/ 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!
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.
Serving as the centerpiece of landscape design, an Indian oak tree (scientific name: Barringtonia acutangula) adds a crisp cool feature to the outdoor living space.Raw concrete stairs and stepping stones over the pond connects the home with nature. At the far end, a semi-outdoor gallery provides ample room for relaxation.Everything changes with greenery. It’s easy to get why the homeowner takes very good care of the Indian oak tree in the courtyard. The crisp cool canopy is salubrious.
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 front porch kissed by the warm morning sun looks out over serene paddy fields and, beyond, pristine Tropical woodlands.
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.
/ 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.
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