three-storey house Archives - LIVING ASEAN - Inspiring Tropical Lifestyle //

W39 House: A Hillside Home Renovation That Brings the Outdoors in

By livingasean
February 21, 2024
HOUSE,LIVING

/ Ampang Jaya, Malaysia /

/ Story: Sarayut Sreetip-ard / English version: Bob Pitakwong /

/ Photographs: Soopakorn Srisakul /

Built on a slope, this three-story home renovation project sits beautifully ensconced by a vast expanse of lush vegetation. The front façade opens to the east to take in panoramic views of the rolling hills as the sun rises over the horizon. The back of the house facing the hillside holds a quiet, secluded area for living rooms and bedrooms.

Originally purchased as part of a development project back in 1980, it has gone through several improvements to maintain a good state of repair. After the children had grown up and moved out to start a family of their own, the home was last renovated from 2015 to 2018.

Among other things, the upper floors were tailored to meet the needs of aging Mom and Dad while rooms downstairs are reserved for accommodations for visiting children.

Drawings of floor plans for all three levels. / Courtesy of Zlg Design

A cross-section drawing shows the side elevation of the home renovation project built on the hillside. / Courtesy of Zlg Design

Back in the day when the kids were young, the interior of the house was divided into smaller rooms. Things have changed and hence all the room dividers were torn down to create a larger, more light and airy interior that’s compatible with the Tropical climate.

The result is a complete home renovation that brings elements of the outdoors into the home. They include rays of sunshine that stream in through openings in brick walls and skylights, plus fresh air and the smell of flowers in the room.

W39 House Home Renovation — The bedroom wall is fitted with plantation shutters designed for good ventilation. It opens to connect with the entrance hall and center court.

The first floor contains a studio apartment complete with bedroom, bathroom, laundry space and a front yard landscape. The second floor holds sitting room with a kitchen island and dining space that opens to the terrace overlooking the backyard.

To ensure safety, the backyard is made secure by retaining wall systems that protect against flooding and erosion as well as create usable land for plants to thrive, a setting that conjures up images of being in the great outdoors.

The third floor is accessible via a spiral staircase. It’s a quiet, secluded living space with sitting room, home office and bedroom set apart by divider curtains for easy updates. Open to the outdoors, it conveys a great deal about the inextricable connection between humans and nature.

A spiral staircase connects to third floor. It’s enclosed in perforated walls built of light mass brick that’s inexpensive, plus there’s no need for cement plastering. During the daytime, rays of sunshine streaming inside add interesting dimension to the room.

In terms of value it’s a good home renovation that stands the test of time thanks in part to quality materials that perform well despite the weather. Meantime, bare concrete surfaces and brick masonry walls blend perfectly into their surroundings.

The front façade has since been adapted to go well with metal window and door casings. For good looks, they are fitted with vintage hinges recycled from old homes.

There’s a part of the wall that’s made using light mass bricks without cement plastering. They are relatively inexpensive and easy to find locally. Where appropriate, openings are made in the brick walls to let fresh air and natural light stream into the home creating abstract reflections on the wall. It’s a way to keep the interior cool and comfortable without air conditioning.

The bathroom is enclosed in perforated brickwork for good ventilation. Nearby solid sliding doors and walls add privacy protection while the gap at the top lets air pass through.

The natural surroundings play a crucial role in making a home renovation full of life and energy. This place is no exception. It’s a happy home built on a good understanding of the environment and the humble nature of human and non-human elements in nature.

So it’s good to let nature take its course for a change. Let lichens grow. Leave those little mud stains on the wall alone. Let climbers thrive on the trellis and the wall. They are there for good reason.

The same applies to those unkempt ground covering weeds here and there. There is beauty in imperfections too, especially those semi-outdoor decks made of wood planks. They may be worn by exposure to the air.

Unpleasant, perhaps? But they serve the purpose as place to enjoy a good cup of tea, have a conversation, even prepare food and wash dishes, or just sit back and relax in the early morning quiet. That’s the secret to living a memorable life.

Owner: Susanne Zeidler, Huat Lim

Architect: Zlg Design (zlgdesign.wordpress.com) by Susanne Zeidler, Huat Lim

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

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

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

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

You may also like…

Small Houses in Cambodia: Lack of Space Is Nicely Compensated for by a Cozy Garden Ambience

Huamark 09: A Concrete Block House Stands the Test of Time

The Hiên House: Creative Design Takes Balconies and Terraces to the Next Level

By livingasean
November 2, 2023
HOUSE,LIVING

/ Da Nang, Vietnam /

/ Story: Kanamon Najaroen / English version: Bob Pitakwong /

/ Photographs: Quang Dam /

Here’s a Tropical-style home located in Da Nang, a coastal city in central Vietnam famous for its gleaming sand beaches, Buddhist shrines and the Marble Mountains. The beautiful Han River runs through it. The hybrid timber and concrete home is appropriately named “The Hiên House” for its lively green façades, Hiên being Vietnamese for semi-outdoor room along the outside of the building. Overall, it’s a design that comes from thinking outside the box to create a relaxing space in the open air.

The house’s external envelope is simple yet contemporary in style enhanced by verdant balconies and terraces symbolic of homes in the Tropics. Plus, there’s a unique Vietnamese flair to it. As the architects intended, it’s a layout that speaks volumes for a lifestyle that seeks reconnections with nature.

The concept is manifested in the way the ordinary balconies and terraces transform into the proverbial “breathing space” for nature to recover from disruptions. That said, it makes perfect sense to live more sustainably in this day and age.

Wood and Concrete House

Situated away from a densely populated urban area, the wood and concrete house occupies the full extent of a long and narrow lot sandwiched between two roads. It’s home to three generations of a family highly skilled in traditional carpentry living in one household.

There are four stories of living spaces, excluding a rooftop deck. By design, the floor plans cater to the needs of different generations and hence vary in size and appearance from one level to the next. To celebrate the family’s distinguished career in carpentry, the architects made woodworking front-and-center concerns in house design and interior decoration.

During construction, the homeowners were also on hand to provide technical expertise at various stages in the process, especially where traditional Vietnamese woodworking skill was needed.

THE HIÊN HOUSE concrete home — The light and airy front entrance is visible from the driveway covered in stone pavers.

To help protect the environment, the design team at WINHOUSE Architecture, a design atelier headquartered in Da Nang, chose to use reclaimed wood instead of newly cut timber from the lumberyard. The recycled building materials used in this project included parts of the staircase, such as treads and risers taken from old homes that had been torn down previously.

Other parts were adapted from old decking, post sleeves, balusters and handrails as well as wooden fascia. They were made suitable for a new use or purpose. And, importantly, they were easy to transport and repair without using specialized tools.

Timber is durable even as it ages. It’s safe to handle and capable of withstanding heat and humidity in the air over a long period of time. Old and weathered wood has a natural appearance that’s beautiful and needs no preservative chemicals to prolong its lifecycle, which translates into big savings and convenience.

Using reclaimed wood in combination with local knowledge and modern techniques add a new dimension to construction technology.

Balconies and Terraces for Free Air Circulation

What sets the four-story house apart from the rest is its surprising room ideas and lively green balconies that fill up the entire front façade. They are integral to a design that brings natural light and fresh outdoor air into the home. At the same time, they help dissipate heat from the building keeping the interior cool during the daytime.

Elements of design common for Southeast Asian architecture, the roofed open-air platforms along the outside of the building, be it the balcony or the terrace, perform many useful functions. Among other things, they expand the living areas, protect against the elements, and provide space for sitting rooms and passages for walking along.

First Floor Plan / Courtesy of WINHOUSE Architecture

Second Floor Plan / Courtesy of WINHOUSE Architecture

Third Floor Plan / Courtesy of WINHOUSE Architecture

In cross section, a side elevation drawing shows space planning decorated with plants working in tandem with wall openings to admit natural light and fresh outdoor air into the home. / Courtesy of WINHOUSE Architecture

Isometric visuals show reclaimed building materials being adapted to suit new purposes on all four levels of the new home. The message is clear: save the Earth and cut costs. / Courtesy of WINHOUSE Architecture

As is often the case with most houses, the elements of design such as balconies and terraces are built on the outside of the house. But in this particular case, the architects think it wise to incorporate them in the interior as well, sort of like going in the reverse direction. First they put in an inner courtyard at the center of the ground floor plan.

Then, by disposing the rooms around the courtyard, the areas with a faint light, such as the sitting room and workspaces, suddenly become well-lit and well-ventilated. It’s a clever hack to bring the outdoors into the home. The result is a comfortable living space filled with natural light and fresh air that contributes to feelings of relaxation.

Taking as a whole, the traffic patterns and space design make the long and narrow house plan feel roomy inside. Walk in the front door and you come to a hallway that’s light and airy, thanks to a rooftop skylight illuminating the stairs connected to a foot bridge over the nearby inner courtyard. There is no need to turn on electric lights during the daytime, which translates into big savings.

Climb a flight of stairs to the second floor, and surprise! It’s divided into two separate parts, the front room and the back room linked by a foot bridge that spans the void above the inner courtyard.

The same space planning applies to the third floor, except for one thing. The next staircase leading to the fourth floor is positioned further toward the back of the building. The front part holds a bedroom with a balcony decorated with lush greenery.

Cross over the foot bridge, and you come to the back room containing a workspace and sitting room. The fourth floor contains a quiet, more secluded reading room with a bright and breezy small garden for relaxation. It’s a comfortable living space and the light is more diffuse under the canopy of trees.

In conclusion, the wood and concrete home called “The Hiên House” lives up to its name. All the elements of good judgement in design go to work turning it into an oasis of calm. Everything works out as it should, from a well-lit, well-aired inner courtyard to the plants, trees and small gardens thriving luxuriantly on the balconies and terraces. Perhaps, one word describes it all, salubrious!

Architects: WINHOUSE Architecture

Structural Engineers: Bim City

You may also like…

NHA BE HOUSE: A Brick Home Infused with Memories of the Good Old Days

HUAMARK 09: An Architect’s Charming Concrete Block House

Three-Storey Townhouse That Makes Space for Nature

By livingasean
November 22, 2019
HOUSE,LIVING

/ Bangkok, Thailand /

/ Story: Sarayut Sreetip-ard / English version: Bob Pitakwong /

/ Photographs: Sitthisak Namkham / Styling: Jeedwonder /

Before moving into this three-storey townhouse, architect and university instructor Bhradon Kukiatnun really put his heart into the design and décor to bring about a conversation among people, animals, and things, partly intentional, partly by impulse. Here are imperfections that are either blemishes or beauty marks, depending on our viewpoint.

Bhradon’s business is booming, but designing his own house raised a tremendous number of new questions, not the least of which was how the new living space of a three-storey townhouse would accommodate his eleven cats!

“Three years ago, I bought this place new, and it took two years to fix up,” explained Bradon.

“First problem: organize storage space to hold the tremendous amount of personal stuff needed in my life while still keeping the house orderly. Then, I didn’t want a typical townhouse atmosphere, but neither should it be jarringly different.

“Part of the answer is this new façade, using a type of latticework found elsewhere in the project that fits my personal lifestyle.”

As most townhouses add a roofed-over carport in front, Bhradon also applied his design idea to this requirement.

“There’s more than meets the eye in that front view: a lot of the functions are hidden,” said the architect.

“To really express myself, I had to go back and look at fundamentals with flexibility and an open mind.

“The space in front is limited. Would I rather have a carport there, or a garden? OK, garden: so I designed a garden where I could park the car! Quite different from having a carport decorated with plants.”

The design of this three-storey townhouse called for no structural alterations, but space was apportioned differently. The ground floor holds the living room, dining area, and pantry; second floor, a small bedroom and a workroom; third floor, the master bedroom.

“Inside, you might mistake a door for a wall, or vice versa: my overall concept was to focus on highlighting specific points, making them fit in by hiding some element,” Bhradon explained.

“In the living room, the TV wall is highlighted by hiding its functionality in a wall; the use of covering elements gives the feeling of being in a cave.”

During our conversation Ando, Bhradon’s first adopted cat snuggled up as if to join the group.

“I learned a lot from raising cats,” he said blissfully.

“They don’t think like people. Sometimes our human knowledge drowns out our instincts. But a cat! It wants to sit, lie wherever, just does what it wants.

“This allows single things to have more than one function: TV cabinet or sitting place? Or, for us, a storage spot. Think outside the box.”

We urban dwellers all long for nature. Bhradon answered this with a garden area in the rear of this three-storey townhouse, as he put it: “I think gardens nourish the psyche, so I put a little green in the house, along with a small guppy pond, and it’s a perfect spirit-refresher.

“I like the ‘wabi-sabi’ way of design; the beauty of imperfection, of real life,” he implied. “Real life involves rust; it involves injuries. Can’t eliminate these, right?”

As Bhradon’s speaking voice gradually softened, an unspoken conversation brought into focus the future of the house, the man, the cats, and whatever might lie ahead for them.

“Recently, my cat Kuma died, and I miss her every day. But through the sorrow of loss we see the beauty of living. Being natural is to be incomplete, and we have to live with the things that happen.”

Owner/Architect: Bhradon Kukiatnun

You may also like…

The Perfect Townhouse Makeover in Bangkok

Mash-up: Industrial Design and Green Space of Walllasia

A Modern Steel Framed Home at the Water’s Edge

By livingasean
July 18, 2018
HOUSE,LIVING

/ Ayutthaya, Thailand /

/ Story: Samutcha Viraporn / English version: Bob Pitakwong /

/ Photographs: Sitthisak Namkham /

This steel framed waterfront home rises above a tall “tai thun”, an open underfloor space perfect for socializing, especially for large family gatherings. Thoughtfully crafted to give a sense of peace, it blends modernity with the surrounding natural landscape. And it has some surprises inside, too. There was already a residence built here, but it wasn’t designed with the evolving needs of such a big family in mind. So, a new space was created: a new home at the water’s edge where everyone could come together and guests could spend the night.

The steel used for columns, beams, stairs, and balconies is surplus material left over from a large construction business belonging to the owner himself.

“I had to scale the entire house to fit all that material,” said architect Kasin Sonsri of Volume Matrix Studio commenting on the design challenges.

The new home is put together to give a feel of the traditional house of former times. Its high “tai thun” underfloor space serves as a multifunctional courtyard. Broad eaves that overhang the walls reach out to protect the home from inclement weather, while living spaces are open and inviting to the outside breeze. The building is raised up to catch views of the river and the garden below.

There’s a wide porch, an add-on projecting in front of the building facade. Massive posts and beams are designed to showcase their structural utility as a part of the house, as do the steps up into the dining room, the walkways, the porch, and the rain gutters spilling water through a steel grate.

All these elements combine to give a unique contemporary look to this house of steel and wood. The interior décor is simple. The second floor features an “open plan” separation of usable space: walls open up, connecting the kitchen to a large dining nook and from there into the living room area.

Step up onto the third floor, and surprise! The décor completely changes and it’s as if you’ve suddenly dropped into a Japanese home, where the style of mats, windows, and doors all tell you why the owner named the house “Sala Zen.”

In this room is a built-in cabinet where bedding is stored so that guests can easily come spend the night. Outside is a roof deck garden highlighted by an Onsen hot tub in an outdoor private spot that can’t be seen from the garden below.

The house is composed of many elements, but they all blend to make it a true home for Thai residents.

Taken as a whole, the steel-framed waterfront house is warm and familial. It fits perfectly into its context and offers the experience of comfortable living with natural light, cool breezes and great views all around. It’s situated in Ko Rian Sub-district, Ayutthaya Province.

Architect: Volume Matrix Studio (www.facebook.com/volumematrixstudio)

Visit Thai original content…

ชีวิตริมน้ำใน บ้านใต้ถุนสูง

You may also like…

A Modern Home That is Quintessentially Thai

RUPU HOUSE: White Geometric Design Bespeaks a Close Family Bond and Privacy at Home

A Clean Crisp White House for the Couple Who Love to Cook

By livingasean
May 20, 2017
HOUSE,LIVING

/ Bangkok, Thailand /

/ Story: Wuthikorn Sut / English version: Bob Pitakwong /

/ Photographs: Soopakorn Srisakul, Nantiya Bussabong, and Spaceshift Studio /

This modern cube house design inspires great admiration. It has a crisp elegance of cool-toned whites. From the outside, the building looks like three boxes stacked one on top of the other. Inside, it has everything this chef couple could want.

On first stepping into this white box house, you don’t see the expected living room complete with a sofa and TV console. Rather, it has a dining table long enough to seat 8-10 people. The owner couple, Nanthaphon Lilainukul and Thirayuth Khongdee, have a Facebook page called “The Dish Whisperer” for cooking aficionados.

They told us that when their daughter was born, at the time condo living didn’t lend itself to cooking, so they started looking around for a new home.

“I’ve lived in this neighborhood since I was three. My mother lives just three doors down, which is why we came back to this area. Outside the village, there’s that confused urban hustle and bustle, but here it’s quiet and peaceful,” said Nanthaphon.

Thirayuth said that the three-story design made good use of vertical space. It has all the necessary features neatly fitted into a small piece of land.

To prevent flooding, the plinth level that makes the first floor is built one meter above the ground. There is a cellar that’s used for storing preserved organic vegetables that Nanthaphon made herself.

The first floor contains a studio featuring that long table which – besides dining – is used for receiving guests and holding cooking workshops: Nanthaphon is a certified chef with a specialty in French pastries, while Thirayuth is a master of Thai food. Between the kitchen and the studio is a stairway to the second floor and a storage room for Nanthaphon’s ceramic dinnerware.

Sharing her piece of paradise, Nanthapon said: “Actually I graduated in engineering, but cooking has always been my thing.

“Each time I went to Japan, I got more hooked on its food culture. Eventually I decided to follow my passion and do what I loved — cooking and collecting beautiful dinnerware sets. I’ve found some really beautiful ceramic stuff in second-hand stores, but some I bought from abroad,”

The second floor holds a multipurpose family room made comfortable by a cool breeze that enters and circulates all day. Meanwhile, rough wood texture on the doors and windows adds rustic charm to the warm and intimate interior.

From the minimalist façade, outswing windows open to reach towards Nanthaphon’s mother’s house, conjuring up the image of social and family life in former times.

For more privacy, the bedroom is tucked away behind the multifunctional area. Their little girl still sleeps in the same room as Mom and Dad at least for now, but a separate room has been set aside for her future use on the third floor.

By design, this white box house is more than a place of residence: Nanthaphon’s cooking workshops are held here, too. Her focus here is less on preparation of dishes than on understanding how raw ingredients can be used in various culinary purposes.

Her food creations are straightforward and easy to follow, and they inspire visitors to try them at home.

Architect: Sook Architects Co.,Ltd.

You may also like…

RUPU HOUSE: White Geometric Design Bespeaks a Close Family Bond and Privacy at Home

The Synergy between Architecture and Landscape Design

Box-Shaped House with the Texture of Memory

By livingasean
March 17, 2017
HOUSE,LIVING

/ Petaling Jaya, Malaysia /

/ Story: Wuthikorn Sut / English version: Peter Montalbano /

/ Photographs: Sitthisak Namkham /

This box-shaped house uses architecture and coordinated interior design to tell stories of the present and the past.

The house is located in the Petaling Jaya district of Selangor, Malaysia. This is a district of single homes, but with little space to put up a large house.

Still, architect Dr Tan Loke Mun rose to the challenge of house owner Kenneth Koh and tore down the former structure here to build a new 3-storey box-shaped house in its place.

“Ground space was limited, so we built upward,” the architect told us. Building vertically involved careful division of space. The lower floors hold common areas: parlor/living room, dining area, kitchen, and conference/chat room. The 3rd floor is an attic, holding hidden utility systems next to a small living room.

The designers brought an “outdoors” mood to each part of this box-shaped house: there’s a “double volume” high, open space on the first floor; glass windows open to the garden atmosphere, and potted shade-loving plants bring it inside.

Gentle sunlight shining into the living space combined with a light breeze from a ceiling fan gives the feeling of sitting in a garden.

An effective play of space combines with the interior décor to bring out a timeless feeling that reflects its Malaccan legacy. The Chinese-style furniture, both traditional and contemporary, was made by Malaccan artisans. Paintings tell of a land that lives on in the memory of the owner.

For architectural reasons, the stairway is in the middle of the house. The folded steel balusters look light, and the red banister is at once tremendously chic and reminiscent of the row houses of yesteryear.

Significantly, the prominent terra-cotta tile facade is remarkable.

“In tearing down the old house, we discovered that the roof tiles were handcrafted, imported from Calcutta, India, so we set them aside to use this way for privacy and heat insulation,” added the architect.

“Their texture connects nicely with the other materials used here. This original house tile is long-lasting, looks great, has a timeless quality, and is a good choice in combination with the other main structural components of brick, concrete, and steel.”

The decorative outer house wall uses a suspended steel framework to hold the terracotta roof tiles and red brick.

The outer surface of this box-shaped house structure shows a wall of terracotta roof tiles that open and close to catch the light. The metal support structures reach out from the main building to form a pleasing pattern of connections between the inside and outside.

The look and ambience here remind us of a Malaccan row house, but in a modern context.

Effective combination of old materials and new in textures that suit its owner’s heritage gives this house a sense of being outside of time, and its memories will be passed on to the next generations who live here.

Ultimately, we don’t often find a big-city house that feels so bright, natural, and full of narrative.

Owner: Kenneth Koh

Architect: Dr Tan Loke Mun

You may also like…

Designers’ Eco-friendly Dream Home in Vietnam

Termitary House: Good Sunshine, Fresh Air, and Brick Walls

BAAN MOOM: Box Style House at the Forefront of a Modern Trend

By livingasean
March 9, 2017
HOUSE,LIVING

/ Bangkok, Thailand /

/ Story: Sara / English version: Bob Pitakwong /

/ Photographs: Nantiya Bussabong, Prachya Jankong, Wison Tungthunya /

/ Styling: Wanassanan Teerawitoon /

This box-shaped modern house takes relaxation to a whole new level. Incorporating triangles in the detail, the home with edgy design comes to light with all the charm and character.

“I wanted a house with both common and private corners on each floor,” said Sorakit Kitcharoenroj, the owner and architect. And with good reason, he called it “Baan Moom,” which is Thai for a house with nooks offering seclusion and security.

Sorakit had the fulfillment of his family’s needs for the highest priority. He translated it into this three-story, three-bedroom house complete with living room, dining room, kitchen, workspace and home theater.

A focus on function didn’t necessarily mean that he had to abandon all the charm and poise. Rather, in a unique fashion he incorporated the concept of living room corner or recess ideas in the detail. That pretty much explains the ever-presence of triangular-shaped design everywhere inside and out.

Even on the rooftop, a triangular-shaped skylight glazed using insulated glass panels stays open to let a shaft of natural light pour into the interior via the stairwell.

The stunning design took several months in the making, during which the contractor adjusted the staircases many times until everything was perfectly aligned.

Sorakit designs the bedrooms in ways that best suit each person’s lifestyle. For his parents, he chooses to highlight the elegance of the oriental-modern style.

His own bedroom is a bit different. It’s the most playful corner in the house. He sleeps on the mezzanine above the workspace that is tucked away on the lower floor.

The bedchamber is accessible via stepladders. Right next to it, a hammock floor is there to take relaxation to a whole new level.

The house is without a doubt an awesome intersection of function and design, and “Baan Moom” comes in handy as the perfect name for it.

Owner/Architect: Sorakit Kitcharoenroj

Visit the original Thai version…

BAAN MOOM ท่องไปในบ้านมุม

You may also like…

RUPU HOUSE: White Geometric Design Bespeaks a Close Family Bond and Privacy at Home

Envelope House: Big Family Makes a Modern Space Feel Cozy

A Wooden Home Embraces the Enduring Appeal of Traditional Style Architecture

By livingasean
February 27, 2017
HOUSE,LIVING

/ Bangkok, Thailand /

/ Story: Supachart Boontang / English version: Bob Pitakwong /

/ Photographs: Chaiyapruk Podang /

Created by a master architect, this contemporary wooden home in a suburb of Bangkok bespeaks the timeless elegance of traditional style residential architecture.

“It’s my intention to build this house out of wood because our country has strengths in wooden architecture,” said Chatree Ladalalitsakul, a nationally renowned architect. “Use of wood is the root of our wisdom and culture. It has made us self-sufficient in residential design and construction.”

The three-story home is crafted mainly of wood and structural concrete in beautiful flatwork finishes. Its uncluttered interior space is evidence of a minimalist style, combining aesthetics and functionality in ways that allow materials to show off their unique character.

Because the owner wanted his home to be perfect in every way, he gave the builders all the time it took to do it once and do it right. The resulting unsurpassed craftsmanship took three years in the making. The house emerged as a magnum opus in Thai residential architecture as he intended.

Striking the right balance, the interior showcases just enough pieces of magnificent woodwork, some of which are rare in this day and age.

The house plan is divided into two zones according to needs and activities. There’s a 10-meter-wide open space that clearly separates the private residential area from the office zone. The in-between space provides semi-outdoor room to chill out in the cool breeze looking out over the pool.

The first floor of the residential wing has plenty of room for dining, an open kitchen and piano room. The second floor holds a bedroom with private workspace, while the third contains a multi-use area for rest and recreation plus the owner’s favorite hobby, painting.

Sharing his work experience and a passion for wood, Chatri said: “A culture of wood construction that for centuries has benefited from the wisdom of our predecessors is on the decline. If it’s gone, our next generations will lose it forever.”

Overall, it’s a contemporary wooden home of outstanding merit. This is one that bespeaks the homeowner’s energy and enthusiasm to keep inspiring young architects to do their parts in preserving traditional-style wooden house design and architecture for years to come.

Owner/Architect: Chatri Ladalalitsakul of Tonsilp Studio

You may also like…

Turning a Cold 20-Year-Old House into a Bright and Airy Tropical Home Country Villa Breathes in the Energy of Nature

Beautiful Contemporary House Design for a Good Life

By livingasean
December 23, 2016
HOUSE,LIVING

/ Bangkok, Thailand /

/ Story: Ajchara Jeenkram / English version: Peter Montalbano /

/ Photographs: Soopakorn Srisakul / Styling: Pakhawadee Phahulo /

A good life begins at home. This beautiful contemporary house is, no doubt, a reflection of that, plus it provides a fine example of how limitations or site issues can be overcome. Because the land has a narrow frontage to the street, the house is built right up close to a neighboring home. So every square meter counts and has to be used wisely.

On the whole, it’s a visually stunning design. The modern-style home boasts a distinctive atmosphere that gives it a European flavor. Especially worthy of attention is an intriguing combination of materials such as stone masonry and craftsmanship in the metalwork.

From the outside the house doesn’t appear large, but inside, it’s actually quite spacious. The building has three floors; the first of which holds a common area consisting of a living room, dining room and pantry. The second and third floors are for rest and relaxation.

contemporary house design — Gorgeous privacy fence ideas boast the beauty of stone masonry, wood and metalwork gracing the main entryway.

To build the home on a long and narrow lot, the design team at Workspace Architecture Studio comes up with a stretched house plan that puts as much usable floor space as possible in the front and back, yet still leaves enough room for a courtyard filled with fresh greenery for year-round decorating.

To overcome construction site limitations, classic design concepts are brought into practical use. Among others, beams and pillars are built in a way that blends with interior décor, while other support structures provide decorative continuity and spots to conveniently hide electric wiring.

A black steel-frame staircase offset with vertical lines gives the interior a light and airy feel.

Dimmed light in the room builds a warm mood for soft and airy interiors. Décor is mainly of granite and wood while an opening is provided for ventilation and natural light.

Bathroom décor of natural wood blends well with white and gray.

The overall effect is impressive. Authentic material surfaces, including stone masonry, metalwork, wood and brass, are left exposed for aesthetic and functional reasons. The stone surface, especially, has its own unique pattern. It’s also durable, lasting for decades, and capable of adding to the variety of textures in the house.

A high-ceilinged bedroom comes in soft-colored décor. Recessed ceiling lights add dimension, creating an illusion of an even taller space.

As for furnishings, the decorative accessories and furniture, both floating and built-in, are very much a part of the custom design. They are thoughtfully devised to create a harmonious look and, at the same time, perform a dual role in overcoming site limitations and fulfilling the house owners’ needs.

At the end of the day, it’s about making this contemporary home a happy place for everyone in the family.

Architect and Interior Designer: Workspace Architecture Studio, by Worapoj Linkanokrat and Wirawut Nonthawet

You may also like…

ReGEN House: Modern Home, Thai Concept, Great for Family Members of All Ages

Urban Courtyard House for an Extended Family

A Retro Loft with Distinctive Colonial Flair in Selangor, Malaysia

By livingasean
September 22, 2016
HOUSE,LIVING

/ Petaling Jaya, Malaysia /

/ Story: Supachart Boontag / English version: Bob Pitakwong /

/ Photographs: Rithirong Chanthongsuk /

Once an affordable choice among artists, lofts have grown to become one of the most popular house styles. The design that makes use of high ceilings to create an airy, cozy and comfortable place of residence appeals to a much wider demographic now than any time in the past.

This three-story retro loft house in the Malaysian state of Selangor is the brainchild of Ramesh Seshan, who has experience in loft design. Judging from the way things are going, it’s an architectural style that represents endless possibilities.

It all began with Lee Kok Choong wanting to renovate his old house as a retro loft style residence. Responding to his heart’s desire, architect Seshan explored and rethought all the materials and building strategies to create solutions that meet his preferences.

The result is a cozy and warm loft home showcasing the simplicity of unornamented concrete finishes. Uncovered brick walls become the center of attention, whereas rough textures are accentuated alongside of retro Chinese style detailing.

The center courtyard house plan features a serene carp fish pond. The mellifluous sound of water fits in well with the loft atmosphere.

For a lightweight look, concrete flooring on the footbridge is replaced by thick tempered glass panels.

As one would imagine, the newly renovated home is rich in the appeal and qualities that connect with history.

Take for example the second floor entryway that’s inspired by colonial architecture in old Hong Kong. The floor is covered in custom-made ceramic tiles in geometric shapes. Nearby, a footbridge is paved with thick tempered glass that blends well with wrought iron detailing on safety handrails.

From a distance, the rustic façade in brown conjures up memories of the Jawa spaceship Sandcrawler in sci-fi movies Star Wars. Step inside, and you find a spiral staircase made of bare concrete with its distinctive rough textures and the expanded metal infill balustrade that’s the hallmark of industrial loft style.

The kitchen is located near living spaces for convenience. The floor is covered in smooth marble, while exposed brick walls add visual interest to loft ideas.

Interestingly, each floor has its own character. The first floor is paved with green marble imported from India, while red marble, aka Rosa Levanto, adds a bold personality to the living room on the second floor. The third floor is an entirely different story as it unexpectedly switches to a combination of various concrete finishes.

Interior design showcases a fun twist, incorporating unique and unexpected elements. Take for instance a leisure area that uses a pair of vintage barber chairs for sitting on, instead of the regular bar stools at standard height. Behind the bar counter, an antique storage cabinet in subdued chili red and collectible décor items take pride of place on the wall.

The U-shaped house plan features a central courtyard that opens to natural light. The bright and airy atmosphere is further enhanced by large glass doors.

Even though the design is influenced by many styles and built using a variety of different materials, the architect has finally managed to keep all the retro loft qualities in perfect harmony.

More so than anything else, the overall effect is impressive; a home that’s stylishly fashionable, cozy and pleasant in its own special way. An experience like this is worth its weight in gold!

Rust-colored panels form the outer shell of double-wall construction that shelters the interior living spaces from too much sun and rain.

Different color marble floors mark the boundaries between the bedroom and the adjoining bath.

Owner: Lee Kok Choong

Architect: Seshan Design by Ramesh Seshan

You may also like…

Airy Bamboo House with a Modern Flair in Malaysia

A Clean Crisp White House for the Couple Who Love to Cook

Blog : three-storey house

W39 House: A Hillside Home Renovation That Brings the Outdoors in

The Hiên House: Creative Design Takes Balconies and Terraces to the Next Level

Three-Storey Townhouse That Makes Space for Nature

A Modern Steel Framed Home at the Water’s Edge

A Clean Crisp White House for the Couple Who Love to Cook

This modern cube house design inspires great admiration. It has a crisp elegance of cool-toned whites. From the outside, the building looks like three boxes stacked one on top of the other. Inside, it has everything this chef couple could want.

Box-Shaped House with the Texture of Memory

This box-shaped house uses architecture and coordinated interior design to tell stories of the present and the past.

BAAN MOOM: Box Style House at the Forefront of a Modern Trend

This box-shaped modern house takes relaxation to a whole new level. Incorporating triangles in the detail, the home with edgy design comes to light with all the charm and character.

A Wooden Home Embraces the Enduring Appeal of Traditional Style Architecture

Created by a master architect, this contemporary wooden home in a suburb of Bangkok bespeaks the timeless elegance of traditional style residential architecture.

Beautiful Contemporary House Design for a Good Life

A Retro Loft with Distinctive Colonial Flair in Selangor, Malaysia

Once an affordable choice among artists, lofts have grown to become one of the most popular house styles. The design that makes use of high ceilings to create an airy, cozy and comfortable place of residence appeals to a much wider demographic now than any time in the past.

SITE MAP

CONTACT US

Address

Email

Phone / Fax

Contact us to report issues or complaints.