- Project: Zanolari's House
- Architect: HAA Studio
- Location: Thailand, Panya Village, Pattanakarn Road, Bangkok
- Year: 2020
- Area: 500 m2
- Photography: Rungkit Charoenwat
A Contemporary Family Haven in the Heart of Bangkok
Designed by HAA Studio, Zanolari’s House redefines modern living in one of Bangkok’s most vibrant residential communities — Panya Village.
The home, built for the Zanolari family, transforms a previously demolished residence into a light-filled sanctuary that celebrates privacy, family togetherness, and the seamless integration of indoor and outdoor life.
With a central courtyard pool, tall ceilings, and an open yet enclosed plan, the residence embodies the studio’s guiding principle: “open but close.”
A Design Rooted in Family and Memory
The project was conceived for Mrs. Jariya Zanolari and her eldest daughter Jessica, with Angela and Romana, the two younger sisters, returning periodically from the United States. To preserve a sense of continuity, elements from the original house were salvaged and reused as decorative accents, evoking nostalgia within the modern context.
This personal connection to the family’s past informs every aspect of the new design — blending memory, warmth, and innovation into a cohesive architectural narrative.
The Concept of “Open but Close”
Surrounded by two-story neighboring houses on three sides, the site presented privacy challenges that shaped the design direction.
HAA Studio responded by orienting the home inward, centering all major living spaces around the courtyard and swimming pool. This configuration filters out visual distractions while ensuring optimal natural light, ventilation, and spatial openness.
The facade’s giant pivoting wooden wall introduces both drama and function, allowing the house to breathe by channeling breezes through its operable panels.
Inside, cross-ventilation and shaded openings reduce heat gain — an effective application of Passive Design principles that lowers the home’s reliance on mechanical cooling.
A Courtyard Pool at the Core
The swimming pool sits at the literal and emotional heart of the home, framed by surrounding volumes that define the courtyard as a private oasis.
This “court pool” concept offers a secluded view of the sky — a personal slice of nature sheltered from the city beyond.
The expansive pool terrace doubles as the main entrance and a social hub, where the family gathers for swimming, sunbathing, and entertaining.
Natural breezes, sunlight reflections, and shaded niches make this central space both visually and sensorially dynamic — a defining feature of the Zanolari residence.
Dynamic Interior Spaces
The interior plan is anchored by a double-height kitchen and dining area reaching five meters high.
A full-height glass wall along the pool and sliding doors blur the boundary between interior and exterior, transforming the space into a flexible venue for celebrations — from Christmas dinners to Halloween parties.
On the ground floor, the master suite enjoys direct access to the pool and features a Hi-Jet Spa tub positioned to capture the shimmering reflections of water and light. The circulation layout allows the family to move effortlessly from private quarters to shared areas, while maintaining discrete service routes for staff and maintenance.
Upper-Level Living and Rooftop Escape
The second floor accommodates three bedrooms for the daughters, a living area featuring a 90-degree mirrored wall that expands the sense of space, and a rooftop garden designed as a lush extension of the interior.
The roof terrace doubles as an outdoor lounge for winter gatherings, complemented by a multipurpose pavilion that functions as a gym, yoga room, or guest suite.
This upper level underscores HAA Studio’s emphasis on flexibility, light, and greenery, ensuring that every part of the house supports both relaxation and recreation.
A Home Tailored for Modern Living
Zanolari’s House stands as a multifunctional family residence perfectly aligned with the family’s lifestyle — a place for swimming, entertaining, and quiet retreat.
By combining Thai climatic wisdom, passive environmental design, and contemporary aesthetics, HAA Studio has created a home that is both sustainable and deeply personal.
In Zanolari’s House, architecture becomes an expression of family identity and modern comfort.
HAA Studio’s thoughtful composition of materials, light, and spatial hierarchy transforms a dense urban plot into an introspective yet vibrant retreat — proof that privacy, openness, and connection can coexist beautifully under one roof.
