Bangkok Tokyo Architecture proposes a construction of the volume in parts, where the architecture was adapted to the construction moment in which they were in each phase. First, the concrete structure was built, then it was decided where the brick walls would be, and finally, the window frames were placed in the openings of the initial concrete structure that did not have a wall. The second floor is closed to the exterior by means of a curtain that covers the entire facade and gives identity to the volume. This leaves the construction process of the house open, allowing the incorporation of new spaces in the future.
The program departs from the usual logic, with the second floor being the mother's bedroom, the second floor a living room, and the third floor the son's bedroom. The circulations and other common spaces of the house are located in semi-exterior areas, which arise from the space generated by the protruding beams, generating a transition between exterior and interior that provides transparency and fluidity to the house.
House K by Bangkok Tokyo Architecture. Photograph by Soopakorn Srisakul.
Description of project by Bangkok Tokyo Architecture
House K is a residence located in an old residential area, characterized by two-story buildings with gabled roofs set back from the road. Over time, the neighborhood has undergone changes with houses being painted in various colors, fences being rebuilt, and windows being replaced, resulting in a diverse residential landscape. The client decided to reconstruct their family home due to changes in their family structure and the deterioration of the existing house.
The new house aims to prioritize participation and engagement rather than trying to achieve an absolute form or momentary desires. It takes on a form that seemingly has emerged organically from its surroundings, blurring the distinction between its origin and end. Initially, a simple concrete grid frame was established for three stories, which was then modified and extended outward to shape the overall structure. Bricks were laid between the frames to form walls. The placement of windows, skylights, stairs, curtains, and bathrooms followed, with each element subtly deviating from the original frame, resulting in a space of fragmented coexistence—autonomous yet interconnected.
Each floor serves a distinct function: the mother's room, a living/dining area, and the son's room. The projecting beams create shared spaces such as approaches, corridors, and balconies. These semi-outdoor areas not only provide connectivity between floors but also establish a direct connection between the interior and the external environment, encompassing the city, natural light, and air. Furthermore, they offer potential for future expansions and adaptations.
The construction method employed —laying bricks between a reinforced concrete grid frame—is most common in the surrounding context. Many neighboring houses and even skyscrapers utilize this structure, often concealed beneath decorative facades. By exposing and modifying this internal framework, the domestic realm is unveiled, revealing its origins and becoming accessible.
Through a continuous process that involves integrating new possibilities into a form and iteratively modifying and altering it to achieve a balanced state— the process of House K is much like the ongoing act of habitation itself.
