Home tour: inside Playstaycation, the futuristic house in Bangkok that feels like an everyday staycation

“We believe that whatever the client tells us, whatever their dream looks like, we will find a way to make it a reality,” explains Nuttapol Techopitch, founding architect of Looklen Architects. “The challenge is figuring out how to translate those dreams into a perfectly resolved architectural form.”

Situated on an empty plot within a densely populated housing estate, the first major hurdle was privacy. To counter the bustling surroundings, the architects designed an inward-looking structure. The house turns its back on the chaotic exterior, wrapping itself instead around a serene internal courtyard. Once this private oasis was established, it was time to tackle the go-kart track and the slide.

“When we analysed his dream of having a slide and a go-kart track, we interpreted both of these elements as pathways,” Nuttapol notes.

This interpretation birthed the home’s defining feature: a magnificent, continuous curved walkway. Acting as a stunning central sculpture, this fluid pathway weaves its way from the ground floor, effortlessly bypassing the study and bedrooms, all the way up to the rooftop. It allows for a seamless, uninterrupted stroll through the home—mimicking the fluid, continuous loop of a go-kart track.

Furthermore, this walkway is not just a corridor; it doubles as a bespoke gallery space to display Golf’s extensive collection of art toys, telling the story of the owner’s personality without a single word.

What elevates this central pathway into a true masterpiece is the glass that encases it. Standing over six metres tall, the 3D-curved glass had to be entirely custom-made. It enhances the fluidity of the curves while creating a fascinating interplay of light and shadow. By night, illuminated by ambient lighting, the walkway transforms into a glowing architectural sculpture, offering a completely different aesthetic from its daytime appearance.

The name of the house is a clever portmanteau of ‘play’ and ‘staycation’, reflecting the architect's mission to merge ultimate fun with deep relaxation.

On the ground floor, the swimming pool serves as much more than just a place to swim. The surrounding floor was elevated to create a poolside bar, allowing Golf and his friends to sit with their feet dangling in the water while they socialise. Adjacent to this is a sunken lounge area featuring a concealed, pop-up table that rises at the push of a button. When the massive curved glass doors are fully retracted, the boundary between the interior living space and the outdoor pool dissolves entirely, evoking the luxurious, breezy atmosphere of a private holiday villa.

Despite the plot being a modest 103 square wah (approx. 412 square metres), Golf had a crystal-clear vision of a double-volume, high-ceilinged space that seamlessly blended warmth with cutting-edge technology.

“My brief to them was ‘homely mixed with futuristic’,” Golf explains. He was adamant that the home’s innovative features should not be restricted by conventional limits. “The word impossible doesn't exist here. It has to happen. If I have an idea and I want it, it can be built. It all just comes down to our imagination and our budget.”

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This relentless drive is exactly what allowed every square inch of these fun, ambitious ideas to materialise. Today, the house doubles as a creative space that recharges Golf’s energy for his music production, while serving as the ultimate gathering spot for his friends—whether they are lounging on the ground floor or catching the evening breeze on the rooftop.

Reflecting on his new sanctuary, Golf summarises Playstaycation as: “Fun, creative, and pushing boundaries. When we designed this house, we truly went all the way, completely without limits.”

The fun doesn't stop at the ground floor. The upstairs bathroom features a cleverly disguised laundry chute that drops clothes directly into the washing basket below. Ascend to the rooftop, and you will find a half-court basketball setup alongside a spacious area for evening gatherings.

Yet, amidst all the playfulness, Looklen Architects never lost sight of practical, comfortable living. The home's sculptural central walkway cleverly filters out harsh afternoon sunlight from the west. Meanwhile, the home's right wing, which faces south, features solid walls to block the heat. Coupled with strategic openings in every room to promote cross-ventilation, the house remains remarkably cool throughout the day without an over-reliance on air conditioning.

The architecture is also incredibly forward-thinking. Playstaycation was designed to evolve alongside its owner. Several rooms boast adaptable functions that require zero demolition to change. The current games room can seamlessly transition into a master bedroom should Golf's family expand. The study can be converted into an en-suite bedroom, and the spa room is perfectly positioned to become a nursery.

Going from a single-bedroom layout today to a potential three-bedroom family home tomorrow, Playstaycation is a house built to grow. For Golf, who had previously only lived in condominiums and waited his whole life to build a house, Playstaycation is far more than a first home. It is a tangible reflection of his identity, a dream successfully engineered into reality, and a holiday he gets to live every single day.

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