A mini-chalet in Thailand, coated with charred wood

A small building in the forest is the cultural manifesto of a craftsmanship attentive to environmental issues and genius loci.

In the "Wood and Mountain" cabin in the forest of northern Thailand, Sher Maker architects have carefully integrated a contemporary compositional approach with a craft culture in which design and construction are interconnected, seamless processes.

The building is a simple rectangular construction suspended on stilts, delicately set in a context of enveloping vegetation.

The space is intimate and welcoming: on the ground floor there are living room, terrace, bathroom and pantry; on the first floor there are corridor and bedroom.

The design approach is a tribute to vernacular architecture and to the profession of the owner, a manufacturer of furniture: the shell, supported by a metal structure, is made entirely of local wood - in reference to the owner who produces furniture - coherently with the local tradition. The external surfaces are screened on three sides to guarantee intimacy and recollection, while a large window on the front opposite the entrance offers a generous view of the landscape from the terrace and the openings on the first floor. 

Sher Maker, Wood and Mountain, Mae Rim, Chiangmai, Thailand 2021. Photo: Rungkit Charoenwat
Sher Maker, Wood and Mountain, Mae Rim, Chiangmai, Thailand 2021. Photo: Rungkit Charoenwat

A characteristic feature of the project is the use, in the external and internal cladding, of wood treated with a carbonization process based on the Japanese shou-sugi ban technique: this procedure, of ancient memory, prolongs the life cycle of the wood, making it more resistant to atmospheric agents, fire and organic deterioration and giving the material a highly distinctive image with a minimum of maintenance.

Sher Maker, Wood and Mountain, Mae Rim, Chiangmai, Thailand 2021. Photo: Rungkit Charoenwat
Sher Maker, Wood and Mountain, Mae Rim, Chiangmai, Thailand 2021. Photo: Rungkit Charoenwat

The project is characterised by craftsmanship: the architects used the studio's workshop as an experimental area for collecting and selecting samples of material, including recycled material, and for mock-up work on the walls. The irregular hues and imperfections of the boards subjected to the carbonization process are a valuable element declaring that "warmth" and emotional transport that only manual workmanship can confer.

Project:
Wood and Mountain
Architectural project:
Sher Maker
Project team:
Patcharada Inplang,Thongchai Chansamak, Nat Tangchonlatip
Burning/construction:
Akapan Kanyen, Thanapong Kiwtodsingkorn, Nat Tangchonlatip, Sirapapra Thinnang
Structure Engineer:
Pilawan Piriyapokhai
Building team:
Sher Maker builder team, Attipol Bamrungyai
Documentary Photo:
Puwadech Tiamsak
Photo credits:
Rungkit Charoenwat

Latest on Architecture

Latest on Domus

Read more
China Germany India Mexico, Central America and Caribbean Sri Lanka Korea icon-camera close icon-comments icon-down-sm icon-download icon-facebook icon-heart icon-heart icon-next-sm icon-next icon-pinterest icon-play icon-plus icon-prev-sm icon-prev Search icon-twitter icon-views icon-instagram