Well, I've done a couple of posts, like the site. So why not start my own thread here on what I hope will in the next couple years be our new home..
Bit of background, been in Asia since '98, Singapore first, couple of detours to UK and USA and then settled down in Thailand in 2005.
Started a local branch for a now large recycling company and it's been growing little by little into a big business.
Enjoying Thailand, with my Thai wife and 3 kids, we now live in a double shophouse, one as the family home, the other one with my workshop and some extra bedrooms in Pathumthani, close to the expressway into Bangkok.
My company is now located in HiTech Industrial Estate, just moved there last year.
The plan is to retire in the next couple years. (hopefully, never know, but it looks good right now).
My wife's from Petchaburi, so we'll be hunting for land sometime late this year when Covid starts to slowdown.
Close to the family, the nicest and modest people I've met here, a bit further south to Chaam/Hua Hin.
I've also started posting this on CTH btw, where I've mostly posted about construction things over the last 10 years or so and where I've learned many valuable lessons on what to do and what not..
Anyhow, the house..
With all the houses I've seen built here and on CTH, I must say that it's been extremely useful in getting a plan slowly taking shape. Things to do and not to do, type of materials I want to use, layout. Let's start with a simple list of that:
- AAC-Block walls
- Colorbond roof
- Single level
- No hallways
- Light-weight construction
- Conwood where-ever possible
- Large windows, double glazed of course.
- Rainwater collection
- Solar water heating
- Solar energy
- Modular construction
I've always liked Mediterranean houses. White thick walls, colorful roofs, wooden pergolas.
At the same time, modern, straight lines, practical, low maintenance are important.
Overall, the design is efficient in its use of space, minimal hallways, mostly outdoor living space.
Now, I'm not really good with SketchUp, or other software to design a house, but I am quite ok with wood and tools.
So instead of the normal process flow: Find architect, explain ideas, let him doodle around, more input, more ideas, etc. I started working out my ideas in a model first.
Gives me a much better 'feel' for the size, layout, looks. It also made it much easier to get my wife understand my ideas and eventually agree to it. And of course, with my limited command of Thai, I was afraid I'd end up with the toilet hanging off the roof and the kitchen-sink inside the bedroom closet if I'd try to explain my ideas to the architect.
So off we went, started making some sawdust, glueing, painting and building my house.