Sea Shell should be on the Phuket Sea Shore

Noticed on Trendir Modern House Design a house that I think would sit well here on the island. It was designed echoing the interior of a shell, accented with nautical influences requested by the owners.  Called the Dali House in reference to one of the great artist's obsessions, the home is in the Netherlands.

A controlled, intriguing and balanced facade greets you however; it's the inside layout and details that are very exciting. The pictures say all. Just imagine those large window expanses looking out to beach and sea and some tropical shade landscaping.

Ummmm... wish I could use photoshop to pop down beach side just to see how it would look.

Pictures and plans courtesy of 123DVArchitecture via Trendir
Photo credit: Christiaan de Bruijne

Giving Back with Some Design Style.....

Here is a clear vision of using nature's bounty to provide us with building materials. Rintala Eggertsson architects of Norway travelled with a group of architecture students  from home to the northern Thai/Myanmar border area. Here the group lead by Sami Rintala built a two story library building at the Safe Haven Orphanage in a very short two week period. The group built a pretty little building that quietly sits in the landscape while answering and providing a number of solutions in learning for the 42 Karon children housed at the orphanage.

Utilizing local materials of lava stone from the site, bamboo, concrete bricks and wood the structure was designed to take advantage of natural airflow for ventilation and over hanging eaves and full pole bamboo screens were developed to provide cooling shade.

The main level of the library is equipped with shelving and a computer area. The mezzanine level provides a cozy area for enjoying the books and lounging.

All pictures from rintalaeggertsson architects

Wrap it up for Christmas in Phuket!

WE Architects from Denmark have come up with this stunning design for a steep site on the west coast of Phuket. I am wondering when they will build. It is absolutely gorgeous to look at and fits neatly into the site. A gorgeous balance of three rectangles connected by fabulous circular stairways. The roof top pool would glow through the evening and provide interest when the sun goes down.

I think one might also consider an automatic window cleaning system as from April to October the onshore monsoon winds are very strong. In the model they have a wee dock and sailboat illustrated, this would be a very seasonal thing if viable at all with the winds and surf of the Andaman sea.

With the most common method of construction here being concrete this sort of design is not particularly difficult to build here and is surprisingly reasonable due to the low cost of labour.

The pool design looks very interesting with steps throughout the length.

All pictures/plans courtesy of WE Architects...I'd love to discover where this is to be built and see the finished product!

Maison et Objet - I want to go!

I received an invite to the  Maison  et Objet show in Paris and I am sooooooo sad it won't fit into any trip this year. This is one design show I would love to attend. The  invite was from one of the most innovative

designers here in Thailand, Ango. I saw some of their work here in Phuket in or around 2004 and then met the most charming chief designer at the furniture show in Bangkok. They are green, very creative, original and starting to take the world by storm. If you are lucky enough to attend Maison et Objet do look for their display booth if not....  do check their site, it will make you smile.