Enclosed by heritage and seascape, this villa fits snugly into the coastal gem that is Kep province. Much more than a simple vacation home, this house is a waypoint – a resting place for a longer journey, a navigational reference point in physical space that becomes a kind of seaside landmark. This house demands to be seen at the same time it disappears into the landscape that quite literally wraps around it.
The design is framed by the plot’s lovely views of Kep beach, the sea beyond and hills behind. The surrounding land is occupied by farmers or left unused. We sculpt the property within this scenery through a sloping roof completely covered in greenery. Shaped by a series of ascending benches, the roof resembles theatre seating, a private viewing platform for gentle evenings and brilliant sunsets. South-facing folding glass doors open up to the landscape so that the ground floor can transition between an exterior and interior space with ease, while to the north a circular window in the master bedroom becomes another lookout point for the garden and to the mountains beyond.
Kep’s fishing culture is interpreted through the overall arrangement of the house, which resembles two boats parked alongside a wooden dock. The pier becomes a walkway which guides visitors from the road, over a swimming pool and towards the foyer. A central garden and hallway, as well as the first floor terrace above it, split the property horizontally into public areas at the front and semi-private and private areas at the back. Similarly, a small green courtyard and staircase split the house vertically. The layout is kept open through a central atrium.
The design also pays close attention to functionality, with climate conscious elements used to improve energy efficiency, the quality of the indoor environment and address the tropical heat. The green roof provides a rainwater buffer and regulates the indoor temperature. For privacy, security and noise reduction, as well as to let the sea breeze flow through the structure, tall trees are planted around the house. High ceilings offer good indoor air ventilation, skylights in the living spaces provide additional brightness, while all the rooms that would be used on a daily basis are sea-facing.
