/ Story: Wuthikorn Sut / English version: Bob Pitakwong /
/ Photographs: Soopakorn Srisakul, Nantiya Bussabong, and Spaceshift Studio /
This modern cube house design inspires great admiration. It has a crisp elegance of cool-toned whites. From the outside, the building looks like three boxes stacked one on top of the other. Inside, it has everything this chef couple could want.
Photographs: Spaceshift Studio
On first stepping into this white box house, you don’t see the expected living room complete with a sofa and TV console. Rather, it has a dining table long enough to seat 8-10 people. The owner couple, Nanthaphon Lilainukul and Thirayuth Khongdee, have a Facebook page called “The Dish Whisperer” for cooking aficionados.
Photographs: Spaceshift Studio
They told us that when their daughter was born, at the time condo living didn’t lend itself to cooking, so they started looking around for a new home.
“I’ve lived in this neighborhood since I was three. My mother lives just three doors down, which is why we came back to this area. Outside the village, there’s that confused urban hustle and bustle, but here it’s quiet and peaceful,” said Nanthaphon.
Thirayuth said that the three-story design made good use of vertical space. It has all the necessary features neatly fitted into a small piece of land.
To prevent flooding, the plinth level that makes the first floor is built one meter above the ground. There is a cellar that’s used for storing preserved organic vegetables that Nanthaphon made herself.
The first floor contains a studio featuring that long table which – besides dining – is used for receiving guests and holding cooking workshops: Nanthaphon is a certified chef with a specialty in French pastries, while Thirayuth is a master of Thai food. Between the kitchen and the studio is a stairway to the second floor and a storage room for Nanthaphon’s ceramic dinnerware.
Sharing her piece of paradise, Nanthapon said: “Actually I graduated in engineering, but cooking has always been my thing.
“Each time I went to Japan, I got more hooked on its food culture. Eventually I decided to follow my passion and do what I loved — cooking and collecting beautiful dinnerware sets. I’ve found some really beautiful ceramic stuff in second-hand stores, but some I bought from abroad,”
The second floor holds a multipurpose family room made comfortable by a cool breeze that enters and circulates all day. Meanwhile, rough wood texture on the doors and windows adds rustic charm to the warm and intimate interior.
From the minimalist façade, outswing windows open to reach towards Nanthaphon’s mother’s house, conjuring up the image of social and family life in former times.
For more privacy, the bedroom is tucked away behind the multifunctional area. Their little girl still sleeps in the same room as Mom and Dad at least for now, but a separate room has been set aside for her future use on the third floor.
By design, this white box house is more than a place of residence: Nanthaphon’s cooking workshops are held here, too. Her focus here is less on preparation of dishes than on understanding how raw ingredients can be used in various culinary purposes.
Her food creations are straightforward and easy to follow, and they inspire visitors to try them at home.
If a garden includes naturally flowing water or an old pond or spring, the water can be used to drive a fountain or water wheel, or dammed up to control the flow near a garden entrance or a relaxation spot.
Or, original garden fixtures such as walls or other architectural elements can be used with pumping systems to create dimensional motion in the form of a waterfall wall, or an artificial waterfall. Here, choose rough-surfaced materials and/or steep surfaces so water running across them produces a strong, clear sound. This can be enhanced by controlling water pump pressure.
– Images reflecting beauty –
The inherent reflective property of water can bring a more spacious garden atmosphere, adding dimension and color as well as changing motion and texture. We see this in world wonders such as the Taj Mahal and Wat Kinkakuji Temple, as well as in “infinity” swimming pools at seaside resorts. Reflection always creates feeling and perspective in the viewer, often simply a function of the width and the stillness of the water. A lake or large pond dug next to a garden highlight can create a beautiful view for people looking from the opposite bank.
– Lights in the water –
Lights in and around the water create worlds of brightness and shadow above and below the surface. Refraction creates beautiful, entrancing “water ghosts.” Underwater lights should be used in conjunction with well-structured ponds and good treatment systems to ensure easy maintenance, protect against damage, and to get bright, clear underwater lighting. Only specially designed light bulbs adapted for low voltage should be used underwater.
– Mist to create dimension –
Mist or water spray is commonly used in tropical or jungle gardens, mainly with minispray-type sprinklers primarily intended for watering and moisturizing plants, especially large ones such as ferns or orchids, but incidentally also cooling the garden. Nowadays minisprinkler heads are often hidden among plants or in spots among small shrubs and ground cover plants, but they can be also be used with fountain systems to create mist in the middle of ponds, adding a different kind atmosphere or narrative than usual to sculptures or pond highlights. A good example is in the yard in front of the Place de la Bourse in Bordeaux, France.
– Related sculptures –
Water can itself be used as a sculpture, or in combination with actual garden sculptures, statues, fountains, European-style bird baths, or for fish ponds, as in Thai gardens. Statues using water as ornamentation usually highlight its motion, spouting up or falling. This is common in ordinary fountains, but other water properties can be used in combination, for instance transparency. Water curtains or moving shapes that look like glass can be created. And water plants themselves often have beautiful and unique shapes.
– Creating a good ecosystem –
The most important use of water in the garden is to create life and maintain an ecosystem that faithfully imitates nature so the garden can grow sustainably, not only for plants, but as a home and food source for water creatures and many other living things. If you have a large area for a garden, you could begin by digging a pond about one-fourth its size to hold rainwater, then use that pond for watering plants as well as to grow local water plants and riparian vegetation. Make an artificial waterfall, grow interesting plant species large and small, and even enjoy the delights of raising fish!
/ Story: Jeadwonder / English version: Bob Pitakwong /
/ Photographs: Sitthisak Namkham, Piyawuth /
Young married people these days tend to move away to have children and live separately, but Chang (Somprasong Sawat) and Bua (Buachomphu Ford) have brought their families back home. Everyone living together in a warm communal atmosphere makes this big wooden house a true family home.
Mother and her younger sister live in the left wing. Behind is the parking area. Spaces are separated with drapes that can be rolled up and put away to create a common space for big family dinners.Teak wall and outdoor connection of mother and younger sister’s house.
“We’re all one big family, Mom, my sister, and my family, which right now is me, Bua, and our three young sons. It’s comforting to have relatives nearby. Grandma and Auntie help with the grandchildren,” Chang says with a smile.
Kanika Rattanapreedakul of Spacetime Architects Co.,Ltd. designed the house: Chang had learned about her work from a magazine article about house design in New York’s Soho district, where Kanika was the single Thai woman featured among a number of Westerners.
Her design resulted in this unique 1,000 square meters big wooden house, divided into three main sections. The first part, in the center, holds the swimming pool and central area of the house: living room, dining area, and Western-style kitchen. This is everyone’s common area.
Dining area and light-use kitchen.Chang and Bua’s parlor, used for a meeting room or just to socialize.Fresh red tones enliven Chang and Bua’s living room.Left: Chang’s sister’s private kingdom. Right: A glass corridor on the second floor connects Chang’s house to the central area.
A section of the lower floor is designed for parking. The mother’s bedroom on the second floor has a classic décor. A vertical garden adds a feeling of warmth. The third floor is Chang’s sister’s domain. The right wing is surfaced with aluminum paneling, for a modern, fashionable “industrial” look: the family calls it the “tin house.”
“I collect paintings, so we have a room for them; in fact the room is designed around them. I favor surrealism and expressionism. You don’t have to understand everything to appreciate the art: it’s enough for it just to have an emotional impact.”
Chang and Bua’s art-gallery bedroom connects to a spacious white bath.
The ground floor next to the pool has a reception area for guests, decorated with Chang’s art collection and next to a glass room where Bua practices yoga or sons play with friends, neighbors, and relatives their age.
The second floor is a mezzanine, with young Matt’s bedroom and a small pantry. Finally, on the third floor is Chang and Bua’s bedroom and two more small rooms for the children as they get bigger.
The design takes everyone’s needs into account in creating not only a beautifully designed and fully functional living space, but more than that, a place that brings together the love and warmth in the family, something that can’t be found anywhere else but here, their “home sweet home.”
Looking for a beautiful box style for your dream house? Here’s a box-shaped house inspired by the ethos of “form follows function” plus the beautiful panoramic view of an exotic Tropical garden. For lack of a better word, it’s a perfect combination of visible shape, color and texture, and practicality that happens by chance and ends in a happy and beneficial way.
The 350-square-meter modern box-shaped house took two years in the making.
Patchara Wongboonsin, the project architect at POAR, said that he didn’t have a particular style in mind when he started examining and evaluating different designs for the new home.
At the time, charm and good looks weren’t that important. He just wanted to create a practical, well-functioning house. After much deliberation, he had the winner — a modern box-style home that brings on the happy vibes by letting nature permeate.
“The house isn’t meant to be photogenic,” said Patchara when asked about some elements of design. “Everything and every component part has a reason for its existence. Take for instance the big steel beams upfront that make the house look rather unique. They are there for a future expansion plan.”
Overall, the interior is plain and uncluttered. Every living space and function is well thought out keeping in mind the movement of the sun and the amounts of light that change throughout the day.
Like so, the washrooms, storage space and essential maintenance work rooms are located in the west side of the house plan where the heat of the afternoon goes to work removing stuffy odors and preventing moisture damage.
A high-ceilinged room on the first floor makes the interior living space feel light and airy all day long.
There is no need for air conditioning or electric lights during daytime hours, which translates into big savings on utility bills.
Immediately appealing is the master bedroom, which spans 13 meters from one end to the other.
The master bedroom enclosed by glass walls affords a beautiful view of the courtyard garden abundant in Tropical plants and exotics thriving luxuriantly. It’s exemplary of integrated design that blurs the boundaries between indoors and outdoors. The result is an amazing panorama that the homeowners enjoy in the comfort of their bedroom.
A beautifully crafted stairway hides behind the wall for good reason. It’s obvious the architect didn’t want anything in any way, shape or form to interfere with the relaxed ambience of the living room.Kids’ bathrooms are the most colorful parts of the home.
For charm, good looks and the interior that’s pleasing to the senses, a palette of natural, earthy colors is used. The walls are painted a soft shade of gray to enhance special effects from nearby green spaces. The architect also uses wood jambs and engineered oak wood flooring to create warm interior spaces.
Tropical trees and exotics thriving luxuriantly in the yard reduce the amount of sunlight reaching the home, creating indoor thermal comfort.
Set among lush greenery and a relaxing atmosphere, this light and airy house with gardens brings the whole family closer to nature.
The swimming pool area features a large open space for walking. For simple maintenance, in some places plots of spike moss are planted instead of grass.
After living in an old house on this same plot for 30 years, the Srijakarin family bought additional parcels of land and rebuilt a comfortable home with gardens for three generations of family members.
The newly rebuilt house is divided into three parts. The first is the old house, which was set aside for the owner’s parents. It was remodeled with the comfort of older people in mind.
The second building is a two-story house where the owner lives with his family, and the third a modern Tropical-style structure with a relaxing, resort-like atmosphere. The couple keep their belongings and stay here during weekends and holidays. In the fewest possible words, it’s about reconnecting with nature at home.
Trees and shrubs shade the semi-enclosed pathway connecting the two houses with the swimming pool, giving the sense of walking through a sparse jungle.The overall harmony of garden and house architecture creates a relaxing atmosphere.The stairway overlooks a courtyard between the two houses, showcasing the English style in landscape design.
The front yard is in the English style characterized by neat, clean lines. There are park benches set in corners and trees in zones, while bright flowers thrive in large weathered stone urns.
The inner zone is a Tropical rainforest garden. There’s a good-sized waterfall and the gentle sound of a small brook. The garden is filled with verdant green mosses under the shade of trees carefully selected with the help of the landscape architect.
A delightful Tropical forest garden provides an oasis of calm in the courtyard between the two houses.A veranda along the outside of the house lies in the warm cocoon of a lush Tropical resort atmosphere the owners really love.A wide-angle view shows the interaction relationship between residential architecture and surrounding lush vegetation.
It’s not easy to put together a landscaping combination like this, but in the end a skillful and artistic integration of components, textures, patterns, and colors brought about a lasting and unified harmony of two garden styles – English in the courtyard, and Tropical forest upfront.
The living room showcases the beauty of open-concept design, while a double-height ceiling gives the feeling of openness and relaxation, all with a view of the garden.[Left] The multipurpose room has a big natural wood table ready for all sorts of activities, from casual work to comfortable pleasure reading. / [Right] The pantry is in white, designed for increased light and a feeling of space and comfort.The dining room is ringed by glass to let in natural light during the day. The dark furniture color reinforces a warm, welcoming atmosphere.
All things considered, it’s a house with beautifully landscaped gardens that’s the perfect fit for an extended family, an expression of pleasure and the combined happiness of the three generations that live here.
[Left] The master bedroom is furnished in a chic, fashionable way that invites relaxation. / [Right] The downstairs bathroom has a classic décor, with natural stone floor, walls, and washbasin counter. To one side, mirrors give a sense of spaciousness.For an elegant and practical look, pantry décor is primarily in natural materials and colors.[Left] An outdoor “living room” for the family elders. / [Right] A large sculpture adds dimension and narrative to the Tropical forest garden.A spot in the garden where plants grow as naturally as they would in the wild. The natural effect is enhanced by setting plants at different heights, from ground cover through low shrubs, on up to tall vegetation.
Architecture/Interior Designer: Architecture and Interior Office Co., Ltd. (AIO) by Kowit Suriyporn (www.aiodesigns.com)
In the midst of a verdant oasis stands a contemporary home with bare concrete walls and wood decoration. It blends perfectly well with a peaceful country setting in Rayong, a province on the east coast of the Gulf of Thailand.
The home consists of two buildings rising in perfect harmony with nature, thanks to the raw look of bare concrete finishes.
“I used to live in the house next door. One day this home was up for sale, so I bought it because I liked the design and the decoration,” homeowner Prom Duangkai said with a smile.
“I gave it a complete makeover, turning it into the kind of dream home that I have had for a long time. Old house poles and full-grown trees on the property were left pretty much intact. Upon completion, I sold the old house and then moved over here.”
The one-story wing of the house is used as work room and space for entertaining houseguests. The main entryway has folding shutters that open up the entire front façade to connect with the great outdoors.The hobby lobby: The homeowner’s favorite hangout is the front porch, where time goes by slowly and is spent working on creative projects. It has all desirable qualities – ease of care, plenty of natural light, and good ventilation.Furniture items in dark earth-tone browns blend nicely with the atmosphere inside the welcome area. The homeowner’s woodwork and décor items are on display here.
There are two buildings on the property. The smaller, one-story wing abutting on the street in front serves as work room and space for receiving houseguests. It has a spacious front porch that is being used for hobbies and carpentry work.
Good ventilation paired with plenty of natural light turns the area into ideal workspace. Walk in the door, and you find simple living room ideas and decorative pieces crafted mostly of wood. Every piece fits in well with the raw appeal of naked concrete finishes in the room.
Upfront, bi-fold doors open all the way from one side to the other, making the room feel light, airy and comfortable all day.
Generous wall openings increase the amount of fresh air circulating indoors, while lush vegetation permeates the landscape to reduce the harsh effects of solid concrete walls.
“I designed everything myself, from the basic structures, to furniture, to décor. I like bike riding and making road trips to reconnect with all that nature has to offer. It is about a longing for good times and going back to the beauty of our natural home,” Prom said.
“I’ve always wanted to incorporate the raw feel of wood and bare concrete finishes in the design. It’s a way to create a living space that syncs with the rhythms of nature. That’s the reason for choosing naked materials. Then, I put in large windows and doors so that the garden can be seen in full view from inside.”
[Left] Awning windows provide better protection from the elements and create a natural ventilation effect. / [Right] Big rocks placed one on top of the other make a set of steps that connects the porch to the side yard.Prom added that he was a big fan of DIY furniture and handcrafted decorating items. Besides saving a lot of money, they can be custom-made to meet specific everyday needs. Every now and then he created one-of-a kind furniture and décor items in this way. They might look unfinished and far from ideal. But that’s exactly what gives them the power of giving delight.
A twig anchored to a home office desk serves as rack for hanging hats and tchotchkes from a lifetime of carpentry. House and garden publications that are his pastime are kept here.
Move on to the second building. It’s a two-story place of residence that shares the same characteristics as the first building.
The exterior walls are of naked concrete finishes mixed with wood. There’s an element of surprise though. An opening in the second-floor balcony allows a Pride of India tree (scientific name: Lagerstroemia speciose) to rise from the ground up and shoot right through reaching for the sky.
Here, nature has priority. It’s the homeowner’s favorite shady garden nook, where time goes by slowly. It’s a place to sit down sipping coffee taking a break from pruning trees in the yard.
The homeowner’s creative space is a patio complete with a set of workbench and stool made out of materials left over from other projects. The coarse bark texture of the house pole in the background harmonizes with the rustic country ambience.The front porch offers plenty of space for potted houseplants, including miniature succulents and bonsai trees.A thriving Pride-of-India tree shoots right through an opening in the second floor balcony. It is the intention of the homeowner to let nature permeate the living spaces where possible.
In retrospect, it’s amazing to think about all the benefits that trees are giving us humans. Particularly at this house, they provide a refreshing change and the inspiration the homeowner needs to satisfy his passion for wood. Needless to say, it’s an enchanting place to live and work.
For the homeowner, nothing beats a bike ride around the neighborhood in the afternoon. Oftentimes he runs into something worthwhile to take home. Even twigs and tiny found objects sometimes make great décor items.
On Cairnhill Road, only 5 minutes from the city’s main drag of Orchard Road, we arrive at the Ritz-Carlton Residences of Singapore, the first Asian residence in the Ritz-Carlton chain. Besides opulence, contemporary design, and a raft of conveniences, there are a lot of interesting garden and outdoor areas here.
View from above reveals the elaborate graphic pattern of the maze.Domed Victorian gazebo at the exit, a perfect use of classic architectureEntrance driveway is paved with cobblestone set in patterns, lined with plant containers of trimmed hedges, and edges hidden by hanging mouse tail plants.
On both sides of the entrance walkway are orderly hedges, with ground-cover vines hanging down the sides of plant containers bordering the lush green garden as it welcomes us in to the elegant lobby on the ground floor of a lofty 36-storey building. The modern-style garden in front has orderly hedges, but also something of a tropical flavor. One main section is a small area containing three separate spots where small parties can be held, each with a small barbecue pit, dishwashing sink, and a lawn table set. Walls of colorful plants separate them. Next to this is a swimming pool with a contemporary design, with lawn chairs in private gazebos for relaxing with cool drinks after getting out of the pool.
A nice space for a small party, with a dishwashing sink and a place to set prepared foodBlack-bordered pond, the contemporary sculpture beside it creates a point of interest.
An interesting feature is the classic quatrefoil design artfully placed in spots inside and outside: on the waterfall wall, entry door, marble floor inside the building, and metal plates on the walls.
Low-growing plants contrast with taller ones. Red varieties such as Chinese witch hazel create an asymmetrical look, with beautiful perennials such as the silver trumpet tree interspersed here and there.Tropical plant colors and textures mix in the garden.A stair down to the lower parking level is planted with hanging ivy to reduce the rigidity of the wall and the shine of its surface.A gray gazebo on the path helps break things up so the garden doesn’t look too orderly.
A “secret passage” on the other side of the building leads through hedges on a concrete path whose twists and turns reveal one section after another, as a stunning garden maze invites us to come in and play at trying to find a way out. The magenta cherry hedges inside the maze are trimmed waist-high for open visibility, giving a feeling of safety. A domed Victorian-style gazebo near the exit provides a rest stop for tired searchers. Nearby are tennis courts for exercising within the green garden atmosphere.
A rest spot by the swimming pool: Pulling down the canvas shades blocks the sun and gives privacy.One side of the swimming pool wall is surfaced with quatrefoil (four-leaved flower) -patterned metal.The walkway from the garden seems to float on the water surface, but it isn’t really scary to walk on.
Besides the gardens surrounding the lower building, outside the upstairs meeting rooms and gym is a roof deck garden with three levels where one can sit and enjoy the cool breeze and scenic view. From here we look down to admire the gardens below, including that bewildering garden maze.
Magenta cherry hedges in the maze make the surroundings look exotic.Looking up through the open roof of the domed gazebo to the Ritz-Carlton ResidencesThe wire mesh tennis court is overgrown with vines for a different kind of beauty.
There is an inspiring garden covered in enchanted mist. It is on display right now at the Baanlaesuan Fair 2016 Garden Zone. Come by and be amazed by a plethora of ideas for using plants in everything you do, be it nurseries, gardening, or landscape design. Now is the best time to pay us a visit if you are looking for gorgeous selections of plants, gardening tools, outdoor furniture, landscape supplies, and much more.
The marquee event is set under the theme “Enchanted Mist / Stories in the Fog.” Inspired by His Majesty the King’s sufficiency economy philosophy, the green space features new tricks in growing vegetables, from traditional raised beds to vertical gardening. So, step in to the world of imagination, explore plenty of green ideas, and take home complimentary vegetable seeds. Here are some of the highlights.
Living Zone
The welcome area showcases a beautiful water garden adorned with a lion head sculpture. Tired of walking? Then drop into the counter bar corner to rejuvenate your body and mind.
Shelter Terrace
In the story garden, there is a big moving cage for those who love adventures. Constructed of raw materials, it is there to provide protection during a journey through the woods.
Exciting Catwalk
Take a walk through a forest of cacti and succulents that make great landscaping plants.
Herbal Beds
The backyard garden is there to impress you with many herbs and vegetables.
Swing Patio
There is a big swing on the wooden terrace. From here a big lion cage can be seen through a hole in the rock cliff face.
Mark your calendar. The annual BaanLaeSuan Fair is going on until November 9, 2016. Follow us on Living ASEAN, where we keep you posted on latest developments at the exhibition. As always, we hope that you find your visit an enchanting one. Be there.
/ Story: Wuthikorn Suthiapa / English version: Bob Pitakwong /
/ Photographs: Soopakorn Sriskul /
Everything about this modern home by Andra Matin presents a perfect example of tropical residential architecture. Check this out.
Andra Matin, the homeowner and designer of AM House, greeted us with a smile in his spacious multi-purpose room dominated by a solid-wooden long table.
His tropical modern home was made of concrete, its unique stilt structures were outstanding. These elements intrigue us to hear what he had to say about the house.
The living room on the second floor is visible from the street. Patches of greenery provide camouflage for privacy
According to Matin, this state-of-the-art work took five years to finish.
“I began building this house in 2008, starting out with a cube-shaped design. As construction was underway, more details were added. By slowly and gradually building the house, I had time to consider the best option for our family.”
The pathway glides past a pond to the second floor. The entire ramp is paved with strips of timber set at half-inch intervals.A wood deck extends from the multi-purpose space.
Matin is widely known for his attention to detail. He is responsible for pioneering modern tropical design projects across Indonesia.
When it comes to designing a house to suit a hot and humid climate, he relied mostly on nature and a clever floor plan.
There are only two air-conditioning machines in the house. One is located in the basement bathroom, to control the humidity. And the other is on the top-floor bedroom.
The multi-purpose room on the second floor is easily adaptable. The design is in accordance with tropical climates.The cooking station is built into the tabletop. An oven and a nearby refrigerator are disguised by Ulin, Indonesia native timber.The staircase is protected by a screen of vertical strips that double as a handrail.
“I have always been interested in spatial relationships rather than the form per se,” Matin mentions his interest which he adopted to his works and the designing of his home.
“Good design is one that takes ‘Spatial Relationships.’ into account. It looks into all kinds of activity that will take place within, and not just the room hemmed in by four walls.
“In reality, there exists an in-between space that subtly tells one room apart from the next, be it sitting or sleeping, walking or standing. After that, we look for the form or configuration that best fits in with those spaces, the climate, and ways of living.”
The spiral staircase leads to a spacious bathroom with a walk-in closet. A shower area and a bathtub lie under a skylight.A small lodge in the backyard is Matin’s favorite hideout spot.The third-floor living space is adequately lit by natural light via the skylight, right. On one side, floor-to-ceiling windows allow soft, diffused light in. During the day, there’s no need for an artificial light.
Matin sourced materials locally. This is not only to support the locals, Matin believes local artisans know their stuff.
“Local builders have insight know-how and skills. These materials weren’t hard to find and savvy,” said Matin
Apart from architecture, Matin also has a strong passion for travel. Hence, this house is full of fun gimmicks to make walking from room to room like an exciting adventure.
The entrance is through the hill. Followed by a lounge area with a spiral staircase as a shortcut to a rooftop on one side and a tilted floor leading to a small lodge. A children’s room is also accessible through the lodge. A working space on the ground floor also has a backdoor hidden behind a bookshelf.
The endless wonder in this modern tropical home is indeed no less than Peter Pan’s Neverland.
The sloping lawn that covers the rooftop gradually descends and ends up on top of the bedroom window.
The horizontal opening in the wall allows just enough natural light inside. The design is to avoid strong tropical sunlight.
/ Story: Supachart Boontang / English version: Bob Pitakwong /
/ Photographs: Sitthisak Namkham /
This house on stilts in a riparian neighborhood just off of Rama 2 Road represents a confluence of ideas between traditional craftsmanship and modern technology. There is timeless elegance and beauty in traditional design that provides an ample relaxation space on the open lower floor. The second floor features a wood balcony large enough to be used for several purposes, while the third holds a quiet, more secluded living space.
The three-story wood and concrete home features a mix of traditional and contemporary designs highlighting simple, clean lines that are easy on the eye.
On the outside, long eaves overhanging the walls of the building protect the interior from the elements, while solid walls shield the home from intense glare of the sun. The result of all this is a comfortable indoor environment.
Nanthapong Lertmaneethaweesap, of the Arsom Silp Institute of the Arts, designed this home as part of an affordable housing program for the institute’s most valuable assets — their teachers. The program has aided the teaching staff in owning a home of their dream, hence the name “Baan Bang-Gru”, meaning houses for the teachers.
He said that for the most part a house plan based on simple design is the most comfortable to live in. That has a lot to do with finding the right balance between functionality and the house’s overall dimensions – or how big it is. Easy living can be achieved without spending a fortune on sophisticated decorative details.
Inspired by the rice granary in former times, the house’s exterior wall features upright studs on the outside and wood paneling on the inside. The hardest part is making reclaimed wood panels fit in with the new design.
Our documentary crew visited this house in the waterside area just off of Rama 2 Road that was famous for its simple lifestyle. We witnessed people go about their business in ways that were distinctive to a riparian community. We also noticed that change was just around the corner.
Overall, the design and build quality of the house represented the combination of ideas between traditional knowledge and technology of the modern era. Interestingly, it was like is a journey through time.
The charm of a riparian wetland. The house at the water’s edge strikes the right balance between traditional and contemporary designs. Here, it makes a refreshing change to be able to live close to nature.
Charatsri Sribumrungkiat, the homeowner, said: “I acquired this piece of land thanks to assistance from the Arsom Silp Institute of the Arts. It was part of an effort to provide affordable housing for the institute’s instructors. The program has aided the teaching staff in buying a piece of real estate at cost price, hence the name “Baan Bang-Gru”, which means the teacher’s home.”
Family members are all smiles with the Thai-style ranch home in the backdrop.
Nanthapong added: “In my opinion, this piece of land has great potential. It affords good views both of the lake and the waterway that runs past the rear of the property.
“The house’s front façade rises facing south, and the building is oriented along the east-west axis. This enables it to reap the health benefits that come with southerly winds.
“The house plan in itself fits in very well with the waterside setting. Its house-on-stilts design provides an ample relaxation space on the open lower floor. The second floor features a wood balcony large enough for multiple functions, while the third holds a quiet, more secluded living space.”
The rear of the house affords a view of lush greenery and a peaceful waterway. The designer puts in a gallery large enough for multiple purposes. The covered loggia provides plenty of relaxing outdoor spaces and keeps the house cool all year round.
Occupying 120 tarang wah (480 sq. m.) of land, this house on stilts boasts high quality craftsmanship, albeit built on a small budget. This is possible because as much as 90 percent of lumber supplies came from reclaimed wood and other recyclables. New lumber used in the project accounted for only about 10 percent.
The homeowner attributed the success to his sister, who was good at finding recyclable ideas and putting them to good use around the house. This not only saved a lot of money, but it also filled the home with cool pieces of furniture.
Reclaimed wood left over from other projects is used in making a covered gateway separating the serene courtyard and the car park.The house elevated on concrete piles provides ample multi-use spaces on the open lower floor.
By design, the open lower floor is a feature that makes life less stressful. It provides easy access to practically everything, from the little lake in front of the property, to the peaceful waterway behind it.
It is the area that is used all day every day for relaxation, dining, tending plants and pruning trees in the garden. Plus, correct building orientation ensures the home receives the full benefits of natural ventilation especially during summer months.
The lower floor under the house lies open on all sides.
Originally the homeowners had intended to build a normal two-story house, but later decided to raise it on concrete piles instead. The change of plan resulted in the first floor becoming second, and the old second becoming third.
The main kitchen is on the ground floor. There is a good-sized sitting space with a small kitchen and dining room on the second floor that’s reserved for use in the event the ground floor is flooded. The third floor holds three bedrooms and a Buddha room.
A waterfront piece of ground is used for growing an herb garden. Earthen jars are placed underneath the gutter to harvest rainwater for use when needed.
The exterior walls are inspired by the rice granary in former times, in which vertical studs are installed on the outside and horizontal wood palettes on the inside. The edge joint technique that has existed for a long time ensures the wall is water impermeable during rains.
A minimalist staircase without risers between the treads creates good ventilation and a lightweight look. The same treatment applies to balusters and handrails crafted of steel rods.A beautiful array of windows opens to take in the view and plenty of fresh air. Narrow window design is used instead of side railing as protection against falling.
On the whole, it’s a beautifully crafted house on stilts, one that fits in perfectly with the peaceful riparian landscape on the outskirts of Bangkok. The interior living spaces are uncluttered in keeping with the minimalist style, while the exterior showcases the architecture, waterfront lifestyles and experiences unique to this part of Central Thailand.
The loggia with crisp waterfront views is the family’s favorite hangout place and multi-use outdoor room.
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RUPU HOUSE: White Geometric Design Bespeaks a Close Family Bond and Privacy at Home 
![[Left] The multipurpose room has a big natural wood table ready for all sorts of activities, from casual work to comfortable pleasure reading. / [Right] The pantry is in white, designed for increased light and a feeling of space and comfort.](https://livingasean.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/010-9-1024x730.jpg)
![[Left] The master bedroom is furnished in a chic, fashionable way that invites relaxation. / [Right] The downstairs bathroom has a classic décor, with natural stone floor, walls, and washbasin counter. To one side, mirrors give a sense of spaciousness.](https://livingasean.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/012-5-1024x730.jpg)
![[Left] Awning windows provide better protection form the elements and create a natural ventilation effect. [Right] Big rocks placed one on top of the other make a set of steps that connects the porch to the side yard.](https://livingasean.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/006-6-1024x730.jpg)
