Hidden in the woods: Jomthong Raintree House by Sher Maker in Thailand’s Chamchuri forest

There is something beautiful about nature: it makes you think, marvel and meet your true self. For me, those once-a-year excursions to the mountains and those weekly strolls at Marine Drive have always introduced me to a different world and a different version of myself. I often ponder the power of nature, a force to which I love surrendering.

Jomthong Raintree House by Patcharada Inplang and Thongchai Chansamak of Sher Maker inside the Chamchuri (rain tree) forest in Chiang Mai, Thailand, is designed to help the residents engage with their natural surroundings in its most raw form. The owner aimed to preserve the natural ecosystem with minimal intervention. Positioned along the plot’s non-boundary edge and nestled among existing trees, the building serves as a natural observation space.

The terrain descends gently from the road to a sprawling forest, intersected by a communal stream flowing amidst a longan orchard. With the aim of preserving the stream’s course and granting community access, the walls of the building serve as both a barrier for privacy and a conduit for views, allowing those subtle cold breezes and community sounds to foster a deep connection between residents and their natural surroundings through sight and touch.

The architectural approach is straightforward, featuring a gabled roof and reinforced concrete structures constructed by a local team. Wrapped in timber battens made from locally-sourced Shorea wood and coated with reclaimed black engine oil, chosen for its affordability and accessibility, the walls protect the exterior wood, drawing on the traditional knowledge of Northern builders.

The central hallway, facing the village road, leads to the bedrooms and living room, positioned at the farthest point. The family’s living quarters, nestled into the deepest part of the sloping landscape, offer seclusion while still providing vistas of the Chamchuri forest and the Doi Inthanon mountain range from the observation deck at the bridge’s end.

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Just before sunset, during the golden hour, the sight of the home becomes a work of art. It’s reminiscent of the painting we used to create during our pre-primary days: a wooden house surrounded by trees, with mountains in the background and a stream flowing nearby. I suppose that house has finally found its address in Thailand.

Fact File:

Name of the project: Jomthong Raintree House

Firm Name: Sher Maker

Location: Chiangmai, Thailand

Area: 360 sq.m.

Lead Architect: Patcharada Inplang, Thongchai Chansamak

Contractor: P27 Architecture

Photo courtesy: Rungkit charoenwat