Chiang Mai, Thailand
Situated in an old waterfront community by the Ping River, Architects 49 have created a family home, the Three-Gen-House, for a seven-member family combining elements that have been used in ancient and contemporary architecture both in western and eastern design over many centuries.
The project has been awarded a 2021 International Architecture Award by The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design and The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies.
Boundaries of each household are defined by either trees or hedges, allowing people to get in and out easily.
With respect to its context, the house has only Ficus annulata Blume along its property lines on the north, east and south sides, while the west side is opened, connecting to the accretion along the riverbank.
And thus, security and privacy are concerns for the Muttarak family.
A big, enclosed courtyard was introduced to the design, wrapped with corridors and 3 buildings.
The corridors with vertical wooden slats on the exterior sides, give air, light, security, and tranquility, all fundamental properties universally desired for human housing and wellbeing.
The courtyard and koi pond are the beating heart of this family home, creating a primary meeting area for all the generations, to be open in Chiang Mai’s natural beauty, and enclosed within a family’s privacy.
The home is perfectly located with views of both the river Ping and Suthep mountain, yet every living space has views upon the family courtyard and onto the heart of the Three-Gen-House.
Project: Three-Gen House
Architects: Architects 49 Limited
Client: Dr. Warut Muttarak
Contractor: Tawanut Co., Ltd.
Photographer: Krissada Boonchaleaw
