Mae Rim House / WOS Architects

Architects: WOS Architects
Area: 500 m²
Year: 2023
Photography: Peerapat Wimolrungkarat
Lead Architects: Prueksakun Kornudom, Ornpailin Leelasiriwong
Interior Designers: Estudio
Contractor: Krishna Malakerd
District: Mae Rim District
Region: Chiang Mai Province
Country: Thailand

Mae Rim House, a residential project designed by WOS Architects in Mae Rim District, Chiang Mai, Thailand, represents a shift from urban chaos to nature-connected living, completed in 2023. This home is not just a structure but a realization of a family’s desire for a tranquil life amidst the scenic beauty of their ancestral land. The design merges urban comforts with the elements of the natural landscape, featuring views of mountains and the Mae Sa Stream, which contribute to its serene atmosphere. The house is divided into two wings with a central atrium that allows for natural ventilation, reducing the need for artificial cooling. Its thoughtful design includes a steeply pitched roof that enhances the interior space, making it feel open and connected to its surroundings.

Mae Rim House was initiated by a family’s desire to move from Bangkok to the tranquil setting of Mae Rim District in Chiang Mai Province. The house, situated on ancestral land near their former vacation home, was designed to be a permanent residence that combines urban-style amenities with a deep connection to the natural environment. Tailored for a family of four, the house incorporates many of the appliances and furniture from their previous home in Bangkok, making it larger than a typical vacation residence. The architectural challenge was to maintain a balance between modern comforts and integration with nature, featuring views of lush greenery, mountains, and the sounds of Mae Sa Stream.

The architectural design includes a two-story structure with a long, slender profile positioned on a hillside. It features a high-pitched roof that slopes at the edges of the upper floors, ensuring the building remains proportionate and not overly imposing. Inside, the layout is split into two wings, centered around a double-height atrium that acts as the home’s core. This central space includes a staircase and bridge connector, offering open views and fostering natural ventilation, thus minimizing the need for artificial cooling.

The south wing houses two bedrooms, each with scenic views of the surrounding mountains and stream. The ground floor is dedicated to the elderly parents, while the upper floor contains the master bedroom. The north wing consists of a guest bedroom on the lower floor and a lounge on the upper floor, both connected to the central atrium, ensuring privacy and offering diverse, picturesque views.

The upper floors resemble an attic with their steeply pitched roofs but are designed to avoid the typical discomfort of such spaces by incorporating balconies where the roof is strategically cut back to allow for more light and air. These balconies are wrapped around the rooms, enhancing the connection to the outdoors. The interior design reflects continuity and a sense of history, with most furniture pieces being moved from the previous residence in Bangkok, carrying sentimental value and personal collections from the family’s time abroad. The chosen Taupe color palette complements both the old and new furnishings, blending into the natural environment.

The lighting design avoids direct downlights, opting instead for indirect lighting that reflects off the high ceilings to produce a soft, ambient light, supported by wall-mounted and floor-standing lamps. This approach creates a relaxing and comfortable atmosphere throughout the home.