Project: Phatthalung House
Architects: Rakchai Norateedilok Architect
Location: Tambon Tha Khae, Thailand
Area: 462 sf
Photographs by: Rakchai Norateedilok
Phatthalung House by Rakchai Norateedilok Architect
The Phatthalung House is a private retreat located in Tambon Tha Khae, Thailand, designed by Rakchai Norateedilok Architect. The owner, after living for many years in Bangkok, decided to return to her hometown and build a private space connected to her family’s estate. The location is surrounded by a peaceful rubber plantation, and the new house is designed to encourage a connection between the plantation and the old house’s kitchen.
The main functions of the house are a living area, a bedroom, and a bathroom. The building is oriented in an East-West direction to avoid the sunlight’s heat and to be well-ventilated according to the tropical climate. The living area and bedroom are separated only by a TV installed partition that allows light and air to flow through the whole space, and the bathroom is designed without a ceiling to create an atmosphere that embraces nature. The design focuses on using materials that harmonize with the natural surroundings, using fewer kinds of materials efficiently and prefers to reveal the nature of materials.
After spending over 20 years in the city of Bangkok, the owner decided to move back to her hometown in Phatthalung province southern Thailand and fulfill her wish to create a private space extended from the estate inherited from family. The estate which is built decades ago, located in the middle of rubber plantation and has been hosting the family gathering every year.
The location is surrounded by peaceful rubber plantation in which represents its local agricultural community. The area for the new house construction is between the plantation and the old house’s kitchen, which usually hosts family activities. Therefore, to create a connection between houses and plantation, the new house is designed to encourage the continuity from the old house’s kitchen to the plantation scenery through the spacious interior of the new house.
The main functions of the new house are living area, bedroom, and bathroom. Building orientation is aligned in East-West direction, wardrobe and bathroom are placed at the east and west side, for the main area in the middle to avoid sunlight’s heat and to be well-ventilated according to the tropical climate. The wooden screen is also installed for privacy, designed to be a diagonal pattern to comfort eyesight.
The living area and bedroom are only divided by TV installed partition that the light and air could flow through the whole space. The bathroom is designed without a ceiling to create the atmosphere that the users can embrace nature from tree branches or moonlight sky above.
The design focuses on using materials to be harmonious with natural surroundings, using fewer kinds of materials efficiently, and prefers to reveal the nature of materials. Main wall and floor structure are finished by plain bare plaster. Black painted steel is used for the roof structure. Wood finishing is also used to express its sense of nature and to create a cozy atmosphere.
