![The Naked House / Marc Gerritsen - Windows, Chair](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5330/b5e7/c07a/80f4/c600/0025/newsletter/PORTADA.jpg?1395701205)
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Architects: Marc Gerritsen
- Area: 587 m²
![The Naked House / Marc Gerritsen - Windows, Facade, Handrail](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5330/b4de/c07a/8056/8000/001c/newsletter/_MG82116-2.jpg?1395700939)
Text description provided by the architects. Photographer, architect and designer marc gerritsen wanted to build a house that offered an authentic living experience, a connection to the natural world and a retreat from city living. After living in taiwan and working all over asia for eight years, photographing many luxurious properties and five-star hotels, gerritsen began to tire of the opulence and the hustle and bustle. He found himself craving a more simple and meaningful architecture. It was then that he stumbled upon a plot of land in koh samui.
![The Naked House / Marc Gerritsen - Deck, Patio](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5330/b4a6/c07a/8056/8000/001a/newsletter/_MG79689.jpg?1395700882)
Marc gerritsen: the main thing about this location is the expanse of the surroundings and the quietness. Life in taipei is very hectic, and i needed a place to escape. I really wanted a quiet area and a fantastic view. Having an open plan living room, with doors that can totally slide away, which look out at the pool and the ocean – that’s something i’d been thinking about for a long time. With this plot, i was able to put the pieces of the puzzle together. The house was a return to the basic values in life: good clean air, wide-open space, quiet solitude. With these basic values you can be in a space that is uncluttered, and your mind can become still. That’s also the reason behind the very basic materials that i have used: concrete, wood, steel and glass. There are no embellishments. The focus is on the space rather than the materials.
![The Naked House / Marc Gerritsen - Windows, Facade, Stairs, Handrail](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5330/b4bf/c07a/80f4/c600/001b/medium_jpg/_MG79720.jpg?1395700906)
I originally planned three stories: two bedrooms on the bottom; the pool, living area and kitchen on the middle level; and an office on top. But i’ve added a bathroom on the living room level, a laundry room and pantry. I wanted a simple kitchen, with no overhead cupboards or tall fridge, so the pantry is good for storage. I added a freestanding open-air bathroom, as the top room became a magnificent master bedroom, which needed an en-suite. The tank and plant room became a large open room with a swing bed, underneath the deck i added a steam room, and the space below the bedrooms now houses an office and maid’s room. So it ended up being five stories – the result of a work in progress.
![The Naked House / Marc Gerritsen - Image 29 of 34](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5330/b69f/c07a/8056/8000/0026/newsletter/floor_plan.jpg?1395701374)
My work over the last few years as an architectural and interior photographer has taught me what not to do. Looking at all the incredibly fine detailed properties i photographed in asia. I thought: “is this really necessary to be comfortable? If i walk on a concrete floor or if i walk on a marble floor, is it going to make my living experience so much better?” No. You just need a floor to walk on. I am interested in a return to basics, in a luxury monastic way of living.
![The Naked House / Marc Gerritsen - Table, Chair](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5330/b573/c07a/8056/8000/0021/newsletter/_MG82689.jpg?1395701086)