A Trendsetting Row House Renovation in Chiang Mai / Living Asean

/ Chiang Mai, Thailand /

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

/ Photographs: Sungwan Phratem /

Plankrich, led by Kwanchai Suthamsao, is known as a trendsetter in row house renovation. He decided to build a home of his own in Chiang Mai. His fans and admirers may expect to see exciting construction techniques and exquisite materials, but it turned out the design was kept simple. Kwanchai’s main goal was building a house to meet his urban lifestyle. Thus, the prime location is in the inner Chiang Mai city.

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

“A detached home was out of the question, the land was very expensive. Another option was a row house. After the survey, I chose this three-unit shop house. The size was right, I was able to give it a complete makeover.”

The old staircase was removed to make room for a new set of stairs supported by an I-shaped steel beam.

Kwanchai literally removed everything, including the old stairways for the row house renovation. The only remaining were pillars and beams.

The floor plans for all three units were completely redesigned. He wanted each unit to have its own characteristic, but the space was limited. So, he only focused on making the right corner look different instead.

The small guest room with a bunk-bed is tucked away at the far end of the first floor.

The small guest room is tucked away at the far end of the first floor. Custom-designed double bunks make it suitable for sleeping two guests.

The mezzanines were taken out. The omnipresence of reclaimed wood beams and floorboards brings back vintage charms. On the ground floor, sits a compact 2-person guest bedroom and a carport.

A chunky upholstered sofa adds warm, cozy feelings to the interior. A window covers with a wooden blind allows natural light to shine through.

The second floor is neatly designed for multiple uses. The sitting room is in the front section, the dining space in the middle, and the kitchen and bathroom in the back. The dining area is a bit narrowed, to make room for the stairway.

The décor exposes the owner’s love for vintage collectables. Oblique-aligned wooden wall and floorboards give a warm, homey feeling.

The second floor features a dining space. The floor and the walls are covered in recycled boards from the homeowner’s collection.

L-shaped design turns the small kitchen into a fluent cooking area. Cabinet doors in neutral shades make the room light and bright.

*Every space is neatly planned. The aisle separates the microwave and convection ovens from the washer and dryer. The door at the far end opens to the dining room.*

On the third floor, the bedroom in the front section is kept clean and uncluttered. In-room dressing room and bathroom are separated by a sliding door.

The interior continues to be a neutral shade for relaxation. The décor is minimal with only a few essential pieces of furniture.

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.

*The changing room-cum-walk-in closet offers wardrobes on both sides of the aisle, which connects to the bathroom at the far end.*

The key to this row house renovation is reclaimed wood. Added for more natural light are wide windows. The result is an airy house, one that is small but has everything for a vibrant city lifestyle.

A glass wall with a sliding door separates the laid-back sitting room from a compact semi-outdoor space. An opening in the exterior wall allows diffused natural light into the living space and the stairway.

[left]The midway landing offers a built-in cabinet made of reclaimed boards. [right] On the way up, shoes are neatly stored here.

[left] Marks on the wall and concrete frame tell stories of a recent home makeover project. The owner intentionally left them as a personal reminder. [right] A rusty sconce adds vintage charm to the naked concrete wall. Beneath is a wood box storage for home improvement tools.

Owner: Kwanchai Suthamsao

Architect: Plankrich Co.,Ltd. (www.plankrich.com) by Kwanchai Suthamsao

A Trendsetting Row House Renovation in Chiang Mai