PAVA architects has recently completed works on their latest project in Chiang Khan, Thailand – Mekong House.The residence was thoughtfully designed to convey the personality of the owner, the lush landscape of the Mekong River, and a sense of straightforward local architecture. The house’s elevation’s strong horizontal line mimics the peaceful Mekong River’s magnificent line. All the architectural components are intended to be uncomplicated, modest, truthful, and straightforward in order to foster a serene environment.
The house’s design incorporates both the local vernacular way of life and a sophisticated open-plan layout. Mekong House’s straightforward rectangular layout is the secret to embracing natural ventilation and simultaneously generating the project’s expansive river outlook. A series of second-floor timber balconies that were modeled after a Thai village in the region’s northern are intended to serve as transitional spaces, multi-activity areas, and shading structures. To maximize the opening of the house and maintain a clean appearance, the concept bundles all mechanical, electrical, and bathroom functions into a single concrete core beneath the substantial shade of the traditional gable roof.
RELATED: FIND MORE IMPRESSIVE PROJECTS FROM THAILAND
Recycled wood from a small-scale rice mill that was abandoned is used as the primary building material and framework. The wall finish made of dirt combined with rice straw and red native timber (Xylia xylocarpa) contrasts beautifully to show off the beauty of regional handicraft. The owner’s conviction that she is a small part of nature is reflected in the handmade architectural tectonics she has incorporated into the lush landscape. The architectural elements, such as wooden shingles, timber beams, and columns, all weather with time and paint a picture of the shifting seasons’ climatic patterns. In the tropical hurricane season, the house is painted a darker hue to absorb moisture. On the other side, during the dry season, the wood grows paler and brighter.
The ambiance at Mekong House changes from day to night. Due to the intense sunlight, a distinctive feature of this tropical home is the daytime perception of the dark shade of the roof ceiling, which creates a cozy internal living area. The roof ceiling, on the other hand, is subtly illuminated at night by a hidden spotlight built into the wood rafter in order to avoid disturbing the night sky.
The project uses the straightforward vernacular language of Thailand’s northeast to create a modest contemporary living environment that changes with the seasons. It is possible to achieve a calm ambiance and a straightforward floor layout that are in line with the Mekong River by slowing down the modernized lifestyle. In this house, shade, shadow, and material texture are important. In order to present itself as a practical design merged with the rich Mekong environment, the project is designed to absorb the rich tropical climate.
Project information
Architects: PAVA architects
Area: 200 m²
Year: 2022
Photographs: Spaceshift Studio
Lead Architects: Pacharapan Ratananakorn, Varat Limwibul
Client: Slow Life Community
City: Chiang Khan
Country: Thailand
Find more projects by PAVA architects: pavaarchitects.com