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Patchworks: A Dessert Café Looks Simple, Yet Stunning in Brutalist Architectural Style

By kangsadank
February 17, 2025
CULTURE,DESIGN

/ Bangkok, Thailand /

/ Story: Phattaraphon / English version: Bob Pitakwong /

/ Photographs: Nantiya June, Kittiya Kularbrat /

If the sweet aroma of baked goods is really your thing, here’s a dessert café dubbed a “hidden gem” in Charansanitwong, a vibrant neighborhood on the Thonburi side of Bangkok. Aptly named “Patchworks”, the small restaurant is renowned for its fine pastries and delicious desserts. It’s owned and operated by four siblings who possess different talents and passions. Characterized by the functionalist approach to building design, the place is likened to needlework in which small items and different details are sewn together beautifully.

Embracing a mix of brutalism and modernism, the raw concrete building is home to a dessert café serving rich, fluffy pastries and delicious light meals. Its bold forms bear some resemblance to a massive piece of cake visible in every direction. Conveniently situated across from of the MRT Bang-O station, its dining room affords a beautiful panorama of Charansanitwong, a vibrant neighborhood on the Thonburi side of Bangkok

As the saying goes, all big things start small. “Patchworks” began as a small business selling an assortment of baked goods back in the day. It grew and matured over time into an established bakery café, ultimately changing its corporate image and creating a strong brand identity thanks to a collaboration with the design firm p/s/d, or “party / space / design”.

It all took shape when the four siblings and a design team from p/s/d got to know each other not long ago. Purposeful meetings in the ensuing days soon paved the way for a smooth project implementation. They allowed for information exchange, problem solving and decision making that led to the integration of their specialized skills and passions into the new business plan. The result is an architectural style and branding concepts that tell the story of its products and services.

The downstairs welcoming hall has a dark emperador marble counter across which pastries and desserts are served. The mouth-watering light meals are made fresh daily in the kitchen located nearby. Busy movement and activity inside it can be seen from here, thanks to a large window separating it from the hallway. Together they are viewed as the highlight of the first floor.

A forest of pendant lighting is suspended from the ceiling directly above a void of space by the glass wall. The shapes and sizes of lampshades get their inspiration from a variety of whisks used for whipping and mixing ingredients, ultimately creating a bright and airy restaurant décor that goes together well with double-height ceilings.

Among other things, visuals of a whisk which is a utensil for whipping eggs and cream are used as the company logo. They are placed in different locations both on the building envelope and as ornaments enhancing the interior. Because the font style matters, the business name is made using a typeface ideally suited to a place in which to enjoy fine pastries, delicious desserts and a good dining experience.

For strength and durability, the floor is built of a type of concrete used in waterborne environments. Also known as “marine concrete”, it’s commonplace in Japanese lofts and widely preferred for its beautiful visual effects when touched by light.

Architecturally speaking, “Patchworks” is an interesting mix of modernism and the brutalist style characterized by raw materials, bold geometric forms and functionality over ornamentation. Expressed in a different way, the use of raw concrete contrasts sharply with the alluring aromas of baked goods and delicious desserts that are its signature dishes. The café has a view of the Metropolitan Rapid Transit (MRT) Bang-O Station.

A metamorphosis of purpose. Visuals of the kitchen utensil used for whipping eggs, cream and mixing ingredients play a new role as the company logo and a forest of pendant lamps suspended from the ceiling. Together they tell the story of brand building, meantime, making the dessert café original and unique in its own special way.

From a distance, it has the appearance of a cube-shaped building, something resembling a giant piece of cake facing all directions. Its proximity to the light rail station makes “Patchworks” a convenient place to meet, relax and indulge in tasty, fluffy pastries and delicious desserts, not to mention fresh brewed coffee and other refreshments. Critics may find the brutalist architectural style unappealing. But inside it, pleasant surprises abound.

Walk in the door and be spoilt for choice. The first floor holds a welcoming hall with a dark emperador marble counter across which rich fluffy pastries, desserts and beverages are served. The mouth-watering light meals are made fresh daily in the kitchen located on one side of the room. Busy movement and activity inside it can be seen from here, thanks to a large window in the hallway. Across from it, restaurant tables and chairs come in a combination of different shapes and sizes designed to satisfy customer needs.

Behind the pastry and dessert counter, a void of space directly overhead serves as engine that drives ventilation supplying fresh air and keeping the interior cool. Not far away, rustic pendant lighting in a variety of shapes and sizes provides a focal point inviting customers to explore extra seating spaces available upstairs. By design, the downstairs seating space is built only three meters tall for good reason. It’s painted calming colors while recessed lighting fixtures behind the sofas help create a peaceful ambiance.

Worthy of note is the board-formed concrete walls that add intrigue and interest to the room as well as the exterior. They convey a great deal about brutalism, an architectural style defined by the plainness of building materials and raw wood grain patterns in cement surfaces. Obviously, they add character and personality to the project.

Climb a flight of stairs, and you come to a large room where salads, brunches, pasta meals, burgers, coffee drinks and refreshments are served. Large glass windows infuse the room with natural light, meantime, offering stunning panoramic views of the light rail station and the surrounding cityscape.

Double-height ceilings, five meters tall to be exact, create a visually striking, more expansive interior. The counter front is adorned with a beautiful mix of glossy and matte finish marble. Placing the counter on the right side of the room creates a positive work environment. It gives company employees and baristas a clear view of the dining area located on the left side, thereby ensuring good customer service at all times.

To integrate natural elements into the built environment, the design team chose not to open up the entire facade overlooking the nearby MRT station. Rather, they filled up the back of the building with a large glass window, thereby bringing in the view of an ebony tree that provides a lush green canopy at the center of the floor plan. As a result, the café is able to offer its customers a variety of dining spaces to suit their taste or wishes.

The seating area overlooking the ebony tree is adorned with pendant lamps that hang from the ceiling above a void of space along the wall. Their balloon-like shapes are inspired by different types of whisks for whipping eggs or cream and blending ingredients. Some of them even resemble the shapes of pastries. Overall, the effect is impressive and goes together well with high ceilings.

A flight of stairs built of steel gives direct access to a hot kitchen and staff workspace located at the rear of the second floor. It’s inspired by fire escape stairwells typically painted flat black. The staircase looks somewhat bent out of place as it takes a twisting course to avoid hitting an ebony tree standing in the way.

The back of the upstairs room holds a hot kitchen with staff workspace nearby. They are separately accessible via a flight of stairs made of steel that gets its inspiration from a fire escape plan. By design, the staircase looks a bit bent out of place as it takes a twisting course to avoid hitting an ebony tree standing in the way. The third floor contains the business owners’ office space that opens onto a rooftop deck.

Taken as a whole, it’s a project that strikes a balance between architecture and the fun. Among other things, the openings in the wall bear some resemblance to the influence of David Umemoto, a Canadian artist famous for creating concrete sculptures and other art objects. It’s the very concept that inspires the design team at p/s/d to try something new and different from the norm. This includes the openings in the wall that ignore a window’s primary function, such as allowing daylight and a view.

A glimpse of the interior shows the feel and functionality of the back room holding a hot kitchen with staff workspace close by. The area is accessible via a separate set of stairs.

As an alternative, they put in a new kind of window with curved lines and a series of sharp zigzags. The same revolutionary idea applies to staircase design that’s treated like a decorative item. The result is a building resembling a concrete maze of corridors through which one has to find a way. Viewed from a passing train, it’s hard to imagine what’s going on inside, except what is seen through the openings in the wall.

A strategically placed opening in the wall is obvious evidence of the influence of David Umemoto, a Canadian artist famous for creating concrete sculptures and other art objects. It’s an interesting alternative that disregards a window’s primary functions, preferring instead to use curved lines and a series of sharp zigzags. The same applies to staircase design that’s treated like a decorating item.

In a few words, “Patchworks” is an outcome of detailed examination of the elements of building design. It’s the story of a small dessert café that evolved over time, meanwhile enhancing its image and generating brand awareness through a well-thought-out plan. In this particular instance, it’s a nice little collab between the owners and the designers that culminates in the bold, raw and deliberate plainness of brutalism. This much is clear.

It’s an architectural style that prioritizes functionality over ornamentation, plus pastries taste like heaven. Drop in for an unforgettable experience and discover why rich, fluffy pastries and delicious desserts here are a top choice in town. It’s only a short train ride away.

Architects: party / space / design

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Another Smith: Preserving Family Traditions through Contemporary Bamboo Architecture

By kangsadank
February 7, 2025
CULTURE,DESIGN

/ Tak, Thailand /

/ Story: Natthawat Klaysuban / English version: Bob Pitakwong /

/ Photographs: Jinnawat Borihankijanan /

Another Smith is a restaurant buzzing with energy and a vibrant atmosphere perched on the edge of the Moei river in Mae Sot, a district in Tak Province. It’s an add-on to an existing family-owned eatery famous for its pleasant and flavorful Thai and Chinese meals. Its signature dishes include fish maw soup made of the perfectly cooked air bladder of bony fish.

Soft concave curves in the roofline symbolic of Chinese architecture bring the architect’s idea to life. The building façade of bamboo and translucent corrugated sheets provides more privacy, safety and less noise. Up front, a welcoming hall and waiting area gives access to restaurant spaces located in the left and right wings.

The old eatery has served as a popular meeting place among the locals as well as foreign visitors for the past 62 years. Now the young generation who inherit the business from their forefathers think it’s time a new destination restaurant and services were created to support local community needs and tourist activities in the area. Located a stone’s throw away from the old family restaurant, Another Smith boasts the beauty of modern Chinese architecture that merges into the unique character and identity of Thailand’s Western Region.

The restaurant interior showcases an intriguing combination of bamboo poles, concrete construction and ceramic tiles, creating a balanced relationship between different elements that make the building not only strong but also beautiful.

The restaurant’s name is a portmanteau coined from a combination of the English word another and the Thai word Smithikorn, which is the business owner’s family name. Put the two words together, and you get Another Smith, for short. The new restaurant now serves as an iconic landmark during the time when the Smithikorn family enters a new era and Mae Sot town becomes one of Thailand’s top destinations for good reason.

The café zone situated up front doubles as a welcoming hall and waiting area. There’s a coffee station bedecked with bamboo poles and ceramic tiles in shades of blue that are inspired by the Blue Cave, a popular tourist destination in Tak Province. Nearby, exterior folding doors provide an example of historic and modern architecture coming together as one.

In a way that’s appropriate to the present circumstances, related business activities and functions are added to details of the overall plan. In addition to the restaurant, the new building also has plenty of space for a café and a jewelry store that’s another strength of the family business.

The bar serving alcoholic beverages and refreshments is adjacent to the café zone and welcoming hall. It starts in the evening and stays open late. There’s a central courtyard with an open-air dining area nearby.

The new restaurant design is inspired by indigenous architecture that has developed in China over millennia. Especially worthy of note is the open-roofed entrance hall or central court that recounts family history and their journeys through time. The project itself is a collab between TasteSpace who are tasked with planning the interior and implementing branding concepts, and Thor.Kaichon who undertake the architectural design process.

Interior design boasts a colorful array of furniture. In this particular case, the colors red and white are used in the right proportion to fit in with bamboo structural members in shades of brownish yellow.

The planning phase of project management starts out with interior design and works its way from the inside to the outside. This ensures that the restaurant has optimal work environments and all functions are in the right places, a system whereby many parts work together to achieve the common goal.

Semi-outdoor rooms roofed over with bamboo panels make up a majority of restaurant spaces. They look out over a lush garden oasis with large healthy trees that contrast with the brownish yellow of bamboo building materials.

What makes it stand out from the crowd is the beautiful bamboo building with an atrium hemmed in by rooms and galleries reminiscent of Chinese homes in times gone by. Together they create a bright, breezy and more inviting atmosphere. Some observers liken it to a dried swim bladder of large fish that’s hard on the outside and airy on the inside.

By design, Another Smith is capable of opening for business all day. It’s divided into three zones, namely:

The Café, which is ready to serve customers from morning until midday. There’s a stylish coffee station located at the front that doubles as a welcoming hall and waiting area giving access to the restaurant nearby.
The Restaurant, which is open for lunches, dinners and nights of dining until the early hours of the morning. There’s an enclosed dining room in the right wing of the building. The left wing holds a dining hall with a garden view for those preferring to dine in the open air. There are rooms for private dinners and social occasions situated next door.
The Bar, which starts in the evening and stays open late. It sits tucked away in an area farther from the café and welcoming entrance located at the front. The room looks out over the central courtyard that’s aglow under the lights at nightfall, turning it into a fun place to hang out with friends.

An indoor dining room opens onto the central courtyard. It’s well-lit and well-ventilated by design. Equipped with bi-fold doors, the room can be divided into parts for private meetings and dinners when needed.

That’s not all. There’s also a special zone holding a jewelry store near the front entrance. It’s a business specialty in which the Smithikorn family has expert skill and knowledge.

Every square inch counts. Here, a vacant retail space provides room for a jewelry store that’s part of the family business. It’s situated at the front entrance by the welcoming hall and waiting area.

Bamboo is the material of choice for good reason. It’s desired as a building material and chic interior decorative items. There’s more. The giant woody grass that grows mainly in the Tropics has long been a building material that’s unique to the architecture of Thailand and China.

A façade of bamboo and translucent corrugated sheets protects an open-air dining area from the elements. It makes the restaurant space cooler without AC and keeps the sun and rain off the semi-outdoor room.

It’s also the building supply in which Thor.Kaichon has technical expertise. In this specific instance, only bamboo poles that have been properly treated are used. The appropriate treatment method ensures their longevity and strength in construction and other applications. Plus, they provide environmentally friendly options rooted in cultural heritage, even better when they are used in conjunction with concrete and reinforced by steel structural members and sheet metal. Together they go to work making the building strong and sure to withstand the years.

The restaurant interior is even more exciting, adorned with an intriguing combination of random tile patterns in shades of blue. The colors are inspired by the Blue Cave, a popular tourist destination in Tak Province. The designers experiment with new methods for dyeing bamboo to ensure it matches the restaurant’s ideas, themes and concepts. Where appropriate, blue and red are used in the right proportion that proves a perfect complement to bamboo structural members and paneling in yellow hues, resulting in a pleasant dining room atmosphere.

In the fewest possible words, Another Smith represents a step in the right direction for a business practice that focuses on adaptations to fit in with modern times. It’s a quality that has run in the family from the very beginning. Another Smith is the story of the diaspora of people from China who have come to call this part of Thailand home. Their business skill has sharpened over time.

Meanwhile, it gave rise to the assimilation of Chinese to Thai society in recent times. As the architects intended, it’s a proven way to create a good first impression and ensure a positive customer experience through good food and a beautiful architectural style. The bottom line: Mae Sot is full of pleasant surprises waiting to be discovered.

Project Concept & Branding: TasteSpace (https://www.facebook.com/tastespace.co)
Interior Designer: TasteSpace (https://www.facebook.com/tastespace.co)
Architects: Thor.Kaichon (https://www.facebook.com/thorkaichon)

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Rab-A-Bit: Old Café Remodeled as Restaurant Radiating the Charm of Vintage Crafts

By kangsadank
January 30, 2025
CULTURE,DESIGN

Rab-A-Bit is a small community restaurant in Mae Rim, a district to the north of downtown Chiang Mai. Originally a café, the building is tastefully renovated as a restaurant exuding an air of tranquility with spectacular rice fields and a rich cultural tapestry. Built mostly of local materials, it’s a design that embraces a humble appearance and follows the principles of long-term sustainability.

Housescape Design Lab, a Chiang Mai-based architecture firm, is tasked with renovating the building belonging to Prof. Chunlaporn Nuntapanich. The professor himself is an architect renowned for his many masterpieces that blend with the environment and embrace the local culture.

In this particular case, the original architectural plan remains intact. The interior is restored to all its former glory, while a stunning open-concept layout brings a refreshing change. As a result, more square footage is gained without changing the floor plan. Plus, a roof inspection and repair ensures there are no leaks.

The project was completed in a short space of time to minimize disruption’s impact on business. This was achieved by careful planning in the pre-construction phase whereby all the necessary materials were gathered and prepared to ensure a smooth building process.

Plus, there was no need for a complete teardown to make room for an entirely new building. For strength and durability, the architect preferred instead to reinforce the timber framing in existence at the time with steel structural members. This gave him plenty of time to incorporate additional spaces and functions into the design. They included a customer waiting area inside the building, dust control measures plus safety and protection in bad weather.

There is beauty in simplicity and strategies to meet customer expectations. Rab-A-Bit is built to last a very long time with all functional areas working effectively from the dining room to the kitchen and prep stations. All in all, the pleasant atmosphere makes the restaurant stand out as a peaceful destination for lovers of nature. For others, it’s a green space to spend time and enjoy the sight, hearing, taste, smell and touch of the countryside. From business perspective, it’s thoughtfully devised to attract and keep repeat customers.

Rab-A-Bit is an intriguing combination of the culinary delights and crafts indigenous to the area. It’s built of solid natural wood by local artisans skilled in traditional carpentry. Walk in the door, and you come into a room bedecked with handicrafts of the Northern Region that give the restaurant its character. Together they blend perfectly with nature, becoming one with the rice fields around.

Clearly noticeable is the restaurant’s clean, simple appearance and attention to detail, while its flagship products are mainly authentic Thai dishes on a no-fuss menu. The restaurant owner’s specialties include shrimp fried rice that’s uncomplicated, easily accessible and very popular among the locals as well as foreigners.

Rab-A-Bit is the story of a passion for doing small things with great love. It’s about the power of determination. As its name suggests, this place has enjoyed a good reputation that’s built bit by bit over the years, ultimately resulting in a piece of architecture that harmoniously blends with elements of the everyday landscapes in Chiang Mai.

Underneath it all is a design approach that seeks to minimize negative impacts on the environment, the society and the local economy as the region is tackling the problem of air pollution caused by seasonal slash-and-burn agriculture.

It’s obvious that sustainable design is the only way forward as shown in this restaurant that’s built of local materials by local people. It makes certain that a heritage of exquisite artisanship lives on. Add a unique dining experience, a welcoming atmosphere, and tasty healthy lunches and dinners to the list, and it’s easy to get why many come away impressed. Drop into Rab-A-Bit next time you’re in the area.

Architect: Housescape Design Lab

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HAS Design and Research: A Boundary-Crossing Studio Where Research Drives Design

By livingasean
January 29, 2025
CULTURE,PEOPLE

/ Bangkok, Thailand /

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

/ Photographs: Nantiya /

HAS Design and Research by Architects Jenchieh Hung and Kulthida Songkittipakdee likens their design work to running a marathon. From the starting line, they navigate a long and challenging path of research and experimentation before reaching the finish line, which represents the final outcome. The end result is always unpredictable, adding to the journey’s intrigue.

Living ASEAN takes you on a visit to their home studio located in a residential area on Phetkasem Road, Bangkok. Led by Kulthida Songkittipakdee (Poh) and Jenchieh Hung (Jerry), this small space is where they focus on architectural design.

They emphasize thorough research into the background of each project to gain a comprehensive understanding before beginning the design process.

Founded by a duo of architects

Poh – Kulthida: “HAS Design and Research. The office name is from the last name of Jenchieh Hung, and Kulthida Songkittipakdee. Combine H and S. You get HAS Design and Research. Our work emphasizes data research, conducting systematic investigations to produce the outcome needed to do design.”

Jerry – Jenchieh Hung: “The two of us lived outside of Thailand for over 10 years. We set up our first office in Shanghai. When we came back to Thailand, our first impression was we wanted this space to be different from Shanghai.

“If you look at this community, you’ll find the people are truly locals. They do many activities together as community. It’s the reason we combine home and office in one. In Phetkasem area.

“Home office offers many benefits because it’s a perfect balance between life and work. When our way of life become ONE with the surrounding community. I believe our work of architecture can provide pictures of life in the future. The same is true for Thai society.”

Integrating a workspace into a townhouse

Poh – Kulthida: “I grew up in this kind of environment. After having lived abroad, we decided to return here. The question is: Where do we begin? We started with the place we’ve lived before. The challenge was if it was the old place, we would know what the problem was, especially if it was a townhouse.

“It’s a narrow front building with an elongated shape. It doesn’t have much light. In any case, we wanted to use it as an office, and as a residence, too. The question is: Does the fence have to still be a fence when we can build it in another shape or form? Or can we make the fence a part of the space.

“Can it turn into an area that brings light and fresh air into the interior? The fence will no longer be a fence wall. It will transform into a space providing transition room for people arriving at the office. It’s like making their way through a garden first, and then gradually arrive at the office. Meanwhile, we had to find ways to bring light into the building as much as possible.”

Research is fundamental

Poh – Kulthida: “As for the research process, we think it’s fundamental, very important to us. Take for example MoMA, the Museum of Modern Aluminum that we did. Initially, the clients came to us saying one sentence. They wanted us to design a building with a wow factor that creates an impact. That was it.

Museum of Modern Aluminum (MoMA) ©W Workspace

“We looked for the best way to go about it making it stand out from the crowd on Ratchaphruek Road. People driving by won’t take notice of the buildings. Interestingly, there are lots of posters and signboards.

“Meanwhile, the daytime and the nighttime are different types of scenes, which gives us an idea of what to do. We integrated natural features in the surroundings in building design, which resulted in the building façade as you see.

“It makes the building stand out for people driving by. They feel this one is interesting. In the daytime, people will see an image of trees and leaves of grass rustling in the wind. In actual fact, it’s all aluminum. In the nighttime, it’s a light show. We worked with lighting designers to make it look like fireflies flashing on building walls.”

Jerry – Jenchieh Hung: “As for MoMA, the Museum of Modern Aluminum, actually, we want to show a dense urban space that blends into the natural environment. But our method is different. We used industrial building materials to create a result resembling a cave in nature or a forest in nature.

“Actually, it’s the story about the way people live in an urban context, but still keep in touch with nature. This is our main target. Nature and urban areas can coexist. I think our research and design are something that illustrates our imagination about the world. Think about the world we’re living in and our living behavior.

Bangkok Yaowarat Road Chinatown © HAS design and research

“Our design and research are the key to open up the road ahead. They open the way for our life, and for the world. And it allows for architecture and research to connect with each other.”

Bangkok Nai Mong Hoi Thod © HAS design and research

Results beyond expectations

Poh – Kulthida: “Actually our work makes us feel like we are marathon runners because as we leave the start point, we don’t know where it will end.

“In many projects, for example the Forest Villa, the clients told us they wanted a home, that’s fit for Modern Chinese Living Styles. In the past, people might think a Chinese style home must have the quality of being Chinese in it. When we knew what they wanted, plus, details of the project site and the homeowner’s vision, it helped to create the kind of home they wanted. It’s a picture that differs from the Chinese style home it used to be.

“Only then did we know we have arrived at the finish line. We started running, not knowing where it would take us. But in the end, the project was accomplished.

“Another example is The Glade Bookstore. After careful consideration, we succeeded in creating something that exceeded their expectations. It’s a bookstore with a cultural space in it. There are art activities on the premises. We succeeded in creating an image of The Glade Bookstore in a style that showcases Chinese architectural heritage in the interior.

“We used materials that people didn’t expect. That is, for every project that we do, we think that our way of working is capable of producing an outstanding result for the project. And we did. Plus, it adds value to the design that we created in ways that exceed project owner expectations.”

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Red Riding Wood: Red Forest Cabins in Chiang Mai Bring Fun Back to the Holidays

By kangsadank
January 14, 2025
CULTURE,DESIGN

/ Chiang Mai, Thailand /

/ Story: Kangsadan K.ม Kor Lordkam / English version: Bob Pitakwong /

/ Photographs: Soopakorn Srisakul, Kranchanok Boonbamrung /

Here’s a design project that fills a family’s teak wood plantation with enthusiasm and energy. It’s home to a cabin vacation destination oozing with the serene beauty of nature. Named the “Red Riding Wood”, the project boasts simple two-story houses that are a source of pride. They sit well on four rai of land (roughly 1.5 acres) snugly tucked into the forest of Chiang Mai’s Hang Dong District.

Evoking a timeless charm through simple materials and craftsmanship by local builders, the forest cabins are the brainchild of SHER MAKER, an architectural practice renowned for using ordinary items in such a way that brings about amazing life experiences.

Bi-fold wooden doors with glass panels open from one end to the other, blurring the lines between indoor and outdoor living.

In essence, the “Red Riding Wood” is the story of an old family-owned hotel that has since undergone a complete transformation. It now includes peaceful vacation cabins in the woods, a couple of pool villas, and children’s playgrounds amid lush greenery designed for families to reconnect with nature.

There are two vacation cabins that serve as the most prominent features on the old teak wood plantation. Just a stone’s throw from them stands a pavilion used for multiple purposes, ranging from business spaces to pop-up stores and cafés to workshop venues.

The pool villas have since been restored to a good state of repair that blends well with the vacation cabins in front. Where appropriate, large openings are installed to reduce opacity in red concrete walls

Playground equipment for kids lies at the center of the property. The two vacation cottages are positioned in front overlooking the road. Not far away, two pool villas were recently renovated to accommodate visiting extended families. The project has all of its goals achieved, at the same time avoiding the unnecessary cutting down of trees on the property, ultimately creating architectural design that blends with the surroundings.

As to be expected, the cabin’s front façade is glazed using frosted glass to protect personal privacy. There’s a playground for kids on the side. The two cottages are made of timber from teak wood farming that was cut down to make room for an extra living space expansion.

Weathered wood beams contrast with structural steel members painted a beautiful deep red color.

The villas are raised above the ground on vertical posts to avoid damaging tree roots.

The building’s structural steel members, such as beams and columns, are painted a deep red anti-rust color coating, while wax finishes protect wood surfaces from the ravages of sun, rain and temperature fluctuations. In the living room, bi-fold doors glazed with transparent glass open to a deck with spectacular views, blurring the lines between indoors and outdoors.

Vertical posts recycled from much older homes find a new purpose as structural support for the pavilion designed for a future pop-up café and workshop space.

The area adjacent to the cabins holds a pavilion that provides plenty of room for pop-up stores, cafés and interactive workshop activities. It’s designed to meet the needs of extended families and groups holidaying together. Meantime, clear glass walls enhance natural light to create a sense of openness and allow parents to keep an eye on children playing outside.

The pavilion is built out of timber recycled from components of the roofs of two old villas that were torn down as part of the expansion plan. It’s put together by local builders highly skilled in making and repairing wooden structures. Precisely, it’s the aged, rustic look of old wood that gives the forest cabin project its character.

A narrow passageway hemmed in by red walls arouses curiosity. It’s inspired by a scene from the fairy tale “Little Red Riding Hood”, where the girl ventures into the woods looking for grandma.

Next, we come to the two villas that were recently restored to a good state of repair to accommodate large families and travel groups. A small gate giving access to the front door has since been rebuilt after the old one was torn down and wood recycled to serve new purposes elsewhere. The villas stand environed by perimeter fences painted shades of red color that interact directly with nearby buildings.

Red is the color of choice for good reason. It serves as a focal point that makes the forest cabin project stand out in the neighborhood. Plus, it blends well with clean lines that foster calm and clarity in spaces and cement plaster finishes on the walls. In a way, the project got its inspiration from “Little Red Riding Hood”, a fairy tale about a little girl and a cunning wolf.

The company logo is inspired by the fairy tale “Little Red Riding Hood”. It’s a way to express rich and subtle meanings about life in the wild and its influence on design concepts.

Everything about it conveys a great deal about the project owner, who is a creative always curious and inquiring as a child. With regard to the project’s visual appearance, the architect picks the color of the red millipedes that thrive in the teak forest, subtly telling the story of fascinating colors of wild animals. This pretty much explains the presence of red fence panels and the narrow passageway that evokes memories of an unforgettable holiday experience.

Red cement plaster walls are everywhere. They connect all parts of the forest cabin project, from the front entrance to concrete edges lining garden walkways, to children’s playgrounds and the pool villas at the rear. Among other things, they divide the project site into different zones, provide outdoor privacy screens, and give information about the distance and direction to places on the property.

Together they bring all the parts together as one. Combine that with the property owner’s character, and you get a development project that’s in and of itself a work of art. All things considered, it’s a fascinating place to visit, a world of curiosities in the middle of a teak forest.

A vacation not only provides the way to escape the daily grind. It’s also about gaining fresh perspectives, broadening one’s horizons and living a more fulfilling life. In this particular case, the little houses in the forest of Chiang Mai represent the coming together of a team of architects with pragmatic approaches and the property owner who proves creativity knows no bounds.

Together they tell the story of a realistic, interactive experience about travel into the woods. It’s a chance to discover the extraordinary, relax, wake up fully rested and ready for the day.

Architect: SHER MAKER

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1+1=1 House: A Modern Home Beautifully Designed for Multigenerational Living

By kangsadank
December 17, 2024
HOUSE,LIVING

/ Bangkok, Thailand /

/ Story: Phattaraphon / English version: Bob Pitakwong /

/ Photographs: Panoramic Studio /

Every name tells a story. Here’s a modern home on Pattanakarn Road that impresses with beautiful architecture and a love of open spaces. Named “1+1=1 House”, it’s the pride and joy of a multigenerational family. Three generations, including grandma and grandpa, mom and dad, and their children under the age of adulthood, live together in one household. The house has 650 square meters of usable space with enough personal room for everyone to live comfortably, not to mention common areas and amenities that are integral components of modern living.

Designed by Poonsook Architects Co, Ltd, a Bangkok-based architectural firm, the house comprises three main functional spaces, namely, the living area for mom and dad and their children, the living area for grandma and grandpa, and shared spaces arranged in the shape of the letter C.

The exterior walls are positioned to face the north, south and west directions so as to protect a central courtyard filled with greenery and a paved outdoor area for relaxation. Together they go to work shielding the interior from the summer sun, balancing temperature and enhancing home comfort.

A courtyard that’s the center of the C-shaped house plan creates a family-friendly outdoor living space in the backyard.

The C-shaped floor plan creates a tranquil retreat enclosed by the walls of the house that keep it in shade for much of the day. The result is an outdoor oasis that’s comfortable and pleasant.

There are two sets of stairs located on either side of the living room. They give access to the upstairs bedrooms belonging to grandma and grandpa, mom and dad, and the children, plus a workroom close by. The downstairs common area is clearly defined. There’s a carport conveniently connected to the house entrance.

modern home — The first floor boasts an open-concept design with features for living and dining in a single, uninterrupted space. To the side, large sliding glass doors can be stowed away neatly, allowing fresh air into the spacious living room.

Walk in the door, and you see a courtyard landscape with a level paved area that makes the home feel warm and welcoming. There’s a shade tree that provides a focal point in the yard and doubles as a privacy screen for the sitting room upstairs.

The downstairs dining room lies under a higher-than-normal ceiling, 5 meters tall to be exact. As would be expected, it makes the interior living space feel spacious, bright and airy. There are large, east-facing folding doors that open to connect with the veranda and a courtyard garden nearby. It’s everybody’s favorite hangout, a place for the family to get together and shoot the breeze.

1+1=1 House — The living room enclosed by glass walls has a modern sofa set in a creamy white that goes together well with wood furniture, creating a calm environment for elderly parents.

Taking everything into account, the ground floor boasts a beautiful open floor plan. There’s a sitting room with a pantry and dining area close by. Large sliding doors glazed using clear glass open onto the central courtyard, creating a visible impression that makes the room feel longer, wider and well-ventilated.

Grandma and grandpa’s private sitting room is connected to the kitchen area. The nearness in space to the central courtyard provides physical ease and relaxation in their sitting room. From here, a flight of stairs gives access to green spaces on the second floor that also contains their bedroom and a multipurpose area nearby.

By design, it’s a modern home that fulfills the needs of an extended family, one that provides enough private space plus a communal area shared by everyone. Among other things, the dining room is dedicated to foster social interaction and strengthen a bond of understanding in the family. It’s rare to find a multigenerational home these days when the nuclear family gradually becomes the norm.

Architect: Poonsook Architects

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Klang-Pa: A Cute Little Café in the Woods Celebrates Nature and Truth to Materials

By kangsadank
December 11, 2024
CULTURE,DESIGN

/ Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand /

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

/ Photographs: SkyGround Architectural Film & Photography /

Anyone for coffee? Here’s a little café aptly named “Klang-Pa”, literally translated “in the middle of the forest”. It’s nestled snugly in the woodland of Pak Chong District in Nakhon Ratchasima, formerly Korat. Telling the story of father and son bonding, the modern coffee shop is an add-on to an existing building belonging to the owner’s father. “Klang-Pa” is the brainchild of Context Studio, a Bangkok-based architectural practice.

Originally a thriving orchard, the land under the crisp, cool canopy of overhanging trees is home to the family-owned “Secret Art Garden and Galleries”. His father, who’s an artist, taught art here for many years. Now the son has decided to put in a small café to make it lively and fun, ultimately creating a positive atmosphere to enjoy coffee with a view of the natural surroundings.

And that’s where the architects from Context Studio come into play, transforming an empty plot of land into a little cafe in the wilderness. It bears some resemblance to a glasshouse with naked concrete forming the framework of upright pillars, beams and walls. They are chosen for their ability to withstand challenge on-site, including dirt, mud and stormwater in the rainy season. In so many ways, it shines like a work of art that chronicles the history of a family bound together by strong relationships and common interests.

From a distance, bare concrete walls and components of a structural system form a framework that supports and holds up the building. The room is completely enclosed by transparent glass paneling and rooftop skylights to admit light and allow people to see out. Like a lit torch casting flickering light through the trees, the glasshouse coffee shop is aglow under electric lights in the nighttime.

Wood plank concrete forms leave their marks on cement walls, adding unique textures to the cute little café.

Spaces between individual wooden boards create ridges and grooves in naked cement walls.

By design, the use of ordinary items conveys a great deal about Truth to Materials, a principle which holds that materials should be left in their raw or lightly finished state. Among other things, local wood in its organic shapes is used for concrete forms, resulting in the colors and textures that give great aesthetic pleasure. Small gaps between planks create narrow ridges and grooves on the building walls, bringing out a stunning light effect when touched by the sun’s rays.

Poured concrete is used for the framework and components of the building with a rectangular floor plan. Together they create simple and straightforward movements from the coffee bar and nearby wash basins to the casual, cool sitting area, to the set of steps at the entrance. The overall effect is impressive.

“Klang-Pa” has become a rendezvous to enjoy good coffee and appreciate the scenery of the natural world. Step outside and you discover nature’s dining room is always open. To achieve a neat appearance, plumbing is concealed within walls while rainwater is emptied through downspout systems inside concrete columns.

The cute little café in the woods is the story of a relationship between an artist and his son, who’s an aficionado of the finest coffee. With the help of a team of architects, it becomes a new destination offering an off-the-grid alternative to popular places while still reconnecting with nature, rich culture and family traditions,

Architect: Context Studio (https://www.facebook.com/contextinterior)

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TNOP House: A Mountainside Retreat Affords a Good View of Rural Chiang Rai

By kangsadank
November 18, 2024
HOUSE,LIVING

/ Chiang Rai, Thailand /

/ Story: Phattaraphon / English version: Bob Pitakwong /

/ Photographs: Rungkit Charoenwat /

This secluded country retreat in Chiang Rai belongs to a graphic designer who loves spending time in nature as a way to find inspiration and spark creativity. Nestled in a valley among the mountains, it’s a place in which to rest, relax and have a break of the hustle and bustle of the big city. At the risk of stating the obvious, building on a slope can be challenging and hence a lot of effort was put into planning and design. The house facade is set in open land with scattered groups of trees abutting a highway, while the building itself is built on the sun-facing hillside overlooking lush rice fields that turn gold when it’s time to harvest in winter, a sight to behold to say the least.

From this vantage point, the view is breathtaking. And that’s precisely where a design team from IS Architects comes into play. Their job: overcome construction site obstacles and create a place that’s beautiful, safe and comfortable to live. The result is a modern country house that blends with the local way of life so as to become indistinguishable from it. Where appropriate, parts of the steeply inclined hillside are adjusted to create an ideal setting for the house and landscape design. Overall, the house plan is simple yet functional with indoor and outdoor spaces arranged according to levels of importance.

Built on sloped land, the house is designed to keep things simple to avoid over-engineering and technical complications. The bedroom is tucked away in a quiet, secluded area on the uppermost floor. The second floor holding a living room, kitchen and the art room opens to a large timber terrace overlooking a steep hillside that descends to meet the rice fields below.

Open the main gate, and you come to a small yard lined with trees that provide a buffer between the house facade and the main thoroughfare up front. Together they protect the house from outside noise, dust and dirt. By design, the front yard is as long as the house is tall. For indoor thermal comfort, the building is positioned in relation to the sun, wind and climatic factors. Plus, open concept floor plans help get rid of cooking smells fast, resulting in a healthy home environment.

A row of trees protects the home from outside noise, dust and smoke. By design, the front yard is as long as the house façade is tall to avoid getting too close to the road in front of it.

From the driveway, a flight of garden steps beside a perimeter wall provides access to the backyard below. So there’s no need to go through the interior of the house. The overall foot traffic route is neatly planned, obvious and easy to follow. From the backyard, another flight of stairs set in a north-to-south direction leads to quiet and secluded living spaces on the second floor, something vaguely reminiscent of a corridor connecting different parts of an art gallery. To put it briefly, it’s a place to get away from it all.

Walk in the door, and you discover an integrated house plan that brings together functional spaces for working, living and leisure. There’s a living room that’s conveniently connected to the kitchen, dining room and the art room. It opens to a large timber balcony set in the southeast direction to take in the view of lush paddy fields and forested hills. In the late afternoon, the setting sun casts a warm glow over the architecture and surrounding mountain landscapes, creating light and shadows that inspire artists with its many wonders.

Noteworthy features of the house include the adaptation of elements of vernacular architecture to meet modern-day lifestyle needs. By design, the interior living spaces are well-lit and well-ventilated, thanks to generous wall openings that let plenty of natural light and fresh outdoor air into the home. In a way, it’s the marriage of modern and folk architecture that gives the house its character. Among other things, roof trusses, rafters and wooden parts of the home are built of reclaimed timber. It’s roofed over with fired clay tiles in warm shades of brownish-gray color. The floors are finished in terrazzo alternating with washed sand beautifully handcrafted by local artisans.

A contemporary style and elements of vernacular architecture combine to make the house look and feel good. It’s simple yet attractive, thanks to a variety of local materials that give the home its character.

All things considered, the project is a challenge that brings out the best in local builders, designers and engineers who put their heads together and produce a beautiful work of architecture. The way it looks attracts people’s attention. It sends a message that contemporary architecture has pride of place in society, and in this case a home that blends with the context that forms the setting of rural Chiang Rai.

In short, nature has always inspired artists and thinkers. In this particular instance, it has given the homeowners and architects the tools they need to deal with many challenges that occur on site. The result is a home that looks and feels good, plus it combines a contemporary style with elements of folk architecture in a neat and organized way.

Architect: IS Architects

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dusitD2 Samyan: A Midtown Hotel Livens up Old Town Neighborhood with Exciting New Design

By kangsadank
October 19, 2024
CULTURE,DESIGN

/ Bangkok, Thailand /

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

/ Photographs: Nantiya June, Kranchanok Boonbamrung /

No place personifies the timeless beauty of Bangkok’s old town like dusitD2 Samyan, a destination hotel where stylishly fashionable design seamlessly mixes with urban lifestyles.

A vista of Bangkok’s landscape as seen from inside a DusitD2 hotel room.

As the name suggests, dusitD2 Samyan is a member of the D2 hotel chain. It nestles comfortably on Si Phraya Road, a longtime economic hub renowned for busy movement and modern architecture. Taken as a whole, there’s a feeling of excitement and pleasure that comes with urban conveniences. dusitD2 Samyan no doubt is a beautiful work of contemporary hotel design, one that helps to rejuvenate a city neighborhood without sacrificing the value of Thailand’s arts and culture.

The hotel lobby space decorated in contemporary style tells the story of Bangkok’s Si Phraya Road neighborhood now and then.

First things first, let us show you around high-rise hotel rooms offering a vibrant panorama of Bangkok. The overall effect is impressive, thanks to a perfect blend of convenience and comfort plus the furnishing and decoration that tells the story of the Si Phraya neighborhood now and then.

The area’s reputation as one of Thailand’s jewelry trade centers is manifested in the interior design inspired by beautifully crafted personal ornaments, such as jewels and precious metals. Among other things, decorative throw pillows and headboards are covered in textile fabrics showcasing precious stone patterns in a variety of shapes and colors.

The furnishing and decoration of hotel rooms gets its inspiration from personal ornaments, such as precious stones and metals that have made the Si Phraya Road neighborhood famous as one of Thailand’s jewelry trade centers.

Hotel room décor brings about a good impression of the Si Phraya Road neighborhood renowned for its reputation as one of Thailand’s jewelry trade centers.

A throw pillow showcasing an image of precious stone patterns tells the story of Si Phraya as one of Thailand’s jewelry trade centers.

dusitD2 Samyan has two areas for common use that non-guests can access. The 16th floor contains the Bedidas – Pool Bar, where the tasty, distinctive Mexican cuisine is served. Be spoilt for choice when it comes to drinks and refreshments. And if you swing by in the late afternoon, go to Mimi’s Bar on the 25th floor. It’s a good place to watch the sun set behind cloudy skies or simply take in the panoramic view. While up there, take your time to explore amazing interior design, relax and unwind in the comforting glow of sunlight as the night falls.

The 16th floor holds the Bedidas – Pool Bar with a view of downtown Bangkok.

A vibrant space with vivid colors, Mimi’s Bar on the 25th floor affords nearly 360-degree views of the cityscape.

Seen from Mimi’s Bar on the 25th floor, Bangkok’s urban skyline is aglow as the night falls.

It comes as no surprise that dusitD2 Samyan has become a popular destination on Si Phraya Road for both locals and foreign visitors. Living among the hustle and bustle of the city has its advantages. Located in the city center, DusitD2 Samyan is very pleasant and easy to get to, not to mention the hotel’s interior design that evokes admiration. Precisely, it’s these qualities of urban places that earn Bangkok a reputation as one of the world’s most admired cities.

Architects: Design Identity Unit

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Bangkok Bastards: Chatpong Chuenrudeemol’s Vision of Urban Ingenuity in Everyday Architecture

By kangsadank
October 15, 2024
CULTURE,PEOPLE

/ Bangkok, Thailnd /

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

/ Photographs: Courtesy of CHAT Architects /

Chatpong Chuenrudeemol, of CHAT Architects, Thailand, is an architect and researcher renowned for what he called “Bangkok Bastards”, a project that investigated unsightly urban areas, such as construction site camps, inner-city slums and retail stalls abandoned and reclaimed by nature. Rethinking them from a new perspective, he was able to restore them to life in an interesting way.

Outstanding products of “Bangkok Bastards” included the Samsen Street Hotel, a downtown lodging inspired by scaffolding wooden planks and metal poles on the outside of a building. Together they gave rise to exciting new design bearing some resemblance to the raised platforms attached to a building during construction.

urban — Samsen Street Hotel / Courtesy of CHAT Architects

In a way, the Samsen Street Hotel is a revelation of previously unseen aspects of building design, a conceptualization that culminates in a thorough change in the form, character and experience in a very open and visible way. Taken as a whole, it’s a piece of architecture designed to promote social interactions, a community hub for hosting events and spaces for people to meet in the Samsen Street neighborhood. That’s not all. He also has other projects in the making, basically focusing on reuse and rethink as ways to create places of higher quality than he found it.

A little bit about Chatpong Chuenrudeemol

Chatpong is founder of CHAT Architects and winner of the 2020 Silapathorn Award in Architecture.

After completing his master’s degree at Harvard University’s School of Architecture, Chatpong returned to Thailand where he set up a business called CHAT Architects. He was very interested in architectural styles that reflected the true values, experience and the way of life of ordinary people. His research in urban planning and development was inspired by a feeling of wanting to know more about happenings in the street. They included events in the community, construction site camps and deserted retail stalls, to name but a few. Their untidy outward appearances belied the quality of being honest and truthful to others.

Like everything else, the buildings built by non-architects based on local needs and available materials deserved a second chance. So, it’s up to the architect to rethink them from a different point of view and put them to good use once more. After all, there is value in everything.

(Re)Thinking inside the Box is a series of discussion events focusing on the issues abovementioned. It’s all a matter of perspective about what can be done to address the problem of limited living space in the city. It’s a forum for people to explore new possibilities and look at the problem from within, thereby turning a challenge into a solution. Hence, the title is (Re)Thinking inside the Box, as an alternative to outside-the-box thinking.

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dusitD2 Samyan: A Midtown Hotel Livens up Old Town Neighborhood with Exciting New Design

No place personifies the timeless beauty of Bangkok’s old town like dusitD2 Samyan, a destination hotel where stylishly fashionable design seamlessly mixes with urban lifestyles.

Bangkok Bastards: Chatpong Chuenrudeemol’s Vision of Urban Ingenuity in Everyday Architecture

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