October 24, 2024

House SN Ensures Security Through Smart Design

In the Bangkok neighborhood Riab Mai, this home uses cantilever forms and landscaped terraces to achieve an airy, light-filled vibe. TOUCH Architect designed House SN to balance multiple needs: security, privacy, and connection to nature. The resulting design uses step-back terraces and tall solid walls to achieve a balance.

Inside, the sloping floors create angled coffer windows and unique intersects with playful internal voids. Skylights and drop-down ceilings gleam among the wood-paneled surfaces, adding visual interest to the double-height and cantilevered rooms.

A modern, minimalistic residential building with a white façade, metal gate, and overhead cables.

House SN Provides Balance Between Privacy and Nature

TOUCH Architect has completed a Bangkok home organized around light-filled, step-up spaces. It was designed for a family of four, with an emphasis on the children’s need for space, visibility, and green space. The architect termed the project “safe and nature” (SN) for its innovative approach. House SN is located in West Bangkok, Thailand. The home is built on a trapezoid plot measuring 376-square-meters (4,047-square-feet).

Minimalist living room with wooden walls, white sofa, and recessed lighting.

Design Prioritizes Connection to Outdoors and Light

House SN is a three-storey home that uses solid planes to protect and shade exterior spaces. This continues indoors, where sunk-in living areas and coffered floor-to-ceiling windows provide a variety of views of the surrounding garden areas.

“Solid structures artfully overlay open spaces, ensuring privacy while allowing indirect sunlight,” said the designers. “The rear solid plane, in particular, doubles as a shade against the South-West sun, preserving the upper floor’s privacy.”

Modern living room with chevron-patterned wood walls, built-in shelving, and a large white sofa.

The main entrance opens past a narrow exterior courtyard, a hinted feature that is used throughout. Inside, the open-plan lower level uses mixed levels to organize space.

From a step-up front entrance, the design continues to the pre-living area with windows looking into the entry courtyard.

Visitors descend three steps to reach the main living area.

Spacious modern kitchen with wood cabinetry, long dining table, and floor-to-ceiling windows.

The elevated space also connects to a landscaped exterior space, designed for children to play.

The dining area has a double-high ceiling, and transparent glass and grid-like wood paneling allow for a wide variety of views from all sides and levels of the home.

A modern, minimalist interior featuring wooden stairs, large windows, and an open kitchen.

Skylight, Lighting Key to Making Interiors Bright

“Though the home predominantly has solid walls, a skylight ensures daylight seeps in, illuminating the house,” explained the designers. “There are 3 bedrooms connected to the 1st floor courtyard covered by solid plane ensuring safety and privacy.”

Sleek, modern living space with large windows, minimalist furniture, and natural light.

The second floor hosts three bedrooms, each with playful adjoining spaces like a private balcony enclosed by an open lattice of wood.

Stairs continue to the compact third floor, which includes a mezzanine study area.

The color —a stark and sleek white accented by wood— is both a style and a practical choice.

“A blend of white and wood dominates both exterior and interior, aiming to create a clean and visually pleasant feeling,” said the designers. “The white color also reflects natural light effectively, brightening up the house.”