Modern Tropical House Archives - Page 8 of 9 - LIVING ASEAN

Fresh Air, Sunshine and a House Built around a Tree

By livingasean
November 23, 2016
HOUSE,LIVING

/ Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand /

/ Story: Wutthikon Sut / English version: Bob Pitakwong /

/ Photographs: Soopakorn Srisakul /

Nestled in the countryside at Baan Rai Thawsi just outside of Pak Chong, Nakhon Ratchasima, this light, bright and airy home is bursting with joy. Away from city lights, it’s built around a tree to reap the health benefits of fresh air, sunshine and cool trees providing shade in the environment. Here, the towering mountains of Khao Yai National Park to the south can be seen from miles around.

Seen from a distance, the transparent house façade is designed to take in an expansive panorama of countryside landscapes. The upper floor under a mansard roof holds calm and peaceful bedrooms.

Homeowner Piyaporn Taepaisitphongse was first introduced to Baan Rai Thawsi while her mother was attending a meditation retreat at nearby Baan Boon village, taught by the revered Buddhist monk Ajaan Jayasaro.

It’s easy to get why she came away impressed. Out in the foothills, it’s calm and peaceful. In her words: “Mom brought me here and I liked it. She wanted a country house, so here we are!”

A healthy tree thrives in the middle of the house plan, a focal point for people going from one part of the house to another.

Piyaporn’s mother added: “We built it here for a lot of reasons. As Bangkok people, we feel safe living in a housing development. Here neighbors watch out for each other, plus it’s a peaceful and comfortable atmosphere.”

This was certainly clear to our team. Most households are also practicing meditation, adding to the pleasant ambience.

In a creative way, the tree at the center of the house plan connects the home with nature. Nearby, concrete walkways around the building fuse into a single path reminiscent of classic Japanese design.

The walkway around the building connects people of different generations. For Grandmother, it’s a place for walking meditation. For the little ones, it’s a semi-outdoor area to run and play in.

Piyaporn said: “We wanted a place to live after retirement, when we get old. And Mother is making plans now. We like the design by Rujnumporn Keskasemsook, of Sook Architects. He’s the one who created this open and airy house.”

The tree at the center of the house plan blocks the sun’s harmful rays from penetrating the walls, keeping the living room cool and comfortable during daytime hours.

The kitchen conveniently connects to the dining room and living area, thanks to an open concept floor plan that promotes interactions and socialization processes in the family.

Architect Rujnumporn’s design also includes lodging accommodations for houseguests staying overnight and pathways to get out there and experience the natural surroundings firsthand. From the front, we get a wide view of the duplex style home that blends right in with the environment.

The downstairs external envelope is glazed using clear glass standing tall from floor to ceiling, surrounded by covered walkway systems that also double as a porch.

The upstairs is quiet and secluded, sheltered by a mansard style roof that makes the house feel roomy and light. The mansard boasts the beauty of subdued color combinations of whites and grays, adding to the home’s proper, orderly look. At the same time, the tree in the middle stands out from the surfaces, easily noticeable from afar.

The little children’s bedroom boasts bright furniture colors silhouetted against the walls in cool-toned white. As might be expected, the bed has drawers for storing toys.

Overall, interior décor is simple, partly because it’s a vacation home. Plus, the homeowner prefers it that way. Furniture for the most part is movable, except for the kitchen that contains built-ins for ease of maintenance.

Flooring and ceiling materials are made of dark-colored artificial wood, creating a visual contrast with the building’s glass enclosures. It’s a design that seeks reconnections with the natural world outside while creating a warm and peaceful ambience inside. In the evening, sunlight shining softly through the tree creates breezy patterns like poetry in motion on the white walls.

Easygoing décor in the bedroom with a slanted ceiling that matches the mansard roof. There’s quiet reading nook by the wall.

From the outside, the two wings stand separated by a tree in the middle of the home plan. One wing serves as small hostel with eight beds for guests; the other wing holds the family residence with a bedroom downstairs for Mother, and the other bedrooms upstairs for the homeowner couple and their little children.

The “house built around a tree” in Pak Chong seems like the perfect example of a co-living arrangement, one that gives special importance to family togetherness and the joy of staying in close touch with nature.

Little children enjoy tending plants thriving in the backyard garden; among them, sunflowers, okra, and other green vegetation. It provides a conducive learning environment for kids. Out here, nature is the best classroom.

Architect: Rujnumporn Keskasemsook of Sook Architects

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บ้านล้อมไม้

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A Modern Home That is Quintessentially ThaiBaan Hing Hoi: A Modern House Exudes Old World Charm

A Concrete House Embraces the Charms of Oriental Culture

By livingasean
November 9, 2016
HOUSE,LIVING

/ Bangkok, Thailand /

/ Story: Ekkarach Laksanasamrit / English version: Peter Montalbano /

/ Photographs: Sitthisak Namkham / Styliing: Phakhawadi Phahulo /

The architect and owner of Volume Matrix Studio Co., Ltd., Kasin Sornsri, and his wife Maiko Ishimoto have agreed to live in Thailand. Together, they incorporate Thai and Japanese influences in the design. The result is a calm and peaceful orchard home that embraces the charms of Oriental culture.

Oriental Appeal House — The house-on-stilts design is ideally suited for coastal areas in tropical climates. Situated on a piling foundation, the Oriental-style home provides outstanding outdoor space, good natural ventilation and precautions against flooding.

Blending two cultures together may seem to be hard, but good communication and understanding guide them through. “If you look closely, you’ll notice a hint of Japanese atmosphere mixing in the house,” Kasin said.

“The stilt floor is open, making it suitable to sit and relax on traditional Japanese furniture with a square latticework in the background. The floor is lower down on the side and covered with pebbles like a Zen garden. A 7-tatami-sized Japanese room is on the second floor.”

Kasin continued, “For comfort and utility, we use concrete flooring in some areas. It is easier to clean than a mat floor. I also designed some spare rooms for my wife’s relatives. Most are empty, equipped only with a bathroom, in case there are many guests at the same time.”

Poured concrete window frames that extend outward add artistry to the building both inside and out.

The house is situated in a tiny peaceful street on a property of nearly 16 acres. It once had four small houses surrounded by a mango orchard. The owner kept most of the orchard and didn’t cut any tree down.

The posts of this concrete balustrade alternate with gaps in between to keep them from being opaque. The stairway design is simple and strong.

This house with Oriental appeal was built right up against the fence to avoid disturbing the orchard. It has three levels that collectively act as a fortress hiding the orchard from the outside and enhancing privacy.

Each component of the house is humble and harmonizes with the natural surroundings. To accomplish a simple and uncomplicated look, the owner used pillars and beams and, at the same time, tried to keep equal thickness for all beams to cut the cost of wood.

An interesting surface of a building can be created by pressing faux wood against the wall. But make sure to choose a beautiful grain for this.

Most floors were constructed of prefabricated concrete, except bathrooms, balconies, and decks, which used poured concrete. Polished concrete walls were chosen because the material was easy to work with, suited for environmental conditions, and easy to find.

“I used foamed blocks instead of red bricks. The material is lighter, anti-heat, easier to construct and lowering overall weight for the house.” Kasin explained.

“Normal glass is preferred, not UV-filtered ones. So, natural light can enter. Box-like flaps were added to screen the light. They also act as ventilation pipes to draw fresh outdoor air into the home.

“For a little differentiation, I added a small amount of black color into polished concrete walls. It also blends well with mango trees in the orchard.”

Overall, the appeals of the Orient are in the details. Some parts of concrete walls are marked with patterns made by pressing a faux wood against the wall while the concrete was setting. Exterior walls are alternating between rough and smooth surfaces. With such attention to detail, the house is undoubtedly in a good hand.

Owner: Kasin Sornsri and Maiko Ishimoto

Architect: Kasin Sornsri of Volume Matrix Studio Co., Ltd.

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บ้านคอนกรีต ผสมกลิ่นอายสไตล์ญี่ปุ่น

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Brilliant Home Office Combination of Studiomake

By livingasean
October 6, 2016
HOUSE,LIVING

/ Bangkok, Thailand /

/ Story: Ekkarach Laksanasamrith / English version: Peter Montalbano /

/ Photographs: Ritthirong Janthongsuk / Styling: Pakawadee Pahulo /

Despite the building being long and narrow, a team of architects at Studiomake managed to turn it into a perfect home office integration that would inspire productivity. The Bangkok-based team of designers, architects and educators is known for its specialized skills and experience in various types of architecture.

When it came to designing their own home office, Orapan Sarasalin Schafer and David Schafer opted for an architectural steel design for its lightweight look that’s right for the prevailing climate in Thailand. It’s a layout that emphasizes an open, uncluttered living space with plenty of wall openings, windows and doors for good ventilation and heat dissipation.

By design, the building performs a dual role. The first floor holds a fully equipped office space, while the second floor is used as a residence. Overall, it’s thoughtfully devised planning made easily adjustable for future updates. The crossbeams resting across the tops of columns support weigh over an extra long span, five meters to be exact.

Home office design offers many benefits, among them the freedom to create the ideal work space like the owners intended, plus the peace and quiet that suits their lifestyle needs.

The workshop boasts high ceilings for better ventilation, plus it has ample space for equipment and tools needed to perform various tasks.

There is attention to detail in all parts, especially the integration of natural elements like plants and light into the built environment, making the interior work space feel light, airy and conducive to creativity. And they don’t come by accident. Rather, every building strategy and material is tested first to see if it’s suitable for a particular application.

This helps to understand whether a specific material is right for the task, plus it narrows down the choices to the best selection. And the same careful consideration applies to both upstairs and downstairs. Examples of this include high ceilings and a wall of bookshelves designed to maximize work space utilization.

Taken as a whole, the lower floor contains a fully functional work space and offices, while the upper floor in and of itself is a complete home, consisting of two bedrooms with a bathroom en suite, a relaxing living room, kitchen and dining room.

The translucent sheet seen here is of polycarbonate, which allows light to pass through, but not exposed to the outside.

With respect to the office area, the floor plan is simple and straightforward. Electrical wiring is neatly installed and piped to various locations hidden from view. The pillars supporting the tall vertical structure of steel are evenly spaced for proper load bearing, while the building façades are made attractive by crisp clean lines.

For indoor thermal comfort, important aspects such as heat insulation, soundproofing, and ventilation are carefully thought out and incorporated in the design. In the fewest possible words, it’s all about attention to detail that makes this modern home office a perfect place to be. Brilliant!

Owner/Architect: Studiomake (www.studiomake.com)

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A Hybrid Timber and Concrete Home in the Enchanted Countryside

By livingasean
September 28, 2016
HOUSE,LIVING

/ Ratchaburi, Thailand /

/ Story: Wuthikorn Suthiapa / English version: Bob Pitakwong /

/ Photographs: Soopakorn Srisakul /

A striking trio of wood shingle roofs emerged as we took a turn onto a rustic country road in Ratchaburi, a province an hour’s drive from Bangkok. The hybrid home built of a mix of timber and concrete sits gracefully amid the rice fields.

Ratchaburi Home — An aerial view of the center courtyard with a sundeck that looks as if it were floating in midair. Lush foliage adds natural touches to the home and serves as a privacy screen.

Nantapong Yindeekhun and his family sojourned in this part of Ratchaburi after massive flooding hit Bangkok and the immediate vicinity in 2011. It was the love for the pleasant aspects of the countryside that eventually led to the decision to put in a home here.

To accommodate the needs of every family member, the new house took up a large space. For privacy, all the rooms are quite separate from one another, and yet easily accessible via a system of sheltered corridors.

On the whole, the outdoor living room is cool and comfortable, thanks to a rock garden in the center courtyard canopied by overhanging trees. Viewed from above, lush foliage act as a curtain for privacy adding a calm and peaceful atmosphere to a home office on the ground floor.

The interior wall has textured concrete finishes in subdued greens.

The mezzanine cabin bedroom comes adequately sized and boasts the rustic feel of an attic-style living space.

One of the upstairs rooms has a bench seat by the balcony. Nearby, a flight of stairs leads to a sleeping room on the mezzanine.

Ratchaburi — The center courtyard hemmed in by the passage lies within easy reach, while long roof overhangs protect the walkway and exterior walls from the elements.

The sheltered corridor and balcony systems rest firmly on cantilever beams, a rigid body supported at one end and extends out over open space. It’s a cost-effective building strategy and makes good architectural sense.

A peaceful rock garden is accessible via the entry area on the ground floor. Trees planted at a good distance from one another keep the courtyard in shade for much of the day.

The designer explained: “I think cantilever beams are like bonuses that the main structure has to offer. They eliminate the need for extra foundations and save time. Supported by the main structure, the balconies and corridors are 1.50-meters wide. At the same time, the building envelope boasts the beautiful rustic appeal of the rice granary in former times.”

A private library offers plenty of reference materials and tools needed to pursue a career in design and technology. The book collection is protected by a wood shingle roof, while glass walls allow abundant natural light.

According to Nantapong, the house is built for the most part of untreated lumber for the simple reason. It’s less expensive than treated wood, and there’s no exposure to harmful chemicals. Its durability relies on the quality of the wood itself.

Take for example Takhian-thong timber (scientific name: Hopea odorata) that’s mainly used in this project. This kind of timber has stood the test of time. It’s widely used in building boat piers and can tolerate years of rain and sunshine.

The spacious kitchen makes use of a clean design to showcase the natural texture of bare concrete finishes. Floor tiles in shades of black add interest to the well-ventilated space designed to make pungent odor go away quickly.

“For the time being, I am commuting between my home in the city and this country hideaway. One day, should I grow tired of living in the city, this is definitely the place I want to be. It is beautiful living out here. In the cold season, natural daylight is just about right, warm and comfortable. You just have to see it yourself,” said the homeowner/designer.

In the fewest possible words, it is where the modern meets the charm of rustic life, which gives this hybrid timber and concrete home in Ratchaburi a warm and humble feel like no other.

Owner/Designer: Nantapong Yindeekhun

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บ้านที่มีลมหายใจ…และกำไรของชีวิต

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A Chiang Mai Modern House with Cantilevered Steel Frame

By livingasean
September 27, 2016
HOUSE,LIVING

/ Chiang Mai, Thailand /

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

/ Photographs: Sungwan Phratem /

Concrete slabs and naked walls are commonplace in contemporary architecture. Here’s a modern house in Chiang Mai that illustrates this. The structure is built strong, using concrete columns and load bearing walls supporting a concrete slab floor on a framework of steel. What arouses one’s curiosity is the rigid structure and cantilevered steel frame integration that gives the home huge visual curb appeal plus the vintage nude wall texture.

Measuring 8 meters from front to back, the box-shape structure is built on the east-west alignment. Unusually long in relation to its width, the unyielding steel girder is fixed at only one end projecting into the open air, forming the upper covering of a carport situated directly below.

Next to the parking garage, a naked load bearing concrete wall shelters a storage room, a kitchen and private living space from the glare of afternoon sun.

Chiang Mai Modern House — The rigid cantilevered steel frame 8 meters in length forms the upper covering of the carport right underneath it.

The interior of the house features a spacious rectangular-shaped room that runs parallel to the poolside veranda, separated only by a clear glass wall.

The platform along the outside of the building is protected by a concrete slab jutting out about 2 meters from the exterior wall. The semi-outdoor room has plenty of space for a pantry, living area and workroom overlooking a lush green landscape.

An uncluttered multifunctional space looks out over the veranda and, beyond, the swimming pool.

The entrance area boasts a light and airy open space with the doorway set aside to the left, unseen from this angle. The foyer on the right side opens to a poolside veranda.

A few steps away from the general purpose room, you find a sharp 90-degree turn leading to a small bedroom with bathroom en suite tucked away in a quiet corner. At the farthest end lies a master bedroom, also with a poolside view.

From a technical perspective, it requires meticulous planning, great care and attention to detail to create a beautiful modern home like this one. And this house is a perfect example of that — a contemporary home that’s light, airy and comfortable plus a cantilevered steel frame that boosts its curb appeal.

In a nutshell, it’s a design that sends out a strong message. Human ingenuity has the power to overcome any obstacle, be it in life, design or engineering.

Architect: Plankrich (www.plankrich.com)

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Andra Matin’s Modern Tropical Home in Indonesia

By livingasean
September 26, 2016
HOUSE,LIVING

/ Jakarta, Indonesia /

/ 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.

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.”

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.

“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.”

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.

Architect: Andra Matin (www.andramatin.com)

L2 Residence: House on the Rock with Spectacular Ocean Views in Samui

By livingasean
September 26, 2016
HOUSE,LIVING

/ Surat Thani, Thailand /

/ Story: Ottomaan / English version: Bob Pitakwong /

/ Photographs: Sungwan Phratem /

If relaxing on the seafront is your idea of paradise, here’s a house overlooking a quiet stretch of sand away from the crowds. It is not often that we come across a home perched on a pristine hillside. This captivating house on the rock stands out amid lush greenery in Samui, a popular resort island in the Gulf of Thailand.

A well-rounded balcony juts out from the master bedroom and comes to rest on a big boulder in complementary shape.

The house sits tight on a slope just shy of an acre in extent, hemmed by huge rock faces and views of exuberant vegetation. From afar, it’s hard to tell the shape of the building as it’s situated at a lower level than the road in front of it.

The landscape strewn with large boulders forces the home to be built in multiple separate units, each anchored to a rock face to secure its place. Overall, it’s a crisp, clean and modern design, with neat exteriors under a shed roof.

Because of conditions that cannot be changed, asymmetrical shapes are used, while the typical rectangular shapes are avoided so as to achieve the form, color and texture that blend well with the natural surroundings.

The second floor connects to a sundeck with al fresco dining room and panoramic ocean views.

The main entryway appears light and airy. Where appropriate, the walls are made of strips of timber evenly spaced to allow light and ventilation.

The separate units of construction are set at slightly different levels depending on ground conditions. The shed roof above the main villa creates a wide open façade looking out over the ocean. To arouse visual interest, diagonal lines are applied to the exteriors, a clever hack that gives the home a friendly, warm and welcoming appeal.

The semi-outdoor sitting room holds a modern sectional sofa with wood and upholstered furniture in complementary colors.

The dining room boasts the beauty of a long dining table crafted of slab timber resting on tree stumps. A zebra graphic pattern at the far end adds a touch of nature to the interior.

The main villa has two levels. The upstairs living room is bright and breezy with panoramic ocean views. For indoor thermal comfort, the exterior walls are covered in timber strips evenly spaced to create gaps in between for air passing through.

Where appropriate, parts of the building envelope are built of bricks covered with plaster for a neat appearance, while windows are glazed using transparent glass to get a better view. The upper floor also extends to connect with a spacious sundeck used as al fresco dining room.

A manicured garden with stepping-stone pathway connects three buildings. To the left, patches of greenery paired with a building façade made of timber strips in earth-toned color help soften the harsh appearance of nearby cliff faces.

The ground floor connects to a lush lawn, with trees and foliage plants growing luxuriantly on one side. Nearby, floor-to-ceiling windows fill the home with light and remove anything standing in the way between indoors and outdoors. There’s also a lounge where people can sit and relax a short distance away from a semi-formal dining room and contemporary-style pantry.

Viewed from the opposite side of the lawn, the main villa boasts the beauty of striking trapezoidal roof design.

Opposite from the main villa stand two outbuildings accessible via a stepping-stone garden pathway. One is a single-story unit holding a bedroom with a semi-outdoor bathroom en suite, while the other sits slightly lower than the rest. At a glance, the floor plans and general appearances are reminiscent of sundecks on a cruise ship.

An open-concept floor plan gives more natural light, better traffic flow and flexible use of space.

The master bedroom lies in a smaller building, separated from the main villa.

The master bedroom is comfortably ensconced in the smaller building anchored to a huge boulder. The edge of the building can be seen projecting outward to soak up the sea view.

For safe walking from one building to the other, areas with uneven ground are smoothed out to make room for a lawn with garden pathway. With the passage of time, nature gives the large boulder and nearby rocks the perfect weather-beaten faces that blend with the house and surrounding landscapes.

In another building, another bedroom quietly enjoys the soothing glow of soft, natural light.

Taken as a whole, it’s an intriguing amalgam of natural touches and well-thought-out planning that makes this house on the rock a perfect place to be.

Lacy shades provided by overhanging trees keep the open-plan bathroom and shower room nice and dry all day long.

Architect: Kusol Im Erbsin

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บ้านโมเดิร์น ทรงเหลี่ยมๆ บนหินทรงกลม ๆ

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Raw Concrete House with an Idyllic View of Rice Fields in Chiang Mai

By livingasean
September 26, 2016
HOUSE,LIVING

/ Chiang Mai, Thailand /

/ Story: Wuthikorn Suthiapa / English version: Bob Pitakwong /

/ Photographs: Sitthisak Namkham /

Amid the relaxed ambience of the countryside stands a two-story raw concrete house with a view of rice fields and a beautiful blue sky. Here at Baan Mae Ann in Chiang Mai’s Mae Rim District, life is simple, morning dew lingers on flowers and paddy fields, and the scenic view seems to stretch farther than the eye can see. The house stands among teak trees. Unmistakably paradise!

chiang mai — The ground floor evokes pleasant memories of a traditional Thai-style home. Here, a covered loggia that forms part of the house is made for entertaining guests, dining, and semi-outdoor workspace.

The house design is the idea and creation of Seksan Silpwatananukul. There is beauty in imperfections and natural flaws in cement walls that tell the story of the patterns and seams imprinted on them by handheld trowels and scrub brushes.

Sharing his design experience, Seksan said: “At first, the land had been left unattended for some time before the owner decided to put in a home here. I managed to change the whole look of the property by incorporating raw concrete finishes in the overall design. Every little detail was thought about very carefully.

“I took my time to look around in no hurry. After a meeting with the homeowner, we decided that multiple-level design would best fit into the idyllic setting in this part of Chiang Mai’s landscapes. We didn’t really stick to any particular style. But I would say Tropical modern was the best definition for it.”

The courtyard enclosed by raw concrete terraces feels bright and breezy all day long, courtesy of generous openings in the exterior walls.

The relaxed atmosphere of a sitting room where timeless elegance meets modern flair. Overhead, the sloped ceiling in vibrant shades of reddish-browns is slanted to match the shape of the roof.

Designer: Seksan Silpwatananukul

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บ้านในฝันกลางป่าและนาผืนพอดี จังหวัดเชียงใหม่

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Baan Somjai: Where Time Seems to Stand Still on Pha-Ngan Island

By livingasean
September 26, 2016
HOUSE,LIVING

/ Surat Thani, Thailand /

/ Story: Wuthikorn Sut / English version: Bob Pitakwong /

/ Photographs: Sitthisak Namkham /

Peacefully ensconced in a coconut grove by the sea, “Baan Somjai” is both a vacation destination and private residence located on beautiful Pha-Ngan Island. Everything goes by slowly on this side of the world, so slow it feels like time is standing still.

Pha-ngan Island — Nature’s A/C system at work. A water pond runs the entire stretch of the building, lowering indoor temperatures as winds carry water vapor into the room.

The seaside resort is the brainchild of Nattawut Piriyaprakob, of the architectural practice NPDA Studio. He’s both the designer and son of landowners Banjob and Somjai Piriyaprakob. The property on Pha-Ngan Island is an inheritance from Nattawut’s grandmother.

Back in the day, it was nothing but a family-owned coconut orchard. Nattawut could still recall traveling back and forth often to tend trees on the property. Nowadays travel to and from Pha-Ngan has become more convenient. That’s reason enough for the family to put in a home here.

As Nattawut put it: “Mom and Dad had worked in other provinces for a period of time. They returned home to Pha-Ngan after retirement and started out with a homestay called Coconut and Noom Resort.

“The hospitality business had welcomed all kinds of tourists, from backpackers attending the famous Full Moon Party, to well-to-do European families looking for peace and quiet on an island paradise. As luck would have it, Mom and Dad decided to put in a permanent home here, and the rest was history. They enjoyed meeting new people every day.”

Nattawut said that he designed the buildings on Pha-Ngan Island from experience, memories and knowledge of indigenous building materials. “The homes are built by local builders using local materials and wisdom. Together, they culminate in a unique design that stands out.

“Take for example eco-friendly bamboo items and paneling that are easy to find. The walls are crafted of red brick and flooring is made of polished concrete finishes.”

The designer intentionally added vivid colors into the work. He said: “As you can see, I chose bold colors for the building, such as the bright external envelope. The shadow cast by coconut trees makes the landscape even more interesting.”

The sundeck that is Banjob’s vantage point offers a 360-degree view of the coconut grove and the sea to the further side.

Benefiting from the sea breeze, the rooms are nice and cozy. Solid walls facing west shield them from the afternoon sun, while the cooling pond helps disperse the heat. Together, they go to work creating a light and airy atmosphere even when the weather is hot.

Remembered for its good design, warmth and southern hospitality, Baan Somjai Seaside Resort on Pha-Ngan is welcoming visitors to their home. It’s not only the home to the Piriyaprakob family. It’s also a dream destination for travelers from across the globe

Architect: NPDA Studio (www.npdastudio.com)

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A Marvelous Beach House on Ko Pha-Ngan Mountains, Shady Trees and a Riverside Home

Four Tropical Houses Combined into a Resort in Tranquil Living

By livingasean
September 22, 2016
CULTURE,DESIGN

/ Uthai Thani, Thailand /

/ Story: Wuthikorn Sut / English version: Bob Pitakwong /

/ Photographs: Damrong Leeviroj, Xaroj Phrawong /

“Saving every tree on the property” is the motto from this resort owner. Studio Miti designed these tropical houses that blend in with the forest, as architecture that fuses modern and traditional Thai tropical living styles.

*The house-on-stilts design allows nature to permeate and ensures good air circulation. Plenty of under-floor spaces allow small vegetation to thrive.*

At a glance, the houses conjure up images of little houses in the big woods. Four beautiful and tranquil tropical houses are nestled in a surrounding forestland of northwestern Uthai Thani.

This house-becomes-hotel is the brainchild of the owner, Chantita and Paisan Kusonwatthan. They started re-growing and restoring the area some thirty years ago. Later when development began in earnest in 1996, the area was meant to be their retirement home.

Through hard work and dedication, the property grew to become a lush woodland full of vitality. It gave rise to the idea of opening it to the public.

Now the post-retirement project becomes a resort, appropriately named “Bansuan Chantita.” Bansuan is Thai for garden home.

The architect of the project, Prakij Kanha of Studio Miti, explains:

“First and foremost, we set out to save every tree on the property. It is our duty and responsibility to find common ground between nature and architecture.”

In the design process, the architect took great pains to measure every space among the trees. The average area was then used as the basis for designing homes on the property.

Only after that did the design team begin work on the design concept. The project took the form of a “plus” symbol as its layout.

The tropical living house design and remain Thai lifestyle by design terrace in front of the house.

“The plus symbol plans fit in well amongst the trees. The result was perfect harmony between architecture and the existing natural environment. The design scheme was about putting together five rooms, all of which are easily accessible from the central court,” explained Prakij.

“The four homes come complete with wood decks, seating spaces, bedrooms, and bathrooms. The house-on-stilts design keeps them elevated from the forest floor.

“Each home is set at a different level to promote good air circulation through the hotel property. It is the different level design that creates an enchanting aesthetic.”

*All living spaces are designed to be proportionate with one another in size, amount, and frequency of use. Different spaces are designed with different needs in mind.*

The design scheme calls for the four tropical houses to be conveniently linked by a system of wood passageways winding through the lush botanical garden setting. From the outside in, the resort looks and feels like it is an inextricable part of the forest in the backdrop.

By emulating the Thai-style design, the architect ensures that no space goes to waste. Small vegetation thrives on the forest floor below. Crisp, cool breezes are ever present, and nature permeates everywhere.

*Inspired by the Thai-style house design, the wood deck provides a lot of nature at the doorsteps and easy access to all parts of the hotel.*

The house’s exterior walls and outdoor decks are made of recycled wood. The preference was based on two reasons.

First, it was a smart move because the price was right. Second, it creates a warm and enchanting atmosphere in the midst of nature.

Recycled wood still shows signs of use, while painted surfaces in a variety of colors serve as camouflage clothing that blends in with the surroundings.

*The owners, Paisan and Chantita, on the wood deck of their little homes in the big tropical woods*

Somehow it is the roofing made of steel sheets that often go unnoticed. Asked why he chose steel over other roofing materials, the architect said:

“If boats made of steel can float on water, likewise roofs crafted of steel can effectively keep the weather out.

“Steel construction is expedient especially where roofing is composed of multiple parts. Such is the case here.”

What makes these tropical houses stand out is the understanding of nature and the knowledge to incorporate it into the design scheme. The garden paradise is an escape into nature.

Owner: Chantita and Paisan Kusonwatthan.

Architect: Prakij Kanha of Studio Miti (www.studiomiti.com)

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