This imposing 1,545 square metre property is Casa de Alisa in Nonthaburi, Thailand, completed by Stu/D/O Architects. The project is composed of brutalist style raw concrete architecture with smooth wooden elements held within its frame. The long linear two-story structure solidly splits the horizon between blue skies above and grassed grounds below. A swimming pool glimmers within the concrete boundaries, as if a piece of clear sky has fallen to earth. Expansive glazing splits open the face of the grey cuboid to unveil life within the home’s semi-public first floor, where we see living spaces evolve openly and simply within exposed structural concrete walls.

The brutalist house exterior frames warm scenes of life in its cool concrete belly.

At night, the blue swimming pool brings light to the modern facade.

The pool underlines a long terrace for al fresco dining and outdoor lounging.

Tall grasses softly feather the sharp concrete boundary of the property.

A small desert garden attractively animates the land between the boundary wall and the sun terrace.

Higher barriers provide privacy from the surrounding neighborhood, and act as a sound buffer from the busy public road next to the site.

Cast concrete planes divide the living quarters to deliver privacy at home, and establish distinction of space.

The 37 metre cantilevered façade visually and structurally links all of the sections together.

Concrete planes at ground level stand perpendicular to the site, whilst walls on the second story intersect on the opposite axis. This structural composition minimises architectural form, resulting in an almost monolithic volume.

The desert garden accompanies the pathway to the front entrance of the home, located just off the garage.

Upper concrete planes shield the second story private quarters from the world, whilst allowing them a glittering pool view.

Perimeter lighting has been installed along the floating boundary, which conjures a warm and welcoming spirit on the terrace at night.

A ten place dining set stretches along the pool patio, ready for entertaining family and friends.

Imprints from the wood grain framework linger on the concrete as a lasting memory of the unique home’s construction process.

Rattan modern outdoor chairs make dark additions to the white marble outdoor dining table.

An outdoor coffee table fits into the elbow of an L-shape sofa.

A modern outdoor lounge chair completes the exterior lounge arrangement.

The pool mirrors the ribboned light effect.

Outdoor chaise lounge chairs couple up around the water’s edge.

Cool water rushes up to the feet of the loungers.

Inside, a traditional Perdsian rug warmly colours the living room with shades of beige, brown and deep red. A beige modern sofa complements the carpet’s colourway.

Living spaces evolve openly and simply between the exposed structural concrete walls. Black track lights run parallel up the length of the living room, from lounge to formal dining room.

The luxurious dining room offers up even more seating than the exterior alternative, accommodating twelve diners at a time.

• 24 |

An inlaid glass centrepiece stripes the rectangle dining table.

Right behind the formal dining room we have an extremely large luxury kitchen with a dining island.

Black kitchen bar stools hint at a similar aesthetic to the black rattan dining chairs outside the kitchen windows to create one cohesive flow.

The staircase design becomes part of the outdoor styling, as it zigzags up the edge-to-edge run of windows.

A glass balustrade on the opposite side of the steps gives the staircase a fully open look that seems to defy gravity.

The narrow shape of the landing brings perhaps the most concentrated focus to the textured concrete. Casted on site, a number of experiments were carried out on formwork to establish the character of the residence.

Upstairs, a private living room is dressed with a smaller Persian rug and a contemporary grey L-shaped sofa design.

Artwork props against a lightwell with a desert garden planted in its long narrow base.

Lightwells and skylights are used at various points throughout the build, pouring natural daylight into potentially shadowy points within the interior. Here, a dressing table benefits from a spill of sunlight. A full length vanity mirror stands against the glass, reflecting the master closet behind.

The master bathroom is accessed via the closet. White marble slabs levitate outward from a double sink bathroom vanity on a floating unit, weightlessly in sync with the house’s outward design.

Second floor rooms look down onto the terrace.

Frameless glass safety barriers cross the opened voids so that doors can be fully retracted to let in the breeze.

Down in the garden, stepping stones cross the desert style landscaping to give easy access to a manicured lawn area.

Swaying palm trees grow around the site, looking tropical and typical of beautiful Thailand.

The first floor plan shows us that the garage is a two car parking spot, with direct interior access to the house itself. There is a games room just off the side of the main living space, which has its own bathroom that’s also conveniently accessible from poolside. A steam room and a spa room are situated on the other side of the pool terrace.

The second floor plan shows a home office just off the upstairs family room. We also get to see the massive layout of the master suite’s walk-in wardrobe.

Roof plan.