Blog : Volume Matrix Studio

A Cozy Brick House the Pride of Two Generations
livingasean

A Cozy Brick House the Pride of Two Generations

/ Pattaya, Thailand /

/ Story: Ajchara Jeenkram / English version: Bob Pitakwong /

/ Photographs: Soopakorn Srisakul, Sungwan Phratep /

This old house that’s the pride of two generations has been given a new lease on life. Tastefully renovated, it transformed into a modern brick home that took the beauty of brick masonry to a whole new level.

brick house in pattaya

The heritage building has served as a big family’s rendezvous in Pattaya, a seaside town just two hours’ drive from Bangkok. Those times are gone now. The extended family home is now in the hands of the second generation with a smaller household. That’s reason enough to restore it as a new place of abode ideally suited to a modern lifestyle.

“First, I started out with a building inspection looking to identify parts that needed repairs and whatnot,” said architect Kasin Sornsri.

“I talked with both generations of the family, and I could feel the love they had for this house. So, I decided to go for a renovation instead of a teardown to make room for a new building.”

brick house in pattaya

brick house in pattaya

In the process, the old roof that fell into disrepair was replaced by a moderate-pitch roof with shingles. Beautiful shed roof design was chosen for its ability to provide tall ceilings, which directly benefited the interior living spaces on the upper floor.

Like the architect intended, the new feature added attractive curb appeal to the home and its lively green surroundings when viewed from the street.

brick house in pattaya

bhp05

bhp11

On the first floor, an open-concept dining room is capable of entertaining up to 20 houseguests. The architect has kept the iconic archway design and brick walls on the front façade pretty much intact.

In the meantime, appropriate adaptations are made to best suit the way of living of the second generation family, while the first generation family enjoys plenty of room for privacy complete with a dining space and kitchen.

bhp08

bhp09

Over all, the interior design presents the character and atmosphere resembling that of an antique store. Pieces of vintage furniture and stained glass decorations give off friendly vibes conjuring up the image of a family way of life back in the day.

To make it more inviting, custom mosaic tiles paired with window grills in complementing shades echo the beauty of a fusion of Eastern and Western design. Well put together, they breathe new life into the old brick house that has been home to a big family for two generations.

Built to last, and further improved through renovation, this brick house in Pattaya now stands ready for the future.

bhp15

bhp04

brick house in pattaya

brick house in pattaya

bhp17

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

You may also like…

From An Old Home to A Stunning House on StiltsA Minimalist Home in Bangkok Oozing with Charm

A Concrete House Embraces the Charms of Oriental Culture
livingasean

A Concrete House Embraces the Charms of Oriental Culture

/ Bangkok, Thailand /

/ Story: Ekkarach Laksanasamrit / English version: Peter Montalbano /

/ Photographs: Sitthisak Namkham / Styliing: Phakhawadi Phahulo /

The architect and owner of Volume Matrix Studio Co., Ltd., Kasin Sornsri, and his wife Maiko Ishimoto have agreed to live in Thailand. Together, they incorporate Thai and Japanese influences in the design. The result is a calm and peaceful orchard home that embraces the charms of Oriental culture.

Oriental Appeal House
The house-on-stilts design is ideally suited for coastal areas in tropical climates. Situated on a piling foundation, the Oriental-style home provides outstanding outdoor space, good natural ventilation and precautions against flooding.

Blending two cultures together may seem to be hard, but good communication and understanding guide them through. “If you look closely, you’ll notice a hint of Japanese atmosphere mixing in the house,” Kasin said.

“The stilt floor is open, making it suitable to sit and relax on traditional Japanese furniture with a square latticework in the background. The floor is lower down on the side and covered with pebbles like a Zen garden. A 7-tatami-sized Japanese room is on the second floor.”

Oriental Appeal House
Decorative items come in warm earth tones. Fabric décor makes the overall look even more compelling.
Oriental Appeal House
There are many large trees around the house. Looking out from the second or third floor, the view is of green trees and cool shades.

Kasin continued, “For comfort and utility, we use concrete flooring in some areas. It is easier to clean than a mat floor. I also designed some spare rooms for my wife’s relatives. Most are empty, equipped only with a bathroom, in case there are many guests at the same time.”

Poured concrete window frames that extend outward add artistry to the building both inside and out.
Poured concrete window frames that extend outward add artistry to the building both inside and out.

The house is situated in a tiny peaceful street on a property of nearly 16 acres. It once had four small houses surrounded by a mango orchard. The owner kept most of the orchard and didn’t cut any tree down.

The posts of this concrete balustrade alternate with gaps in between to keep them from being opaque. The stairway design is simple and strong.
The posts of this concrete balustrade alternate with gaps in between to keep them from being opaque. The stairway design is simple and strong.

This house with Oriental appeal was built right up against the fence to avoid disturbing the orchard. It has three levels that collectively act as a fortress hiding the orchard from the outside and enhancing privacy.

Each component of the house is humble and harmonizes with the natural surroundings. To accomplish a simple and uncomplicated look, the owner used pillars and beams and, at the same time, tried to keep equal thickness for all beams to cut the cost of wood.

An interesting surface of a building can be created by pressing faux wood against the wall. But make sure to choose a beautiful grain for this.
An interesting surface of a building can be created by pressing faux wood against the wall. But make sure to choose a beautiful grain for this.

Most floors were constructed of prefabricated concrete, except bathrooms, balconies, and decks, which used poured concrete. Polished concrete walls were chosen because the material was easy to work with, suited for environmental conditions, and easy to find.

5

7

“I used foamed blocks instead of red bricks. The material is lighter, anti-heat, easier to construct and lowering overall weight for the house.” Kasin explained.

“Normal glass is preferred, not UV-filtered ones. So, natural light can enter. Box-like flaps were added to screen the light. They also act as ventilation pipes to draw fresh outdoor air into the home.

“For a little differentiation, I added a small amount of black color into polished concrete walls. It also blends well with mango trees in the orchard.”

Oriental Appeal House

Oriental Appeal House

Overall, the appeals of the Orient are in the details. Some parts of concrete walls are marked with patterns made by pressing a faux wood against the wall while the concrete was setting. Exterior walls are alternating between rough and smooth surfaces. With such attention to detail, the house is undoubtedly in a good hand.

Oriental Appeal House
The three-story house is not too obtrusive, as the design features unequal extension parts and uses a variety of materials.

Owner: Kasin Sornsri and Maiko Ishimoto

Architect: Kasin Sornsri of Volume Matrix Studio Co., Ltd.

Visit the original Thai article…

บ้านคอนกรีต ผสมกลิ่นอายสไตล์ญี่ปุ่น

You may also like…

Tile House VietnamTile House: Façades of Glimmering Tiles with a Story to Tell

HUAMARK 09: An Architect’s Charming Concrete Block House

X