HANABITATE IS AN ARCHITECTURAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN FIRM FROM CHAING MAI THAT INTENDS TO CREATE A GOOD LIVING ENVIRONMENT WHILE SEARCHING FOR NEW DESIGN POSSIBILITIES IN CONTEMPORARY CONTEXT
TEXT & PHOTO COURTESY OF HANABITATE EXCEPT AS NOTED
(For Thai, press here)
WHO
Hanabitate – Nawit Ongsavangchai
WHAT
We are essentially an architectural and environmental design firm with projects ranging from interior architec-ture to urban design. Our design centers around creating good living environments and buildings with good functional benefits for physical spaces. We aim to make the most efficient use out of the potential of the surrounding elements and environment at both micro and macro scales, integrating them to the nature and requirements of each project to render new possibilities.
Oh My Coffee l Photo: Hanabitate
Lanna Rice Research Center, Chiang Mai University l Photo: Hanabitate
Lemon House l Photo: Demis Galli
Lemon House l Photo: Demis Galli
WHEN
Our firm is founded in 2012.
WHERE
Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Kura House l Photo: Hanabitate
Kura House l Photo: Ketsiree Wongwan
WHY
To be a laboratory of ideas, experiences and information obtained through fieldworks and theoretical study, in order to create the greatest design and creative possibilities to build environments for contemporary con-texts as well as future discourses.
Mango House l Photo: Light Addict Photography
Mango House l Photo: Light Addict Photography
Lanna Rice Research Center, Chiang Mai University l Photo: Hanabitate
How would you define creativity?
The creation of possibilities that can go beyond or out of conditions and limitations by integrating your own abilities and potential to things around you.
Lanna Rice Research Center, Chiang Mai University l Photo: Hanabitate
Describe your practice in three words.
Interaction with environs I Steady flow I Local future.
Modern Tai Lue House l Photo: Hanabitate
Modern Tai Lue House l Photo: Hanabitate
Modern Tai Lue House l Photo: Hanabitate
Modern Tai Lue House l Photo: Hanabitate
Where do you go, or what do you do when you get stuck on a project?
Exercise by running or sitting alone quietly in a place with nature, preferably mountains, visible from a dis-tance.
What project are you most proud of?
We work on every project we have been assigned to the fullest of our ability. Although there have been un-expected obstacles along the way, we always try to work out whatever problems we have to deal with alongside all the involved parties and project owners as best as we can. That’s why every project is some-thing we are really proud of.
Aluminum Pavilion for Chiang Mai Design Week 2017 with SUS l Photo: Hanabitate
Aluminum Pavilion for Chiang Mai Design Week 2017 with SUS l Photo: Hanabitate
If you could invite any creative out for coffee, who would you choose and why?
Enric Miralles. It’s a real shame that he passed away in 2000 at only the age of 45 during the time when the digital technology wasn’t this advanced. He, however, was able to create such beautiful and appealing poetic spaces and forms. The same goes for his drawings, which are so incredibly unique that they make me wonder how he thought of these things, what thought process did he use, and what were his inspirations or ingredients that helped him create these type of works. I thought about how if he were alive today when the computer technology for design is so much more progressive than back in the time when he was alive, and how they would have impacted Miralles’ work. It would have been something very interesting and exciting to see.