Login
Registered users
Located at the border of the natural reserve, Windina Villa sits at the foot of the mountain and share its 20,000 square meter site with a natural animal watering well. In order to cause the least amount of disruption to the natural surroundings, the client and design team decided against the construction of a perimeter fence, opting for a curved geometry that defines only the boundary of the villa. The shape and direction of the curved wall is determined by the location of the existing trees. The winding geometry of the ground floor curves in and out as it avoids or encircles the trees on the site, leaving the trees untouched outside its boundary, or bringing it into the courtyard to become a part of the architecture.
The project's site is at the border of Khao Yai National Park so it is like the first private land plot next to the natural reserve. The project is designed in a way that it will not cut any existing trees in the site, it will not block the water way that runs down from the mountain, and it will not prohibit the wildlife from coming through the owner's site to drink the water from the natural pond in the site boundary. The ground floor's curved wall is designed with a waterbody surrounding it, serving as a physical barrier to prevent animals from entering while seamlessly blending into the natural environment to preserve the tranquility of the forest. Ample space is provided within for children to freely explode and play in this outdoor yet secure setting.
The project's key sustainability is in the main concept of embedding itself into the nature and the context, not only avoide cutting any tree but also avoid disturbing the water flow and existing wildlife's habit. The shape and direction of the curved wall is determined by the location of the existing trees. The winding geometry of the ground floor curves in and out as it avoids or encircles the trees on the site, leaving the trees untouched outside its boundary, or bringing it into the courtyard to become a part of the architecture.
The project combines the Thai's traditional Tai-toon space (The space under the elevated mass) and the curve boundary together. As the curved boundary wall winds around the site, it transforms itself from walls to walkways and corridors, and into living spaces. This organic curve wall also lifts up into arches, creating both physical and visual connection to the site outside the villa’s boundary. At its largest opening, the ground condition transforms from grass to reflection ponds, to discourage wild animals from entering the villa in the most natural way possible. The upper mass containing the sleeping quarters sits above the curving form, overlooking the two courts. Underneath the 20-meter rectangular box placed across the first story’s free form mass, the outdoor pool deck is bounded by a sense of heaviness of the mass above and contained within the organic curve that define an area well suited for relaxation. This sense of being completely open to the exterior nature yet enclosed by the architectural boundaries whether it be in the curving walls or organic shaped ponds surrounding the perimeter, provide a sense of place and feeling of home within this unique site.
This project shows the intention to interpret the Thai's traditional space in the new way. Integrated with the concept of the least disruption to the natural surrounding, it results in the architecture that is both suitable to the tropical climate and has responsible to the natural reserve and wildlife.
Stu/D/O Architects is a Bangkok-based architectural design studio whose practice traverses the fields of architecture, urbanism and sustainable design. Grounded in the belief that architecture should consider all layers of physical and cultural distinctness in each site, the office does not adopt a fixed design process, but instead focus on a strong studio culture that pool together fresh ideas to result in new design approaches and possibilities of creating space. Founded under the desire to create architecture that sustains itself and the community along with it, Stu/D/O’s work reflects the importance of the human experience within the creation, and complexities of constructed environments.
