LIVING / Living ASEAN - Inspiring Tropical Lifestyle

Baan Gongsi: A Perfect Fusion of Chinese and Thai Cultural Heritage

By livingasean
September 22, 2016
HOUSE,LIVING

/ Bangkok, Thailand /

/ Story: Supachart Boontang / English version: Bob Pitakwong /

/ Photographs: Soopakorn Srisakul and Arsom Arch Community and Environment Co., Ltd. A division of the Arsom Silp Institute of the Arts /

This urban home named “Baan Gongsi” is beautifully crafted in keeping with Chinese heritage in architecture mixed with defining features that are characteristic of the traditional Thai-style home. The perfect visual blend is the brainchild of Pongsakorn Tumprueksa and Nattanan Pokinpitak of the Arsom Silp Institute of the Arts.

Architecturally, it’s a well-thought-out design that seeks reconnections with nature at home and, at the same time, keeps family heritage alive. Homeowners Thianchai and Noree Niyom, both of them of Chinese descent, want to live simply and traditionally, embracing a lifestyle that values a culture of sharing and caring.

Thianchai’s sister also lives nearby in the same compound, which explains the concept of Baan Gongsi, a colloquialism for extended family living arrangements.

At the same time, it’s a design that embraces elegance in architectural aesthetics. There’s a courtyard with swimming pool at the center of the house topped by tiled roofs with curved sides. A striking feature of Chinese style, the unroofed area enclosed by the buildings doubles as engine that drives natural air circulation keeping the home cool and comfortable round the clock.

The well-conceived design also ensures the building fits in well with the hot and humid climate prevailing in this region. Speaking of a fusion between two cultures, there’s a large open-air platform that provides easy access to all the rooms, a layout quintessential of Thai-style cluster homes in the past. The Thais call it a “chaan” meaning a gallery or semi-outdoor room overlooking the garden.

The main villa and nearby annexes are disposed around the center courtyard. The sprawling design allows a healthy dose of morning sun to pour into the interior living spaces. In the nighttime the courtyard is aglow under the moonlight.

The center courtyard has been the heart of family life and one of the most important elements of cluster home design since time immemorial. It brings joy to the family and supplies every part of the home with fresh air.

Here, everything exists for a good reason. Among others, a stone paver patio adjacent to the family’s ancestral home serves as a venue for morning tea. Nearby, the swimming pool brings the health benefits of good exercise. They’re there for the taking. Overall, it is a piece of architecture designed for the salubrious lifestyle of an extended family.

Baan Gongsi is a well-crafted home, one made with attention to detail and quality to provide safety and protection against external disturbances. The floor plan offers smooth transition from one area to another. There’s a welcome room with patches of greenery connected to a stone paver patio leading to the Moon Door that’s the house’s main entrance.

From there, a stone paver garden pathway provides access to the main villa and nearby annexes. The center courtyard itself lies protected by a lacy canopy of mature trees making every day an enchanting experience. Because it’s situated amid the bustle of the city center, the home relies on plenty of lush vegetation to protect against noises and air pollution.

As for build quality, real wood is the material of choice and one of the most outstanding features of the house. What makes it aesthetically pleasing is the slightly curved eaves characteristic of Chinese architecture. Needless to say, it’s a wholesome place where nature and culture coexist in peaceful harmony, a home beaming with pride.

A stand-alone house of Buddha serves as a reminder of Thai architecture in earlier times. — The Moon Door, adapted to sport a more contemporary look, provides access to the cluster home environment that lies beyond.

Owner: Thianchai and Noree Niyom

Architect: Arsom Arch Community and Environment Co., Ltd. A division of the Arsom Silp Institute of the Arts

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Tanah Teduh: A Beautiful Modern House Set amid Old Orchards

By livingasean
September 22, 2016
HOUSE,LIVING

/ Jakarta, Indonesia /

/ Story: Ajchara Jeenkram / English version: Bob Pitakwong /

/ Photographs: Soopakorn Srisakul /

This house among the trees is part of a suburban residential development nestled in a wooded area where calming fruit orchards once grew. It is comforting to know the developers have made every effort at preserving as many trees as they possibly could. Like so, the houses are built around mature trees that have long been there. Here’s one of them.

The cube-shaped façade looks out over the front yard. Large glass windows in wood casings stretch across the entire face of the building. To reconnect with nature, patches of greenery occupy every open space including the rooftop deck. Meanwhile, open concept floor plans allow abundant natural light. The positioning of windows and other features ensures minimum consumption of electricity, which translates into big savings. More than anything else, it’s about building a relationship with the natural world.

“Tanah Teduh” is the name of the housing development. It’s a reminder of the residential projects where a large number of houses of similar design are built closer together, creating a friendly neighborhood in which everybody knows everybody.

Here, all the residential units have access to common areas via both front and back doors. Well-thought out design ensures security is achievable without sacrificing privacy. Taken as a whole, the housing development is situated on 21 Rai of land (roughly 8.3 acres) that once upon a time was a thriving fruit orchard.

Inspired by the need for nature conservation, the project developer offers only 20 modern houses with a view of the lush garden landscape. The privacy of its residents takes priority over any other matter. But the beauty of the landscape is important, too. So, instead of building boundary walls that can be unpleasant to look at, the homes are kept separate from each other by green hedges and other smart architectural hacks.

It takes a team of top ten Indonesian designers to make this housing development exceptionally good. To avoid repetition, the front façade varies from one unit to the next, and each unit is a signature of an individual designer.

Oranat Pernquist is the owner of the house that we visited on this housing development. A Thai lady who has come to call Jakarta home, she welcomed our editorial team to take a look around. Overall, the home was beautiful, well-designed, and nicely decorated.

Andra Matin, the designer and project director, sure did a good job at it. He put in a small center courtyard to let nature pervade throughout the home. Natural light and correct building orientation were taken into account, resulting in well-connected, warm, and inviting interior living spaces.

Meanwhile, the external envelope showcased the charm of modern design, something akin to the works made famous by world-renowned architect Le Corbusier, but with an Asian outlook.

The house has two wings. The ground floor of the first building offers a good-sized sitting room, dining area and kitchen. Glass siding fills the entire exterior wall on one side, making the center court clearly visible from within. The second floor holds a home office, while the third is a sundeck converted into a sky garden.

The second building also has two levels with multi-use spaces on the first floor. The second floor contains a sitting room with access to the garden. It’s decorated with a sofa in soft hues and a set of table and chairs. There is a park bench made of concrete for relaxation in the outdoors.

The perimeter wall made of perforate cement blocks not only protect from the sun’s harsh glare but also allows air circulation. Breathe block design adds modern curb appeal to the home.

The designer is passionate about Thai-modern design that’s evident in the interior decorated with simple materials. They include real wood, bare concrete walls in lighter shades and a perforate shell. Every living space is designed for specific use. It looks uncluttered and opens to let nature permeate.

Oranat said that her other half, Anders Pernquist, traveled abroad for business often and brought home beautiful objects from Italy, Taiwan, and India. She wrapped it up nicely: “Anders is responsible for purchasing,” and she for installation. No wonder home interior design is so full of life.

“Anders likes Asian style handicrafts. Works produced in this region are beautifully crafted. We have glass-front armoires with superb wood carving imported from Thailand, area rugs from India, and other pieces that are made to order in Jakarta,” said Oranat.

“Our collections come from various parts of the world. They remind us of our long journey.”

The bedroom overlooking the courtyard has a wooden bed with area rugs and bed cover in complementing hues from India. A birch veneer IKEA chair adds Scandinavian vies to the room.

Wall openings keep the interior well-lit by natural daylight. The architect put this opening in the kitchen on purpose to take in the views.

Architect: Andra Matin

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A Little English Garden

By livingasean
September 22, 2016
GARDEN,LIVING

Small joys may begin with an infatuation. This Little English garden is composed of many irresistible figurines, urn planters, and colorful plants selected by the homeowner.

/// Thailand ///

Story: Aphasri Mimana /// Photography: Sitthisak Namkham /// Landscape Designer: Yasamanot Sriyuyong

Flagstone path with river stone filler crosses the garden to a bench, framed by bushes and different ground cover plants. Tiny figurines and a sculpture of a woman, an urn planter: all from the owner’s beloved collection.

“I’ve lived here about six years. Before, it was full of large trees. I gradually added tropical plants until it seemed too much. We only have about 220 square meters, and the trees limited us to plants needing shade or indirect sun, so loving colorful flowers that need direct sunlight, I decided to reinvent the garden with my favorite plants and décor.

*The owner takes such good care of her plants that they produce a profusion of flowers brightening the garden everywhere.*

*“I group plants that grow well together and give them as much sun and regular watering as each variety needs.”*

“I took a time to think about the design, a little worried that when we took out shade trees in front of the house we’d get too much heat inside. But the house faces south, only gets full sun 4 months out of the year, and there’s usually a cool wind blowing.”

*A tall wall English banyan gives privacy, concealing the fence behind the bench.*

Yasamanot designed the garden with an open look, black plum and freshwater mangrove planted about with shrubs and ground cover. Taking out the grass lawn, she paved the walkway with slate and light-colored river stones, with tall English banyans along the fence for privacy. To the right are medium-sized and beautifully flowering plants such as arrow-leaf plumeria, hibiscus, blue crossandra, white mussaenda and so on. A concrete walkway leads to a decorative fountain that brings refreshing moisture to the garden. Behind the house, She has given great attention to the placement of her most beloved plants and décor to produce the distinct feeling of an English garden.

*Before paving the path, the owner suggests first packing a layer of sand tight to make it even, then laying down a plastic mesh with gravel on top. A decorative fountain adds to the refreshing mood.*

For hardscape elements like sculptures and urn planters, I bought it from Art Garden& Décor at the Saeng Ari Garden plant flea market, Nakhon Phan in the Bang Yai neighborhood, and much more. For plants, I go to Kanchanapisek Road, Bang Yai, Sanaam Luang 2, and the Baanlaesuan fair.

*Changing the garden from a play of colorful flowers to a peaceful mood, we enter a quiet spot through a green wrought iron arbor.*

“I group plants that grow well together and give them as much sun and regular watering as each variety needs, paying attention to problems and changing conditions. Sometimes we have snails and leaf-eating aphids; we cut aphid-infested leaves away so the insects don’t easily spread. The garden’s in good shape now. The flowers are in dazzling full bloom, and that makes me feel happy and refreshed.

For a good, safe fit, plant Norfolk pine by the house: it grows up, not outwards, so won’t cause problems. Roses climb the walls by cement figurines, in the English style. Verdolaga and Cape plumbago fluff out and spill over onto the path.

*Plant group of blue rock bindweed, oleander, and dwarf eucalyptus, bright green subtly dotted with color.*

“In the morning you can see lots of butterflies and small birds, and smell the fragrant flowers. In the evening I come straight home and spend so much time enjoying the garden I often forget what time it is.”

*In front of the door is Cape plumbago, with bright indigo flowers, mixed with a sweet pink of water primrose, with a small cement urn planter.*

*Red ivy extends out, climbing onto the slate flagstones. /// A cute duck sculpture hidden in among wild petunias.*

link:

Co-Housing: Harmony Between Two Different Lifestyles

By livingasean
September 22, 2016
HOUSE,LIVING

/ Bangkok, Thailand /

/ Story: Samutcha Viraporn / English version: Bob Pitakwong /

/ Photographs: Rithirong Chanthongsuk, Soopakorn Srisakul, Thamawit Wangkijsoonthorn, Bussakorn Kuankit /

“It’s a co-housing arrangement. Mine is more of a dynamic, full-of-life home. The house next door is my brother’s. It appears to be more private in the midst of a tranquil setting.“

*Between the different spaces, natural radiance is all in the eclectic details. Despite its modern edge, the open seating area rekindles a fresh interest in terrace design of a Thai style home.*

The homeowner, Suthiphong Pongpawasuit said I was kind of speechless for a bit when I heard him express his feelings about the co-housing house. It could be that I was expecting the most beautiful replies like always. No offense intended. It was the most honest and unpretentious of feelings.

“I could feel a warm and friendly atmosphere, and appreciate the meaning of “home” as he defined it. I have come to one that reflected the true personality of its owners.” The two houses are surrounded by pleasant grounds made the two brothers happy in their own way.

The two buildings brought out differences in their lifestyles and their preferences.

An array of overhead windows let a healthy dose of morning sunshine into the cozy seating area. Wrought iron detailing in the multiple-paned windows creates an interesting light and textural display on the surfaces below.

The first building

The first building belongs to Suthiphong. It is concrete chic based on a straightforward design. The walls are fabricated of unornamented concrete finishes and an interesting mix of textures and materials. Floating systems of electrical conduits conjure up images of an urban industrial loft apartment.

The interior features gorgeous living spaces. During the day, natural light shines through large overhead windows with wrought iron detailing, creating an amazing shadow play. There is a sense of visual continuity that connects seamlessly with the exterior as soon as the large door slides open.

On the outside, peaceful lush landscaping under a tree canopy can be seen in full view. On the inside, different furniture styles add a hint of interest in a subtle way.

*Awesome overhead opening lets natural light into the relaxed living room and nearby stairway. Well thought-out design makes the area playful and inviting.*

*The layout epitomizes a relationship of mutual benefit between the two brothers. What goes on in one house can be seen from the other.*

Obviously, the co-housing house is designed for the local climate. Oftentimes we complain of too much sun, winds, and rain. But since we call this country home, why not make the most of the extreme weather conditions?

They are the natural appeal of this Region. That is why we see all natural elements being incorporated into the design scheme. Here, the sun, the winds, and rain are all taken into account in framing the house within a beautiful botanical border. That makes living in a co-housing house a life fulfilling experience.

*The working area and nearby kitchen are neatly incorporated into the total living space. The interlinking design takes into consideration personal preferences and lifestyle.*

*The bedroom, which is supposed to be private and personal, is not exactly cut off from other living spaces. The awesome opening allows the guest area below to be seen in full view from the bedroom.*

The second building

The second building belongs to Suthiphong’s brother, Kittiwat Pongpawasuit. Unlike the first house, it comes in a mix of white, cream, and gray tones, which together give it to a strikingly handsome appearance.

The design is light and airy and emphasizes a warm and peaceful atmosphere. Brick walls are painted white to minimize any alteration of natural light and color reflecting on the surfaces. The home, especially its living spaces, is all about enhancing a seamless indoor-outdoor relationship.

Crisp, clean landscaping can be seen all the way to the swimming pool, thanks to large single-paned glass doors that slide open and neatly disappear into the walls. The living room gets nice cool breezes from the swimming pool and is set facing north to avoid the harshest of the afternoon sun.

*Exterior walls on the north side are open to natural light all day. Downstairs the seating space is made comfortable by nice cool breezes blowing in over the swimming pool.*

*The swimming pool is literally a few steps from seating areas on the terrace. There is an unobstructed, gradual descent from the veranda to the garden.*

*The easy-to-maintain kitchen design features a countertop crafted of unadorned concrete finishes. A red brick wall subtly separates it from the adjacent guest area.*

*The bathroom is inspired by industrial loft design. Details are reduced to just clean, straight lines within the modest style.*

Design relationship

The two designs may contrast in personality, but architect Kraipol Jayanetra of Alkhemist Architects found a relationship between them by opting for like materials, textures, and mutual décor ideas.

By this was meant the use of naked, unornamented concrete finishes, industrial-style electrical conduits, wood furniture, and a plenty of accent pieces.

*The guest area of one of the houses lies fully open to* bring in the outdoor atmosphere.

“I started out with something small but interesting, and worked my way up until I arrived at a complete unit,” said Kraipol.

That being said, every part of the co-housing buildings, be it vertical or horizontal spaces performs the functions it is intended. Overall, a great mix of patterns and textures makes the two houses appear in perfect harmony with each other. The difference is in the details.

[left] Playing with patterns light switches are installed in a way that they playfully mimic the appearance of a naked brick wall. [right] Shadow play wrought iron detailing create beautiful works of art at no cost by casting light and shadow patterns on the interior spaces.

This has been a story of two youthful homes in a co-housing house that coexist to complement each other. One is overflowing with life. The other is tranquil and handsome in its own way. They enhance and improve each other’s curb appeal, and set the stage for a simple fulfilling lifestyle.

To protect against the intense heat of the sun particularly in Thailand, perhaps it is wise to opt for double-layer roof design. It keeps homes cool by reducing the amount of radiation from reaching the interior living spaces. The vents between each layer allow increased air circulation and keep the heat out.

There are so many ways to texture your walls and ceilings. If smooth, fine-grained designs are not your style, you might want to go for coarse-textured, more natural looking surfaces. One alternative is the naked, unornamented concrete that rough to the touch. The design is playful and full of life. Any rough surface, whether concrete or brick.

Architect: Alkhemist Architects

Shading your Living Corners

By livingasean
September 22, 2016
IDEA,LIVING

Because of hot weather, it’s hard to spend time outdoors even if you are wired to be outside. Putting your semi-outdoor living corners in the shade is the smart choice. They could be your idea of heaven in the hot weather. Check them out.

Decorate your stylish living corner with a fabulous transparent swing surrounded by a vertical garden. It is recommended to select proper houseplants that are suitable for hot and humid weather in Thailand. Ferns are perfectly matches for the vertical garden because they are not only beautiful and suitable for hot weather, but also easy to care for.

Design: Pantavit Lawaroungchok, Apostrophy’s

link: http://www.apostrophys.com/

Bring the lively atmosphere outside into your home simply by opening the door to stay in touch with the natural world. At the top of the wall, lay bricks at intervals for good ventilation. Delicate wooden furniture paired with raw concrete flooring makes the living area look and feel cool. This way can help you make the most use of all materials.

Design: Anupan Pruekpankajee and Rungwisah Rungthanapat

Your living area on the second floor can represent architectural and natural harmony. Position the column in line with the tree trunk and let it grow through the rooftop to create shade. Under the sloping roof, it’s a good idea to install a lath to ventilate the house. You will feel like living in a treehouse.

Design: Suriya Umpansiriratana

link: http://www.walllasia.com/

A sloping courtyard at the center inclines to the lowest point at 30 cm. hemmed in by concrete construction. This is a perfect living area to rest your tired legs. Wooden accordion doors separate the inside from the outside area. To see the garden, just open the accordion doors. Meantime, get plenty of cool air and warm light.

Design: Washirasak Maneewattanapruk

A covered exterior gallery on the balcony creates shade and prolongs the life of wooden floor that is exposed to the elements. A big sofa bed covering the entire area is a good way to get the comfort you prefer. You will need good quality material for the sofa bed for durability.

Decorative Design-Lightning Design: Padee Studio Co.,Ltd.

link: http://www.padeestudio.com/

The little space on your terrace can transform into a lovely loggia. Cover the area with a transparent roof and decorate it with hanging pots of fern to filter the light. With one side open to the garden, you can bring the freshness of the outdoors inside.

Design: Summer Snow Home & Garden

From Rice Husk to Bio-composite Tile and Solid Surface

By livingasean
August 5, 2016
IDEA,LIVING

Husk Collection

Husk Collection was created from discarded outer shells of rice during milling process. Sonite’s new Husk mosaics and solid surface incorporate significant quantities of agricultural waste. The collection’s advanced bio-composite design yields coverings not only beautiful but also ecologically friendly. Husk is available in four organic tones, balance between natural warmth and contemporary chic. Eco-Friendliness: Despite being polymer-based, the materials are exceptionally eco-friendly. Tests have proved a carbon footprint equal to or less than the lowest among mosaic tile manufacturers. In Europe, Husk furthermore has received a highest attainable A+ score in tests for VOC emissions.

Additionally:

*Rice husks take very long to decompose and thus are not appropriate for composting or manure. Therefore the 100 million tons + of husk produced globally begins to impact the environment if not disposed of properly. (“Rice husk Ash”by Nick Zemke Emmet Woods June 2009 California Polytechnic State University)

* In Vietnam, rice husk has been dumped in local rivers, causing a big problem. (http://irri.org/rice-today/a-second-life-for-rice-husk)

* Rice husks are composed mainly of cellulose, silica + lignin and are a ‘Class A’ thermal insulation material. Husks are difficult to burn and are unlikely to propagate mold. (http://esrla.com/pdf/ricehullhouse.pdf)

Photos : Press

Manufacture : Sonite Innovative Surfaces, Thailand – www.sonitesurfaces.com

Blog : LIVING