A Quiet Observatory Within Nature
The house is designed as a place for observation and contemplation, offering residents an intimate connection with the surrounding forest. From its elevated viewing spaces, the serenity and untamed beauty of nature can be experienced throughout the day, particularly during the golden moments before sunset. These flexible gathering areas are also capable of adapting to the evolving needs of family life, supporting a variety of future activities while maintaining a strong connection to the landscape.
▎Preserving the Chamchuri Forest Ecosystem
Situated along the edge of a three-acre site in Chiang Mai’s Chom Thong district, the residence occupies a carefully selected position that minimizes disturbance to the existing terrain and vegetation. Surrounded by mature Chamchuri trees, the building functions less as a conventional house and more as a natural observatory, encouraging residents to engage with the forest rather than dominate it. This sensitive approach allows the architecture to coexist harmoniously with the environment while preserving the character and ecological richness of the site.
The land slopes from the road level down to a vast Chamchuri forest, bisected by a community stream flowing through a longan orchard. With the intention of not changing the flowway and allowing community access to the stream], [the building’s walls act as a division fence of privacy by itself while still permitting views in and out. This allows air, wind, and community sounds, enabling residents to fully engage with the natural environment through sight and touch.
The body of architectural method is simple, featuring formation from a gabled roof with RC concrete structures that easy executed by local builder team. Encased in timber batten all around, The batten walls are made of locally sourced wood, Shorea that coated with used black engine oiled that cheap and easily to found for protect the external wood though the local wisdom of Northern builder.
The main hallway, facing the village road, leads to the bedrooms and living room at the far end. The family’s living space, situated at the deepest part of the house on the sloping terrain, ensures privacy while still offering views of the natural Chamchuri forest landscape and the Doi Inthanon mountain range from the observation deck at the end of the bridge.
