trees populate this multi-generational container house by walllasia in bangkok

amid the hustle and bustle of bangkok, walllasia has shaped a private dwelling from containers for two generations of the same family. called ‘mac & ham house’ after the owner’s pets, the design prioritizes privacy and connection to nature. 

to afford privacy from the busy city, mac & ham house is shielded by a seemingly impregnable street-facing façade. to enter the site, residents step through a door on the metal front gate, where they are transported to a private haven populated by lush trees and midnight blue-colored containers. there’s a single-story pavilion located right next to the entrance, which houses a living room and a gallery for pet paintings for the daughter. the rest of the program is arranged in two larger volumes that are connected to make an L shape. 

the larger of the two volumes contains a kitchen, dining and living area on the first floor. the second floor hosts a generous master bedroom with an ensuite shower room and a walk-in wardrobe. the slimmer volume contains a studio space and another living space. to connect the various containers, walllasia extends the teakwood floor of the interiors into a series of wooden terraces, fusing the garden outside with the rooms inside. 

the client chose the navy-colored containers in an effort to make the surrounding nature stand out. thanks to this dark shade, the lush greenery becomes the protagonist of the project; ivy grows on the perimeter walls, and trees seem to grow through the structures. these trees also provide shade to the steel building, helping to keep it cool. 

in addition to having nature as a vital element infusing the space together, mac and ham are the owner’s beloved pets, and the architect has carefully selected various details and materials to accommodate them. a particular type of mosquito net for the pets’ area lets them run around and play, bringing life to the project and joy to the residents.

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project info:

name: mac & ham house

type: residential

location: sukhumvit 49, bangkok, thailand

client: alaks phornprapha, sureeporn phornprapha, jirapa phornprapha

architect: walllasia ltd.

chief architect: suriya umpansiriratana

design team: preenaporn sangsri, panomporn prompang, jirawat ponsamart, chatchawal tullayanit

interior design: walllasia ltd.

landscape design: suriya umpansiriratana, prawit poolkumlung (walllasia ltd.)

structural engineer: pacharathorn kampimol

site area: 555 m2

building footprint area: 245 m2

gross floor area: 435 m2

year: 2020

photography: spaceshift studio / pirak anurakyawachon