Yellow House / JOYS Architects

Architects: JOYS Architects
Area: 200 m²
Year: 2022
Photographs: Beersingnoi
Contractors: Pornsila Engineering Company Limited
Design Team: Suebsai Jittakasem, Prasert Ananthayanont, Nutt La-iad-on
City: Pak Chong
Country: Thailand

The Yellow House by JOYS Architects, located on a sloped site surrounded by trees, integrates natural elements with innovative design. The house features “inner spaces” for private functions and “outer spaces” consisting of four open-air courts, each with unique functions: the Welcome Court (+0.30m) shields the living room and connects to the kitchen, the Inner Court (+0.70m) serves as a dining and working area, the Pool Court (-1.10m) creates a relaxing zone, and the Service Court (0.00m) provides access to utilities. These courts bring light, air, and connectivity to the house, blurring boundaries with a “concrete skin” that unifies indoor and outdoor spaces while aging gracefully over time.

The Yellow House is located on a sloped site surrounded by numerous large trees distributed across the area. The structure is divided into two primary sections: the “inner spaces,” which house highly private functions, and the “outer spaces,” which serve less private purposes. The “outer spaces” are designed as open-air courts positioned on all four sides of the house.

This court permits daylight and fresh air to flow into the “inner spaces.” Each of the four courts is distinct in scale and dimension, shaped by their orientation to preserve the existing trees and accommodate the natural slope of the land. Due to their specific positions, the courts not only have unique functions but also influence the functions of the surrounding areas, such as:

The “Welcome Court,” positioned at the front of the house and elevated at +0.30 meters, functions as a shielded space that subtly conceals the inner area, particularly the living room, from the exterior. It also serves as an accessway to the kitchen, thanks to its modest elevation of 0.30 meters.
The “Inner Court,” elevated at 0.70 meters, features a counter and table, with its height perfectly suited for creating a workspace or counter. This court supports surrounding functions such as dining and working areas.
The “Pool” is distinct from the other courts as it is located in an area without existing trees, eliminating the need to maintain the land level for preservation purposes. The ground is excavated to a depth of 1.10 meters to accommodate a pool, which establishes surrounding functions like a relaxing space and a bath area.
The “Service Court,” situated at the same level as the house (0.00 meters), is designed for convenient access from the interior. It serves as a functional space for utility support and houses maid rooms in its vicinity.

In addition, the courts not only establish functional areas around them but also facilitate connections to the surrounding spaces. The “outer spaces” are linked to a circular area that encircles the “inner space.” Daylight and fresh air seamlessly flow through the courts and their surrounding areas, creating a sense of continuity between spaces. Similarly, the visual connection between these spaces is unified by the use of “concrete skin,” a material that ties the design together cohesively.

The “Concrete Skin” is employed to unify the interior and exterior spaces, ensuring durability and timelessness. This layer of concrete is cast over brick walls, providing resilience against weathering. As time passes, the exterior and interior walls remain consistent in appearance, creating a seamless connection between the inside and outside spaces.