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? A Bangkok-based well known architectural firm, Ayutt and Associates design (AAd) 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.
The sustainable environmental design aspects are considered thoroughly with the private oasis concept which responds directly to tropical climate of Bangkok. AAd gives the innovative design solution for this modern and sustainable living. 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.
The facades of the living spaces and bedrooms maintain the signature of AAd’s 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 eye-catching, a landmark of this neighborhood.