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.
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.
/ Story: Kangsadan K. / English version: Bob Pitakwong /
/ Photographs: Courtesy of DRFJ – Design & Research by Fusinpaiboon & Jang /
The commercial row house, aka the shophouse that’s also used as the owner’s residence, is an architectural style akin to the way of life in Southeast Asia. It’s a small component of the larger, more complex urban landscape, a home-cum-business space more important than anyone could have ever imagined. Living ASEAN had the opportunity of interviewing Dr. Hyunju Jang, of the Faculty of Architecture at Chulalongkorn University and cofounder of the design studio DRFJ (Design & Research by Fusinpaiboon & Jang). Asst. Prof. Chomchon Fusinpaiboon, Ph.D, also of Chulalonkorn University, is the joint founder. We discussed the shophouse from historical perspectives, in the meantime examining its subsequent evolution, building performance and factors that contribute to improved quality of life in the city.
The design duo is best known for their project codenamed “Shophouse2Go! Prototypes”, a collection of row house improvement ideas that members of the general public can follow as a model. Dr. Hyunju shared her thoughts and suggestions about a possible of course of action in dealing with the problem of limited space and site constraints. Ultimately, it’s about creating quality living spaces and improvements in the well-being of city dwellers. Here’s what she said.
We recently had the opportunity of interviewing Dr. Hyunju in the lead-up to the Design Talk titled (Re)Thinking inside the Box, Vol. 1 Living in Small Urban Spaces. Conducted in English, the discussion was scheduled for Sunday August 4, 2024. It was a part of the Baan Lae Suan Fair Midyear 2024 at BITEC Bang Na, Bangkok. In essence, it’s about raising public awareness about the problem of limited space in the city and the importance of well-thought-out design in overcoming site constraints, especially in the context of the type of climate most common in Southeast Asia. The following are some insights into her work experience.
Q: What inspired you to set up the design studio? What’s the goal of DRFJ?
A: Prof. Chomchon and I shared the knowledge that we have gained through work experience in architecture. But our technical expertise differed from each other. Prof. Chomchon was skilled in researching into the historical aspects and evolution of contemporary architecture, while I started out working with a green building consulting firm specialized in big development projects requiring large investments. We got to talking about the importance of architecture in people’s lives, which culminated in research into architectural styles closely related to the pattern of behavior of many city dwellers. We started exchanging information and, to make a long story short, we ended up creating the design studio DRFJ with one specific goal in mind: use our skills and knowledge in conjunction with other sciences to improve the quality of living spaces in ways that the general public can follow as a model. At the same time, we respect the historical values and culture prevailing in a particular area or neighborhood.
Q: How does the project or research conducted by DRFJ contribute to improving living conditions in the city?
A: Our office, from the start, has made the shophouse a focus of our attention. Prof. Chomchon published the findings of his research into the improvement of commercial row houses built during the 1960’s and 1970’s. For your reference, the work is officially called “Strategies for the renovation of old shophouses built during the 1960’s and 1970’s in Bangkok, Thailand, for mass adoption and application.” Since then it has been further developed as a model for home improvements that the general public can follow. Apart from that, we’re also working to provide alternative living space designs, making them right and appropriate for different types of the shophouse.
As part of our research, we put a variety of designs to the test, thereby evaluating the convenience and physical comfort that each one of them could provide for the occupants of a building. The thing is that many green building design requirements that I have dealt with are formulated for large buildings by international organizations lacking deep understanding of Thailand’s climates and cultural context. So we’re searching out the best ways to customize international requirements to better fit the small-scale and everyday kind of architecture in the context of Thailand. Our prototype was the result of this testing. It’s a catalogue of works of design intended for customers to pick based on an individual’s preferences. In a nutshell, it’s about making high quality design available at the price that’s right.
Q: In terms of different climates between Thailand and Korea, is there anything of particular interest to you?
A: What I felt the most difficult when I started working in Thailand was that there were no room heaters. Most offices and commercial buildings focused on ways to keep cool in hot weather and reduce the cost of air conditioning at the same time. In Korea, it’s the opposite. Because it was cold there, all the design decisions were made to keep warm and, at the same time, reduce the cost of operating room heaters. For me personally, a design strategy is considered effective if it’s capable of reducing heat gain in the interior, thereby keeping the room cool and comfortable.
Speaking of which, the crux of the matter lies in creating energy efficient design, one that keeps a balance between power consumption and the amounts of daylight streaming into the room. Daylight conditions are of the utmost importance. As for me, I would seek the advice of a consulting engineer in a bid to turn a challenge into a solution.
Q: For the most part, what are the things that most DRFJ clients want?
A: The Shophouse2Go! Prototypes project had its beginnings in a row house in which we live no So we wore multiple hats as clients, developers, and architects handling varied roles and responsibilites. But it’s a case study because what we want to develop is a platform catalogue that provides various options for customers. Meanwhile, some of our clients who already own a shophouse or a townhouse can expect to have a better environment because there are so many good choices. We think the quality of being different and diverse is very important. In other words, the clients are not interested in just expanding living spaces in their row houses. They are also interested in the things that improve the quality of life, such as green spaces and communal room shared by all family members. As things stand, we know what the clients want for their homes. And that’s what gives us the inspiration going forward.
Q: In your opinion, what are the often-overlooked aspects of urban living that you consider important?
A: I believe that a balance between the various aspects of urban living is something that most people either don’t realize or fail to take notice of. There is no denying that life in the city as a whole is far more complex than that spent in any single building. What we need to do is strike the right balance the two worlds notwithstanding the problem of limited space or site constraints. It’s about finding ways to achieve the best result. Stay focused on raising the quality of life in the city. There is more to a home than just a place of residence.
(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.
As part of the room X Living ASEAN Design Talk 2024, (RE)Thinking inside the Box Vol. 1 is on the theme of “Living in Small Urban Spaces”. Here, expert guest speakers will discuss ways to create small living spaces and enhance the quality of life, at the same time shedding light on site constraints, challenges, and possibilities for building decent homes in urban areas. In the fewest possible words, it’s about promoting good life and a good living environment.
/ Story: Kangsadan K. / English Version: Bob Pitakwong /
/ Photographs: Kukkong Thirathomrongkiat /
Here’s a restaurant ensconced in lush greenery on the bank of the River Kwai in Kanchanaburi, a province in the western part of Thailand. It got the inspiration from the scenic beauty of a forest landscape and creative use of local materials. The result is an attractive eatery in an idyllic setting, one that speaks volumes for the virtue of humility towards nature.
From a distance, a fine view of the restaurant building merges into the lovely canopy of green along the stretch of the river known as Kwai Yai that runs through Kanchanaburi town. Its exteriors in warm shades of brown prove a perfect complement to a bank of earth covered in smooth river rocks that visually connect with the landscape. In a way, it’s an expression of cordial greeting, an invitation for customers to step inside, enjoy good food and take in a pleasing view of the river.
Technically, the restaurant gets its rich color with a brownish hue from steel frames mixed with timber and other building supplies sourced directly from within the community. It’s thoughtfully devised to fit in well with the embankment situated below that’s built to prevent flooding in the area.
KAAN River Kwai Restaurant is the brainchild of PHTAA Living Design, a Bangkok-based studio renowned for creating architectural language that treats natural features as the integral part of design. The project offers 800 square meters of usable spaces that fuse with the surroundings to form a whole, while the River Kwai Yai provides access via waterborne craft to the shopfront. It’s also accessible by a road on the opposite side of the river.
The riverbank being three meters high from the water line makes it a challenge that tests the abilities of the team of architects. On the one hand, it’s good to be able to get a better view of the surroundings. On the other hand, years of water flowing down from the mountains have left the riverbank in danger of collapse. So a wall of earth covered in thick cement and smooth river rocks has to be built to prevent damage caused by corrosion.
In terms of color and texture, river stones made round and smooth by the action of water and sand perfectly blend with the physical surroundings. More importantly, they are easy to find, strong and water impermeable, making them a material of choice relevant to the context that forms the setting of the project.
As the lowest load-bearing part, the wall of earth reinforced by concrete and river rocks is capable of providing structural support for the safety and physical comfort of staff and customers alike. By design, it’s a clean well-lighted and well-ventilated place offering a high standard of performance as one would expect of buildings used for commercial purposes.
In a few words, KAAN River Kwai Restaurant is the product of a reinterpretation that treats characteristics unique to a particular area as more important than other things. It involves rethinking the state of affairs at hand and making appropriate adaptations to create exciting, new design, meanwhile showing humility towards nature by subtly blending in with the green of the pristine forest.
/ Story: Kangsadan K. / English Version: Bob Pitakwong /
/ Photographs: Living ASEAN team /
A tight budget coupled with the problem of limited space in the heart of Bangkok’s downtown is a challenge that tests the architect’s abilities to overcome site constraints. In this particular case, it’s the renovation of an old three-story shophouse as a modern living space that’s done in accordance with city ordinances. More so than anything else, it’s a home tailored to the lifestyle needs of its occupants and improvements in living conditions. Thanks to well-thought-out strategies on the part of DRFJ (Design & Research by Fusinpaiboon & Jang), a model for home renovation projects was created. It can be used as an example for the general public to follow.
To begin with, the shophouse with three floors was a narrow lot place lacking light, fresh air and ventilation. The design team at DRFJ decided to apply the concept of “simple and more” to create a contemporary living space that’s within the law, more time efficient, and involving a relatively small cost. The secret to success lies in making the least amount of change to the existing building plan. They include wall openings, plus pillars and beams used as a support for the building. In this instance, the building plan is made up of three sections, each of which is four meters long.
There are stairs giving access to the upper floors, while the façade with external devices provide solar shading and ventilation. Taking everything into account, it’s quite a departure from the usual in terms of appearance. The result is an old home beautifully renovated to banish stuffy rooms by bringing fresh air and sunshine into the interior. Plus, there’s the overall vintage appeal in building materials that promotes originality and style. Most importantly, it’s a peaceful place of abode right in the middle of a big city. It provides a showcase of ideas for the general public to follow.
Despite the small area, the purposes of structures and spaces are clearly defined. The first floor has enough room for a carport well-lit and well-ventilated by wall openings at the front and the rear of the house adorned with greenery. Go further inside, and you come to a flight of terrazzo stairs giving access to the home office on the second floor. The low headroom is nicely compensated for by walls painted a cool-toned white that’s easy on the eye.
The workspace itself is illuminated by natural daylight shining in through balcony windows. As to be expected, the bedroom is tucked away on the third floor that’s more private and quiet, thanks to a double wall system glazed using clear glass that opens to a balcony. Proceed to rooftop deck which holds a sitting room adorned with greenery. The sitting room itself is roofed over with Sandwich Roof Panels, a lightweight material known for good heat insulation. Inside, a floating furniture layout makes it easy for future updates. Step outside, and you discover a small sky garden hemmed in by walls that have since been given a fresh coat of paint for easy cleaning.
Simply put, it’s the story of a home improvement done right, one made light, airy and comfortable by careful planning in spite of the problem of limited space and a tight budget. Furthermore, because it’s a shophouse converted into a home, there’s without doubt a look that imitates the style of the previous era, yet it blends beautifully into the community. From DRFJ’s points of view, it’s the prototype of a home from which other design can be developed, a preliminary model that’s open to the general public.
Join us for insights on creating urban homes that maximize quality of life. The room Books X Living ASEAN Design Talk 2024 on the theme of “(Re)Thinking inside the Box: Vol. 1 Living in Small Urban Spaces” is a discussion event in English focusing on urban living opportunities and design challenges that need to be resolved. It’s aimed at creating an awareness and knowledge among the general public about the importance of design in residential development within the context of city life across Southeast Asia.
The discussion will be in English. It’s open to everyone who is interested. There is no admission fee. Seats are limited. Please preregister at https://cooll.ink/DesigntalkLA/
Looking forward to seeing you all at Hall MR 214-216, Second Floor, BITEC Bang Na on August 4, 2024 from 1300 to 1530 hours. It’s happening as part of the Baan Lae Suan Fair Midyear 2024.
/ Story: Wuthikorn Sut / English version: Bob Pitakwong /
/ Photographs: Ratthee Phaisanchotsiri /
Aptly named “Our Home”, a pair of houses stands on the same property, suggesting the truth about the importance of family and building a peaceful society. The bigger house is designed for occupancy by the homeowner, while the smaller one is Mother’s residence. On the whole, there is beauty in simplicity and the way of life relevant to both of them. The concept of design is evidenced by the use of vernacular building materials and contemporary gable roof ideas that are straightforward, warm and inviting.
From the design perspective, the principal building is a two-story home with three-bedroom three-bath suites under a steep pitch roof. The basic elements of design paired with the landscape speak the language of architecture that’s easy to understand. Walk in the door, and you come to a bright and airy hallway giving access to all the rooms, at the same time blurring the boundaries between indoors and outdoors.
A staircase nearby is built against the south wall glazed using clear glass alternating with louvered wood shutters for light control and ventilation. On the side facing the hallway, a handrail provides stability for walking up and down stairs.
Opposite the stairs, an open kitchen designed for easy moving affords a view of an inner courtyard with a thriving shade tree in the middle. It grows to fill the void of space on the second floor, creating a visual connection with nature and bringing the home office and private residential areas into contact.
The mother’s home is a single-story building with an open floor plan made for plain and simple living. There’s a sitting room adjacent to a pantry capable of adapting to changing needs. It holds two bedrooms and a bath with all the functionality for receiving visiting family members.
A platform along the exterior provides a connection between inside and outside. The overall effect is impressive, thanks to wall openings, windows and doorways working in tandem to keep the house cool and comfortable. The two buildings share the same vernacular building materials and features, forming a delightful and consistent whole.
Everything changes with the passage of time, and somewhere along the line this pair of houses is changing with it. Previously an empty space, the backyard garden is now bursting with vegetable and herb gardens thriving luxuriantly. An outdoor area provides room for a playground with swings and miniature houses for kids.
Like nature intended, they create a conducive learning environment. Above all else, the courtyard between the two homes serves the purpose of strengthening family bonds. It’s a place to sit together, talk together and shoot the breeze. In a few words, there’s nothing like “Our Home”, so to speak.
/ Story: Kor Lordkam / English version: Bob Pitakwong /
/ Photographs: Nantiya June /
Studio Miti is founded by Prakit Kanha and Padirmkiat Sukkan, two architects who have been friends since college. They attended the same school of architecture at a university. Since 2010 the architectural firm has won acclaim for its expertise in materials science skills and ability to integrate knowledge of design with the circumstances that form the setting of worksite surroundings. Having earned many architectural design awards over the years, Studio Miti is clearly living up to his name.
The story of Studio Miti had its beginnings at a workbench inside a rented room that doubled as their humble abode. As the amounts of work increased, the pair thought it wise to move into a decent workplace. They moved several times to different places, among them a rental space on the ground floor of an apartment block that, albeit small, became their first design studio.
The turning point in their career as architects came as the company grew and grew to the point they decided to move again, this time to a permanent home with a brick façade showcasing materials that speak volumes about their ideals and corporate identity.
For almost 15 years, Studio Miti has kept firmly to its guiding principle in design, one that combines knowledge of design with an understanding of the context that forms the setting of a place, plus the ability to research the structure and properties of materials used in construction.
In the fewest possible words, it’s about knowing what the materials are made of and how they can be used so as to achieve the best results and aesthetic appeal. Equally important is the ability to create design that’s conducive to improving the quality of life plus charm, good looks that inspire.
The company’s unflinching determination to stand by its design principle and beliefs is reflected in the looks of its new office set amidst the bustle of the Lad Phrao Soi 71 neighborhood in Bangkok where it moved into in 2024.
It’s an old townhouse that has since been lovingly restored as an office. It showcases the front façade covered in lightweight concrete blocks in dark gray that conveys a great deal about Studio Miti’s ideals and in-depth visions guiding its actions.
We have the pleasure of meeting with Padirmkiat Sukkan, co-founder of Sudio Miti, and getting to know more about the company’s design concept, plus taking a tour inside their new office. Join us in discovering the secrets behind the building façade crafted of gray concrete blocks, plus the design concept and beliefs that have put Studio Miti in a class in itself.
Q: Tell us about your journey, design principles and beliefs that guide your actions.
A: “As you know, Studio Miti has moved office several times over the years. Every time we moved, we did some experiments on the materials that we used. We tried to weigh the work we did to determine its essential quality. We believe in using real materials. By that is mean that we use pure materials in their original visual shape, color and texture without over embellishments.”
“At our current location, we used mostly bricks as the material of choice. We experimented on brick constructioon as well as bricks and steel. This time, we tried using lightweight concrete blocks as the main material instead.
“In fact, we found it by chance at a worksite. We were using the product and, out of the blue, it broke at the seams at the midpoint. We discovered a curving contour inside it.
“It looked interesting when touched by light. So we took it apart and looked inside it. The effect was good by a touch of light. I thought we could build the entire building facade using this material. And we did. The same applied for other parts of the building, too.”
“We implemented this project, renovating an old townhouse built some 30 to 40 years ago. There were site limitations that we had to deal with. The external envelope was opaque, being built entirely of brickwork. It came with one restriction; a complete teardown was not permitted.
“So we created a building façade that’s capable of being open and shut as needed so as to control the amounts of natural daylight shining into the interior, thereby making it easy to stay focused during the work day.”
“Actually, we are interested in the design process. We look for ways, by which the tools that we use in designing diagrams can also be applicable or relevant to the materials being used as well.
“Oftentimes we put the materials to the test ourselves. It gives us confidence in doing designs, plus the benefits that come from touching it and getting the feel of the materials. It’s an important approach that we use.”
Q: What’s your thought on using real materials and creating Tropical design?
A: “On real materials and Tropical design, I regard the two concerns as being part of one cohesive whole.
“In a warm and humid climate like ours, first, I say we have to understand and be able to use the sun and the winds prevailing in the region to our benefit. It’s very basic to begin with. If we have the opportunity and the owner agrees and likes what we do, then we can develop the materials that we need together.
“And when it comes to using pure materials, I feel they are beautiful without being over embellished. We just need to find out how design can be used to make them look beautiful with little or no modification. To us, understanding the materials and how to them is of the utmost important.”
“Speaking of knowledge of a Tropical climate, I feel it’s a must-have for architects. Thai architects, especially, must have a good understanding of sunlight, the heat, humidity and the cold. They are the basics. To create designs, knowing all the basics takes priority over any other matter.
“But more than anything else, me have to make sure the kind of architecture that we create represents the owner. If not, at least it must speak volumes about the place, about the site and the context that forms the setting around it.”
Q: Help me understand some of the work you did in the past? A few examples, perhaps?
A: “To show you some of our past achievements and the results of our experiments, I say we used bricks. Bricks were the material that we used often. As for wood, we used that often, too. We used brickwork mixed with wood in the construction of Athita the Hidden Court Chiang Saen, a boutique hotel in Chiang Saen District of Chiang Rai Province. It’s a hybrid of brick and timber.”
“If I may show you a project built entirely of bricks, or brickwork mixed with steel, it’s the “High Brick House” or “Baan Look Moo”.
“In fact, we’re working on another one, too. I believe bricks release the heat faster. We’re working on a house project called “Baan Yoo Yen”. It’s built entirely of bricks. The wind blows through it, keeping the interiors nice and coo. It benefits from traditional beliefs about Tropical design. By creating indoor thermal comfort, we can rely less on air conditioning.”
“Every piece of work has its distinct character. It’s a quality of being aesthetically pleasing that lies deeper than traditional beliefs per se, even deeper than knowledge of a Tropical climate. I’m referring to an understanding of human nature, and knowledge about the circumstances around a worksite. They are the mystery we’re trying to unravel, leading to further development.”
Q: Tell us about the Goal of Studio Miti, or the object of your ambition.
A: “As for the goal of Studio Mini in ten years from now, I want to provide an idea foundation for younger members on the team today. I believe we have the capacity to develop further.
“There’s still a lot to learn. There’s more to it than design in and of itself. It may involve understanding the context that forms the setting of a place, be it socially or economically. There are lessons to learn going forward. The transmission of knowhow from us to younger members on the team is important. We want to provide the tool they can take with them.”
“If I get lucky, we will move forward together. If I get luckier, they may move on to their future undertakings, where they continue to grow in their line of work. But everyone must have the basic knowledge to begin with, knowledge about the climate prevailing in Thailand, knowledge about the context that forms the setting of a place.
“It’s something that’s more than meets the eye. That’s the basics that will help them grow and mature and, at the same time, give us the old guards at Studio Miti the impetus to grow and develop as well.”
“I believe the future of our office isn’t up to me alone. Rather, it comes from younger members on the team who must understand this, and work together toward a common goal.”
/ Story: Wuthikorn Sut, Kangsadan K. / English version: Bob Pitakwong /
/ Photographs: Soopakorn Srisakul /
A home and café combination merges into the countryside vernacular of Chanthaburi, a province in Thailand’s eastern corridor bestowed with pristine forests, mountains and sea breezes. Designed for the Tropical climate prevailing in the area, it boasts the simplicity of extended eaves overhanging the walls. Together they provide protection from the elements keeping the interior cozy and cool in summer, while the gable front glazed using clear glass affords the view of a beautiful garden landscape.
Named “Ruen Lek”, the small contemporary home consists of two parts; a semi-outdoor café located downstairs and a living space upstairs with wrap-around balconies made for coffee or just chilling out.
The brainchild of GLA Design Studio, a Bangkok-based architectural practice, the home and café combination offers 110 square meters of usable space. It stands parallel to a nearby homestay destination called “Baan Lek Villa”, separated only by a center courtyard lying in between.
By design, the yard filled with greenery and fresh air provides a respite from the hustle and bustle of daily life, while lush lawns hemmed in by healthy trees and shrubs create a cooling effect during warm weather.
Thoughtfully devised to run cool in summer, the first floor is kept closer to the ground, slightly raised at plinth level. For good ventilation, the storefront and a side wall are fitted with bi-fold door systems that fully open from one end to the other, while the other side wall lined with a souvenir display shelf is glazed using clear glass paneling for visibility.
The coffee bar itself is set further towards the back with plenty of room behind it for cooking light meals. From here, the nearby “Baan Lek Villa” homestay can be seen across the center courtyard. Up front, a few sets of tables and shares are ready for customers who prefer relaxing and dining in the open air.
Taken as a whole, the small café makes a good first impression as a peaceful place to enjoy a nice cup of bean juice, lean back and chill. Besides good local food, the atmosphere is warm and welcoming, thanks in part to the crisp cool canopy of overhanging trees, native shrubs and vines thriving luxuriantly. Together they bring back memories of Chanthaburi in times past like the architects at GLA Design Studio intended.
The second floor contains a humble abode and office space with a large drafting table. Simple, well-lit and well-ventilated, the room is enclosed by a wrap-around balcony designed for sitting on the floor with legs hanging. The side entrance at the top of the stairs affords views of green spaces and, beyond, the Baan Lek Villa homestay. For privacy, the second floor of Ruen Lek is set slightly lower than that of the main villa.
Except for the glass façades on two sides, the walls are built of handmade bricks and the floors covered in fireclay handmade tiles sourced locally. For charm, good looks that blend into the community and local traditions, door and window casings and decorative materials are made entirely of real wood.
From a design point of view, it’s a home that speaks volumes for a desire to be close to nature and a love of the allure of Chanthaburi’s unspoiled countryside. And the team at GLA Design Studio has succeeded in doing exactly that. The result is a cozy dwelling that’s a little bit modern, a little bit country mixed in one place that’s simple yet attractive, inviting and warm.
/ Story: Kangsadan K. / English version: Bob Pitakwong /
/ Photographs: Markus Gortz /
Amidst a beautiful mountain landscape, a steel frame home looks lightweight under a canopy of overhanging trees in Mae Rim District, roughly 15 minutes’ drive from Chiang Mai’s downtown. It’s tucked away in a cozy corner of a peaceful neighborhood blending seamlessly into the dark green of nearby woodlands. Upfront a natural water pond lies hemmed in by the U-shaped house plan, creating an environmentally friendly living space. Needless to say, it’s invitingly comfortable, calm and peaceful thanks to the crisp cool mountain air passing through all day. Nothing compares to living close to nature.
Its spacious floor plan affords a whopping 800 square meters of living, functional and utility spaces snug by the warmth of a northern countryside. The brainchild of Design Qua, an architectural practice based in Bangkok, the house among the trees is designed to be in harmony with nature. This can only come from a profound understanding of the place, knowledge of the local climate and efforts at maintaining ecological balance long term.
That being said, structural steel framing comes in as a handy building technique. Among other advantages, vertical steel columns take up less space than do concrete ones. This helps to avoid damaging the root system of a rain tree standing close by. Steel frames provide a stronger, more durable structure than concrete does. Plus, it’s lightweight and faster to construct. Overall, they are the key attributes that give the home its character.
Typical of homes in the Northern Region, passive design strategies take priority over any other matter. Correct building orientation ensures there are enough openings in the walls to admit natural daylight and fresh outdoor air into the home, while texture applied to walls and ceilings create shadows and an even concentration of warm soft light in the interior.
Named Maerim House, the two-story steel home is built on a U-shaped floor plan with a courtyard containing a natural water pond occupying the in-between space.
The house consists of three parts. First, the north wing holds a garage upfront leading to the main entrance with a warm and cozy welcome room. The ground is covered with new top soil, paved and polished to give it a neat and clean surface. The raised floorboard ensures safety in case of heavy rain.
The second part of the house plan is raised at plinth height 60 centimeters above the ground. All the equipment and utility spaces are here, among them washing and drying machines plus a work studio at the far end right next to a rather unique circular bathroom.
The third and final section of the home holds a quiet, secluded residential area. The downstairs consists of a kitchen complete with dining and sitting rooms plus a bedroom for guest accommodation. It’s accessed by a veranda tiled in different colors and textures that blend with surrounding courtyard landscapes. Close at hand, the overhanging branches of a rain tree spread above the water’s edge providing crisp, cool shade.
Nearby, an apparently lightweight set of stairs next to a breeze block wall provides access to the second floor holding the principal bedroom. From here, a hallway connects to a living area and a circular bathroom and, beyond, two other bedrooms tucked away at the far end. On the outside of the building, a spacious balcony affords beautiful views of the rain tree and lush courtyard landscapes.
For indoor thermal comfort, the house’s wooden floorboard is made up of long planks recycled from older homes, resulting in a feel and appearance that make people feel calm. The interior decor is simple yet elegant, featuring the simplicity of a mix-and-match between old and contemporary items. The furnishings mostly sourced from within the region bespeak the homeowner’s love for pleasingly graceful styles adorned with beautiful works of handicraft.
To create a restful atmosphere, perforate brick walls are painted earthy light green that visually blends with the darkness of nearby wooded hills in the landscape. For a lightweight look, the home is roofed over with metal sheeting with extended overhangs protecting the glass walls from the elements. At the end of the gutter, rain chains direct the flow of water from the rooftop to the ground in a more controlled way.
Taken as a whole, it’s a beautiful amalgam of natural and built environments. Built largely of bricks and reclaimed timber, the steel frame home successfully merges into the complex woodland ecosystems that are the pride and joy of this part of Chiang Mai. By design, it’s a simple structure inspired by a yearning desire to live closer to nature. And that’s exactly the point. Gorgeous!
Tucked away amidst the crisp mountain air and dense green plants thriving under tree cover, a quaint country café takes center stage giving off friendly vibes. It’s enclosed by glass walls on three sides, while perimeter fence walls of large breeze blocks in pastel brown speak volumes for the humble origins of mankind.
Lying furthest from everything else, a lazy brook passes by reflecting sunlight glistening with sparkles in misty winds. Aptly named “Mitbury the Public House”, the café and nearby support buildings merge into the cool shade of wooded hills in the backdrop. It’s arguably the most exquisite kind of scenery. And it’s located right here in Mae Rim District, only a short ride from Chiang Mai’s city center.
At the risk of stating the obvious, the aroma of coffee beans being ground and roasted in the background smells like heaven. There’s nothing like chilling out, sipping one’s favorite Morning Brew on a quiet day at nature’s edge.
The project comprises three small buildings with a chic coffee bar located at the center of the property. The other two buildings lie hidden in plain sight behind the walls of perforate blocks in muted brown designed to promote ventilation and regulate sunlight. The coffee bar itself affords 140 square meters of restaurant space canopied by overhanging trees.
The brainchild of WOS Architects, a Bangkok-based architectural practice, Mitburi the Public House is a design masterpiece that seeks reconnections with the natural world.
Walk in the door, and you find an ample space used for guests and seating. Interestingly, the rough textured wall in soft pastel beige at the back is the sight to behold. It stands overlooking the space used for preps, the coffee bar and kitchen.
From a distance, a paved passageway glides past lush lawns leading to first building that houses the café and kitchen. The second building holds storage space and staff quarters, while the third is a complete toilet building. By design, they lie hidden from view behind the perforate brick walls.
All of them are built of structural steel framing. Where appropriate, the exterior walls are crafted of natural building materials sourced from within the community. Immediately appealing among them is the floor tiled in grayish brown. It lies covered with thin slabs of baked clay from a local kiln, creating charm, good looks that embrace imperfect simplicity.
For visual continuity, the café building itself is enclosed by glass walls on three sides, with a pair of transom windows at the top of the front door. A clean, well-lighted place, the interior is warm and welcoming, thanks to pale soft lights that are less distracting, adding romantic appeal to the room.
Out-of-doors, yard landscaping ideas are just impressive. Perforate blocks in reddish brown fill up the entire boundary fence, blending seamlessly into the dark green of the forest’s edge. Located furthest to the rear, a footbridge built of steel I-beams, wooden planks and wire infill railings provide access to nearby forested hills.
The I-beams are painted a grayish green hue that merges into large areas of old woodlands in the background. Underneath the footbridge, a babbling stream runs idly by meandering through the rock-covered forest floor. Above it, cool breezes and leaves rustling in the trees entice the imagination.
Overall, the business premises keep firmly to the owner’s initial resolve to leave every tree and the nearby brook where they have always been, giving rise to house-among-trees ideas. For a good reason, they are built small and disposed around the periphery of the project site. The building shell is topped with a simple gable roof made of natural materials that are friendly to the environment.
Nature lovers should find the small café in the woods a paradise, thanks to rocks being used to create a set of steps leading to the glass-glazed façade, a clever hack to create visual continuity between indoors and outdoors.
Thanks to thoughtful design, the trio of small buildings in earthy browns lies beautifully ensconced among the trees and wooded hills in the background. Day in, day out, the smell of coffee ground and roasted fresh on site induces a sense of warmth and comfort among people who feel a yearning for the mountains.
It comes as no surprise that they name it “Mitbury”, a Thai term literally translated as a place for friendly people, and in this particular case, a café built into nature that celebrates the easy, laidback lifestyles that have made Chiang Mai famous. Swing by next time you’re in town!
/ Story: Kor Lordkam / English version: Bob Pitakwong /
/ Photographs: Nantiya, Weerawat Sonriang /
It all started with a 30-year-old, three-story townhouse and a company of architects Studio Miti in need of a new home. Like a fortunate stroke of serendipity, they found exactly what they had been searching for, a building with a wide, six-meter frontage abutting the street, an architectural quality attribute that gave it a decided plus.
Needless to say, it’s hard to find anything like it nowadays. More importantly, it’s located in an easily accessible community area with a variety of amenities, eating places and businesses serving surrounding populations.
Studio Mitimanagement obviously saw the potential of it developing to future success. And that’s what gave them the inspiration going forward. They set off without delay to breathe new life into the old townhouse, transforming it into a modern design atelier that’s the home of the company’s finest 20-strong staff.
Their secrets lay in creating an exciting new external envelope covered with lightweight concrete materials. And the result of all this is a pleasing visual appearance unlike anything out there. Architecturally speaking, it’s an interesting amalgam of color, texture and the perception of shape and size that inspires admiration.
Ground floor interiors afford comfortable workspaces designed to boost productivity, with communal facilities such as small meeting rooms and client reception areas neatly arranged throughout the building. There’s also a casual dining area with a kitchen and pantry, not to mention recreational spaces with a ping-pong table and quiet nooks to chill out.
Taken as a whole, it’s design that speaks volumes for the company’s operating principles — investing in a conducive work environment so as to reduce stress and improve concentration. Likewise, it makes perfect sense to ensure its design team can stay focused on the task at hand.
Climb a flight of stairs, and you come to the main meeting room reserved for formal meetings or when work needs total concentration. There’s a customer reception area nearby that makes a great first impression, with facilities for online video conferencing, a dining room and areas used for recreation.
Different from what’s usual is the building façade that can open and shut as needed to regulate the amounts of natural light during the daytime or admit fresh outdoor air into the room in the late afternoon, a clever hack to save big on energy bills.
The third floor holds ample workspaces with a mezzanine just below the high-pitch roof. Together they boast the comfort of a high-ceilinged room made light and airy by design. For lack of a better word, it’s the pride and joy of some 20 staff members working here as a team.
Of all parts of the building, the roof received the most extensive renovation. To get where they wanted to be, the architects had the old roof torn down to make room for a new high-pitch upper covering.
This gave the interiors much more space overhead, more natural light and aesthetic appeal. Plus, new ceilings built flush with the underside of the roof add real character to the room, while the mezzanine provides extra storage space just below the roof.
All things considered, it’s about creating a workspace that bodes well for the good health of all members on the team, while inspiring productivity and job satisfaction. These qualities can only come from having access to a conducive work environment, the ability to stay focused on work and freedom from noise and distractions.
To achieve the desired results, all the workspaces and functional areas are warmly cocooned inside a solid external envelope made of lightweight concrete materials. Yet they feel connected to the elements of nature, thanks in part to large openings in the front façade that let natural light and fresh air stream into the rooms on the second and third floors.
Not only that, all the arrangements in place also allow the architects to experiment with exciting ideas and innovative materials never before seen, among them a new kind of lightweight concrete materials for wall construction.
In Studio Miti ‘s most recent experiment, they decided out of curiosity to split an ultralight concrete block in half, only to discover that it contained ridges and grooves on the inside creating light and shadows. They then proceeded with installing the ultralight blocks inside out, thereby showcasing the beauty of imperfections of materials on the building’s exteriors.
It’s sort of going in the opposite way of what usually happens.
The result is charm, good looks without embellishments or decoration of any kind, one that creates an interesting light and shadow play when touched by light. Plus, it’s a spectacular sight that changes with the time of day.
In the fewest possible words, it’s a renovation that conveys a great deal about Studio Miti ’s belief, which says that, first and foremost, it makes a lot of sense to be material savvy. Better yet, it’s prudent to investigate the material before using it. Why? Because knowledge of materials and how they perform in real situations is essential to creating architecture.
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