Blog : Yangon

A Home-cum-Art Gallery amid the Bustle of Downtown Yangon
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A Home-cum-Art Gallery amid the Bustle of Downtown Yangon

/ Yangon, Myanmar /

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

/ Photographs: Rithirong Chanthongsuk /

Despite being located in a vibrant prime location, this home-cum-art gallery in Yangon is a fascinating place with a serene atmosphere and qualities that delight and please the senses. Architecturally speaking, it’s a nexus of ideas from different styles, places, and times.

The white mansion mixes and matches the visual elements of Contemporary and Colonial styles of architecture. Plus, it puts an innovative spin on traditions of years gone by, resulting in charm, good looks that tell the story of ongoing change in modern-day Yangon.
The white mansion mixes and matches the visual elements of Contemporary and Colonial styles of architecture. Plus, it puts an innovative spin on traditions of years gone by, resulting in charm, good looks that tell the story of ongoing change in modern-day Yangon.

The calm and peaceful place is a short distance away from a busy market on Nawaday Road. Min Han, the homeowner, is on hand to give a warm welcome and show us around the premises.

The three-story home has many interesting features that apparently blend well together creating a building that works as a cohesive whole. Take for example the Modern-style wing that stands in perfect harmony with the nearby Colonial-style mansion. It’s a new addition to the original structure that’s zealously preserved.

home art gallery Yangon
A vivid color painting and wood furniture in dark brown dominate the hallway on the first floor. Unique elements of design including large bay windows are preserved in every part of the Contemporary style wing.

Other than that, the floors have since been improved and refinished, while room dividers are remade to create a light and airy atmosphere on the inside. In front of the house stands a two-story family business building, where traditional Burmese snacks and light meals are sold, including Yuzana Pickled Tea Leaves.

Nearby, a fence beautifully crafted of stone masonry separates a parking space upfront from outside and protects the family home from the noise and hubbub of the big city.

home art gallery Yangon
The stairway under a high ceiling is bedecked with paintings and sculptures evoking fond memories of a private art gallery.

“In fact, I am not much of an artist. But I like collecting works of art, especially those of U Maung Maung Hla Myint, who is nationally renowned for his bright color paintings. Vivid color paintings make the space feel more lively,” said Min Han.

home art gallery Yangon
The upstairs living room bedecked with bright color paintings is illuminated by a skylight above the stairway.

To create a sense of spaciousness, the architects put in a steel staircase with glass railings at the center of the house plan, resulting in unobstructed views of the whole interior. In general, the room is comfortable, airy and well-lighted, thanks to skylights above the stairway leading to the third floor. Together, they make the furnishings and other decorative details more noticeable.

home art gallery Yangon
The dining room of this home-cum-art gallery is adorned with beautiful works of art from the owner’s private collections.
The bedroom’s white interior contrasts with dark brown colors of wood beams, posts, and ceiling joists.
The bedroom’s white interior contrasts with dark brown colors of wood beams, posts, and ceiling joists.
home art gallery Yangon
The interior living spaces are well-lit thanks to transom windows set above the top edge of the wall and the doorway.

For a neat appearance, the system of electrical wiring and lighting is arranged in a tidy way pretty much in the same fashion as that of a typical art gallery. There are spotlights on the installations, which makes the interior spaces look very well organized. As a private gallery, the hallway also doubles as a rendezvous point for friends and relatives coming by for a visit.

A spacious sound studio in the back confirms that a music lover lives here.
A spacious sound studio in the back confirms that a music lover lives here.
The shower room is plain and simple. Attention to detail is reflected in the use of different materials separating dry and wet areas.
The shower room is plain and simple. Attention to detail is reflected in the use of different materials separating dry and wet areas.

The homeowner not only paid attention to detail but also actively participated in making design decisions every step of the way, resulting in perfect visual harmony from beginning to end. All told, it’s a delightfully warm home and an art gallery combined into one cohesive whole. And it conveys a great deal about the homeowner’s love of art and a taste for something different.

[Left] The upright structural support is crafted of wood posts. Where appropriate, all sharp edges are removed. / [Right] To create a light and airy feel in the interior, the stairway is built on a steel frame with glass railings. There are no risers between the treads for good ventilation.
[Left] The upright structural support is crafted of wood posts. Where appropriate, all sharp edges are removed. / [Right] To create a light and airy feel in the interior, the stairway is built on a steel frame with glass railings. There are no risers between the treads for good ventilation.

Architect: Spine Architects Co, Ltd

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A Simple Yet Elegant Cube-Shaped Home in Yangon
livingasean

A Simple Yet Elegant Cube-Shaped Home in Yangon

/ Yangon, Myanmar /

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

/ Photographs: Rithirong Chanthongsuk /

From the outside, this cube-shaped home with a swimming pool as the centerpiece looks like a combination of three overlapping boxes. Distinctive simple line design sets it apart from the rest in the neighborhood. The hall just inside the front entrance is well connected to all living spaces around it. Based on the form-follows-function principle, it’s thoughtfully devised to create a seamless transition from room to room, plus easy access to all intended functions and amenities.

Cube-Shaped Home in Yangon

The three-story white home with a cool undertone stands at the center of the property. Homeowner Thin Thin Lwin was on hand to show around. Asked about her thoughts on inspiration, she said:

“Just the two of us, my husband and I, live here. The home was built on what used to be a vacant lot. To begin with, we didn’t want a place that was going to be too big for our needs. We wanted just enough functional areas with easy access to other parts of the house, kind of like keeping with long established traditions from the past.

“By happy chance, I have a friend who is an architect, and the rest is history. Stephen Zawmoe Shwe and I have been good friends since we were kids. So we asked him to design it.”

Cube-Shaped Home in Yangon
The boundary fence made of concrete features large openings at intervals to improve the flow of air in and out of the property.
Cube-Shaped Home in Yangon
An array of window awnings protruding from the exterior wall protect the interior from heavy rain and increase its energy efficiency.

Have a look around the first floor. The overall effect is impressive. The house with a subtle shade of white looks like three dimensional shapes coming together neat and clean. The interior at the front of the house is light and airy thanks to double height ceilings.

It’s two stories tall to be exact. There is a sense of interior elegance. The spacious, well-ventilated hall is well connected to other rooms around it. One of them, a living room, is clearly separated from the dining area and kitchen.

Cube-Shaped Home in Yangon
An outdoor louvered awning on the front façade protects the interior spaces from scorching sunlight and improves the home’s general appearance. The exterior is kept simple, modern, and fuss free.
Cube-Shaped Home in Yangon
Just inside the front entrance, a stepping-stone pathway stretches across the pool. Double height ceilings and transparent partition walls make the atmosphere bright and lively.
simple white house
There is visual and spatial continuity from the cozy dining area all the way to the pool and beyond.

The second floor has two spacious bedrooms, each with a private balcony to take in the view and cool breezes. The swimming pool below is clearly visible from here.

Other than that, interior design emphasizes crisp, clean lines and white tones that go together well with shades of gray. Furniture comes in warm earth tones that enhance the charm of natural wood flooring.

simple white house
Transparent glass walls create a warm, welcoming atmosphere in the bedroom. There are windows that open to improve air circulation and bring in cool breezes.

simple white house
[Left] Louvered awnings under the roofline provide added privacy and protect the second-floor bedrooms from intense heat during the daytime. / [Right] Venetian blinds behind glass walls provide privacy in the bathroom and control natural light.
The third floor is a penthouse with a panorama of the city landscape. A peaceful place for relaxation with family, it’s great for stargazing in the dark of night. There is a large Buddha room on one side, where the homeowners come to pray and perform religious rites.

Cube-Shaped Home in Yangon
A corner of the penthouse has been remodeled into a reception area with marble countertops and matching bar stools.

All things considered, it’s simple clean line design that makes this Cube-Shaped Home in Yangon stand out in the rustic old town neighborhood. Well-thought-out planning ensures there are plenty of functional areas and modern amenities for comfortable living. Plus, it’s energy efficient thanks to passive cooling strategies, such as large windows that open to bring in cool breezes and natural light.

Where appropriate, louvered awnings are installed to minimize the amount of sun on the exterior wall. They reduce the workload on air conditioning and make the home perform as intended amid the hot and humid climate.

Architect: Spine Architects Co., Ltd

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