Phatthalung House is a Simple Home that Aims to Blend in Among a Rubber Plantation in Thailand

The owner of this property recently moved back to her hometown after spending 20 years in the city of Bangkok. A major factor in that move was having her own private space, which – thanks to the help of architect Rakchai Norateedilok – is now a reality.

Completed in 2017, this small and simple home can be found in Tambon Tha Khae, in the Phatthalung province of Thailand. The house is built on family land and placed in the middle of a rubber plantation.

The project has been dubbed Phatthalung House after its location. It contains a total of 462.85-square-foot (43-square-meters). The majority of living areas are spread out across a single level, however some can be found in an entirely different dwelling.

The house is set on the bounds between the rubber plantation and an existing property. The existing house is used for hosting family activities and contains a kitchen – you’ll not find a kitchen in Phatthalung House. Instead, the owner makes use of the existing house’s kitchen.

From the architects: “To create a connection between houses and plantation, the new house is designed to encourage the continuity from the old house’s kitchen to the plantation scenery through the spacious interior of the new house.”

Phatthalung House’s functions are limited to providing the owner with a living room, bedroom and bathroom. The home is oriented in the East-West direction so as to shelter the interior from direct sunlight, which would quickly lead to overheating in the tropical climate.

The home’s bathroom doesn’t feature a ceiling. The architects attempted to create an open atmosphere that’s connected to nature, despite being in a closed space: “users can embrace nature from tree branches or moonlight sky above.”

Material choices have been based on what’s deemed harmonious with the surroundings. As such, bare plain plaster was employed on the floors and walls, while wood coats the exterior and softens the home’s presence in the otherwise natural environment.

For more small homes check out this amazing 150-year-old barn conversion. Or, Back Country House, a cozy getaway set among the forests of New Zealand. See all small houses.

Photos © Rakchai Norateedilok