Boonserm Premthada Builds Coastal Office in Thailand with Reclaimed Timber
Bangkok Project Studio creates a sustainable, modular workspace using salvaged materials in Khao Lak.
1Project Overview and Location
Architect Boonserm Premthada of Bangkok Project Studio designed Traces by the Sea, a 440.7-square-meter office for Matalay in Khao Lak, Thailand. The project emphasizes sustainability by utilizing reclaimed timber sourced from an old rice cooperative in Phatthalung and a former school building in Phang Nga, integrating historical materials into a modern coastal workplace.
2Material History and Identity
The architecture preserves the original paint, joints, and surface textures of the salvaged wood to maintain its historical narrative. Carpenters performed on-site hand assembly, adapting new connections to existing notches and dimensions. This approach ensures that the wood’s past life remains visible, turning previous structural marks into defining features of the new office.
3Climate-Responsive Spatial Layout
The office consists of four distinct timber buildings connected by elevated walkways and decks, mimicking traditional Thai house clusters. This layout facilitates natural ventilation, allowing sea breezes to pass through the structures. Raised floors provide shaded undercrofts, effectively cooling the workspace while keeping the architecture open to the surrounding coastal landscape and trees.
4Traditional Craft as Sunscreen
Large woven bamboo trays, traditionally used for silkworm rearing in northeastern Thailand, serve as innovative sunscreens for the building envelope. These trays filter sunlight and cast intricate patterns of light and shadow across the interior. By repurposing these everyday agricultural tools, the design integrates local craftsmanship into a contemporary, functional architectural setting.
5Modular Design for Future Reuse
The timber buildings are designed for disassembly, allowing them to be dismantled and reassembled at different locations. This modularity extends the life cycle of the materials beyond their current function as an office. Having already transitioned from a rice cooperative and school, the wood remains adaptable for future architectural purposes and new environments.
6Material Exploration with Elephant Dung
The wider Matalay development incorporates elephant dung bricks, used in both a public toilet building and the Goya Tower. This material choice reflects Premthada’s commitment to finding value in overlooked natural byproducts. The bricks provide a distinct texture and color variation, creating a cohesive design language alongside the reclaimed timber structures.
7Integration of Natural Elements
The design prioritizes a seamless connection between the interior workspace and the coastal environment. Elevated walkways encourage movement outdoors, bringing employees into direct contact with the sea breeze and changing light. By leaving gaps between buildings, the project preserves views toward the sea, ensuring the landscape remains an integral part of the daily experience.
8Architectural Philosophy and Impact
Boonserm Premthada’s approach combines minimal intervention with creative reuse, building on concepts previously explored at Triennale Milano. By blending reclaimed timber, bamboo craft, and unconventional materials like elephant dung bricks, the project demonstrates how sustainable practices can define modern professional spaces while honoring the historical and cultural context of local materials.