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Facade opening detail, 55 Sathorn house by Kuanchanok Pakavaleetorn Architects

Kuanchanok Pakavaleetorn creates inward-facing family home in Bangkok

Thai architect Kuanchanok Pakavaleetorn has built her own family home in Bangkok, with a design that prioritises privacy and airflow.

Pakavaleetorn, founder of Kuanchanok Pakavaleetorn Architects, designed 55 Sathorn to make the best of its busy and polluted urban setting.

Sunset view of the exterior of 55 Sathorn house by Kuanchanok Pakavaleetorn Architects
The house is situated in Bangkok's dense cityscape

The four-storey-high building is arranged around a large atrium, allowing windows to face inwards rather than outwards. The facade also incorporates sliced openings, strategically placed to encourage the breeze to flow through the building.

"The location is in the very centre of Bangkok; the noise level is very high, and the traffic flow of people and cars is a safety and security concern," explained Pakavaleetorn.

Side view of the facade of Sunset view of the exterior of 55 Sathorn house by Kuanchanok Pakavaleetorn Architects
The facade is mostly windowless, but punctured by sliced openings

"So I designed the house to take a defensive fortress-like posture," she told Dezeen.

The building is primarily constructed from concrete masonry, which integrates a mix of rectilinear and curving elements. This means that some parts have a more solid aesthetic, while others take the form of smooth ribbons.

South elevation of 55 Sathorn house by Kuanchanok Pakavaleetorn Architects
The openings are positioned to allow airflow through. central atrium

There are three main openings into this massing: one that slices though the south elevation before cutting round to the west, one that wraps the southeast corner, and one within the roof.

There's also a narrow vertical slit concealed within the eastern facade.

West elevation of 55 Sathorn house by Kuanchanok Pakavaleetorn Architects
The building is constructed from concrete masonry

Although they appear to be design flourishes, each opening is there for a reason, according to Pakavaleetorn.

"The large openings are positioned precisely to maximise wind flow," she said, "and they frame specific viewing angles."

Large windows positioned within the atrium line up with the openings, to ensure that plenty of natural light can reach the interior.

Living room with mezzanine study, 55 Sathorn house by Kuanchanok Pakavaleetorn Architects
The living room features a mezzanine library

The layout of the 460-square-metre building is generated by the atrium – most floors contain two main rooms, one on each side.

The ground floor contains a home office and gym, while the living room and kitchen are located on the first floor. There are then three bedrooms, located on the second and third floors, and a secluded roof terrace.

Bedroom of 55 Sathorn house by Kuanchanok Pakavaleetorn Architects
Integrated storage allows a minimal aesthetic for the third-floor bedroom

The concrete surfaces are visible inside the house, but have been treated with a textured coating. They are combined with a palette that includes natural wood veneers, stone tiling and various shades of grey.

Other details include black aluminium windows, a mezzanine library accessed via a spiral staircase, and a kitchen with an entire wall of storage.

Roof terrace, 55 Sathorn house by Kuanchanok Pakavaleetorn Architects
The top floor also includes a protected roof terrace

Pakavaleetorn currently lives in the house with her husband and one-year-old daughter, but she expects her parents to move in at some point in the future.

The photography is by Wison Tungthunya and Kittipong Bumrungchaokasem.

More images and plans

Concept diagram one
Concept diagram one
Concept diagram two
Concept diagram two
Ground floor plan, 55 Sathorn house by Kuanchanok Pakavaleetorn Architects
Ground floor plan
First floor plan, 55 Sathorn house by Kuanchanok Pakavaleetorn Architects
First floor plan
Second floor plan, 55 Sathorn house by Kuanchanok Pakavaleetorn Architects
Second floor plan
Third floor plan, 55 Sathorn house by Kuanchanok Pakavaleetorn Architects
Third floor plan
Roof plan, 55 Sathorn house by Kuanchanok Pakavaleetorn Architects
Roof plan
Section one, 55 Sathorn house by Kuanchanok Pakavaleetorn Architects
Section one
Section two, 55 Sathorn house by Kuanchanok Pakavaleetorn Architects
Section two
Section three, 55 Sathorn house by Kuanchanok Pakavaleetorn Architects
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Section four, 55 Sathorn house by Kuanchanok Pakavaleetorn Architects
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Section five, 55 Sathorn house by Kuanchanok Pakavaleetorn Architects
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Section six, 55 Sathorn house by Kuanchanok Pakavaleetorn Architects
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Section seven, 55 Sathorn house by Kuanchanok Pakavaleetorn Architects
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Section eight, 55 Sathorn house by Kuanchanok Pakavaleetorn Architects
Section eight