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A Cozy, Eco-Friendly Steel Frame Home in Khao Yai

By kangsadank
May 21, 2026
HOUSE,LIVING

/ Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand /

/ Story: BRL / English version: Bob Pitakwong /

/ Photographs: Soopakorn Srisakul /

“O+O House” is a single-level steel-frame country retreat created by Junsekino Architect and Design. Tucked away in a peaceful rural setting at KhaoYai, Nakhon Ratchasima, it belongs to a homeowner planning for life after retirement. It’s built using a framework of steel to achieve a lightweight look that merges into a beautiful hillside. From a distance, the house appears as if it were floating or lightly tapping the ground. To create the least impact on the environment, it involves no landfill or alteration of any kind. The building itself gets its inspiration from a wildlife observatory. For relaxation, there is a center courtyard that brings in natural light and fresh air.

From a distance, the house’s entrance appears to sit at road level. Opaque facades provide privacy by blocking direct lines of sight from the outside.

As we all know, the areas surrounding Khao Yai National Park in Thailand top the list of destinations for building a home that offers the tranquility of the countryside. Plus, they lie within easy reach of Bangkok. For precisely that reason, owners decided to purchase a parcel of land within a development project called “Pirom At Vineyard”. And the rest was left in the good hands of the architectural firm Junsekino Architect and Design. Their quiet, secluded mountain retreat in Nakhon Ratchasima is aptly called “O+O House”, derived from their cute nicknames.

Balancing present lifestyles with long-term investment value, the couple wanted a house that serves as a weekend getaway with the intention of making it a full-time retirement single-story home. The architect responded with a single-story living space with open floor plans and easy accessibility that’s perfect for a family with dogs. Being situated on a corner lot ensures that panoramic vistas of nearby mountains can be seen from anywhere.

steel frame — The house’s rear facade is elevated on a sloped landscape with a panoramic deck overlooking rolling hills below. The foundation that distributes the weight evenly onto the soil contains three distinctive parts working alongside each other to support the superstructure, the service area, and opposite ends of the building.

High ground that opens to views of rolling hills below provides the architect with invaluable inspiration, culminating in a home that looks like a wildlife watchtower hovering over the landscape. The overall effect is impressive thanks in part to significant underfloor spaces, a sight that evokes the image of traditional Thai houses reimagined to blend cultural aesthetics with modern practicality.

To nurture a connection with nature, the architect chose a box-shaped massing to create the perception of the house’s shape, form and size focusing on geometric simplicity, clean lines and open spaces. As is expected, the house exterior is surrounded by a system of verandas that bridges the gap between indoor and outdoor living. Large glass openings in the walls enhance the home by taking in stunning mountain views, while all the rooms give access to the roofed platforms along the outside of the house.

And wait, there’s more. A courtyard in the middle of the home offers a tranquil oasis boosting physical and mental health. All of these features are designed to bring more natural light and fresh air into the home, while open floor plans maximize social interaction and visibility to ensure care and safety.

A welcoming foyer features a bench for removing shoes upon entering. It serves as a transitional space between the outside world and the home’s private living areas.

The house plan is simple yet clearly defined focusing on comfort and functionality. An attached garage gives access to a hallway leading to a welcoming guest bedroom on the right side and other functions on the left including a kitchen, pantry, living room and the main bedroom at the farthest end of the first floor.

Underfloor rooms serve as versatile storage space with dedicated areas for household equipment. From a distance, the building looks like a piece of paper resting over undulating countryside, securely supported by pillars at the center. As the architect intended, it merges into the mountain landscape, rather than sitting on top of it. According to Jun Sekino, of Junsekino Architect and Design:

“I want to create a house that blends into the environment. Not black. Not white. But a gray-toned house characteristic of homes in the countryside. It’s the kind that grows faint and disappears into the background. This is achieved by maximizing horizontal lines while keeping vertical structures out of sight and using cantilevers that span 4 meters from end to end. The result is a building that appears lighter than normal.”

The architect chose structural steel framing for its superior strength and durability. At the same time, all key elements are carefully thought out to appear lightweight, including the fascia covering the ends of rafters. The platforms along the outside of the house are roofed over with acrylic panels, creating bright, weather-resistant outdoor rooms. The same applies to gutters beneath the roof edge designed to carry off rainwater. Together they create calming visual effects during rains. By design, the verandas act as an extension of living space, providing a place to enjoy coffee on a rainy day and the breathtaking panoramas you won’t find in the city.

Aside from being low-maintenance and highly durable, steel frames are clearly the right choice for projects located in the provinces and remote areas. They can be manufactured to meet precise specifications and demanding work environments. Steel frames are easier to check for correctness than concrete construction. And by lessening the environmental footprint of the building, they create a mesmerizing floating effect, not to mention being totally recyclable at the end of their useful lives.

A few words succinctly describe this place. Here’s a home that gives a practical exhibition of how structural steel can merge into the environment through sustainable design, one that blends with the sky, thanks to an elevated structure that creates a floating effect. Enhanced by natural light flow, rains and mountains that appear to stretch farther than the eye can see, it’s a piece of architecture designed to answer present and future lifestyle needs, meanwhile creating the least environmental impact.

Architect: Junsekino Architect and Design

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HNP House: Gable House in the Woods Where the Veranda Opens onto Bright Sunshine and Lush Green Trees

An Urban Townhouse Renovated for the Comfort of an Aging Parent

A Single-Story Home That Grows in Company with Trees

By kangsadank
March 19, 2026
HOUSE,LIVING

/ Bangkok, Thailand /

/ Story: Natthawat Klaysuban, Kangsadan K. / English version: Bob Pitakwong /

/ Photographs: Nantiya June /

A house that’s right for the size of the land is just what this homeowner has been looking for, one that can satisfy his passion for living in close touch with nature in Bangkok.

trees — Lush foliage and overhanging tree branches welcome visitors to nature’s warm embrace.

The homeowner’s passion for plants is evidenced by an abundance of green spaces in the house plan. / Courtesy of Studio Bewell

A drawing of the front elevation view of the house in cross section. / Courtesy of Studio Bewell

Wind back the clock. The existing family home where he had previously lived was decorated mostly with potted plants. And when it came time to put in another house on the premises, he thought it wise to leave it in the good hands of professionals, at the same time working closely with them to create a home that would reveal his true self and his love for gardening.

Open plan design gets rid of stuffy room, a way to overcome the problem of limited space.

A skylight on top of a vaulted ceiling creates a volume of space overhead, making the living room feel bright and airy, at the same time allowing plants to capture the energy of the sun.

The result is a home among trees that boasts the beauty of living spaces cocooned by the warmth of luxuriant foliage. He started planting trees while construction was underway, content to watch them grow from the very first day the new house rose from the ground in a designated area.

From a distance, the perimeter fence merges into lush vegetation, conveying a great deal about design thinking that integrates natural elements into design in ways that arouse intrigue and interest. It’s a layout that speaks volumes for a relationship between the homeowner and various plant species in the yard. The trees and understory plants take prominent positions in and around the well-planned single-story home.

From inside every room, a bright interior courtyard filled with greenery and garden pathways can be seen in full view, effectively blurring the boundaries between indoors and outdoors. The center courtyard performs a dual role. It creates visual continuity between the home and the landscape.

At the same time, moisture in the atmosphere transforms the entire premises into a peaceful, refreshing garden oasis. By design, the green courtyard splits the house into two separate wings. A corridor adjacent to the living room and dining room gives access to private living spaces tucked away in quiet corners. Along the way, a bare brick wall in grayish hues keeps the two wings apart, simultaneously serving as part of interior decoration.

The laundry room located at the far end is fully equipped to perform everyday functions.

The concept is clear. When the trees are regarded as part of family, design must ensure that they are treated right like house occupants behave toward one another. This is evidenced by the way skylights are installed at the top of vaulted ceilings to allow indoor plants to capture the energy from the sun.

At the same time, the living room floor is set lower than ground level creating a volume of space overhead. Nearby, the trees and plants thriving in the courtyard get full sun that enables them to grow vigorously, providing a nice cool place to relax and unwind. In terms of the feel and functionality, the house boasts modern conveniences that fit together well with the layout forming a cohesive whole.

The materials and finishes are mostly wood, white walls and concrete blocks in shades of gray that merge with the color of the real wood floor. More than anything else, it’s sunlight working in tandem with texture on the walls that adds dimension and much-needed depth to the room, a perfect integration of nature in living space design and people’s lifestyle.

In a nutshell, the homeowner’s passion for nature is translated into a single-story house appropriate for the size of the landscape. Surrounded by an expanse of trees big and small, it feels calm and peaceful, thanks to passive design making space available for all things to go to work as nature intended. The result is a well-lit, well-ventilated place made for a healthy lifestyle and desire to be eco-friendly taking it one step at a time.

Architect: Studio Bewell

This house appears in the special Baan Lae Suan issue on the theme of “Cozy Living in Urban Homes” is out now. Design lovers, this one is for you. It’s the latest in the ongoing “ASEAN Tropical House Series”.

The exciting new bilingual edition (Thai-English) is a nice little collab between the Baan Lae Suan Press and its English language media arm Living ASEAN. It’s the coming together of ideas for dealing with the problem of limited space, turning site constraints into solutions. Precisely, it looks at problem solving techniques, ultimately creating small urban homes that are right within the context of Southeast Asia. In this issue, ten houses are chosen for their exemplary designs that inspire. It’s meant for architects, designers, and homeowners searching out new ideas for creating a living space that’s cozy and comfortable plus it blends in beautifully with the environment.

Available at bookstores nationwide. Or go online. Order now at https://www.naiin.com/product/detail/621643

For bulk international orders, contact livingasean.bkk@gmail.com

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Nam House: A Beautiful Brick Home with Abundant Space and Fresh Air

By kangsadank
November 4, 2024
HOUSE,LIVING

/ Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam /

/ Story: Kangsadan K. / English version: Bob Pitakwong /

/ Photographs: Hiroyuki Oki /

This single-story brick home, offering 180 square meters of usable space, is the brainchild of CTA (Creative Architects), an architectural practice in Vietnam. It’s designed to fit in the climate prevailing in Ho Chi Minh City, where average temperatures are 8-10 degrees Celsius higher than in the countryside.

The living room is open and airy thanks to cool winds coming in over the water pond.

It’s thoughtfully devised to make the most effective use of materials to create a comfortable living space. Plus, it conveniently connects to the home of the owner’s mother. For the most part, the house’s exterior walls are built of fired clay bricks. To avoid heat buildup in the home, the walls are placed in relation to the sun and winds that change seasonally.

A view from above shows the brick house comprising three blocks of living spaces with the old home belonging to the owner’s mother nearby.

By design, the building comprises three blocks of living spaces with a sitting room, dining room and kitchen located at the center of the light and airy house plan. The rooms are disposed around a large water pond that doubles as engine drawing cool northeasterly winds into the home. The house of the owner’s mother located nearby can be seen in full view from here.

Living room furniture is positioned to take in the view of the water pond, while folding glass doors allow for a wide opening from one end to the other.

The center block overlooking the water pond connects the right and left sides of the house plan. The left wing holds the main entrance with a carport beside it, while the right wing contains a bedroom and reading room. Thick walls give the home a sense of privacy and protect from the elements. There are two other bedrooms and the laundry located at the rear.

A lush yard provides the focal point and architectural feature drawing cool air into the living room.

The lovely place named “Nam House” features exterior walls measuring 250 millimeters thick. Designed to insulate the home against high temperatures, they contain two layers of protection with empty space in between. The outer walls protect from sun heat, while the void of space and the inner walls provide a buffer keeping the interior cool in summer. The holes in the bricks also add more thermal insulation capacity to the inner walls, thereby reducing heat transfer.

Exterior walls built of fired clay bricks insulate the home from outside heat.

Apart from that, bricks are used to build architectural elements that shield the interior from sun heat. They are set at an angle that draws fresh outdoor air in through openings in the walls. Meanwhile, vents above the level of the head allow hot air to exit the building, keeping the rooms cool and comfortable. Plus, the house is positioned in relation to the rise and fall of the sun and prevailing wind patterns, a passive design strategy that makes every day beautiful.

A bedroom opens to allow fresh air streaming in over the water pond while folding glass doors create a transition between indoors and outdoors.

The technique of building in an appropriate relative position can impact the house’s comfort and well-being. Like so, Nam House is designed to fit in with the surroundings. It looks the epitome of design that’s flexible and responsive to changing light and wind patterns that are the inevitabilities of life. The result is a home capable of overcoming site limitations, meanwhile expressing rich and subtle meanings.

Architects: CTA (Creative Architects)

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Nha Be House: A Brick Home Infused with Memories of the Good Old Days

TB House: A One-Story Brick Home and Green Leaves of Summer at Every Turn

TB House: A One-Story Brick Home and Green Leaves of Summer at Every Turn

By livingasean
May 2, 2024
HOUSE,LIVING

/ Son La, Vietnam /

/ Story: muanpraes / English version: Bob Pitakwong /

/ Photographs: Trieu Chien /

People change locations at some point in time, and reasons to move are aplenty. Among others, the desire for better living is pretty common. The same applies here, as this young family has discovered. Their new address is a one-story brick home made attractive by the earthy reddish brown of perforated brick facades set amid lush greenery.

One-Story Brick Home Vietnam — Perforated brick facades regulate fresh air and natural daylight streaming into the home and double as outdoor privacy screens.

Named “TB House”, it’s nestled in a peaceful residential neighborhood of Son La, a city in Vietnam’s Northwest.

For the young married couple who lives here, everything about it brings back childhood memories, those carefree days of summer and a home snug by the warmth of beautiful landscapes. Bestowed with mountains, forests and rivers, Son La comes in useful as the right location for their new home.

The husband, who knew the geographical area very well, came across this piece of land during a weekend house hunting trip. It lies on the crest of a wooded hillside with dark green forests in the background.

Small rock formations stick out of the ground where large trees stand as if nature has left a lasting imprint. Almost instantly he got to thinking about building a humble abode here. The question was how to leave everything where it’s always been.

And that was where the design team at Trung Trần Studio was brought into play. They were tasked with creating a home that would best fit the owners’ needs, at the same time conserving all the existing natural elements in the landscape – the hillside, the trees, the rock formations and, most important of all, its friendly, welcoming atmosphere.

A diagrammatic representation shows the positioning of living spaces and functional areas disposed around greenery-filled courtyards designed to create indoor thermal comfort. / Courtesy of Trung Trần Studio

The result is a one-story, split-level brick home with breathing brick facades thoughtfully devised to regulate fresh outdoor air and natural daylight streaming into the interior. And it’s achieved without cutting down existing trees on the property.

The floor plan simply has abrupt alternate left and right turns to avoid cutting down the trees, ascending a small mound to stop at a bank of stone that makes the retaining wall protecting the backyard garden.

An open-concept floor plan improves foot traffic flow between rooms, turning a modest amount of space into clean, well-lighted interiors.

A curious mix of graphic tiles on the kitchen backsplash adds intrigue and interest to interior design.

On the whole, it’s a simple house plan starting with a paved platform up front that serves as a car park. A set of concrete steps leads to the front door that opens to the entrance hall, while the dining room and kitchen lies furthest to the rear.

There’s a playroom by the small inner courtyard that ensures the little children can be seen in full view from anywhere inside the home.

The family living room with wood wall paneling is invitingly comfortable by any standards. At the farthest end lie three bedrooms, tucked in a calm secluded area away from noise and distractions. For privacy, all the bedrooms have windows that open to charming backyard garden views.

From an architectural point of view, the breathing wall concept offers many advantages. Among others, it creates a sense of connection between indoor and outdoor living spaces.

High above, the uppermost branches of the trees provide shade keeping the home cool during summer months. They blend with retaining rock walls that add usable land for planting and relaxation. At the same time, the roofs made of fired clay tiles are covered in slow-growing lichens reminiscent of homes in times past.

A retaining rock wall creates usable space for planting, while a roof made of clear polycarbonate sheeting protects a utility/wash room at the rear from the elements.

Taken as a whole, it’s a vintage-inspired humble abode that exudes a timeless appeal as evidenced by the use of simple building supplies sourced from within the community. Needless to say, the lush landscape makes it feel cozy and warm, while architectural details enhance the easy lifestyle and advocate for sustainability.

Architects: Trung Trần Studio (www.facebook.com/ArchitectsAndAssociates)

Phu Yen House: A Single-Story Home Snug in the Warmth of Rural Vietnam

Long An House: A Charming Brick House in Vietnam

Phu Yen House: A Single-Story Home Snug in the Warmth of Rural Vietnam

By livingasean
April 23, 2024
HOUSE,LIVING

/ Phu Yen, Viet Nam /

/ Story: Phattaraphon / English version: Bob Pitawkong /

/ Photographs: Minq Bui /

Can’t wait to escape all the noise and pollution? Here’s Phu Yen House a one-story home amid lush landscapes way out in the country. It’s made comfortable by light and breezy inner courtyards with a plunge pool. Plus, ultraclean white walls give peace of mind knowing family privacy is protected.

Phu Yen House Vietnam — Immaculate white exteriors protect the single-story home from high winds, providing a safe and cozy family getaway in Vietnam’s countryside.

The house is in Phu Yen, a south-central province at the midpoint between Ho Chi Minh City and the Da Nang/Hue Region on the South China Sea. It’s the holiday getaway of a family who has lived and worked a long time in the city. Inspired by simple living, they discover the countryside has never lost its allure. And Phu Yen comes in as a handy location to reconnect with the great outdoors.

The ground floor plan illustrates the feel and functionality of different areas in relation to landscapes in the front yard and at the rear. / Courtesy of Story Architecture

Named “Phu Yen House”, it’s a secluded family retreat during summer and public holidays in Vietnam. For the little children, the single-story home is a pleasant and fun place in which to grow, learn and play, away from the hustle and bustle of city life.

Curved symmetrical openings in the wall give access to a communal room without glass partition doors designed for good ventilation.

The white house among the trees is the brainchild of Story Architecture, a design atelier based in Ho Chi Minh City. Its immaculate white walls are built high for a good reason – provide safety and protection from prying eyes. From a distance, accents of green on the front door prove an interesting complement to the perfectly neat and clean walls.

Step inside. It’s a wow! The inner courtyard enclosed by the walls is spacious. There are no glass partition doors or solid structures dividing the interiors into smaller rooms.

Lush houseplants develop vigorously on one side, while exotics thrive in containers on the other. In the in-between space, a sheltered communal area with distinctive green accents lies, separating the courtyard from a nearby plunge pool made for kids.

Flanked by the patio and the plunge pool, an area behind the altar offers plenty of ample space for a dining room and kitchen.

For peace and quiet, the bedrooms, living room, kitchen and dining room are situated at the farthest ends. Everywhere, curved symmetrical structures span openings in the walls. They form readily distinguishable areas characterized by a plain and uncluttered appearance, making the home safe for children.

A sheltered patio provides access to the quiet, private wing containing bedrooms.

A young tree provides shade to the small courtyard covered in stone pavers.

More than anything else, it’s a home built on a budget, which is evidenced by the use of simple building supplies sourced directly from within the community. Plus, the house plan is uncomplicated, easy to keep clean and tidy. It’s without doubt a dream home safe and snug in the warmth of Vietnam’s countryside.

Architects: Story Architecture (www.facebook.com/storyarchitecture.vn)

Lead Architects: Nguyễn Kava

Designer Team: Huỳnh Cẩm Tú, Vũ Thu Trang, Trịnh Quang Huy, Trần Nguyễn and Thúy Trinh

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LDT Residence: A Contemporary Home Celebrates the Alluring Charm of Bali

By livingasean
January 23, 2024
HOUSE,LIVING

/ Bali, Indonesia /

/ Story: Kor Lordkam / English version: Bob Pitakwong /

/ Photographs: Indra Wiras /

A contemporary home stands amid the rice fields that merge into the breathtaking landscape of Ubud, a town on the Indonesian island of Bali. It consists of two identical houses situated, side by side, parallel to the paddy fields growing luxuriantly in front and back.

Incorporating stunning earth tones into the exterior, each building covers about 200 square meters in extent, which translates into roughly 150 square meters of usable spaces. In essence, it’s a design that celebrates the richness of culture and rustic charm typical of the Balinese countryside.

Skillfully planned, it culminates in a living space made more private without a fence, a home in the rice fields set against the backdrop of rainforest ecosystems.

contemporary home bali — Opaque front façade ideas make this contemporary home in Bali feel more private without a fence.

From the perspective of the architects who designed it, the first thing that came to mind was how to create the external envelope that would sync with the natural environment. They decided on a single-level home plan that fitted perfectly in the circumstances that formed the setting of the place. Hence, simple clean lines parallel to the horizon are a focal point in the design as we see it.

The same applies to low-pitched roofs that are chosen for their ability to fit in this environment. In this particular case, dual garble roof lines create a distinct architectural feature. Plus, they perform as effectively as high-pitched roofs without appearing too large or too heavy for the surrounding paddy fields.

Interior space planning is tailored to meet simple lifestyle needs. The overall effect is impressive. Step inside, and you come to a small hallway where you can feel the atmosphere change.

The house plan shows spatial relationships between living and functional spaces. / Courtesy of UOS Architecture Studio

A cross section drawing shows different floor levels in relation to ceiling heights. / Courtesy of UOS Architecture Studio

There’s a comfortable living room-dining room combo with a small kitchen, and two bedrooms at the farthest end. The sitting room looks out over the rice fields, while an in-ground swimming pool and nearby wooden decks provide a visual connection between indoor and outdoor spaces.

All the rooms open to the green expanse of rice fields at the back of the house while, on the opposite site, the solid front façade goes to work protecting family privacy.

By design, the nontransparent front façade creates a unique architectural feature. It uses color and texture creatively combining the brownish red of brick masonry walls with the gray of Paras Tulung Agung, a type of sand stone obtained from sources in the locality, plus the carved wood doors that convey a great deal about the island’s cultural heritage.

A rooftop skylight illuminates and improves ventilation in the bathroom, plus more privacy.

Together, they protect privacy and make for a strong and durable home. Elsewhere, the living room overlooking the swimming pool and nearby sun decks open to admit natural light and fresh outdoor air into the home. All things considered, it’s a delightful place with gorgeous scenery to calm the mind and create deep relaxation.

Architects: UOS Architecture Studio (www.instagram.com/uosarchitecturestudio)

Lead Architect: Gde Banyu Priautama

Design Team: Tjokorda Gede Dalem Suparsa, Putu Rahayu Sitha Dewi

Contractor: NATS.Project

Owner: Hendra Rusli

This house appears in the Special Bilingual Edition (English and Thai) of Baan Lae Suan and Living Asean, titled “Tropical Suburban and Country Homes”. It focuses on designs for cozy living in harmony with nature.

We have handpicked ten houses for this special edition that serve as the perfect example of design innovations in sync with the natural world. Front and center, it’s about the pursuit of ways to live more sustainably and create a better future for all. Looking for inspiration? Perhaps a glimpse into nature-inspired “Tropical Suburban and Country Homes” is a good place to start.

Delve into the new book today. It’s hitting Thailand shelves now. For more details, visit https://www.naiin.com/product/detail/592504

For bulk ordering, contact livingasean.bkk@gmail.com

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LAAB Is More: A Small Living Space That’s Anything but Ordinary

By livingasean
November 29, 2023
HOUSE,LIVING

/ Chiang Mai, Thailand /

/ 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.

small house chiang mai — 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”.

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.

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.

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 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”.

Owner: Jessada Nan-snow Peata

Architect and Interior Designer: Studio Sifah

Structural Engineer: Pilawan Piriyapokhai, Jar Pilawan

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An Awesome Steel Home in Binh Thuan

By livingasean
June 16, 2023
HOUSE,LIVING

/ Phan Thiet, Vietnam /

/ Story: Lily J. / English version: Bob Pitakwong /

/ Photographs: Trieu Chien /

Speaking of unconventional houses, here’s a truly awesome steel home located in Phan Thiet, the capital of Binh Thuan Province in the Southeast of Vietnam. It’s a small house that makes a big difference in terms of value, form, color and texture. A well-thought-out home plan, it’s where the heart is for a family of four who live here. Built in a way that steel frames and other elements fit in well with modern furniture, it looks the epitome of good design that speaks volumes for the family’s present lifestyle and their preparations for the future.

Meeting Basic Needs Despite Limitations

For the young family, a small shed roof house on 150 square meters of land makes perfect sense.

It fits nicely within their budget. To get things done, they left it in the good hands of the architects at MIA Design Studio to develop a good plan with all the required components and qualities.

The plan included all beautifully organized functional spaces suitable for the needs of everyone in the family. The initial design phase was completed during an outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the limitations in the ensuing days, the architects and the contractors relied on long-distance communication to finish the project on schedule.

Nurtured by Nature

The most important part of the design is natural daylight and ventilation. They are two key factors that contribute to a simple but cozy and comfortable atmosphere.

It’s for this reason that plain openings in the wall and the most common ventilation method are used to admit just enough amounts of light and fresh outdoor air to enter and circulate inside.

Where appropriate, curtains are suspended from the top to complement interior décor, separate living spaces, as well as control light, privacy and indoor temperatures.

Overall, it’s a balanced interior design that’s clean and fit for occupant behavior and lifestyle at present.

Steel Structure Home Takes Less Time to Build

From a distance, the house seems small, supported by steel framing and enveloped in corrugated steel siding that’s relatively inexpensive and ubiquitous in rural areas.

On the whole, it’s built strong thanks to the main load-bearing structural elements that combine with load-bearing walls to convey the weight of the entire house to a solid foundation.

Components that are usually considered separately, such as sliding door frames, furniture, curtain track hanging systems, even wardrobe hanger rails are integrated so that they become a whole — a smart way to cut costs.

To save even more on construction, the house is made of easy-to-find materials sourced from the neighborhood, usually within a one-kilometer radius. This ensures that no money or energy is wasted on long-distance transportation.

That’s one useful hack to promote eco-friendly green building. Plus, modular design makes it easy to add extra units of construction to meet family needs in the future. All these things can be added without a significant impact on the existing modules.

By design, the even distribution of weight enables the building to remain strong and wear-resistant. This is achieved by taking into account every heavy and bulky thing, such as furniture, during the design process.

As the architects intended, it’s a home where the young couple and their little children reconnect with nature and experience greater joy in their lives. It’s a modest house plan conducive to a relaxed atmosphere and promoting socialization processes in the family.

In essence, it’s about creating a flexible, forward-looking modular design that’s the signature of the architects at MIA Design Studio.

Axonometric Drawing Showing House’s Structure / Courtesy of MIA Design Studio

Axonometric Drawing Showing Spatial Orientation / Courtesy of MIA Design Studio

Floor Plan / Courtesy of MIA Design Studio

Architect: MIA Design Studio (www.miadesignstudio.com)

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Grandpa’s New Single-Storey House at the Water’s Edge

A Beautiful Waterside Home: To Grandpa, with Love

By livingasean
April 23, 2021
HOUSE,LIVING

/ Ratchaburi, Thailand /

/ Story: Patsiri Chotpongsun / English version: Bob Pitakwong /

/ Photographs: Soopakorn Srisakul /

Because memories are made here, Puchong Satirapipatkul of the design firm OTATO Architect built this beautiful waterside home for his grandfather Kumnung Yindeesuk. The new single-story house nestles in a coconut grove overlooking Nong Salid Canal that connects to Damnoen Saduak, a bustling little town famous for its Floating Market.

Puchong knew from the get-go that the orchard land was in a clutter of untidiness while his grandpa’s old house was more than 30 years old and impossible to repair. The only way forward was a complete teardown to make room for a new home. The old house provided vintage recycled building materials, which gave Puchong the means to avoid a large cost overrun.

Ensconced in a grove of coconut trees, jackfruits, and tamarinds, the new house plan is well suited to a small 100-tarang-wah (400 sq. m.) plot of land. The orchard offers a peaceful, warm and comfortable environment while minimizing costs. To keep within a tight 700,000-baht budget, the architect used locally sourced building materials and oversaw construction work himself.

To enhance the view, Puchong chose a U-shaped single-story house plan that’s made up of four blocks. Where appropriate, well-positioned tall windows create a stylish look and spacious feel. The overall effect is impressive; the house is pared down to a very simple form for cool minimalist living.

He also picked a low pitch gable roof that blended perfectly with traditional houses in the neighborhood. Walk in the door, and you find open-concept floor plans that maximize the use of space and provide excellent flow from room to room. The front entry and south-facing walls that receive the afternoon sun are built of solid materials to soak up the day’s heat.

For a more comfortable living environment, north-facing walls are open to take in fresh outdoor air and beautiful views of the nearby waterway.

To create a buffer against direct sunlight, the south-facing block contains service areas, such as pantry, workroom and storage closets. For indoor thermal comfort, the north-facing block is cool and dry, thanks to an array of vertical fins that protect the building’s façade and create diffused light in the interior.

Not far away, a viewing platform raised on girders extends from the house all the way to the water’s edge, a nice place for walking exercise.

Puchong explained: “The overall house plan is carefully thought out based on how frequently a space is used. Hence, the more private residential areas are put on the right side with less traffic, while semi-outdoor rooms for family socialization and houseguests are on the left.

“By design, it’s a medium-sized house plan with large house functionality. The new home for grandpa has all the conveniences for comfortable living, including a nice living room, dining room, bathroom, and bedroom all neatly integrated in one coherent whole.

“All the rooms have undisturbed waterfront views. High ceilings paired with tall windows make the simple house among the trees feel bigger, light and airy.

“To shorten construction time, only standard building materials were used, including the average ceiling panels, roof tiles, and sheets of glass in prefab sizes from 1.20 to 2.40 meters. This made it easy for local builders to build, easy to maintain. Plus, it saved a lot of money, and reduced waste.”

Puchong said: “Using vertical louvre fins is a technique that gives the house its character. They are architectural features that blend beautifully into the overall design.

“This is evident in the way every roof rafter is positioned to align with the top end of the vertical fin. Although in different sizes, the vertical fins are placed at regular intervals, resulting in a clean and simple exterior.”

All things considered, this waterside home is well planned every step of the way. All elements are arranged in such a way that best accomplishes a particular purpose.

More than anything else, it’s about living in peaceful harmony with the land, the water, the trees, even the fireflies. For Puchong, building this retirement home as a gift is absolutely the right way to say: “Grandpa, I love you.”

Owner: Kumnung Yindeesuk

Architect: Puchong Satirapipatkul (OTATO Architect)

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Beautiful Wooden House on Stilts in a Coconut Grove

From An Old Home to A Stunning House on Stilts

A Home with Hip Roof Design Where Every Day Is a Holiday

By livingasean
May 18, 2020
HOUSE,LIVING

/ Bangkok, Thailand /

/ Story: Patsiri Chotpongsun / English version: Bob Pitakwong /

/ Photographs: Rithirong Chanthongsuk /

Here is a modern one-story house with a charming interior courtyard, plus ample and airy multipurpose spaces. The gentle slope of hip roof design shields it from too much sun and rain, the prevailing climate in Thailand.

Small house, surprisingly spacious

The old house that had stood on this plot of land for 40 years was pulled down to make room for a new home. The new floor plan takes up almost the entire 64 square wahs (256 sq.m.) in extent.

Albeit small, it’s fully equipped to suit the lifestyle needs of Pacharanan Marittida and her lovely canine companion. Sharing his design inspiration, architect Nuttapol Techopitch said:

“In the beginning, the old wooden house belonged to Grandma and Grandpa. The time has come for a decision to be made, so we thought it wise to go for a bright and airy home plan.

“The owner had many relatives living nearby and needed extra room to get together with family. Plus, she wanted a studio to give piano lessons. As a music teacher, she played the piano at home a lot.”

After site inspections, Nuttapol proposed an interesting alternative – building a new home. It would save her money.

The reason was obvious. The old two-story house sat on low land that was prone to groundwater flooding. There were no easy solutions. If the ground floor was raised even slightly to protect against water damage, there wouldn’t be enough headroom.

The architect responded with light and airy designs for single-level, two-level, and split-level homes to choose from. The homeowner picked the one-story design raised above the flood level that measured 190 square meters.

The new house feels surprisingly spacious, bright and well-ventilated, while indoor and outdoor rooms are well-connected.

There’s an open-roofed area in the middle of the hip roof design that’s used for planting trees. It’s a layout that places great emphasis on having ample space.

High ceilings that are consistent with hip roof design make it suitable for hot and humid weather. The central courtyard that lies in the open air complements a look that’s stylish and very relaxed. Plus, it provides good air circulation.

On the north side, the open-roofed area is bordered by a wooden lattice that enables interior spaces to benefit from natural light, fresh air and sunshine. The interlaced structure also keeps the floor devoted for service spaces concealed from the view.

Beyond the carport, a courtyard lies mostly enclosed by glass walls that let natural light stream into the house’s interior. At the center, a thriving lettuce tree (Pisonia grandis R. Br.) adds a decorative touch to the home. — Beyond the carport, a courtyard lies mostly enclosed by glass walls that let natural light stream into the house’s interior. At the center, a thriving lettuce tree *(Pisonia grandis R. Br.)* adds a decorative touch to the home.

The owner’s love of woodworking is evident in décor materials made mostly of wood. Among them, a custom-made dining table set proves a perfect complement to the modern style home.

The heart of a happy home

Roof overhangs offer many benefits. For this modern one-story home, they give protection against too much sun and prying eyes. A living room that’s the heart of a happy home lies hidden from view and can only be seen upon entering the carport. The interior is decorated with an L-shaped, charcoal gray sectional sofa.

The slanted ceilings are made of wood for its adaptability to a variety of designs while the rooms are surrounded by glass walls, thereby reducing the need for artificial lighting.

The open floor plan concept, also in the shape of the letter L, provides a way to move through space unhindered from the sitting room to the dining area.

Looking out the window, the center courtyard dominated by a lettuce tree (Pisonia grandis R. Br.) can be seen from every direction. The tree that has been in the family for a long time was dug up and replanted here to keep the yard lush green.

As the architect put it:

“To make the atmosphere relaxed and airy, we avoid putting in too much furniture. Where appropriate, wood accents add warmth to the interior space and create dimension.

“Wood is also great for the piano room. At first, the homeowner intended to put a grand piano there, but later changed her mind and went for a digital piano to optimize small room acoustics. To give it a natural look, a mix of artificial and real Tabaek wood (Lagerstroemia floribunda) is used on parts of the exterior and wood lattice that borders the courtyard.

“Plus, color harmony between indoor and outdoor spaces makes the house even more appealing. Meanwhile, floor tiles in marble design give the impression of ample space.”

Built-in storage shelves provide a creative solution to dress up a blank wall. Each flat length of wood has enough room for a musical instrument and every conceivable gadget.

A solid wooden door separates the kitchen from family room. It’s one clever hack to banish the smoke and cooking orders, plus it’s easy to keep clean.

Warm, ingenious design for pure enjoyment every day

The interior is quite impressive. It even has a space devoted to “Khamin”, the beautiful golden retriever who comes and goes freely between this and the other house on the property.

There’s also a special doggie nook in the carport with a sloped floor. It’s pet friendly and ideal for hyper dogs, thanks to seamless wash pebble finishes.

Pacharanan said:

“The dog runs and plays everywhere inside and outside. We have to towel dry the hair and vacuum the floor often. Hence, non-carpeted floors make perfect sense, while special leather upholstery on the sofa is scratch resistant.

“This has made it possible for humans and dogs to share living spaces. Plus, there is plenty of room to lounge about when relatives visit. On the whole, the atmosphere is warm and welcoming, which makes every day feel like a vacation.

“The only thing missing is the seaside view. By night, it feels more like Khao Yai (The National Park) to sit in the living room and peer into the courtyard aglow under twinkle electric lights. The scenery is inspiring for songwriting.”

Taking everything into account, it’s well worth it. The house with an inner courtyard and hip roof design is small, yet beautifully organized and made for pure enjoyment every day.

Owner: Pacharanan Marittida

Designer: Looklen Architects Co.,Ltd. by Nuttapol Techopitch

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