Thailand - Designs for homes that save energy and cost just Bt700,000 to build

**dirtydog** · 06-07-2008, 05:30 PM

Luxuriating in low-cost living
By By Mayuree Sukyincharoenwong
Sunday Xpress

Designs for homes that save energy and cost just Bt700,000 to build will be available for free

It seems too good to be true, but really, you'll soon be able to get an energy-efficient house built for as little as Bt700,000.

The Chulalongkorn University Faculty of Architecture will prepare qualified builders to take on the job at this budget.

"We will launch the project later this year. People can come in to get free designs," Dr Soontorn Boonyatikarn says. He teaches at the faculty and is well known as a "green" architect.

Four years ago he built the first full-scale solar house in Southeast Asia.

Construction of an energy-efficient house ranges from Bt700,000 to Bt1.2 million. If you've got the money and some land you can come on in and choose your design.

Technically correct

"Because the construction of energy-efficient houses needs well-trained builders, this project makes sure would-be owners meet the right ones," Soontorn says.

"Other key factors are the right materials," he cautions.

The houses need proper insulation, adequate air/vapour retarders, microfibre roofs, uPVC window frames etc.

Ten trained builders can put one up in 20 days flat. You do, however, need at least 50 square wah.

Soontorn says the houses are good on the pocket and health.

"I used to catch cold twice a week. That's a thing of the past," he says.

He and his family live in a new one in Rangsit. Their full-scale solar house is now very much a show home, because so many people want to take a look.

"We are moving out because we can't get any privacy," he explains.

There are many reasons why it attracts so many people. First of all, its Bt1.4 million solar cells allow Soontorn's family to live without paying a single baht for electricity.

"In some months, we can even sell what we generate," Soontorn says.

He adds that the house also has water-recycling, which means the family does not have to pay for tap water.
"We also fitted air filters and can enjoy pure air," he says.

**Norton** · 06-07-2008, 05:56 PM

Originally Posted by dirtydog

It seems too good to be true, but really, you'll soon be able to get an energy-efficient house built for as little as Bt700,000.

Time will tell but my grand pappy always said, "if it sounds to good to be true it probably ain't."

**jandajoy** · 06-07-2008, 07:13 PM

I'd liketo see the plans and a bit more info.

**Silent Ninja** · 06-07-2008, 07:34 PM

Very interesting, imagine running the aircon 24/7 without having to worry about electricity costs.

An article about the house:
ArchitectureWeek - Environment - Bio-Solar House in Thailand - 2003.0514

Some pictures:
Flickr: Page Not Found[at]N00/sets/72057594061086267/

**a. boozer** · 07-07-2008, 12:39 PM

Old Chinese Proverb: Cheap no good - Good No Cheap !

**bobbysan124** · 11-08-2008, 02:09 PM

Any restrictions on where in country these can be built? Can competent labor be found in Isaan?

**Nawty** · 24-11-2008, 04:43 PM

Originally Posted by bobbysan124

Can competent labor be found in Isaan?

Yes but they all in Bkk working soi 23, soi 4 and even silom soi 4 so they tell me.

Thing is that his 1,400,000b for solar cells to save on electricity ??

That 1.4mil will take 40 years to recoup based on our monthly electricity bill here for the last 3 years.

**paulspad2002** · 12-12-2008, 02:08 PM

it seems 700k is a little cheap considering in the article the guys says 3 mill baht

**Issan Man** · 21-12-2008, 01:43 AM

Very interesting concept ,even though the original price is increased by the cost of solar cells and a Pool

**Warwick** · 21-12-2008, 03:04 AM

Originally Posted by Silent Ninja

Very interesting, imagine running the aircon 24/7 without having to worry about electricity costs.

I have a very cheaply built house with no attempt made to reduce heat gain from the roof or walls and I don't have any air con. While it can be uncomfortable for a few months of the year I am confident that I would never feel the need for AC in a house that had some basic design features to lower heat build up i.e. foil under the tiles and a vented roof space.

**sunsetter** · 21-12-2008, 11:41 PM

Originally Posted by Warwick

Originally Posted by Silent Ninja

Very interesting, imagine running the aircon 24/7 without having to worry about electricity costs.

I have a very cheaply built house with no attempt made to reduce heat gain from the roof or walls and I don't have any air con. While it can be uncomfortable for a few months of the year I am confident that I would never feel the need for AC in a house that had some basic design features to lower heat build up i.e. foil under the tiles and a vented roof space.

very interesting, any pics?

**sunsetter** · 21-12-2008, 11:57 PM

well can we have a look at it please?^

**Warwick** · 24-12-2008, 12:39 AM

It's a very ordinary and unexciting house, a photo would add nothing to the thread.

**BillH52** · 07-02-2009, 07:12 AM

Would like to learn more about this.

**Chairman Mao** · 08-02-2009, 12:52 AM

Originally Posted by Warwick

It's a very ordinary and unexciting house, a photo would add nothing to the thread.

People are interested in the design features you say your house has.

As they say, a picture's worth a thousand words.

And as this thread's theme is homes that save energy, the designer features you have used specifically for this, would indeed add something to this thread.

**More Volts Igor** · 08-02-2009, 10:52 AM

Originally Posted by Chairman Mao

And as this thread's theme is homes that save energy, the designer features you have used specifically for this, would indeed add something to this thread.

You may wish to go back and read Warwicks original post

**BillH52** · 08-02-2009, 11:59 AM

I have a very cheaply built house with no attempt made to reduce heat gain from the roof or walls and I don't have any air con. While it can be uncomfortable for a few months of the year I am confident that I would never feel the need for AC in a house that had some basic design features to lower heat build up i.e. foil under the tiles and a vented roof space.[/quote]

Seems Warwick isn't the one with the "green" house. I had to reread this thread a time or two to figure out that pictures of his house would not (as he said) add to the thread. I would like to see pictures too, of "green" houses.

**stewart888** · 30-04-2009, 10:49 AM

Me too!! Love to see some of the finished houses. Great idea.

**tex** · 19-05-2009, 11:07 AM

Have emailed the guy twice...phoned the university twice...no reply..
either the university staff are ignorant stupid or this is an urban myth..
or maybe it's all three !

**RC Shaw** · 03-06-2009, 01:22 PM

I think there was an article in the sunday BP a few months back, pics etc. Sounds like Whole Earth Catalogue territory.
BTW, I'm new here, but this is definitely interesting to me.

**JuniorExPat** · 03-06-2009, 09:49 PM

Seeing as the thread has been bumped already . . . tex, did you ever receive a reply? JxP

**Nawty** · 04-06-2009, 08:26 AM

Do the math to see if it is worthwhile....it ain't.

A uni guy in Koen Kahn Uni had setup the model organic farm. He was self sufficient totally on his 8rai. he grew fish, rice, fruit, pigs, chicken, veges....everything one needs. he even had enough produce to give away some.

he used no chemicals, artificial fertilisers, poisons etc and he conducted tours for his uni, other schools and interested parties of his model of success.

This was in the Bkk Post last year or year before.

We contacted the guy at the uni to go visit his farm.....he said "why do you want to come and see it, nothing has worked out, it all turned to shit, could not sustain it, all died or produced poorly after second year. now i only have some fish....wanna come see some fish ?'.....

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