A Hybrid Timber and Concrete Home in the Enchanted Countryside

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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