2021

Program: high-density dwelling
Project Director: Punpong Wiwatkul
Design team: Nalinrath Boonsawat, Suvijak Upatising

Publication:
art4d Issue 273 "We will meet again"
Creative-Virus The Exhibition, Bangkok Design Week 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic forced a global shift in how we perceive and interact with our built environment. Extended periods of lockdown and self-isolation highlighted the critical need for housing that fosters both physical and mental well-being. This article explores an experimental design for multi-unit housing that prioritizes community, connection, and adaptability in a post-pandemic world.

This innovative design reimagines the conventional double-loaded corridor typology by splitting the building into two distinct volumes. This strategy creates single-loaded corridors, maximizing natural ventilation and reducing the risk of airborne contagion. Each unit features a duplex layout with a private cantilevered terrace overlooking a central courtyard. This configuration achieves several key objectives:

Enhanced Community: The central courtyard serves as a shared outdoor space, encouraging social interaction and fostering a sense of belonging. This communal area can accommodate a variety of activities, from gardening and recreation to shared meals and gatherings, mitigating feelings of isolation.

Seamless Indoor-Outdoor Connection: Generously sized balconies extend living spaces outwards, blurring the boundaries between private and public realms. These versatile outdoor areas provide residents with personal retreats for relaxation, work, or socializing while maintaining visual connections with the community.

Prioritizing Well-being: The design promotes physical and mental health through abundant natural light, cross-ventilation, and access to green spaces. Duplex units offer residents distinct zones for work and relaxation, adapting to the evolving needs of remote work and flexible lifestyles.

This experimental housing design offers a compelling vision for a post-pandemic future. By prioritizing community, connection, and adaptability, it seeks to create a resilient and supportive living environment beyond mere shelter, fostering a sense of belonging and well-being in an increasingly uncertain world.

The design was part of the Creative-Virus The Exhibition for Bangkok Design Week 2021