Rab-A-Bit is a small community restaurant in Mae Rim, a district to the north of downtown Chiang Mai. Originally a café, the building is tastefully renovated as a restaurant exuding an air of tranquility with spectacular rice fields and a rich cultural tapestry. Built mostly of local materials, it’s a design that embraces a humble appearance and follows the principles of long-term sustainability.
Housescape Design Lab, a Chiang Mai-based architecture firm, is tasked with renovating the building belonging to Prof. Chunlaporn Nuntapanich. The professor himself is an architect renowned for his many masterpieces that blend with the environment and embrace the local culture.
Formerly a small community café, Rab-A-Bit transforms into a restaurant oozing the charm of an intricate combination of crafts and a sense of heritage in Chiang Mai’s Mae Rim District. It’s built mostly of local materials designed to embrace a humble appearance and follows the principles of long-term sustainability.
In this particular case, the original architectural plan remains intact. The interior is restored to all its former glory, while a stunning open-concept layout brings a refreshing change. As a result, more square footage is gained without changing the floor plan. Plus, a roof inspection and repair ensures there are no leaks.
Careful planning ensures the restaurant space is functional and appealing.
The project was completed in a short space of time to minimize disruption’s impact on business. This was achieved by careful planning in the pre-construction phase whereby all the necessary materials were gathered and prepared to ensure a smooth building process.
Plus, there was no need for a complete teardown to make room for an entirely new building. For strength and durability, the architect preferred instead to reinforce the timber framing in existence at the time with steel structural members. This gave him plenty of time to incorporate additional spaces and functions into the design. They included a customer waiting area inside the building, dust control measures plus safety and protection in bad weather.
The old building is restored to a good state of repair. For strength and durability, the existing timber framing is reinforced by steel structural members, thereby eliminating the need to tear it down and start it back up.
There is beauty in simplicity and strategies to meet customer expectations. Rab-A-Bit is built to last a very long time with all functional areas working effectively from the dining room to the kitchen and prep stations. All in all, the pleasant atmosphere makes the restaurant stand out as a peaceful destination for lovers of nature. For others, it’s a green space to spend time and enjoy the sight, hearing, taste, smell and touch of the countryside. From business perspective, it’s thoughtfully devised to attract and keep repeat customers.
An outdoor space with a view of surrounding rice fields is perfect for those preferring to dine al fresco.
Rab-A-Bit is an intriguing combination of the culinary delights and crafts indigenous to the area. It’s built of solid natural wood by local artisans skilled in traditional carpentry. Walk in the door, and you come into a room bedecked with handicrafts of the Northern Region that give the restaurant its character. Together they blend perfectly with nature, becoming one with the rice fields around.
A simple appearance and attention to detail take priority over other things. Same applies to the restaurant’s signature dishes, which include authentic shrimp fried rice that’s uncomplicated, easily accessible and very popular among the locals as well as foreign visitors.
Clearly noticeable is the restaurant’s clean, simple appearance and attention to detail, while its flagship products are mainly authentic Thai dishes on a no-fuss menu. The restaurant owner’s specialties include shrimp fried rice that’s uncomplicated, easily accessible and very popular among the locals as well as foreigners.
Rab-A-Bit is the story of a passion for doing small things with great love. It’s about the power of determination. As its name suggests, this place has enjoyed a good reputation that’s built bit by bit over the years, ultimately resulting in a piece of architecture that harmoniously blends with elements of the everyday landscapes in Chiang Mai.
Underneath it all is a design approach that seeks to minimize negative impacts on the environment, the society and the local economy as the region is tackling the problem of air pollution caused by seasonal slash-and-burn agriculture.
It’s obvious that sustainable design is the only way forward as shown in this restaurant that’s built of local materials by local people. It makes certain that a heritage of exquisite artisanship lives on. Add a unique dining experience, a welcoming atmosphere, and tasty healthy lunches and dinners to the list, and it’s easy to get why many come away impressed. Drop into Rab-A-Bit next time you’re in the area.
Here’s a design project that fills a family’s teak wood plantation with enthusiasm and energy. It’s home to a cabin vacation destination oozing with the serene beauty of nature. Named the “Red Riding Wood”, the project boasts simple two-story houses that are a source of pride. They sit well on four rai of land (roughly 1.5 acres) snugly tucked into the forest of Chiang Mai’s Hang Dong District.
A red steel frame cabin can be seen in full view from the entryway, creating a good first impression on arrival.
Evoking a timeless charm through simple materials and craftsmanship by local builders, the forest cabins are the brainchild of SHER MAKER, an architectural practice renowned for using ordinary items in such a way that brings about amazing life experiences.
Bi-fold wooden doors with glass panels open from one end to the other, blurring the lines between indoor and outdoor living.
In essence, the “Red Riding Wood” is the story of an old family-owned hotel that has since undergone a complete transformation. It now includes peaceful vacation cabins in the woods, a couple of pool villas, and children’s playgrounds amid lush greenery designed for families to reconnect with nature.
The pavilion overlooking a playground is designed to accommodate future businesses on the property.
There are two vacation cabins that serve as the most prominent features on the old teak wood plantation. Just a stone’s throw from them stands a pavilion used for multiple purposes, ranging from business spaces to pop-up stores and cafés to workshop venues.
The pool villas have since been restored to a good state of repair that blends well with the vacation cabins in front. Where appropriate, large openings are installed to reduce opacity in red concrete walls
Playground equipment for kids lies at the center of the property. The two vacation cottages are positioned in front overlooking the road. Not far away, two pool villas were recently renovated to accommodate visiting extended families. The project has all of its goals achieved, at the same time avoiding the unnecessary cutting down of trees on the property, ultimately creating architectural design that blends with the surroundings.
The building facade glazed using clear glass allows parents to keep a watchful eye on kids in the playground.Playground facilities include a circular sandbox that’s more friendly to kids.
As to be expected, the cabin’s front façade is glazed using frosted glass to protect personal privacy. There’s a playground for kids on the side. The two cottages are made of timber from teak wood farming that was cut down to make room for an extra living space expansion.
Weathered wood beams contrast with structural steel members painted a beautiful deep red color.The villas are raised above the ground on vertical posts to avoid damaging tree roots.
The building’s structural steel members, such as beams and columns, are painted a deep red anti-rust color coating, while wax finishes protect wood surfaces from the ravages of sun, rain and temperature fluctuations. In the living room, bi-fold doors glazed with transparent glass open to a deck with spectacular views, blurring the lines between indoors and outdoors.
Vertical posts recycled from much older homes find a new purpose as structural support for the pavilion designed for a future pop-up café and workshop space.
The area adjacent to the cabins holds a pavilion that provides plenty of room for pop-up stores, cafés and interactive workshop activities. It’s designed to meet the needs of extended families and groups holidaying together. Meantime, clear glass walls enhance natural light to create a sense of openness and allow parents to keep an eye on children playing outside.
The pavilion is built out of timber recycled from components of the roofs of two old villas that were torn down as part of the expansion plan. It’s put together by local builders highly skilled in making and repairing wooden structures. Precisely, it’s the aged, rustic look of old wood that gives the forest cabin project its character.
A narrow passageway hemmed in by red walls arouses curiosity. It’s inspired by a scene from the fairy tale “Little Red Riding Hood”, where the girl ventures into the woods looking for grandma.
Next, we come to the two villas that were recently restored to a good state of repair to accommodate large families and travel groups. A small gate giving access to the front door has since been rebuilt after the old one was torn down and wood recycled to serve new purposes elsewhere. The villas stand environed by perimeter fences painted shades of red color that interact directly with nearby buildings.
Red is the color of choice for good reason. It serves as a focal point that makes the forest cabin project stand out in the neighborhood. Plus, it blends well with clean lines that foster calm and clarity in spaces and cement plaster finishes on the walls. In a way, the project got its inspiration from “Little Red Riding Hood”, a fairy tale about a little girl and a cunning wolf.
The company logo is inspired by the fairy tale “Little Red Riding Hood”. It’s a way to express rich and subtle meanings about life in the wild and its influence on design concepts.The project’s visual appearance and design concept got its inspiration from the red millipedes that thrive in the teak forest.
Everything about it conveys a great deal about the project owner, who is a creative always curious and inquiring as a child. With regard to the project’s visual appearance, the architect picks the color of the red millipedes that thrive in the teak forest, subtly telling the story of fascinating colors of wild animals. This pretty much explains the presence of red fence panels and the narrow passageway that evokes memories of an unforgettable holiday experience.
Red cement plaster walls are everywhere. They connect all parts of the forest cabin project, from the front entrance to concrete edges lining garden walkways, to children’s playgrounds and the pool villas at the rear. Among other things, they divide the project site into different zones, provide outdoor privacy screens, and give information about the distance and direction to places on the property.
Together they bring all the parts together as one. Combine that with the property owner’s character, and you get a development project that’s in and of itself a work of art. All things considered, it’s a fascinating place to visit, a world of curiosities in the middle of a teak forest.
A vacation not only provides the way to escape the daily grind. It’s also about gaining fresh perspectives, broadening one’s horizons and living a more fulfilling life. In this particular case, the little houses in the forest of Chiang Mai represent the coming together of a team of architects with pragmatic approaches and the property owner who proves creativity knows no bounds.
Together they tell the story of a realistic, interactive experience about travel into the woods. It’s a chance to discover the extraordinary, relax, wake up fully rested and ready for the day.
/ Story: Wuthikorn Sut / English version: Bob Pitakwong /
/ Photographs: Ratthee Phaisanchotsiri /
Aptly named “Our Home”, a pair of houses stands on the same property, suggesting the truth about the importance of family and building a peaceful society. The bigger house is designed for occupancy by the homeowner, while the smaller one is Mother’s residence. On the whole, there is beauty in simplicity and the way of life relevant to both of them. The concept of design is evidenced by the use of vernacular building materials and contemporary gable roof ideas that are straightforward, warm and inviting.
The main building is a two-story home that’s simple yet attractively modern.
From the design perspective, the principal building is a two-story home with three-bedroom three-bath suites under a steep pitch roof. The basic elements of design paired with the landscape speak the language of architecture that’s easy to understand. Walk in the door, and you come to a bright and airy hallway giving access to all the rooms, at the same time blurring the boundaries between indoors and outdoors.
Courtesy of Homesook StudioCourtesy of Homesook StudioCourtesy of Homesook StudioCourtesy of Homesook Studio
A staircase nearby is built against the south wall glazed using clear glass alternating with louvered wood shutters for light control and ventilation. On the side facing the hallway, a handrail provides stability for walking up and down stairs.
Opposite the stairs, an open kitchen designed for easy moving affords a view of an inner courtyard with a thriving shade tree in the middle. It grows to fill the void of space on the second floor, creating a visual connection with nature and bringing the home office and private residential areas into contact.
The staircase leading to the second floor is built against the wall glazed with clear glass alternating with louvered wood shutters for light control.The kitchen is enclosed by glass walls and sliding doors, creating clearly distinguishable boundaries.A passage on the outside of the building overlooks a courtyard offering green spaces, fresh air and the joy of home.
The mother’s home is a single-story building with an open floor plan made for plain and simple living. There’s a sitting room adjacent to a pantry capable of adapting to changing needs. It holds two bedrooms and a bath with all the functionality for receiving visiting family members.
A platform along the exterior provides a connection between inside and outside. The overall effect is impressive, thanks to wall openings, windows and doorways working in tandem to keep the house cool and comfortable. The two buildings share the same vernacular building materials and features, forming a delightful and consistent whole.
The living room inside Mother’s home has oversized glass door systems that open to connect with the main house.
Mother’s bedroom is a plain, well-lighted place thanks to a large glass door system.
Everything changes with the passage of time, and somewhere along the line this pair of houses is changing with it. Previously an empty space, the backyard garden is now bursting with vegetable and herb gardens thriving luxuriantly. An outdoor area provides room for a playground with swings and miniature houses for kids.
A garden pathway meanders gently through the pea gravel courtyard between the two homes.
Like nature intended, they create a conducive learning environment. Above all else, the courtyard between the two homes serves the purpose of strengthening family bonds. It’s a place to sit together, talk together and shoot the breeze. In a few words, there’s nothing like “Our Home”, so to speak.
/ Story: Kangsadan K. / English version: Bob Pitakwong /
/ Photographs: Markus Gortz /
Amidst a beautiful mountain landscape, a steel frame home looks lightweight under a canopy of overhanging trees in Mae Rim District, roughly 15 minutes’ drive from Chiang Mai’s downtown. It’s tucked away in a cozy corner of a peaceful neighborhood blending seamlessly into the dark green of nearby woodlands. Upfront a natural water pond lies hemmed in by the U-shaped house plan, creating an environmentally friendly living space. Needless to say, it’s invitingly comfortable, calm and peaceful thanks to the crisp cool mountain air passing through all day. Nothing compares to living close to nature.
Its spacious floor plan affords a whopping 800 square meters of living, functional and utility spaces snug by the warmth of a northern countryside. The brainchild of Design Qua, an architectural practice based in Bangkok, the house among the trees is designed to be in harmony with nature. This can only come from a profound understanding of the place, knowledge of the local climate and efforts at maintaining ecological balance long term.
A drawing illustrates the various component parts of a U-shape house plan in relation to the courtyard under tree cover and a water pond that’s the centerpiece of landscape design. / Courtesy of Design QuaA diagram of the second floor shows the private residential wing at the far end, utility areas on the left, and the multipurpose wing holding a welcome area in the foreground. / Courtesy of Design QuaA side-elevation view of the U-shaped house plan in cross section illustrates the physical interactions between man and nature, as evidenced by the positioning of living spaces linked by a system of corridors, balconies and verandas overlooking the courtyard with a water pond. / Courtesy of Design Qua
That being said, structural steel framing comes in as a handy building technique. Among other advantages, vertical steel columns take up less space than do concrete ones. This helps to avoid damaging the root system of a rain tree standing close by. Steel frames provide a stronger, more durable structure than concrete does. Plus, it’s lightweight and faster to construct. Overall, they are the key attributes that give the home its character.
Steel framing for building construction offers many advantages. Among others, it takes up less space and provides flexibility in design as evidenced by a system of pathways connecting to all parts of the home. Plus, it promotes good ventilation and interactions between nature and humankind.
Typical of homes in the Northern Region, passive design strategies take priority over any other matter. Correct building orientation ensures there are enough openings in the walls to admit natural daylight and fresh outdoor air into the home, while texture applied to walls and ceilings create shadows and an even concentration of warm soft light in the interior.
Named Maerim House, the two-story steel home is built on a U-shaped floor plan with a courtyard containing a natural water pond occupying the in-between space.
The house consists of three parts. First, the north wing holds a garage upfront leading to the main entrance with a warm and cozy welcome room. The ground is covered with new top soil, paved and polished to give it a neat and clean surface. The raised floorboard ensures safety in case of heavy rain.
The second part of the house plan is raised at plinth height 60 centimeters above the ground. All the equipment and utility spaces are here, among them washing and drying machines plus a work studio at the far end right next to a rather unique circular bathroom.
The third and final section of the home holds a quiet, secluded residential area. The downstairs consists of a kitchen complete with dining and sitting rooms plus a bedroom for guest accommodation. It’s accessed by a veranda tiled in different colors and textures that blend with surrounding courtyard landscapes. Close at hand, the overhanging branches of a rain tree spread above the water’s edge providing crisp, cool shade.
The counter enclosed by an overlapping clapboard of reclaimed timber adds vintage appeal to the kitchen and dining area.For a good first impression, the welcome wing is enclosed by glass walls and sliding doors that open to admit natural daylight and fresh outdoor air into the room.
A set of steps illuminated by recessed lights gives access to a two-meter-wide veranda overlooking the water pond that’s the focal point of the courtyard landscape.
Nearby, an apparently lightweight set of stairs next to a breeze block wall provides access to the second floor holding the principal bedroom. From here, a hallway connects to a living area and a circular bathroom and, beyond, two other bedrooms tucked away at the far end. On the outside of the building, a spacious balcony affords beautiful views of the rain tree and lush courtyard landscapes.
Separate but not divided. Breeze block walls painted a muted shade of green clearly define the boundaries between indoors and outdoors, at the same time providing visual continuity between the two worlds.A yoga pavilion at the rear of the house affords a beautiful panorama of wooded hills and surrounding mountains stretching farther than the eye can see.
For indoor thermal comfort, the house’s wooden floorboard is made up of long planks recycled from older homes, resulting in a feel and appearance that make people feel calm. The interior decor is simple yet elegant, featuring the simplicity of a mix-and-match between old and contemporary items. The furnishings mostly sourced from within the region bespeak the homeowner’s love for pleasingly graceful styles adorned with beautiful works of handicraft.
The upstairs bedroom boasts the simplicity of a floorboard made up of reclaimed wooden planks installed with narrow grooves in between, creating a texture that’s the only one of its kind.Tall wall ideas provide ample room for an awning window hinged at the top. It opens and shuts as needed to regulate fresh outdoor air streaming into the upstairs bedroom.An accent wall in the downstairs living room is tiled in different colors symbolizing variety, with a fireplace directly across from it radiates timeless appeal.
To create a restful atmosphere, perforate brick walls are painted earthy light green that visually blends with the darkness of nearby wooded hills in the landscape. For a lightweight look, the home is roofed over with metal sheeting with extended overhangs protecting the glass walls from the elements. At the end of the gutter, rain chains direct the flow of water from the rooftop to the ground in a more controlled way.
Taken as a whole, it’s a beautiful amalgam of natural and built environments. Built largely of bricks and reclaimed timber, the steel frame home successfully merges into the complex woodland ecosystems that are the pride and joy of this part of Chiang Mai. By design, it’s a simple structure inspired by a yearning desire to live closer to nature. And that’s exactly the point. Gorgeous!
Tucked away amidst the crisp mountain air and dense green plants thriving under tree cover, a quaint country café takes center stage giving off friendly vibes. It’s enclosed by glass walls on three sides, while perimeter fence walls of large breeze blocks in pastel brown speak volumes for the humble origins of mankind.
Lying furthest from everything else, a lazy brook passes by reflecting sunlight glistening with sparkles in misty winds. Aptly named “Mitbury the Public House”, the café and nearby support buildings merge into the cool shade of wooded hills in the backdrop. It’s arguably the most exquisite kind of scenery. And it’s located right here in Mae Rim District, only a short ride from Chiang Mai’s city center.
At the risk of stating the obvious, the aroma of coffee beans being ground and roasted in the background smells like heaven. There’s nothing like chilling out, sipping one’s favorite Morning Brew on a quiet day at nature’s edge.
The project comprises three small buildings with a chic coffee bar located at the center of the property. The other two buildings lie hidden in plain sight behind the walls of perforate blocks in muted brown designed to promote ventilation and regulate sunlight. The coffee bar itself affords 140 square meters of restaurant space canopied by overhanging trees.
A charcoal sketch of the premises illustrates the positioning of the café and two support buildings enclosed by a perforate wall and surrounding terrain features. / Courtesy of WOS ArchitectsA side-elevation view of the café building in cross section, silhouetted against a breeze block wall lying under the canopy of overhanging trees / Courtesy of WOS Architects
The brainchild of WOS Architects, a Bangkok-based architectural practice, Mitburi the Public House is a design masterpiece that seeks reconnections with the natural world.
Walk in the door, and you find an ample space used for guests and seating. Interestingly, the rough textured wall in soft pastel beige at the back is the sight to behold. It stands overlooking the space used for preps, the coffee bar and kitchen.
From a distance, a paved passageway glides past lush lawns leading to first building that houses the café and kitchen. The second building holds storage space and staff quarters, while the third is a complete toilet building. By design, they lie hidden from view behind the perforate brick walls.
A footbridge gives access to nearby wooded hills. It’s built of structural I-beam framing, with wooden planks and railings of wire infill panels for protection against slip and fall accidents.
All of them are built of structural steel framing. Where appropriate, the exterior walls are crafted of natural building materials sourced from within the community. Immediately appealing among them is the floor tiled in grayish brown. It lies covered with thin slabs of baked clay from a local kiln, creating charm, good looks that embrace imperfect simplicity.
For visual continuity, the café building itself is enclosed by glass walls on three sides, with a pair of transom windows at the top of the front door. A clean, well-lighted place, the interior is warm and welcoming, thanks to pale soft lights that are less distracting, adding romantic appeal to the room.
From inside the café, glass walls provide undisrupted visual continuity between indoors and outdoors. The floor is tiled in reddish brown slabs fired the old-fashioned way by a local kiln, the beauty of imperfections that blends with the surroundings.The café building stands among the trees, enclosed by glass walls on three sides. They open to admit natural daylight and fresh outdoor air into the room.
Out-of-doors, yard landscaping ideas are just impressive. Perforate blocks in reddish brown fill up the entire boundary fence, blending seamlessly into the dark green of the forest’s edge. Located furthest to the rear, a footbridge built of steel I-beams, wooden planks and wire infill railings provide access to nearby forested hills.
Attention to detail is evidenced by the breeze block fence in muted brown that separates the business premises into clearly defined zones depending on functionality.The complete toilet building stands hidden from view, separated from nearby lush lawns and café space by a wall of perforate bricks for ventilation.
The I-beams are painted a grayish green hue that merges into large areas of old woodlands in the background. Underneath the footbridge, a babbling stream runs idly by meandering through the rock-covered forest floor. Above it, cool breezes and leaves rustling in the trees entice the imagination.
Overall, the business premises keep firmly to the owner’s initial resolve to leave every tree and the nearby brook where they have always been, giving rise to house-among-trees ideas. For a good reason, they are built small and disposed around the periphery of the project site. The building shell is topped with a simple gable roof made of natural materials that are friendly to the environment.
To live and let live, a native tree stands where it’s always been. Cutting it down is not a choice.
Nature lovers should find the small café in the woods a paradise, thanks to rocks being used to create a set of steps leading to the glass-glazed façade, a clever hack to create visual continuity between indoors and outdoors.
Surrounded by lush lawns and shade trees, a set of rock steps adds beauty and functionality to the building’s glass-glazed façade.
Thanks to thoughtful design, the trio of small buildings in earthy browns lies beautifully ensconced among the trees and wooded hills in the background. Day in, day out, the smell of coffee ground and roasted fresh on site induces a sense of warmth and comfort among people who feel a yearning for the mountains.
It comes as no surprise that they name it “Mitbury”, a Thai term literally translated as a place for friendly people, and in this particular case, a café built into nature that celebrates the easy, laidback lifestyles that have made Chiang Mai famous. Swing by next time you’re in town!
/ Story: Phattaraphon / English version: Bob Pitakwong /
/ Photographs: Nantiya /
A hotel chain widely recognized in Chiang Mai’s Mae Rim District for the past 15 years has opened a new branch in Muang District in what is seen as a major expansion of luxury, comfort and style. Proud Phu Fah Muang Chiang Mai advocates living next door to nature while showcasing an intriguing combination of modern design with rich culture and beautiful traditional crafts. Its design concept keeps firmly to the belief that being in nature provides deep relaxation. And the result of all this is a resort hotel that’s environmentally conscious, plus it’s tailored to the needs of specialized segments of the market.
Needless to say, the hotel landscape is out of this world. Like taking a spellbinding journey into the woods, Proud Phu Fah Chiang Mai is a perfect escape away from the crowds, where the air is filled with the continuous murmuring sound of water flowing and leaves rustling in the trees creating detailed mental images of the beautiful northern landscape.
The brainchild of Full Scale Studio, a homegrown architectural practice, Proud Phu Fah Muang Chiang Mai embraces reconnections with the natural world. It consists of a pair of three-story buildings thoughtfully devised to merge into countryside vernacular, at the same time reaping the full health benefits of sunshine and fresh air.
The sound of a babbling brook amid lush green vegetation reconnects Proud Phu Fah Muang Chiang Mai with its natural surroundings.
The main idea is to let the aroma of nature permeate through the landscape. Such is manifested in a pair of well-maintained giant rain trees providing shade and a focal point in the center courtyard. By design it has become a favorite place of relaxation and rejuvenation among hotel guests.
Lee Kuan Yew trees (scientific name: Vernonia elliptica DC) growing luxuriantly inside a protective barrier provide natural privacy screens for hotel rooms.Well-maintained trees keep the center courtyard in shade for much of the day.
Front and center, well-thought-out planning ensures that all the rooms have access to the best view of the natural surroundings. The first building, called Building A, is directed at a 45-degree angle to soak up a wonderful panorama of the mountains, while the second, known as Building B, is set along the 90-degree line for a beautiful orchard view.
Where appropriate, new trees offering fragrant flowers are added to the existing contiguous woodlands, resulting in uniform composition.
Architecturally speaking, it’s a project that emphasizes the use of concrete, brick and wood directly sourced from the locality as the building materials of choice. Aside from giving a sense of identity and cultural heritage, they double as storytelling tools conveying a great deal about the love of nature and preservation of traditional crafts.
Where solid walls are not suitable, perforate walls are built of breeze blocks in various contemporary styles to promote natural air circulation on the premises.
A gallery along the outside of the building is designed to connect with nature.
An example of this is Minimal Lanna, a type of room that advocates Minimalism in art infused with a mix of traditional crafts and modern interior design.
The room has furniture beautifully crafted of teakwood, ceramic tiles, and ceramic washbasins with kid design custom-painted by the property owner, plus decorating items in a variety of finishes handcrafted by local artisans and contemporary artists in the region.
Overall, it’s a design that places great emphasis on the beauty of simplicity and the use of soft neutral tones for deep relaxation.
A type of guest rooms called Minimal Lanna advocates Minimalism in art with an interesting combination of local crafts with modern furnishing and decoration.The Honeymoon Grand View room on the third floor of Building A boasts the beauty of split level design in descending order starting with the bathroom, bedroom, living room and finally the balcony.The Honeymoon Grand View room on the third floor of Building A has a bathtub in the open air with an unbroken view of nearby wooded hillsides.
To reduce the harsh texture of concrete construction, red bricks come in handy for multiple applications. Among other things, the external envelope of Building B consists of brick walls inspired by the craft of basket-making known as “Lai Song” patterns in the vernacular of the Northern Region.
Like poetry in motion, the reflection of sunlight on the walls creates interesting sights and shadows that change from morning to evening.
A guest room on the first floor of Building B has a private onsen, or hot spring pool with a refreshing garden view.Perforate building facades in different colors and textures add interesting dimensions to the architecture of the hotel and landscapes.
For indoor thermal comfort, where appropriate perforate walls are built using contemporary cement blocks with holes in them that serve as engine driving natural air circulation and letting natural daylight stream into the interior.
In a way, they form an integral part that blends seamlessly with the landscape enlivened by the sounds of a babbling brook amid a forest garden with walkways made for relaxation. Together, they go to work connecting Proud Phu Fah Muang Chiang Mai with the idyllic natural setting.
Brick walls in stunning earthy hues inspired by weaving techniques known as Lai Song patterns blend harmoniously with lush vegetation in the immediate surroundings.
This house on the hill is a refreshing change to be taken seriously. Designed for four people to fit in comfortably, it looks out over the Mae Sa River in Chiang Mai’s Mae Rim District. It all began with a family wanting to get away from Bangkok and live somewhere out there in the countryside. As luck would have it, they had an old vacation home that needed repairs, and the rest is history.
It wasn’t long before they decided to put in a new house set amid the landscape of undulating hillsides filled with fond memories of the good old days. From a distance, the new place named Mae Rim House is built into nature, the perfect place to get fresh air and sunshine. Can’t beat that!
The open concept first floor offers plenty of ample space under double height ceilings. It holds a living room, dining room and kitchen. Upstairs, a footbridge provides access to the bedroom at the rear of the house plan.
Upon completion, the family had most of their furniture and furnishings shipped up here when they left Bangkok. They included collectibles that had been in family possession for some time and personal effects shipped home after an extended stay overseas. Take a quick look, and it’s easy to get how they felt a sentimental attachment to their possessions.
The dinning room affords a peaceful vista of the family’s old vacation home at the rear of the property.
Overall, home decoration is inspired by fond memories for the past. Amenities and features of the house are mostly in taupe or light gray with a tinge of brown. And that’s especially true for the ceilings, interior walls, sofas and other furniture items.
It’s a mix of old and new that blends perfectly with the dense green color of the surrounding landscape. The same applies to the comparative coolness of the house exterior that’s in shade for much of the day, a rustic ambience that’s in perfect harmony with nature.
The two-story, 500-square-meter home boasts the beauty of a large living room in the middle of the first floor. Elsewhere, smaller sitting areas are placed at intervals across the house plan.
But what makes it an interesting place to live is the double height ceiling at the center that promotes cross ventilation, keeping the interior cool and comfortable especially during summer months. At the same time, open concept design encourages smooth flow around the interior, from the kitchen to dining room to living room.
A topographic map shows the house location on the hill in relation to green spaces, roadway and nearby structures.A drawing of the downstairs floor plan.A drawing of the upstairs floor plan.
The result is a bright and breezy atmosphere, thanks in part to an array of sliding glass doors on one side of the house that opens to let nature permeate the interior. There’s also a ceiling fan on standby, too. It’s so cozy that they hardly ever use air conditioning.
The first floor holds two bedrooms with a view of nature. Designed for senior family members, they are positioned at either end of the house plan for increased privacy. The second floor is an entirely different story.
There’s an attic-style bedroom at the south end of the house plan that has been adapted to avoid stuffiness and promote good air flow. For lighting and ventilation, a trio of awnings and skylight windows are built into the gable roof.
The upstairs bedroom at the rear is accessed via a footbridge overlooking the void of space above the first floor that holds a kitchen, dining room and living room.
Inside the house, slanted ceilings that run parallel to top chords create a bigger space overhead making the entire bedroom feel spacious and airy. On the outside, the underside of overhanging eaves is covered with soffit panels for a neat appearance.
Bedroom walls are glazed using clear glass to soak up the views of lush wooded hills.A cozy semi-outdoor gallery adjoining the bedroom is brightened up with foliage plants.
For indoor thermal comfort, the box-shaped home lies protected by an expansive gable roof with long eaves overhanging the exterior walls. It stands hemmed in by tall trees that keep the new family home in shade for much of the day.
The awning and skylight window customized to match the roof reduces the harshness of materials, plus it facilitates cross ventilation in the interior, keeping the house cool in summer.
What makes it fascinating is the far ends of the gable roof that extends quite a distance from the walls of the building. The resulting triangular shape of the second level is designed to avoid making the house look too big or too tall, so as to blend with all that exists in the neighborhood. After all, it’s everlasting harmony that’s the foundation of good design.
A contemporary vernacular home aptly named “Baan Suan Athisthan” stands surrounded by lush green trees and bushes in Chiang Mai. The term “Baan Suan” is Thai for an orchard home. You got the idea. It’s a living space that merges traditional knowledge and skills with modern design principles, technology and materials. The result is a well-thought-out two story house plan filled with style and personality, plus useful features fitting perfectly in a coherent whole.
A tree and lush vegetation add a light and pillowy texture to the front yard. The roof is covered with terracotta tiles sourced from neighboring Lamphun Province.
Located at Tambon Mae-Tha in the District of Mae-On, the house makes good use of indigenous knowledge systems and experiences unique to the locality, albeit adapted to suit new conditions and the look that belongs to the present. It’s part of a whole range of professional pursuits that homeowner and architect Supawut Boonmahathanakorn is engaging in.
He has worked at Mae-Tha for a long time, getting involved in all kinds of development efforts. It’s easy to get why he’s become a respected member of the community. We swung by Supawut’s beautiful vernacular home recently and loved every minute of it.
A Home That Blends into the Surroundings
Supawut came to Mae-Tha some eight years ago to work in community planning but ended up falling in love with it. Over time, a friendly, harmonious relationship with locals culminated in a decision to purchase a piece of land with the intention of building a home there.
What he had in mind was the kind of home that would fit, geographically and culturally, into the context of the rural vernacular habitat. And it climaxed with an impressive event in the form a thoughtfully devised wooden home with functionality and comfort fitting into a rural house plan.
Plus, correct building orientation protects it from inclement weather, creating a cozy and inviting living space that syncs with the rhythm of nature.
It’s the product of design thinking that started out with the simple drawing of a wooden home plan. As might be expected, he wanted it built the old-fashioned way. The house is now complete.
The principal front of the home looks out over a rural road and, beyond it, a panorama of Doi Khun Tan, a scenic mountain range straddling the border between nearby Lumphun and Lampang provinces to the south.
To deal with intense sunlight coming from that direction, a tree is put in the front yard to provide shade and protect the home from harsh glare. In the meantime, a specious porch along the outside of the house performs a dual function as semi-outdoor sitting room and a layer of protection saving the interior living spaces from sun damage.
By design, it’s the cool front porch that makes the house stand out from other vernacular homes in the neighborhood.
Bamboo poles alternating with barbed wires reduce the harshness of precast concrete fence posts. They provide a weather-beaten look that blends smoothly with the wooden home on the property.An array of awning windows allows natural daylight and fresh outdoor air into the home. Plus, they prove a perfect complement to clean line design on the building’s external envelope.
To blend in harmony with the community, the house is kept roughly the same size as its neighbors. Plus, it makes perfect sense to build a good rapport and avoid being seen as different from what is usual or expected.
To create a quiet and secluded living space, Supawut puts a tree in the front yard that’s still growing at the time of this report. At the same time, appropriate adaptations make the interior spaces cozy and comfortable. Among them, a “Tai Thun” or the open lower level space has since been enclosed by the walls for privacy and security since the homeowner doesn’t live here every day.
Combining Old and New
For strength and durability, the house is built on concrete foundations. The beams and joists supporting the house floor are crafted of steel to significantly speed up the overall construction process.
The floor itself is made of hardwood. The same applies to the beams and joists supporting the porch along the outside of the building. All types of timber used in this project are recycled from three old homes. They are chosen for their color and ability to suit different applications.
For good looks, teakwood is used as showpieces and wall panels, while the floor is crafted of solid hardwood in varying tones.
The front door opens to a vista of herb gardens and, beyond, a seemingly endless line of mountains.A roofed well casing made of concrete syncs with gardens filled with herbs indigenous to the Northern Region.
In keeping with local traditions, the house’s external envelope is unsophisticated and easy to understand. Unlike traditional vernacular design, the roof eaves overhanging the exterior wall are left exposed, leaving the ends of roof rafters visible.
Neither is there a gable decoration, aka the “Ga-lae” that’s symbolic of homes in the Northern Region. But nevertheless, it’s a beautiful wooden house, one that’s easy on the eye and blending perfectly into countryside vernacular.
The house entry area boasts split-level design that provides a place to sit while putting on and taking off shoes upon entering. There is an element of surprise, though. The second floor is accessible via a spiral staircase made of steel, an unusual feature for the traditional style home of the Northern Region.
The dining room and kitchen that lies furthest in is well-lit by natural daylight streaming through side windows and the front porch. Directly overhead, exposed floor joists supporting the upstairs room are clearly visible.Double height ceiling ideas make the downstairs sitting room feel airy and comfortable. Sliding glass doors open for good ventilation and lighting.A nook with a small desk provides a flex workspace that’s airy, open and welcoming.
The downstairs bathroom is an extension of the house plan, accessible via a semi-outdoor room roofed over with corrugated translucent material for lighting, a clever hack to keep the bathroom clean and hygienic.
The front porch roofed over with a translucent material performs a dual function as semi-outdoor sitting room and additional protection preventing sun, wind and water from entering the home.
Climb a flight of stairs, and you come to a “Tern” in the vernacular of the Northern Region meaning an indoor raised platform. In a way, it serves as window into the past. Supawut explained that traditionally in former times, the area was used as living room during the daytime, and sleeping space in the nighttime for unmarried sons.
For good lighting and ventilation, the room isn’t enclosed by the walls. In times past, all family members would be out tending rice in the paddy field all day. There was hardly anyone home. And by the time the sons matured into adulthood, they would be married off and started a family of their own. Since the daughters remained in the family, they were entitled to a room of their own.
A window into Northern culture in times past, the raised platform or “Tern” in the dialect of the region provided space for a living room during the daytime, and sleeping space for unmarried sons at night. Like old times, it now serves as a sitting room with throw pillows and floor seat cushions for sitting and leaning on.
In keeping with traditions, the Tern in this contemporary home is without furniture, an evidence that sheds light on a culture in which people sit on the floor. For Supawut, it’s a quiet nook to lean back, chill out, enjoy the view of the surrounding landscape.
Double Height Ceilings for a Bright and Breezy Atmosphere
A void of space between the first and second floors further increases ventilation in the home. It serves as engine that drives cross-ventilation, drawing fresh outdoor air from downstairs and forcing it to exit through wall openings and vents upstairs.
By making appropriate adaptations to traditional house design, Supawut was able to create high ceilings that give the home a lively and cheerful atmosphere. The result of all this: a contemporary home that’s more cozy and comfortable than the original vernacular homes in former times.
An upstairs awning window and a gable vent allow natural light and fresh outdoor air into the home.Timber conceals the steel framework supporting the roof, creating a harmonious look in the interior living space. The coverings are made of reclaimed hardwood in various shades of earth color. The wall on the right is crafted of cement boards with sand swirl texture painted a cool-toned white.A void of space between the first and second floors makes the house feel light and breezy, while windows open to bring the outdoors in.
Technically speaking, the house is an interesting amalgam of the modern and the traditional. The architect started out with ideas for a modern house plan, and then added vernacular features to it with the help and advice of local elders highly skilled in traditional carpentry and woodworking.
Ironically, the elders were reluctant to participate at first. But after working with Supawut for a period of time, they came to accept it as one of their proud achievements.
The neat and tidy bedroom embraces simple living. Shelving and cupboards perform a dual function as storage space and double insulated walls.The contemporary upstairs bathroom is small yet complete with modern conveniences. The wet and dry areas are clearly defined, while the bathtub and shower room in cool-toned whites match the toilet and nearby rectangular wash basin.
As for building material adaptations, the walls are built for the most part of cement boards painted a shade of earth tones reminiscent of vernacular homes in bygone times. A light hue is chosen to create a bright and optimistic appearance on the front porch and entry area. The second floor is built strong to give it the maximum ability to take loading, especially the wet area where the bathtub is located. There are multiple vents that allow warm air to exit, resulting in a well-lit, well-ventilated interior. In the meantime, the open-concept floor plan makes the home feel spacious and improves traffic flow.
The house sits on concrete foundations designed to protect against water damage. Post bases built of concrete keep timber frames and columns dry. The joists and beams supporting the house floor are made of steel to significantly reduce construction time and save money on timber costs. Where appropriate, the open ends of steel beams are boxed in using wood plugs for a neat appearance and keeping insects out.For a neat appearance, wooden knobs conceal the pins that secure mortise and tenon joints in place, a preferred technique to build strong timber framing. The architect sought advice from an artisan/village elder skilled in traditional carpentry to do this. Reclaimed four-sided posts and round log beams fitting together like wooden toys add visual interest to the interior.The roof over the front porch is covered with a corrugated translucent material that reduces the amounts of light passing through. The load-bearing posts, beams and joists are made of hardwood for durability. Rafter tails are cut at an angle for a lightweight look and maximize the drip-off distance from the building. Plus, it allows rain gardens to make the most of runoff water.
The new contemporary vernacular home is named Baan Suan Athisthan for a good reason. The word is Sanskrit for a resolute mind or strong will to find inner peace and happiness. Like so, Supawut created this awesome place to be a home of peace, one that seeks reconnections with the natural world and the community to which it belongs.
More than anything else, it’s a little humble abode that provides a learning environment for kids, plus a close and harmonious relationship with others in the neighborhood.
The homeowner and project architect, Supawut Boonmahathanakorn, of Jai Baan Studio.
/ Story: Kor Lordkam / English version: Bob Pitakwong /
/ Photographs: Poto Architects and Blind Space /
There’s more to this than meets the eye. Here’s a small house that chronicles a series of events and experiences of a multigenerational family in Chiang Mai. The humble abode that’s anything but ordinary is nestled in a residential compound shared by relatives living in ten separate households. The new home on a budget is the brainchild of Studio Sifah, a homegrown architectural practice admired for their knowledge of the social and cultural environment in the Northern Region and ability to apply that information in a meaningful way.
The house entry area is glazed using clear glass that provides a welcome contrast to nearby solid walls for privacy protection.
It all starts with a young man wanting to put in a home close to his aging parents on a large property where a group of close-knit families also live. It looks the epitome of experiences in communal living, a system whereby family relatives help and support one another come what may.
Point taken. The architects respond with a contemporary home built of concrete and steel framing. There’s a pleasant surprise. Its modern exterior belies the unblemished charm of rustic life hidden inside.
More so than anything else, the house plan is thoughtfully devised to preserve a culture unique to the Northern Region, the way of life by which people sit on the floor as they gather to enjoy a main dish called “Laab” just like their ancestry did in times past.
Here, though, the zesty meaty meal served with a salad and sweet rice is more than just food. It’s a way of life. It’s the living embodiment of a food culture that unites the people across vast swaths of land on this side of the world. Long story short, it’s only appropriate that the house is named “Laab Is More”.
The patio leading to the front door is taken up a notch with custom-made interlocking concrete blocks that can be dyed to create qualities and features resembling old-fashioned bricks.
Sharing his design thinking, the architect said the homeowner was looking for a house plan that would jealously guard his privacy in the company of family relatives living close by. It was quite a challenge even for experienced architects since it was a little too close for comfort, so to speak.
Eventually, the design team decided in favor of a 165-square-meter home enclosed by solid walls, each strategically positioned to save the interior from being seen or disturbed by outsiders. It’s a well-thought-out plan that maximizes space utilization to protect privacy and promote the close family bond at the same time.
In essence, it’s a design that combines the modern and the traditional. The house’s contemporary appearance goes hand in hand with the homeowner’s love for old-fashioned lifestyles that promote a culture in which people sit on straw mats as they enjoy a good meal together as family.
With respect to construction, the small house plan is enclosed almost entirely by solid walls with tall transom windows at the top for lighting. There’s one exception. The entry area is glazed using clear glass to create a bright and cheerful atmosphere. Serving as a buffer between indoor and outdoor spaces, the hallway at ground level connects to a slightly raised platform holding a spacious living room with functional areas nearby.
In keeping with long-established traditions, there is no wall separating the living room from the bedroom that lies furthest in. The only room dividers that exist are the ones that set the bedroom apart from nearby bathroom and workspace at the farthest end.
The principal floor holding the open bedroom is raised at plinth height, providing sleek, convenient seating space and hence no need for furniture.
Nearby, the lower sitting room offers space for a kitchen pantry design and coffee bar. From here, the concrete floor spreads out to connect seamlessly with a large outdoor patio used for family gatherings and dining al fresco. The patio has room for food preparation with a wash basin and utensils for cooking large meals and entertaining houseguests.
Split-level design shows in the main living space elevated at plinth level 50 centimeters from the hallway floor. Together they provide a convenient place to sit shooting the breeze. Plus, they evoke fond feelings and a sentimental attachment to the culture passed down through generations.
From the look of things, it’s material honesty that gives the house a good first impression. For strength and durability, the foundations and structural framing are built of concrete to carry the weight of posts, beams and the roof truss crafted of steel. Albeit built of modern materials, the entire floor plan makes reference to traditional vernacular design unique to the Northern Region.
Built on a budget, the house makes good use of locally available materials adapted for a new use and contemporary design. They include the walls built of bare concrete blocks and aluminum frames for doors and large transom windows at the top of the wall.
The ceiling is built of ordinary plywood panels, while wooden furniture in the interior gives the home a warm and welcoming atmosphere. For ventilation, there are no soffits beneath the eaves that connect the far edge of the roof to the exterior wall.
A spacious backyard patio provides ample space for gatherings, cooking and dining al fresco.
The multigenerational family property in itself is rich in history and strong spirit. And the newly added small house is designed to embrace the same positive attitudes that have been the family’s core values through time. It’s a layout with the power of storytelling about a sentimental attachment to northern vernacular culture, in which sitting on the floor is the norm.
A perspective drawing illustrates the dimensions and texture of materials used in the project, plus spatial relationships between indoor and outdoor rooms.An open perspective drawing gives the illusion of spatial depth in the split-level house plan. The main living area floor is elevated at plinth height above the entrance hall floor.
The property is home to an old rice granary that has stood the test of time as an inextricable part of the family’s history and culture. The building used for storing threshed grain in times of old now serves as the symbol of farm community living and the close family bond.
As things change, it finds a new purpose as venue for socialization. It’s a place to sit together, talk together and eat together as family. And the lime and herb meaty meal called “Laab” comes in handy to cement the family ties, creating a healthy and strong society going forward.
The house façade, left, as seen from the old rice granary now used as work area.The old rice granary has since been adapted for a new use as food preparation area shared by relatives living in the same compound. Just like old times, it serves as the heart of family life where people assemble, eat a meal together and enjoy a casual conversation.
The old granary provides a focal point on the property. It gives the architects the inspiration they need to pursue their design goal.
And the result of all this? A house plan that celebrates communal living and a food culture where “Laab” is more than just food. It’s a way of life that connects everyone in the family just like the old rice granary did in times past. Now it’s easy to get why they name this house “Laab Is More”.
/ Story: Ektida N. / English version: Bob Pitakwong /
/ Photographs: Rungkit Charoenwat /
Here is a café and roastery with an ear-grabbing name. The Thingamajiggy Coffee Roaster stands in the middle of the rice fields of Chiang Mai’s Mae Rim District. A metamorphosis of purpose, it’s performing a new function as café with panoramic views of the stunning mountain landscape. The brand may be hard to say, but it certainly holds the attention of listeners while its rustic appearance merges into the farmhouse vernacular symbolic of the Northern Region.
The room of this Chiang Mai café in itself has only 21 square meters of space. At the outset, that was a difficult situation that tested the ability of the design team at Yangnar Studio, a homegrown atelier based in Chiang Mai. But they stepped up to the challenge by creating a functional business space, in which everything on the premises was fused into a single entity.
And the result of all this? A piece of vernacular architecture worth remembering. It’s a wholesome destination for coffee lovers that fits right into its surrounding farmlands and the reality of simple life in the countryside.
Built by locals using local building materials, the small coffee shop merges beautifully into farmland vernacular.
To begin with, the project owner wanted an oasis of calm where customers could sit back and relax as they enjoyed a good cup of coffee with nothing to obscure the view of the landscape. The design team responded with a three-part plan, including a small coffee shop at the front, followed by a cozy sitting area under a bamboo pavilion, and a restroom building at the farthest end.
Here, a 360-degree-view that changes from season to season can be seen all year round. Like a wallpaper from nature, it’s a design that seeks to connect more closely with the natural world for lighting and ventilation. Hence, there’s no need for air conditioning, which translates into huge savings and contributing in its small way to a sustainable future.
Going in the reverse direction, slat wood wall paneling is installed on the inside while supporting vertical beams or columns are on the outside.
In terms of design, the coffee shop gets its inspiration from old rice granaries commonplace in this part of the country. The interior holds a coffee bar service/ordering area complete with an assortment of bakery goods. Nearby, a west-facing bakery room provides insulation against hot afternoon sun, thereby keeping the bar and customer seating area cool and comfortable.
Plus, double height ceilings add a light and airy atmosphere to the room. From the outside, what looks like a two-story building is in fact a cross ventilation system which relies on wind to blow cool outside air into the room through one side, while warm inside air is forced out through rooftop vents and outlets on the opposite side.
Extended eaves overhanging the exterior walls offer protection against too much sun and rain.The building’s external envelope crafted of bamboo splits creates a more open and airy atmosphere in the room, plus it protects against humidity damage.
The little café amid the rice fields is built by artisans skilled in traditional carpentry using timber and other natural ingredients readily available in Chiang Mai, except for the load-bearing foundations that are made of poured cement or concrete to protect against soil moisture damage. As is the case with rice granary construction, slat wood wall paneling is installed on the inside while supporting vertical beams or columns are on the outside.
Apart from retaining much of its architectural heritage, the reverse exterior walls add visual interest that merges with a massive gable roof designed for sun and rain protection. In the fewest possible words, it’s a picture of modern countryside ideas blending together beautifully into one cohesive whole.
To make customers feel comfortable, this Chiang Mai café amid the rice fields has patio and outdoor furniture that can be set up anywhere under the bamboo pavilion canopy. It’s a relaxation room that conveys a great deal about the humble origins of mankind and their responsibility towards nature.
To reduce the chance of exposure to harmful substances, the bamboo shades and blinds are not chemically treated to extend their longevity of life cycle. It’s a design based on the belief that everything changes and everything will be replaced when the time comes.
A drawing of the floor plan shows functional spaces in relation to the trees and shrubbery thriving on the property.
The same applies to the method of construction that’s simple and straightforward. Take for example the bamboo pole footings that are wrapped in plastic bags for protection against humidity damage. Or the overhead black mesh rolls that create diffuse light and protect against the sun’s harmful UV rays. They, too, get changed from time to time to ensure customer comfort and satisfaction.
For a full view of the landscape, the three buildings are set in a direction parallel with the elongated plot of land.
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