Thailand-based architecture studio Archimontage Design Fields Sophisticated has added gigantic 7.5-metre terracotta-tile walls to create a buffer zone and protect the house from direct sunlight in Nonthhaburi, Thailand.

The project, named Pakkret House, was designed as an expansion of the existing house of the client on a corner plot located behind the Sahakon 3 Market in Pak Kret, Nonthaburi. 

The client commissioned the studio to expand the existing residence to somewhere not far from the original address, the house owner chose this adjoining plot to build a two-story house of 420-square-metre house.

The physical conditions of this plot of land forced the house to get most hours of sunlight during the day, disturbing the using of the common areas. 

The firm offered a new solution and designed giant walls to provide thermal comfort for the homeowners.

"The solution is, then, to build a gigantic wall shading which rises to the roof level and almost covers the width of the entire house. All strips on the wall overlap each other as they allow the sunlight from outside to shine through," said the studio in its project description.

7.5-metre gigantic walls are situated at the front facing west, the walls are divided into several strips, various in sizes and thickness levels, parting and overlapping freely from different angles and directions. 

"Covered by brownish-orange terracotta tiles, the wall stands high to support a translucent roofing panel where many small lights strung in rows like waves," said Archimontage Design Fields Sophisticated. 

"These decorative elements on the front of the two-story house in Pak Kret, Nonthaburi not only shade the house from direct sunlight but also intentionally create an interplay between natural sunlight and the light after dark: a lively area of a conversation with light."

The new house consists of four bedrooms scatted around the ground floor and the upper floor, a living room, a dining room, a pantry on the ground floor underneath a high ceiling, a kitchen at the back adjoining a storage, a laundry and a washing area. 

The parking space for two cars is arranged under a large front balcony, on a side adjoining the old house.

The house and the main entrance faces west as they are placed paralleling to the length of the land, confronting the market. 

The living area becomes as if a buffer zone where the sunlight creates different patterns and motifs on the floor and the ground.

Following the passage of time based on the position of the sun in the sky, this is a dance of the sun where the house serves as a backdrop and the terracotta-tile wall illuminates the story of time passing.

The features of the house are embraced by a sense of raw materials. From an abundance of terracotta tiles that cover the shading façade to the raw concrete surface found all over the place, the gravel aggregate area between the inside and the outside where circular patterns respond to the lights hanging above and the metal and wooden beams, these elements enhance the sensibility of the house to its peak as it always arouses admiration among those who live in the neighborhood.

First floor plan

Second floor plan

Roof plan

Section AA

Section BB

East elevation

West elevation

North elevation

South elevation

Project facts

Project name: Pakkret House

Architects: Archimontage Design Fields Sophisticated 

Location: Nonthaburi, Thailand 

Interior Designer: Archimontage Design Fields Sophisticated 

Architect in Charge: Cherngchai Riawruangsangkul, Thanakit Wiriyasathit, Tanakul Chookorn 

Site Area: 384 sq.m. 

Built Area: 420 sq.m. 

Project Year: 2020 

Structural Engineer: Chaianuchit Srihard 

Contractor: Channarong Prangsorn 

All images © DOF Sky | Ground

All drawings © Archimontage Design Fields Sophisticated 

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