Blog : Phatthalung

Compact House in a Rubber Forest in Phatthalung

Compact House in a Rubber Forest in Phatthalung

/ Phatthalung, Thailand /

/ Story: Ajchara Jeen., Trairat Songpao / English version: Bob Pitakwong /

/ Photographs:  Tanakitt Khum-on /

 The tree-filled beauty of the great outdoors makes for a relaxing place to live, which is why so many want this. Among these is the Norateedilok family, who made the dream a reality with this single-story compact house in a verdant forest of rubber trees.

Architect/Owner Nat (Rakchai Norateedilok) built this house for his mother, who wanted to be near her grandparents in Phatthalung. Here is a place near the rubber orchards she loves which she can call home, and where she can socialize with friends of her generation.

Compact House in a Rubber Forest
Nat with his older brother (right)


“There used to be a rice storehouse here,” said Nat.

“The rubber orchard was planted later, and the trees had grown big and beautiful, so we decided to build the house here.

Also, the front area is near the original main house kitchen, so there was no need to build a new kitchen. Stucco walls and a slanted black steel roof give it a smooth, simple look. The house’s 43 square meters hold a bedroom, bathroom, and living room.

“This  compact house is on a ‘footing-style’ foundation. I put free-standing, unattached posts in the earth before adding floor beams and posts; this helps create good airflow.

“I pretty much left the interior planning to Mom’s preferences, so the design is for simplicity and ease of use.”

compact house
The many openings around the house open great views and bring in light all day long: high doors, glass-covered open spaces below the roof, and wide windows along the walls.
compact house
The raised floor allows airflow below, guards against problems of ground moisture, and prevents unwanted bugs and animals from entering the house.

The location, in a rubber plantation, made choice of construction materials an important consideration.

Nat primarily used concrete and real wood to give the house a look to match the surrounding environment. Synthetic wood was used where necessary, which also helped with the budget.

Construction was done by local builders in only 4-5 months, so Nat was able to supervise the work himself and ensure the budget did not exceed 700,000 baht.

Steel House in a Rubber Forest

Steel House in a Rubber Forest

Nat’s mother was in charge of the interior décor. In selecting furniture she kept the number of pieces to a minimum, just what was necessary to be able to relax in a clean, orderly place and feel close to nature.

The resulting house is wonderfully livable and comfortable.

compact house


Owner/Architect: Rakchai Norateedilok


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