The R34 Project converts an existing residential space into a small office for rent. The project area is located on the cornerstreet of SoiRamintra 34; this location is a quiet residential area. Typically, homes around this location are single or two stories which are built tightly in their vicinity. The original style of this project, it has been fully built on the corner of a small street. Renovating this building, in addition to adjusting the use of the building, also focuses on improving relations with surrounding neighbors.

Usability shifts from a highly private space to a rental home office that will be shared by outside lessees. Reviewing the space needs, the original wall that surrounds the existing house should be expanded. By opening all of the walls, the corner area looks more friendly to the neighboring residents in terms of a more spacious view and available areaaround the road. Additionally, the project lends a space for people who may walk through or even for children who want to play or do activities or evenutilize the space for any future development for this neighborhood.

The original structure was a three-story concrete house with a previous extension of several added steel structures on the 2nd and 3rd floors. In this renovation, the designer chooses to remove all later additions, but keeps the main concrete structure and brings the outstanding identity of the original corner wall into the new design narrative.

From the on-site survey, the original structure on the 1st floor had a relatively low height due to the higher public road surface. In addition, the staircase was narrow and steep from the original building style. Renovation of this ground floor area therefore adjusts the design to allow more airflow and finds new ways to suit the usage of the office in an open environment. By breaking out the floor slab on the second floor, a vertical space connection is created, both in terms of visual and user accessibility.

This project keeps the original walls, columns, and beams in the new axis of the building. Additional structural elements beyond this axis are to be demolished while keeping traces of the original building character. In terms of material color used, the silver hues from galvanized steel come from the factory. The gray tones reflect polished concrete and stone grains used in construction. These tone types convey a straightforwardness of the materials used and continuous composition of various elements throughout the repurposed building.

Team:
Architect: TO.COLLECTOR
Photography: Surachet Kriengnarongdech
Architects: Chutipon Benjasupustananun
Contractor: Jeerapat Charoentanachot 
Structure Engineers: Jeerapat Charoentanachot
MEP Consultants: Jarutat Charoentanachot
Lighting Contractor: Somkid Charoentanachot

Material Used:
1. Structure Steel - SYS: H-BEAM WIDE FLANGE
2. Doors - Aluinch: Aluminium door frame
3. Roofing sheets - Bluescope: Colorbond
4. Paint - TOA: 8260 Mercury Paint