CUBIC HOUSE: Simplicity Designed for Living
CUBIC HOUSE adopts a minimalist design approach, focusing on communication through geometric shapes and functional problem-solving. The core principle is creating a comfortable environment within a tropical climate.
Forms that respond to light direction: The building's main structure reflects solutions to sunlight problems through varying mass cantilevered sections, particularly the longer south-facing cantilever, which is deeper than the north and east sides. This acts as a natural sunshade, preventing direct heat radiation from hitting the walls and interior spaces during the sunniest hours of the day.
Zoning of the living spaces: Storage rooms, bathrooms, and the stairwell are located on the west side, acting as a 'heat barrier' to block heat radiation from entering the main living areas in the afternoon. Double-layered brick walls on the sunniest sides create an air gap, acting as thermal insulation.
Openings are strategically placed only where necessary to minimize heat transfer through glass while maintaining appropriate visual connections.
Minimizing the use of decorative materials not only conveys minimalist aesthetics but also reduces long-term maintenance costs.
The central atrium on the second floor features overhead skylights between the walls to capture reflected easterly sunlight in the morning, providing ample soft light without direct, harsh sunlight heating the interior.
Open spaces surrounding the building facilitate soil moisture drainage and ease maintenance, particularly the south-facing garden which acts as a natural insulator, reducing wind temperature before it enters the house. Appropriate openings, tailored to the environment, optimize light, ventilation, and open views, seamlessly connecting the landscape along the depth of the property.
The main living areas emphasize openness, designed with open spaces connecting the north and south directions to create optimal ventilation, similar to the traditional "underground hall" of Thai houses, which helps dissipate accumulated heat quickly.
The gardens are appropriately sized, not so large as to be a burden to maintain, but sufficient to create a "micro-climate," especially the south-facing garden which acts as a front line in trapping dust and reducing wind temperature entering the house.
The clean lines and smooth surfaces of the minimalist style in CUBIC HOUSE have a hidden function that effectively manages small pests: Most buildings with intricate moldings, cornices, or decorative elements often become perch and nesting sites for pigeons, leading to dirt and disease. The CUBIC HOUSE design, emphasizing straight lines and minimizing unnecessary edges, eliminates "resting spots" for birds. Terraces and awnings are designed with steep slopes or surfaces that are difficult for perching (reducing habitats for lizards and spiders): Spiders and lizards often inhabit corners, cracks in plaster, or behind gaps in wall coverings. The use of minimal decoration and smooth surface finishes minimizes "nooks and crannies" that these pests hide in.
