overlapping strips of terracotta tiles shade archimontage's pakkret house in thailand

in pak kret, thailand, archimontage design fields sophisticated has completed their latest residential project with overlapping strips of terracotta. like many of their previous interventions, pakkret house is characterized by its response to the tropical climate. in this case, the two-story residence is articulated by a screen-like façade that is designed to shield the interior from the hot sun.

all images by DOF sky|ground

located on a site behind the sahakon 3 market, the new house adjoins the client’s existing property. the program comprises four bedrooms distributed across the first and second floor, a living room, a dining room, a pantry on the first floor underneath a high ceiling, a kitchen at the back adjoining storage, a laundry room, and a washing area. a parking space for two cars is also arranged under a large front balcony, on the side of the old house.

due to the position of the site, the house is exposed to a lot of sunlight. archimontage‘s solution was to build a huge, 7.5 meter-tall wall to screen the west-facing elevation. divided into strips and varying in sizes and thickness, these overlapping elements create a dynamic façade, helping to break up an otherwise heavy volume. 

covered by brownish-orange terracotta tiles, the wall stands high to support a translucent roofing panel where many small lights are strung in rows like waves. these decorative elements not only shade the house from direct sunlight but also intentionally create an interplay between natural sunlight and artificial light after dark.

the strips all overlap each other to allow thin slices of sunlight from outside to shine through. the living area becomes a buffer zone where the sunlight creates different patterns and motifs on the floor and the ground. moving into the interior, the house embraces a palette of raw materials. the terracotta tiled elevation gives way to exposed concrete surfaces, cool metal finishes and wooden furniture. 

project info:

project name: pakkret house

location: nonthaburi, thailand

architect: archimontage design fields sophisticated

interior designer: archimontage design fields sophisticated

architect in charge: cherngchai riawruangsangkul, thanakit wiriyasathit, tanakul chookorn

site area: 4133 ft2 (384 m2)

built area: 4521 ft2 (420 m2)

project year: 2020

structural engineer: chaianuchit srihard

contractor: channarong prangsorn

photography: DOF sky|ground

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: lynne myers | designboom