ayutt and associates design develops 'interlude house' around green central court in bangkok

ayutt and associates design (AAD) has developed the ‘interlude house’ as ‘an oasis to be lived in’ within the ever-bustling city of bangkok. the bangkok-based studio has concealed a green central court behind a dark, cave-like front that greets passersby with no hint to what lays beyond it. complete with a swimming pool, the green court of the house takes center stage, surrounded by marble walls and angular aluminum panels.all images by chalermwat wongchompoo (sofography)

‘interlude is a house designed not as the main act but for the essential little moments in between,’ notes ayutt and associates design (AAD). ‘the client’s brief was for a home that can be lived in practically, and on frequent occasions be able to host parties of up to 30 guests. its primary function is to serve as a liveable home, a welcome break away from one act of life and another in an ever-bustling bangkok city.’

situated amongst a densely constructed, busy neighborhood, the property is accessed only by a heavily trafficked small 4.5 meters wide road. the main mass of the building is placed along the three built up sides of the site which creates a substantial garden complete with a swimming pool. all openings are directed towards this central court, which takes center stage with the neighbor’s garden as a backdrop. the mid-ground greenery connect with the neighbouring landscape visually, as an optical trick that extends the client’s spatial domain.

the house is raised half level to deflect inward-looking eyes towards the ceiling, maintaining privacy in areas with large openings. the ground floor is designed as an opaque black impenetrable box that conceals what lays beyond it. contrary, the upper level is treated as a lighter white box, while both levels feature openings that look towards the garden.

adjacent to the pool, the garage wall is lined with an angular aluminum feature façade that gives the mass above a weightless illusion, seemingly hovering. the wall reflects the garden, the pool and people that move towards it, who find copies of themselves appearing and disappearing as though passing through a house of mirrors at the fair. the wavy patterned chocolate marble wall echoes the movement of the pool and runs along a linear corridor.

inside, ayutt and associates design has developed the common living areas of the ground level as an open space containing the ktichen, living and dining rooms. the kitchen surface, island, and back wall are all lined with a smart black and white marble arranged in a diamond pattern. the cantilever stairs have been precisely crafted such that the stone pattern aligns and runs continuously from the ground floor to the upper level. from the clearstory window above the stairs, a ray of light travels down the wall and stops at the handrail – a natural sundial varying with the seasons, thick and thin rays denoting hours and minutes.

‘the house with all its smoke and mirrors is, at the end of the day, an oasis to be lived in,’ notes the bangkok-based architecture studio. ‘its spaces designed to deliver exactly as required, to supplement the functional and emotional needs of the client. the architecture does not actively draw attention unto itself, seeking only to be a place that elevates the living quality of the client, a place to seek solace before heading outside where the next act awaits.’