Cover A sculptural Red Paper Bark tree adorns the second-level courtyard of this house in Bangkok
A sculptural Red Paper Bark tree adorns the second-level courtyard of this house in Bangkok
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Anonym designs a house in Bangkok that turns its back to the built-up neighbourhood and inward into a personal oasis
Anonym is one of Bangkok’s most illustrious architecture firms, having created many unique homes that meld intuitive functionality with beauty and delight. A case in point is Baan Pridi 41, located on an 8,612 sq ft plot of land in a residential neighbourhood in Bangkok. The owner is an entrepreneur who lives here with his wife and two sons.
The C-shaped plan turns the house inward, with the largely porous internal facades facing a landscaped deck that functions like a courtyard. “Because of the neighbourhood’s density and its corner-plot location, the house is very much visible from all sides. We put a solid wall on the south façade because there is an eight-storey apartment next to it; the staircase, bathrooms and serviced areas are placed there,” says Phongphat Ueasangkhomset, who co-founded Anonym with his wife and business partner Parnduangjai Roojnawate.
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Above An aerial side view of the pool area, which is clearly visible from areas on the first storey
An aerial side view of the pool area, which is clearly visible from areas on the first storey
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The overall aim was to keep the interiors as private as possible while maintaining good natural ventilation. Aluminium louvres on the eastern and western facades help in this. They also shield the interiors from the tropical heat.
The large number of back-of-house functions—among them, the shoe storage, bedrooms for four live-in helpers, kids’ room, and wet kitchen—were tucked away on the first storey, together with the garage. The main social spaces were elevated to the second storey, where the open-plan living and dining are housed at one end of the C-shaped plan and the gym at the other end. In between, a sheltered void encourages outdoor dining or relaxation.
The outdoors is brought indoors with deliberate choices of greenery interspersed throughout the space
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Large glass panels at the foyer counter the lack of light in the garage due to the sizeable second-storey floor plate to accommodate the pool and garden. “Decorative items from the client’s personal collection [displayed on open shelves in the foyer] add a homely ambience,” Ueasangkhomset points out.
In the second-storey courtyard, a sculptural Red Paper Bark tree was planted as a central feature to be appreciated not only from the main social areas but also the private areas on the upper levels. “We chose this species based on its form, refined leaves, and beautiful red colour of the trunk,” Ueasangkhomset says.
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A wide view of the first- and second-storeys of the house, with ample natural lighting and an open-plan concept
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The internal experience is enhanced with many double-volume areas and ample connections with the external environment through glass walls, outdoor spaces and timber louvres. The living room on the second storey is one such space—a sort of glass pavilion lined against the long pool, whose shimmering waters bring about a sense of calm. It is connected vertically to the more intimate family spaces on the third and fourth storeys, boosting interaction among family members.
Another lofty space is the study area on the third storey. The narrow room, coupled with its tall height, makes this room spatially unique. “This area connects the third and fourth storeys through double-height timber slat cabinets whose doors open to the corridor. The slats cast [theatrics from] light-and-shadow play onto the staircase wall and corridor,” Ueasangkhomset highlights.
The use of luxurious Picasso green granite, such as in this master bedroom's walk-in dresser, alludes to the deep green of forests
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These timber slats add to the house’s tropical sensibility. It complements a palette of muted tones and green accents. “To create a relaxing tropical ambience much like a resort, we explored mixing different textures with neutral colours in greenish-grey tones–grey in the aluminium louvres, columns and textured paint with sage-green paint on walls and the green Sukabumi stone tile for the pool and planter. Dark wood pool for the pool deck and ceilings contribute to the natural feel,” says Ueasangkhomset.
He also used luxurious Picasso green granite, reminiscent of the deep green of forests, in certain areas, such as the master bedroom’s walk-in wardrobe dresser. Plenty of timber surfaces on the interiors dissolve the distance between the shelter and the environment. For instance, the entire wall behind the master bed is clad with timber slats “as the client loves to explore different textures and materials that give a tropical vibe,” Ueasangkhomset shares.
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Above The beloved pool deck is used by the family year-round and for various purposes, such as mealtimes or relaxation
The beloved pool deck is used by the family year-round and for various purposes, such as mealtimes or relaxation
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Ueasangkhomset shares that the pool deck is used all the time – “from breakfast to dinner, for morning workouts and afternoon swims. During the day and through the year, the sliding glass windows are kept open as the area is very pleasant and airy.” A testament to the successful design of this tropical house, Ueasangkhomset muses that the owner was searching for an additional outdoor lounger for afternoon naps the last time he visited.
Credits
Photography: DOF SkyGround
