Transformation of a 30-Year-Old House in Bangkok
DARE architects addressed urban challenges with innovative design solutions.
1Project Background
The 30-year-old house in Bangkok's suburbs featured Thailand's early modern style with compartmentalized rooms, complex roofs, and wooden details. A new public road transformed the quiet area into a busy district, compromising the home's privacy, security, and green spaces. DARE – Design Arena + Research initiated the project to address these urban challenges while preserving the building's character and adapting it to contemporary needs.
2Design Approach
The DARE team developed a design that respects the original structure while meeting modern requirements. The 145 sqm house blends traditional Thai wooden elements with contemporary materials from brands like Serge Ferrari and Kohler. The architects reconfigured compartmentalized rooms into an open-plan layout to improve spatial flow. Local manufacturers contributed custom furniture solutions that maximize functionality in the compact footprint.
3Material Selection
The renovation strategically combined modern materials like steel, glass, and concrete with traditional wood elements. Specialized glass systems in the facade maintain privacy while allowing natural light. Sustainable local materials were prioritized, including flooring from regional producers. Vertical gardens and indoor plantings reintroduced greenery lost to urban development, using lightweight materials from Suzuka and Shinkolite for rooftop gardens.
4Privacy Solutions
Strategic window placement and sun-breaking systems restored privacy compromised by the new road. Lamptitude's lighting solutions ensured nighttime privacy as well. Garden walls and fences were redesigned using K.S. Wood products. These measures successfully created a tranquil living space within the dense urban environment, demonstrating how design can mitigate urban development impacts.
5Functional Transformation
The original complex roof structure and room divisions were adapted to contemporary lifestyles. Collaborating with local craftsmen like Smile Design and Lertsilp Furniture yielded custom storage solutions integrated into walls. The open-plan living areas make efficient use of the 145 sqm space. Photovoltaic glass and energy-efficient systems reduced the home's energy consumption by 30%, showcasing sustainable retrofitting.
6Construction Process
Local contractors Treschic Design and Lertsilp Furniture executed the 18-month project completed in 2024. Working with Thai suppliers like Siamtak and Thai Soung streamlined material procurement. The team balanced preservation with innovation, maintaining historical character while introducing modern comforts. Rungkit Chareonwat's photography documents the successful transformation, capturing how traditional and contemporary elements harmonize.
7Technical Innovations
The project incorporated several technical solutions to address urban challenges. Special noise-reducing glass from Shinkolite mitigates traffic sounds from the new road. FAMELINE's innovative partition systems allow flexible space configuration. The redesigned hip roof now incorporates concealed solar panels. Kohler's water-saving fixtures reduce consumption by 40%, demonstrating how historic homes can adopt sustainable technologies without compromising aesthetics.
8Project Significance
Reborn House sets an important precedent for preserving architectural heritage amid rapid urban change. Its reinterpretation of traditional Thai architecture with modern materials inspires similar projects. The design successfully addresses urban development challenges through thoughtful solutions that balance history and progress. Featured in ArchDaily, the project demonstrates how sensitive renovation can breathe new life into aging structures while respecting their original character and context.
Original article: ArchDaily Global — Bangkok'ta 30 Yıllık Eski Evin Modern Dönüşümü