Inspiring home of the week: The Marble House in Bangkok

'It's solid, light, sharp, cozy and simple'

OpenBox architects wanted to create a home that feels like a sculpture (OpenBox)

From phone cases to kitchen tops, the trend for marble is peaking. And for fans of the mottled stone, a newly-built home in Bangkok is the stuff that dreams are made of.

But it would be wrong to dismiss The Marble House by OpenBox architects as part of a passing fad. The angular building is cleverly designed, with private balconies that offer residents privacy from surrounding houses in a busy area of the city but add natural light and ventilation. Tilting windows, meanwhile, direct the line of vision in the space, while the open courtyard at its centre connects the landscape with the interiors.

The marble – which the architects used to create the feeling that inhabitants are living inside a light, airy, sculpture – keeps the house cool in the Bangkok heat.

We spoke to Nui Ratiwat Suwannatrai, design director and co-founder of OpenBox architects, to find out more about about the inspiration behind the project.

What is your practice known for?

Seamless integration of architecture, landscape and sometimes interior design, to deliver a concept powerfully, effectively.

How would you sum up the project in five words?

Solid, light, sharp, cozy, simple.

(OpenBox)

What was the brief for this project?

To design a house for a young family to grow into. The house has to be fully practical, functional and low maintenance.

The house had to be designed to cope with tropical conditions, such as regional wind direction, natural sunlight direction, humidity and rain. The residence was built to be comfortable without air conditioning, and with all windows opened.

It also had to posses a strong, unique identity.

The family owns a large construction materials modern trade business. So it makes sense to use most – if not all – materials from their list of products. When we received the brief, the owner’s company was importing a range of large panel external wall tiles, and wanted us to create a case study of how this product can be explored to its full potential.

What did you hope to solve as you designed this home?

Being in the design industry for over a decade, we are confident about responding to client's brief, and providing all basic needs for a great living environment. However, it takes times to redefine the way we design houses. We want to achieve more than just a place to live but to create a process beyond solving problems, and to push beyond traditional sense of aesthetics.

(OpenBox)

What makes this space unique?

Mexican architect Luis Barragan once said: “I don’t divide architecture, landscape and gardening; to me they are one.” We could not agree more, and want to add that architecture, landscaping and interior should also be designed, created and perceived as one.

I believe we have powerfully illustrated that with the Marble House.

What was your inspiration for this project?

The process for this house was the reverse of how we normally do things. As I mentioned, our clients own a construction material business, so we started from their list of materials and products. We were attracted to the series of large panel tiles using printing technology that can mimic natural stone surface. At that time we were just interested in marble.

Once we had the main material idea, next we had to consider the idea of dwelling inside an excavated stone block as this is one of the oldest and boldest forms of architecture. As mankind evolved, the use of stone – specifically marble in this case – for construction became more related to sophistication.

Once in a while, the bold elegance of living inside a single piece of rock, inspires us to create something extraordinary.

What was the toughest issue you encountered when this building was being designed and built?

The site is in the busiest district of Bangkok, right next to the owner's stone factory, surrounded by the family's business supporting functions, such as offices and staff apartments. We wanted to create a secluded living environment that screens away unwanted surroundings and allows the owners to feel connected to nature.

Fengshui is another issue. Sometimes restrictions can place a great burden on the design, if not properly handled. We twice went through design processes due to fengshui issues. We think the outcome become more refined and worth all the extra efforts.

What do you wish you could change in hindsight?

We love everything about this house. However, close to the end of construction, the owner managed to buy an additional piece of land. We only wish we knew that sooner so we could have designed both the architecture and landscape to incorporate it.

What sort of experience do you hope people using this space have?

Residences should definitely feel very much at home. More than that, the space should inspire creativity for those that come into contact with it. For example, a child growing up in this house should develop a great sense of creativity.