Feng shui minimalism

Designed in Bangkok by Anon Chitranukroh and Waranthorn Intuputi of ACA Architects, KR Residence appears as a minimalist two-storey box: white, immaculate and mysterious. Strips of light trace the building’s edges with surgical precision, evoking the enigmatic atmosphere of a science-fiction film. Beneath this supremely pared-back exterior lies an unexpectedly complex architectural composition inspired by feng shui, the ancient Chinese practice of harmonising spaces. Deeply valued by the clients, a couple from Hong Kong and Taiwan, its principles provided the architects with the project’s conceptual foundation: a nine-square grid from which the building would take shape. Within this grid, each square serves a specific purpose: a living area at the bottom right, a kitchen and dining room at the top left, a wellness corner also at the top left, service areas along the far left and a study in the bottom-left square. The clients’ brief also stipulated proportional rules for door openings and emphasised the need for a central courtyard.

Although the site’s configuration suggested that the most favourable position was the plot’s top-right corner, feng shui principles “prescribed” placing the house towards the left. Rather than resisting this constraint, the architects turned it into a distinctive architectural gesture. The upper-floor structure, housing the main bedroom, was designed to cantilever more than seven metres over the driveway entrance below, extending towards the lake to capture the full view. This bold solution has become a defining feature of the residence, respecting the dictates of feng shui while enhancing the owners’ everyday comfort. Another essential requirement set by the feng shui master was a central courtyard. This space was to contain no tall trees or substantial planting, only lawn. Configured in this way, the courtyard allows daylight to flow in from every direction, keeping the house bright throughout the day with minimal reliance on artificial lighting. It also acts as a subtle connecting space, bringing all the rooms together so that each side of the house remains visually in tune with the others, as though indoors and outdoors were part of a single, continuous space. Combined with the central courtyard, the nine-square grid also ensures that the building casts shadows that provide effective protection from the afternoon sun, moderating heat and allowing everyday life to unfold comfortably without excessive reliance on curtains.

The house occupies two storeys, connected by two staircases with distinct yet complementary functions. A sculptural, twisting staircase beneath a skylight at the centre of the house catches the eye on arrival. An ethereal fibre-optic chandelier hangs within its stairwell, reinforcing its role as both a circulation route and a striking decorative feature. On the opposite side of the courtyard, a straight staircase responds to the rhythms of daily life, offering efficiency and practicality. The upper floor accommodates the sleeping quarters, with spacious suites, each with its own bathroom.

The ground floor contains the living spaces, where the combined living and dining area beside the sculptural staircase rises through a double-height volume, giving the house room to breathe and opening up compelling diagonal views towards the lake. The male client’s enthusiasm for home automation and lighting gives the architecture a restrained, futuristic character: clean and precise, accentuated by carefully orchestrated lines of light that imbue the interior with a sense of purity. His partner sought to soften this technological minimalism by introducing warmth through amber lighting falling on gold-coloured aluminium surfaces, brown timber details and walls with stone-effect textures. For the floors, the architects chose 60 × 120 cm stone-effect porcelain tiles from Coem’s Flow collection in Grigio Chiaro, with a lappato finish. Coem’s Reverso collection is also used in the bathrooms, in the Avorio colourway with a natural finish. Tropical plants further soften the atmosphere, making the interiors more relaxing. Despite these additions, the overall palette remains restrained: crisp white contrasts with black, enriched by subtle shades of beige and brown to create a bright, airy ambience that never feels overly austere. Ultimately, KR Residence successfully reflects its owners’ personalities. It brings together simplicity and a passion for science fiction and technology, weaving them into the principles of feng shui to create an unmistakably personal design in which symbolism blends seamlessly with functionality.