staghorn Fern (Climbing bird’s nest fern): this fern has climbing roots and thick, green leaves covered with fuzzy hair. The leaf ends fork, resembling a stag’s antlers. For their beautiful and unusual shapes, and their moisturizing quality, they’re often used as ornamental plants.

Right: Coriander-Leaf Fern (Sphenmeris Chusang): this ground fern, found along the face of earthen cliffs or in foothills, does well in shade or indirect sunlight. The petioles about 30cm long, and leaves are delicate and reminiscent of coriander.

Left: the Bead Tree (Elaeocarpus Grandiflorus) has a forest habitat. With gray-brown bark and thick, green, oval-shaped leaves, it produces white flowers with a light fragrance. It’s often found growing on the sides of waterfalls.

Right: Australian tree fern (Dicksonia Antarctica): easy to grow, this rapidly growing fern with a chubby trunk grows in places that are humid, but not too wet. Its leaves grow out bushy and beautiful, but it produces neither flower nor fruit.

Left: The round-leaved banyan (Ficus Annulata Blume) stands out amid a bed of spikemoss. Leaves are round and small, dark green, with smooth edges. It produces a round berry-like fruit, yellow-orange when ripe. It’s considered a good-luck tree, associated with wealth. It grows best in dim to medium sunlight.

Right: Simpoh ayer (Dillenia Suffruticosa): this medium-sized shrub flowers white and is often used in house decoration. In its native to Malaysia, ayer thought to bring good luck. At full size it’s about 8-10 meters tall.

Modern Tropical House

By livingasean
August 8, 2017
HOUSE,LIVING

Like traditional Thai houses of former times, Baan Phu Patra, as Spacetime Architects’ latest creation is called, rises above the “tai thun” space below so cooling breezes can blow through, also giving a magnificent view of Nakhon Ratchasima’s Khao Yai mountains.

/// Thailand ///
Story: Ektida N. /// Photography: Soopakorn Srisakul, Nantiya Busabong /// Design: Spacetime Architects by Kannika Ratanapridakul and Piriya Thailimthong

Kannika Rattanapreedakul of Spacetime Architects named this house “Baan Phu Patra” after the Khao Yai housing development where it’s located. At the owner’s request, the house is not too big, feels relaxed and comfortable, and has space for a kitchen vegetable garden, as the architects came up with what they call the perfect definition of a “modern tropical house.”

From outside it has a stylish, trendy appearance: clean, straightforward lines, with no wasted design or anything to make it look out of place with its surroundings.

Design began with an analysis of the 1200 square meter property and its surroundings: a sleep slope, with the best view blocked by a neighboring house and the housing project’s utility building. Spacetime’s design called for the house to be raised old-style, up 3.4 meters above a traditional Thai tai thun open space. This not only corrected for the slope, but also provided a much wider view of Khao Yai than another plan might have allowed.

The second design stage involved positioning of elements for the best functionality. The house is aligned east to west. The second floor gets a panoramic view of Khao Yai to the east. The staircase up into the house itself is set at the rear, or west end of the house, leading into a large multipurpose area containing kitchen, living area, and dining area, two bedrooms – to the left and right – and out to a 5-meter-wide balcony designed for a comfortable, relaxing experience.

The ceiling follows the slant of the roof, for a more open feeling.

Granite floor tiling around the kitchen island gives definition to interior spaces.

Once the functional setup was in place, the next design step was to select the right construction materials for Baan Phu Patra to fit its natural context in a unique and interesting way. A steel framework was used, with natural wood flooring except for kitchen and bath, where the cast-in-place concrete slab floor was topped with smooth-colored granite. These very disparate materials work well with each other to add a feeling of authenticity and define the different functionalities of different interior areas without the use of separating walls.

With form, proportion, and function all well thought-out, Baan Phu Patra blends right into its natural surroundings, a home perfectly suited to its context with an elegantly simple design.

A skylight above the window adds to a connection with nature outside.

The balcony reaches all around the house for a 360-degree view.

Link : https://th-th.facebook.com/spacetime.kalatesa/

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Project Concept

Site Location – Not too little

Exterior Design Concept – Not too much

Interior Design Concept – Just right

Facilities

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