Ubon House / Supermachine Studio

Architects: Supermachine Studio
Location: Varinchuprap, Ubonratchathani, Thailand
Client: Prakit Chaisongkram
Project Area: 500 sqm
Project Year: 2008
Photographs: Jaroonrat Vithoosuwan & Pirak Anurakyawachon

The villa is built around the exciting core idea of the young couple owner. The husband would like to make his working and living life even more inseparable by placing his working room hovering over the swimming pool so that he can dive into the pool directly from his table whenever he is stressful.

600 kilometres east of Bangkok, Ubonratchathani is a city with one of Thailand important River, Moon River. The couple chooses to build their house just outside of the city. The site is very close to the river and has a splendid view towards the loneliness green swamp created by the meandering river to the north side. The beauty is right in front but on the other side of the house is the depot for his supermarket chain. Life and work is never so far apart.

In such a context, the small working room is the main keychain that link different part of activities in their daily life. The room is elevated to the second floor and protruding over the 20 meter long swimming pool on the ground. The big glass window opening frames scene of the sole nature outside. This is a space where they spend all the “in between” time; after waking up, after coming back from their work place or before going to bed. The room is to accommodate those unclear working and living activities in the modern personal lifestyle; playing game, having coffee, checking emails or jumping into the water.

Although the villa is built with modern architectural language, it takes a lot of tropical and social factors into consideration. When the sliding gates and glass doors on the ground floor are fully opened, the ground floor will be fully ventilated by natural wind South-North. The living space then is extended outward to the terrace and swimming pool making it one whole continuous living area. This semi-open space is configured to encourage non air-con living as much as possible. This architectural setting is similar to the old traditional Thai house where the enclosed space is elevated leaving the ground free for multipurpose family living.