ayutt and associates design places aluminum-clad house within natural ecosystem in thailand

the shade house by ayutt and associates design (AAd) is a self-sustainable residence implanted with an individual natural ecosystem and clad in a perforated aluminum façade that allows sunlight and air to pass through. located in bang phli district, thailand, the project is developed with a plan to create the least footprint as possible, comprising a three-story structure with the parking lots placed separately in the front. in order to provide maximum access to greenery for the residents, the bangkok-based architectural firm has decided to lessen the superior role of the house, and increase the importance of natural surroundings as the main protagonist of the project. all images by chalermwat wongchompoo (sofography)

ayutt and associates design (AAd) has developed the shade house with an intention to establish a life-long communication between the dwellers and the surrounding nature. the 950 sqm residence comprises three levels, each of which is completely independent and equipped with all the functions needed for a suite, such as a bathroom, kitchen and pantry, garden, and terrace. the first level is designed as a ‘garden villa’ for guests, while can choose to access it by passing through the main foyer or entering the unit immediately through a side door, located adjacent to the waterfall. the rest of the living spaces, which need more privacy and security, are reserved only for the house’s owners, and placed on the higher floors. the exterior swimming pool has been lifted and placed on the second floor, along with the family living space, to leave the most open area on the ground floor for landscaping and maintaining the house owners’ privacy.

‘this creates a new sensory experience of nestling the seamless infinity pool among the clouds of tree leaves, creating a visual connection to the sky beyond,’ explains AAd. ‘one can touch and enjoy being among the greenery and a blue sky while dipping in the pool.’

‘in the beginning, the shade house, owned by a nature-loving couple, was planned to be a two-story private residence. this would cause its functions to spread out almost all over the entire site,’ adds AAd. ‘however, with a plan to create the least footprint as possible, the house is thus converted to be a three-story with the parking lots placed separately in the front. this new strategy helps to raise the green-area square meters to be 60% greater, which is twice the minimum requirement of green-area regulations in bangkok. together with adding pocket gardens at every corner of the house and a green roof, the overall green space of this house is boosted to 90%. by the time the vegetation has fully grown and covers all the house’s elevations, the green area will be as much as 150% larger than its initial site.’

the second level, which encloses the ‘pool villa’ suite, is embedded among trees, while its floor-to-ceiling windows offer views of a sculptural plumeria tree and the swimming pool. the third-floor unit rises above the tree canopy and has a view towards a pristine landscape nearby the suvarnabhumi airport. by putting all the living spaces on the upper floors, all rooms are developed like a treehouse, where tree leaves and bushes not only provide blooming refreshment for the residents, but also serve as a natural buffer, protecting the house from the outsiders’ eyes.

the façades of the living room use an air gap and perforated aluminum panels to relieve the house from excessive heat as well as allow sunlight and air to pass through. when measuring the temperature during summer season, these panels help cool down the 39 degrees celsius outside to 26 degrees inside. the pattern on the façades is creatively punched imitating the overlaid tree leaves, creating a similar effect to sitting underneath a tree and absorbing the sunlight that shines through the leaf layers. the sizes of the holes are also determined accordingly to the usage of the function inside. at night, when the interior lights shine through these holes, the living quarters transform into a lantern, leading the way home.

one of the most eye-catching elements of this house are the white slender steel rods joined together as a sculpturing rigid frame. it forms geometric volumes that create an immediate connection from the entrance stairway to the house’s main foyer. this sculptural detail not only encloses an outdoor terrace but is also framing a focal point and making the pathway more intuitive and adventure-evoking. a series of voids and openings, created by the white continuous frame, draws visitors forward. because of the overlapping design technique, the white steel rods create an illusion that makes the frame look denser than it actually is.