Blind House: A Sanctuary of Zen Living in the Heart of Bangkok

Boonlert Hemvijitraphan's Architectural Marvel Wins Golden A' Design Award

Blind House stands out for its unique design elements. The ground floor, enclosed by a glazed facade, houses the main living areas. An origami-inspired sculptural hill provides space for a sunken garage and shrine, while a row of hedges cleverly conceals the upper level from view. A concrete plane resting on the transparent facade supports the second story, creating the illusion of a mass floating above the landscape. The upper level is clad in a rusted metal lattice, offering privacy while still allowing sunlight to filter in.

The house is constructed using platina steel, tempered glass doors and windows with customized aluminium frames, laminated wood panels, concealed motorised mosquito nets, and granite stone. The use of platina steel lattice adds a unique touch to the design. The house spans an area of 350 square meters, offering ample space for comfortable living.

The design of Blind House was inspired by the need for a sanctuary in the city. The open plan living area on the ground level sits between a reflective pond on one side and a hill on the other. The second floor houses the bedroom, where the sense of openness is replaced by the dimness of a platina steel lattice. A side door in the bedroom leads to a concrete roof slab, marking the beginning of a walking meditation path that continues through the hill back to the ground floor.

The project was completed in 2013 after overcoming several design challenges. To create the illusion of a floating concrete slab, a glazed facade was applied on the ground floor. The lean steel column was placed behind a continuous strip of glass, and the turn-up beam, which strengthened the concrete slab, was set back from edges. This created an illusion of a floating concrete plane from all views. The contour of the origami hill was created according to the shape of a car, functioning as a carport on the other side. The structure of the hill was designed to withstand the carport span while carrying sufficient soil for the lawn.

The Blind House is a testament to Boonlert Hemvijitraphan's architectural prowess and his ability to create a serene space amidst the urban chaos. The house is a perfect blend of modern architecture and Zen living, offering a tranquil space for meditation and relaxation. The Golden A' Design Award is a fitting recognition of this architectural marvel, reflecting the designer's creativity and wisdom.