Architects: PHTAA
Area: 100 rai (16 hectares)
Year: 2025
Photographer: Kukkong Thirathomrongkiat
Contractor: Double Click Construction
Structural Engineer: Angkarn Krasuaythong
Infrastructure / M&E: Meet Design
Location: Khanong Phra, Nakhon Ratchasima
Country: Thailand
Khanong Phra Campsite, a 350 m² shelter project by PHTAA Living Design in Khanong Phra, Thailand, completed in 2025, combines traditional craftsmanship with material experimentation to redefine the camping experience within a 100-rai (16-hectare) highland site. The project unfolds as a journey connecting an Information Center, a Goose House, two stepped greenhouses, a semi-outdoor shelter, and a mountaintop campground with six private units and a panoramic viewing deck. The Information Center features dark-toned fiber cement cladding with corrugated roofing and rain chains, while its interior includes exposed steel trusses and Heritage windows. The Goose House is designed as an A-frame with a steel frame, mesh enclosure, translucent roofing, and a sloped floor for proper drainage. The greenhouses support diverse plant cultivation, ranging in height between 2.75 and 7.50 meters, growing herbs, vegetables, and fruits for on-site consumption and supply to Bangkok restaurants. The semi-outdoor shelter combines locally sourced stone walls with sling-supported parasols, inspired by an observation of stonemasons’ carving methods, exploring raw stone use before processing to unlock new material possibilities. The mountaintop campground provides privacy, amenities, and expansive views of the Khanong Phra valley, offering a layered highland experience through architecture that blends functionality with immersion in the landscape.
We tried to build as little as possible and blended the structures into the landscape. Local stoneworkers helped us use abundant natural rocks on the land to create resting areas. This approach allowed us to maintain the original mountain scenery while offering a unique experience for guests.
Interview with Ponwit Rattanatanatevilai of PHTAA Living Design
Khanong Phra Campsite by PHTAA Living Design is a 350 square meter architectural intervention within a 100-rai, or 16-hectare, property in Khanong Phra, Thailand. The project approaches the highland landscape as a narrative, with each structure strategically positioned to respond to natural contours, optimize views, and create a sequential journey for visitors. Rather than imposing on the terrain, the design integrates with its rhythms, ensuring that every element enhances the experience of moving through the site.
At the entry point, the Information Center and staff accommodations introduce visitors to the project’s architectural language. These buildings use horizontal fiber cement cladding in dark tones to blend with the mountainside, while corrugated roofing and rain chains guide rainwater efficiently. Inside, the contrast between exterior restraint and interior openness is expressed through a light-toned finish, exposed steel trusses, and Heritage windows that bring natural light into the space.
The Goose House, positioned beside a pond, provides an interactive experience where guests can observe geese within a semi-natural setting. It’s an A-frame structure that uses a steel frame and mesh enclosure for ventilation and safety, while a combination of translucent plastic sheets and corrugated tiles on the roof provides balanced light and shade. The sloped floor ensures easy cleaning and proper drainage, maintaining hygiene within the space.
Further into the property, two arched greenhouses form the agricultural center of the development. These structures are oriented to optimize airflow and sunlight while maintaining natural water flow across the site. The first greenhouse, with a height ranging from 2.75 to 5.00 meters, cultivates kitchen herbs and vegetables such as rosemary, sesame leaves, celery, onions, cilantro, chili, and basil. The second, taller greenhouse, rising between 3.00 and 7.50 meters, accommodates crops like cantaloupe, tomatoes, figs, and various salad greens. This production supports both the on-site canteen and selected restaurants in Bangkok, tying the campsite to broader food networks.
Higher up the terrain, Shelter 01 offers a semi-outdoor resting space designed with an emphasis on local craftsmanship and material innovation. Observing the work of stonemasons who typically cut thin sheets of stone for commercial use, the design team explored the potential of using raw stone in its unprocessed form to create new structural applications. Local artisans built protective stone walls from site-sourced material, providing wind resistance and anchoring the structure within its landscape. Above, sling-supported parasols and a canvas canopy provide shade and a dynamic interaction with the mountain winds, turning the shelter into a multifunctional resting place for travelers.
The ascent culminates at the mountaintop campground, which includes six private units equipped with toilets, pantries, parking spaces, and areas for pitching tents. A panoramic viewing deck crowns this final destination, offering expansive views over the Khanong Phra valley and completing the journey through the site.
Khanong Phra Campsite illustrates how architecture can reinterpret traditional craft and material processes to meet contemporary needs. By combining local stone masonry, fabric canopies, and careful landscape integration, PHTAA Living Design has created a layered experience that merges shelter, agriculture, and hospitality. The result is a campsite that respects its natural setting while offering visitors comfort and meaningful engagement with the highland environment.
Project Gallery
Project Location
Address: Khanong Phra, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand
