PLANG GUY Architects were assigned to revitalize the 3-storey dormitory building which has been dilapidated through time. New design has introduced to bring back the livelihood to dormitory.
Existing structure remains. Atmosphere is changed.
A traditional boxy form with gable roof building was restored. Reinforced concrete structure has been preserved while the eaves at the front and back of the building was demolished giving a modern and fresh look to the building. With its limited height, new programs were reconfigured. Architects renovated the entirety of the ground floor, divided the ground floor into three distinct zones: - reception, laundry services and restaurant. Residential zone was moved up to the second and third floors.
On the ground floor, existing gloomy colored floor tiles were replaced by white terrazzo with an intention to perceptually widen the space. Solid walls were removed. Glazing windows were inserted, bringing the light in, seamlessly merging the indoor and outdoor space. Green space was added by the side and at the front of the building.
While the upper floors, architects kept bedrooms and bathrooms in its original location but otherwise it’s all new. Staircase windows and hallway windows were expanded to let more of daylight in. At the top of the stair hall, lies a little space open for communal use where dwellers can sit and relax throughout the day. The insertion of pocket common spaces all over the building, therefore, creates social interaction among dwellers.
Breathable façade
Triangle and diagonal line which was inspired by the building’s gable roof were used as design elements for the new façade. Likewise, though Thai’s perception, a gable roof symbolizes house. The addition of a second skin purposefully hided the existing roof and to create more depth to the building’s front making it popped out more from surroundings. The form of the façade derived from the interconnected triangles which resulted in a rhombus shape. White aluminum composite sheet was a chosen material for its façade. The entire façade was cut and fold in triangular shapes, making triangle holes for decoration and for air ventilation. In addition, netting was installed at the back of the façade’s framework for bird protection.
Besides, balcony was another concern as it was conventionally used for cloth hanging and for AIR-CDU placement which later became over-cluttered to beholders. Ventilation blocks were its design solution. The blocks were installed randomly to keep privacy and still allow light and air to filter through. Random patterns created by the ventilation blocks also generated unexpected lighting phenomenon during daytime. Plangguy Architects believed every detail matters in order to develop a practical design.
Cozy living space
The cancellation of the existing ceiling panel help spacing up the place. White is a featured color of the project. It was used for both interior and exterior. White refers to simplistic, optimism and refreshing. Designers electively contrasted the white materials with little of wood elements for interior furnishing, aperture and furniture,stone accents in the bathrooms, and plenty of greenery within communal areas to represent warmth and homey sense of living. Not only that, but designers also create visual aesthetics via color proportion to achieve overall unity and to define function and zoning in the room. Indirect light or ambient light was also introduced to make the room more spacious. Pastel colors like orange, blue pale or light yellow were applied at the stair hall with an optical illusion graphic design which played with natural depth perception of the appearance of the building.
Team:
Architects/ Interior Designers: Plang Guy
Photographer: Roops
