Have you ever witnessed a house that’s so breathtakingly modern and huge that you feel as though you could get lost just wandering its hallways and rooms to marvel at the aesthetic and decor? Well, that’s how we felt when we first saw pictures of Wind House, a private home in Bangkok, Thailand. The more we looked, however, the more we realized that there was something a little bit more unique about this particular home compared to others like it: it incorporates nature!
Wind House, which was designed and completed in 2013 by OPENSPACE DESIGN, embraces nature right into its own structure in more than one way. Firstly, you’ll notice that beautifully leafy green trees are actually part of the decor scheme, particularly on the ground floor. These aren’t just any old faux trees with silk leaves, either. These beauties are actual re-potted trees planted right in the home and cultivated to thrive in the larger spaces of the house for years to come.
Besides the greenery that’s actually present inside Wind House, the structure of the home is designed to embrace the natural environment surrounding the house as well. Since Bangkok experiences such pleasantly warm weather throughout much of the year, the designers were able to open the home up in ways that homes in parts of North America or Europe couldn’t withstand. Some walls are built using beautifully finished horizontal slats of wood, for example, rather than solid plaster or thick concrete, allowing a warm breeze to traverse the whole room on the side side. Other walls, like in the upper floor walkways between rooms, are simply half-height glass, leaving the top part open for maximum fresh air and view enjoyment basically anywhere you go in the house. Suddenly the name “Wind House” makes perfect sense!
Once we’d taken in the open concept structure and the inclusion of nature and greenery, we had to take not of the sheer expansiveness of the home. Sure, it builds upwards into a second floor, standing tall and grand in its neighbourhood, but what really floored us was how wide, open, and spacious each room was. Because the entire home is built with a lovely open concept in mind, there isn’t a single room in the house that appears cramped or stifled. Even on days where you’d rather be indoors than lounging on one of the warm, wood finished patios, you’ll still get plenty of light and air and return to your bed at night feeling refreshed.
Photos courtesy of OPENSPACE DESIGN
