Phichit House

A long plot in the middle of rice fields. To the east, an open green view as far as the eye can see; to the west, a small road and passing traffic. So the house faces the fields and turns a solid wall to the road.

• East — opens to the fields
• West — along road 1289
• Prevailing wind from the north-east
• Noise from the west

• Linear layout along the north–south axis
• Open core: living and dining in the middle
• Bedrooms on the quiet side; the Buddha room to the quiet north
• Kitchen and BBQ open to the outdoor veranda; service zone to the south, buffer zone to the north
• A timber veranda bridges every part of the house

Walls facing east, north and west take direct sun all day. The heat passes through the wall into the house — the kind of house where the air-conditioning runs all day, bills are high and it is still uncomfortable.

• A skin wall on projecting concrete supports shades the wall before the sun reaches it.
• A brick screen with an air cavity acts as a thermal break, so the heat does not pass into the house.

The brick screen is detailed down to each brick, bar and profile, so the contractor builds what the architect drew.