EKAR's traditional thai-inspired house in bangkok is designed to suit all generations

after living with his parents until the time he started his own family, EKAR’s client moved out to his house located opposite to his parents in bangkok. the very first intention has been to renovate the existing house to be suitable for the client’s first-born daughter. however, after the completion of the architectural drawing, the owner changed his mind. from his experience, it is not pleasing when it comes to living apart from his parents. therefore, he bought another land opposite his house and next to his parent’s house, with an effort to create a place where he can live with his child until the time came when she would start her own family.

all images © chalermwat wongchompoo 

the plot is set on the corner of jaransanitwong 75 road, next to the house of the client’s parents — where he grew up. with an area of 640 square-meters, thai based practice EKAR architects embraces the concept of traditional architecture to the planning to maximize the limited space. by creating a L-shaped building and lifting all residential spaces to the upper floors, the ground floor is free for storage and a parking area for ten cars. the wall between the parents’ house and the new one is eliminated and filled with a big new garden along the existing garden of parents’ house to create consistency of space.

the very first intention has been to renovate the existing house to be suitable for the client’s first-born daughter

regarding the client’s wish, the architects divide the four-storey house’s floor planning. the second floor is meant for the client’s family, while the third floor is for his daughter’s future family. hence, in order to gather everyone in the family — and his daughter’s future family — together, the first floor is a focal point. on this floor, there are an entertainment room and a grand patio which becomes the common area for the client’s family. furthermore, this floor is inspired from a traditional ground level in which natural elements are closely surrounded. ranging from the swimming pool on the same floor which reflects a riverside sensation to the elevated yard across the swimming pool. the gap between the swimming pool and the elevated yard allows a tree from the ground floor to grow through.

the plot is set next to the house of the client’s parents

EKAR’s intention is to make its client feel as close as possible to their parents. also, to lay down while watching their daughter running around this grand patio, like on a real ground. on the east side of the plot is an eight-storey social housing. therefore, the architects conceal the house on this side, in order to block unpleasant views as well as to protect the residents from prying eyes, by providing windows or voids at the minimum number. on to the ground floor, there is the main entrance on the east side which is made of solid wood. while on the first floor, on the same side, there are floor-to-ceiling wooden-grill window pivots which can be opened to allow ventilation, and can be closed when privacy is in need. in terms of material selection, each floor of the re-gen house features different materials, such as wood, stone-texture coated walls and stone-like tiles. this material combination creates a uniqueness to the facade which still fits into the surrounding context.

EKAR’s intention is to make its client feel as close as possible to their parents

the ground floor is free for storage and a parking area for ten cars

the architects divide the four-storey house’s floor planning

floor-to-ceiling wooden-grill window pivots which can be opened to allow ventilation

the first floor is a focal point

each floor of the re-gen house features different materials

a grand patio becomes the common area for the client’s family

the gap between the swimming pool and the elevated yard allows a tree from the ground floor to grow through

the swimming pool on the same floor which reflects a riverside sensation

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edited by: apostolos costarangos | designboom