The Baan Hom Din House by TA-CHA Design is situated on a former rice paddy in Thailand. The paddy rests in the lush valley between parallel ranges of the Petchabun mountains. The house’s design caters to the lives of the residents and fosters a close connection with the surrounding environment.

The house owners are a young couple, both working as doctors, who wished to settle down and start their family. They wanted the house to suit their uncertain work schedules and provide space for their children, while being minimalist in style and visually connected to the beautiful surroundings.
Related: Naturally ventilated home in Thailand has a lush indoor garden

The architects’ design choices create harmony between the site and the project. To do this, the house is elevated to maximize views of the nearby mountain range and prevent potential floods. The mountain viewpoint is accessible using ramps that lead from the interior spaces. This limits the use of stairs, making the higher level easily accessible to residents even as they age. To further maximize the site’s natural features, the buildings have fiberglass roofs. It harnesses natural light to flood the interior spaces. Additionally, the indoor courtyard also brings in sunlight, cool breezes and greenery.

Additionally, the project creates a connection to the architecture of the region. The house borders a village, which features the local architectural style. For the Baan Hom Din House, the architects utilized modern, minimalist design strategies, but mapped out the spaces using the concept of a rectangular building complex. Instead of building vertically, the project spreads over the site horizontally, comparable to Thai vernacular architecture. To build, materials such as timber and bamboo were locally-sourced and/or repurposed. These materials were used by local carpenters to create doors, window frames and furniture.

By maximizing the site’s features and fusing the identity of the owners with local architectural styles, the architects were able to create connections between the modern Baan Hom Din House and its socio-cultural and environmental contexts.
Photography by Beersingnoi