Aluminum box

Living amidst the rapid growth of urban population and high rises in Bangkok, a critical question is raised: how can we adjust ourselves to live peacefully and privately in this speedily changed environment and lifestyles? In doing so, how can we avoid losing contact with the amenities that megacity provides us and accessibility to the greenspace?

 

Design Philosophy

The project proposes an alternative design solution to mitigate this urban-dwelling problematic issue by crafting the home-office buildings called “THE Haute”, a self-sustainable workplace and residence, to become a new solution concept for the next generation of housing development in Thailand.

The building concept is begun with simple idea as stacked boxes, between black stone box and aluminum box. These boxes are composed of 2 main functions as the working space and living space. The openable windows are designed for not facing each other, for reasons of privacy.

 

 

Sustainability Approach

The sustainable environmental design aspects are considered thoroughly with the private oasis concept which responds directly to tropical climate of Bangkok. All units are designed with the concept of living by nature, borrowing the green space from the neighbor’s view without compromising privacy. The key design concept is to create a 5-storey residence that gives the “Private Oasis” that shares the green space in vertically to the community and city. The trees are placed at every possible space in the building, creating a natural green character for the building envelope. While the project is designed to maximize both the usable area and the open space of the green area, their spatial relationship maximizes ventilation and openness in response to tropical climate. The internal spaces are designed to enjoy their own private garden.

 

 

Façade Design

The facades of the living spaces and bedrooms maintain a signature façade design: using the air gap and aluminum panels to relieve the house from being heated as well as allowing sunlight and air ventilation to pass through. The facade acts as an insulation protecting solar heat gain from outside which is a high concern in tropical climates. When measuring the temperature during summer season, these panels help cooling down the 39 degrees Celsius outside to 26 degrees inside. This façade also provides privacy by blocking the view from outside. The design provides full privacy in this dense surrounding while also being a prominent landmark of this neighborhood.

 

Sustainable retreat

The 950m² house is designed to be lived in as a welcome break away from the bustling city life and, on frequent occasions, be able to host parties of up to 30 guests.

 

Site Integration

The site is situated amongst a densely built area, with only one adjacent remaining traditional two-storey wooden home and its lush garden lining the length of the property. The house is placed along the three built up sides of the site, creating a large garden. The building is raised half level, to secure privacy, its two floors expressed as separate units: the ground floor appears as an opaque black box, while the upstairs volume is white. Openings are oriented towards the courtyard, with the pool in the foreground, and greenery visually merging with the backdrop of the neighboring garden.

 

Functional Organization

The entrance from the street is recessed, through a dark box with angular aluminum cladding, with no hint of what lies beyond but a few sprouting branches. To the right, an opening directs towards the light, through a long corridor leading to the house, lined by the pool on one side and a reflective marble wall on the other. The solid wall on the right retreats to reveal a green pocket, accentuating the greenery of the house and providing a passage for prevailing winds. Behind a tree, perforated mirror- finished aluminium panels arranged in arbitrary angles, multiply the garden impressions, and allow glimpses from the interior. The entrance opens directly upon the dining area, with a custom-made table crafted from 200 years old timber. To the left, the double-height living area features a large, abstract geometric mural.

 

Furniture & Custom Structures

Above the cubist sofa, the chandelier echoes the mural with round bulbs and tubular fittings. The kitchen surface, island, and back wall are all lined with a smart black and white marble arranged in a diamond pattern. Cantilevered stairs, lit from a clerestory window, lead to the private living quarters, including the master suite and one guestroom. The space of the master suite flows naturally from the bedroom and dressing room to the green marble bathroom. The shower wall is finished in a white marble with black veins, arranged to form a pattern of three mountains. The sculptural bath is the centerpiece, naturally lit with a glass block wall behind and outdoor garden.

 

Sustainable Practices

The house is designed to respond to the turbulent tropical climate. In addition to cantilevered fins and eaves, to reduce direct sunlight and heavy rain, the glazing layer is recessed to create a continuous balcony. The external shutter system provides the outermost skin, allowing natural cooling. Each shutter acts as a heat exchanger, funnelling air through an individual aluminium fin which further reduces heat intake.