EACH HOUSE HAS A DIFFERENT ETHOS BEHIND THE DESIGN. FOR THIS PROJECT BY SKARN CHAIYAWAT ARCHITECTS, THE PRINCIPAL GUIDELINE OF THE DESIGN IS THE MOUNTAIN VIEW WHICH INFORMS THE HOUSE’S HUMILITY AND RETICENCE, ALLOWING THE USERS TO TAKE PLEASURE IN THE SCENERY RATHER THAN THE HOUSE ITSELF
TEXT: PRATCHAYAPOL LERTWICHA
PHOTO: DOF SKY|GROUND
(For Thai, press here)
The fundamental concept of a home, is significantly affected by its design. Allowing it to be distinguished from other built structures of similar nature. The heart and core of a design may be materialized as an expression of the owner’s character, creating a meaningful and unique house. Nong Ho 17 is a two-story holiday home in Chiangmai for a family of three, it is a work by Skarn Chaiyawat Architects. The essence of this residence is the gorgeous mountain view that becomes the origin of the design’s subtle and humble presence. It allows dwellers and visitors a chance to embrace the scenic landscape that is by no means overshadowed by the existence of the house itself.
To fully take in the surrounding mountain range, the architect designed for the longer side of the house to face the west instead of a conventional north-south orientation, which would have otherwise minimized the heat from the afternoon sun. By placing the house at the center of the land, the program creates optimal spaces for both the east and west-facing wing.
The west side of the house is fully open for inhabitants to enjoy the spectacular view with a swimming pool that rests in front of the master bedroom, welcoming the owners with the morning view where the mountains’ reflection finds its way on the water surface, visually merging the sky and water into one. The outdoor space located towards the west of the house is neighbored by a public road, accommodating service areas such as the parking space and housekeeper’s room. The main staircase and its solid mass are placed in this particular quarter to bring a sense of privacy to the house. Meanwhile, the front of the house remains connected to the external surroundings with a garden and open and airy fence, allowing the owners to interact with their neighbors while the space itself also functions as an afternoon hangout spot.
Opening up the house to the mountain view inevitably means complete exposure to the afternoon sun. The architect has worked to ensure that the design minimizes the excessive amount of sunlight infiltrating the house’s interiors. This process is completed through different methods such as the terrace wrapping around and protruding from the house’s second floor to filter the sun rays from coming into the first floor living space, as well as the teak wood door with the detail of vertical lathes used for the second-floor living room. Bamboo shades are also installed around the house to filter sunlight without entirely obstructing the view, providing functional efficiency while bringing a distinctive character to the house.
The unassuming design allows the view to reveal its grand existence. Architectural components such as the railing on the second floor are simplified to appear slender and light, reinforced with an interval presence of thicker rails. Other compositions are designed to operate from the same system, such as the size of the shades, the defined borders of the terrazzo floor, the range between rafters and their modular properties that enable a physical and visual connectivity between different materials. This systematic organization is developed to appear delicate, blending in nicely with the house’s surrounding nature. Additional elements can be found in the imperfection of natural materials, such as handmade tiles from Mae Rim district used for the pool and the roof, each bearing slightly different details or the teakwood bought from a local place selling reclaimed wood in Chiangmai, to the beautiful and locally made bamboo furniture.
Instead of screaming for attention, these compositions collectively utter a soft sound, harmonizing in a perfect balance with other voices in the surroundings and creating a lovely, unique, melodic tune.