Blind Māja

Press Kit

Unique Properties

The urban sanctuary in the middle of Bangkok features a glazed ground floor enclosing the main living areas. An origami-inspired sculptural hill makes room for a sunken garage and shrine while its row of hedges conceals the upper level from view. Resting on the transparent facade, a concrete plane supporting the second story creates the illusions of a mass floating above the landscape. The upper level is clad in a rusted metal lattice to offer privacy but still filters in sunlight

Dimensions & Packaging

Area: 350 Sq.m.

Tags

Architecture, Landscape, Private residence, Rusted steel, Concrete wall, Reflective pond, Origami hill

Production Technology

Platina steel, Tempered glass door and window with customized aluminium frame, Laminated wood panel, concealed motorised mosquito net, granite stone, Platina steel lattice

Design Challenge

To levitate the 31meters long concrete slab, glazed façade is applied on the ground floor. In similar fashion with modern architecture, the lean steel column was placed behind a continuous strip of glass, as well as, the turn up beam, which strengthened the concrete slab, is setting back from edges creating an illusion of floating concrete plane from all views. To complete the sense of hovering, The slab protrudes out of the steel column over 13 meters. With the help of the concrete tunnel bearing wall, this notion of floating is achievable.
The contour of Origami hill was created according to the car shape in order to function as a carport on the other side, in other words, the absent matter (the carport) defines what is presence (the hill). The hill structure is very challenging for the engineer. The structure needs to withstand the carport span while carrying sufficient soil for the lawn.

Research

The Blind house was built to be a sanctuary for the owner to live and practice meditation. The house is required to perform a simple function such as open plan dining-living , two- bedrooms, and space for meditation. The challenge was the seamless experience of space; The presence of architecture articulates the space or its absence to bring the notion of the absent matter.

Inspiration

The urban sanctuary in the middle of Bangkok features a glazed ground floor enclosing the main living areas. An origami-inspired sculptural hill makes room for a sunken garage and shrine while its row of hedges conceals the upper level from view. Resting on the transparent facade, a concrete plane supporting the second story creates the illusions of a mass floating above the landscape. The upper level is clad in a platina metal lattice to offer a sense of privacy but still filters in the sunlight. With an interior that is sleek, minimal, and lined in natural materials, the dwelling creates a relaxing space for Zen living and practicing meditation in the city.

Project Duration

Project Completed: 2013
Location: Bangkok, Thailand

Operation Flow

Enter the Arrival court, an empty space paved with cobblestone, which leads to the porch. The open plan living area on ground level, sits between a reflective pond on one side and a hill on the other. Walk up to the second floor into the bedroom, the sense of bright and open is replaced by a dimness of a platina steel lattice. Out by the side door of the bedroom, onto a concrete roof slab, where the walking meditation path begins and continues through the hill back to the ground floor.

Image Credits

Image#1:Photographer Wison Tungthunya, WWorkspace, 2013.
Image#2:Photographer Wison Tungthunya, WWorkspace, 2013.
Image#3:Photographer Wison Tungthunya, WWorkspace, 2013.
Image#4:Photographer Wison Tungthunya, WWorkspace, 2013.
Image#5:Photographer Wison Tungthunya, WWorkspace, 2013.