© Chalermat Wongchompoo
Ekar Architects were confronted by two sibling clients with a surprisingly complex task. The clients required a building where they and their families could live and work together. For this purpose, they acquired a piece of land on a busy road in an extremely heterogeneous environment in the Thai city of Surat Thani.
One of the design parameters was that the outer skin should allow the entry of daylight, while screening the building from traffic noise. The spatial programme contained a complex mixture of uses. In addition to the living and working areas – with a pharmacy and veterinary clinic – space was to be provided for a pet shop, cafe and hotel as further sources of income. Extending over four storeys, the interlocking private, semi-private and public uses might be seen to resemble a puzzle.
One of the design parameters was that the outer skin should allow the entry of daylight, while screening the building from traffic noise. The spatial programme contained a complex mixture of uses. In addition to the living and working areas – with a pharmacy and veterinary clinic – space was to be provided for a pet shop, cafe and hotel as further sources of income. Extending over four storeys, the interlocking private, semi-private and public uses might be seen to resemble a puzzle.