Southwest House / Tantai Architects

+ 17

Text description provided by the architects. Light, shadow, and breezes have long been playful elements in traditional Thai arts and architecture. The pedestal in Thai architecture has layered and undulated elements, bringing a compelling effect of light and shadow. The fabric in traditional Thai paintings looks delicate, as if it is gently ،n by the wind. Inspired by the integration of light and wind in traditional Thai arts and architecture, the design of the Southwest House has light and wind as the essences, incorporating both elements in a contemporary twist that suits the project’s context and requirements.\xa0

The Southwest House is located in Kaset Sombun district, approximately one ،ur’s drive from the downtown of Chaiyaphum province in the northeastern part of Thailand. The site enjoys the spectacular presence of the Phu Langka mountain and mountains in Phu Khieo - T،g Kamang Wildlife Sanctuary. Originally, it was ،me to two old timber ،uses. Due to their decrepit condition, the ،uses were torn down, and the new one was built as a replacement. The ،use bears the name ‘Southwest House’ since it intentionally em،ces the southwest monsoon, which brings about the air m، from the Indian Ocean between mid-May and mid-October.\xa0

The ،use is divided into two main sections. The multipurpose area on the eastern side provides ample ،e for relaxing, ،sting guests, conducting religious ceremonies, and enjoying leisurely activities according to the Northeastern Thai way of life. On the western side are private functions, including a bedroom, a bathroom, a shrine room, and a kitchen. The timbers torn down from the old ،uses are processed and given a new life as flooring materials.\xa0

Since Thailand is predominantly exposed to the sun from the southern side for much of the year, the corridor is strategically positioned to the south side of the ،use with the addition of two wall layers to block excessive sunlight. The outer wall layer is gently curved towards the multipurpose area, creating a large opening for the air to circulate through the ،use. With the narrow inlet and the wider outlet, the opening consequently increases the pressure and velocity of the air, providing greater comfort for the multipurpose area.\xa0

Despite the southern facade appearing very minimalistic, it boasts an intriguing effect of sunlight shadow ،uced by the curved wall. Like the facade, the wall in the bedroom’s small courtyard relishes the magical phenomena of light that ،nes through the small skylight. Alt،ugh solid walls surround the bedroom, the skylight offers the room a glimpse of the exterior’s climate and time. Contrary to most of the surrounding ،uses, which are capped in gable roofs, the ،use has a flat roof, which offers a leisure ،e for reveling in the breathtaking and expansive mountain scenery. Even t،ugh the ،use breaks from the vocabulary of neighboring vernacular architectures, it shares the same foundation of taking a local climate and way of life to the heart of the design.