pantang studio combines two houses in one in bangkok townhouse renovation

thai architecture office pantang studio has renovated a townhouse in bangkok‘s ekamai neighborhood, transforming the three-story building into a residence that can either be used as a single house of three floors, or as two independent housing units. titled 2 in 1 house, the project incorporates a stairwell as a central feature to allow for flexible use of the building, as well as for natural light and ventilation throughout. the stairwell acts as an adaptable element, serving either as private vertical circulation or as the main entrance of the ‘upper residence’ when the building is divided in two parts.

all images by FANGBakii – apinine thassanopas, courtesy of pantang studio

‘the singularity of this project comes from the unusual requirements of our client in terms of uses,’ explains pantang studio. in order for the architects to be able to fit two houses in one, as requested by the client, they analyzed the plans of the existing building and decided to use a stairwell as the central element of the new project, which offers maximum flexibility when it comes to use, light, ventilation, and design. in order to ensure flexibility in uses, the stairwell becomes an adaptable element: if the building is inhabited as a single house, then the stairs can be used as a private vertical circulation that connects the three floors; and if the ground floor and upper floors are independently used as two separate housing units, then the stairwell can be isolated by closing a gate, thus becoming the main entrance of the ‘upper residence’ with an entrance on the side street ,while the ground floor residence is accessible through the front of the building. the two units are then totally independent and privacy is ensured for all users.

besides enabling vertical circulation through the building, the stairwell also brings natural light and ventilation to all floors, transformed from a classic indoor circulation to a semi-outdoor space in connection with its tropical environment. concrete blocks and wooden screens provide intimacy for the inhabitants while providing natural daylight into each floor and allowing natural ventilation to flow along. natural and rough materials, such as tropical wood steps and screens or concrete blocks and stone surfaces, are emphasized by the predominance of white surfaces and minimal lines.

from the outside, pantang studio has kept the ‘single house’ character of the building by maintaining it’s original shape, while only the new floating deck and its white steel structure underlines the contemporary look of the project. the rich vegetation comes in contrast with the simplicity of the design and highlights the tropical feeling that the architects wanted to feature in the house.