Redeploys Traditional Wooden Shingles with a Combination of Old and New Materials

Shelter Me

This boutique hotel in Chiang Mai reinteprets and redeploys traditional wooden shingles with a combination of old and new materials.

A palette of whites dominate the common interior spaces of this boutique hotel

The Little Shelter hotel is located in Chiang Mai, where its old cityscape and vernacular architecture are characterised by wooden structures with shingle pitched roofs. The hotel’s roof form is inspired by these traditional hip roofs as a nod to the local architectural context and is reinterpreted with an asymmetrical form that blends naturally with the surrounding tree top silhouettes. The west side of the roof is partially carved out to become a roof deck for guests to enjoy the panoramic river view at sunset.

Ceiling installation made of traditional wooden umbrellas serve as a visual connection to the wooden shingles on the exterior

Wood shingles are used on the roof and side walls. On the river facade, polycarbonate sheets are cut into shapes similar to the wood shingles and are used to create a translucent facade. On the entrance façade, the wood shingles and poly- carbonate ‘shingles’ meet, with the upper portion composed of wood shingles, before slowly trickling down to the polycarbonate shingles on the lower part.

  

The surreal and almost psychedelic effect of the guest rooms, with imagery of Chiangmai reflected from the ceilings

Although working with the traditional shingle system, the uninterrupted translucent surface is achieved by a special design detail using translucent studs and special transparent screws. This façade design explores the possibility of fusing new materials into a cohesive contemporary architectural surface that is still rooted in tradition.

Detail of the polycarbonate shingles

The end result is an arresting façade that glitters in the sun as the light reflects off the different materials – from the solid wood shingles to the different translucency levels of the polycarbonate shingles. At night, with lights from the inside, the build- ing becomes a lantern that glows by the riverbank.

Front Elevation

Rear view at night

The interior complements the exterior’s simplicity, evoking a gallery-like feeling that accommodates the site-specific installations that are inspired by the famous Boh–Srang umbrella, creating delicate and dramatic silhouettes expressing contemporary interpretation of the local handicraft. Additionally, different images of important locations of Chiang Mai are placed on each guestroom ceiling, infinitely reflected onto the two long walls cladded with small mirror shingles, providing a surreal borderless sensation.

Project Information

Project: Name Little Shelter Hotel

Location: Chiang Mai, Thailand

Principal: Use Hotel

Architect: Firm Department of Architecture Co.

Principal Architects: A mata Luphaiboon, Twitee Vajrabhaya

Project Architect: Adhithep Leewananthawet

Design Team: Pitchaya Poonsin, Tanadeth Mahapolsirikun,Supavit Junsompitsiri

Building Area: 890 Sqm

Site Area 468: Sqm

Total Floor Area: 825 Sqm

Landscape Area: 160 Sqm

Storeys: 4 Storeys

Structure Reinforced: Concrete, Steel

Design Period: May 2017 – January 2018

Construction: Period December 2017– April 2019

Interior Design: Team Yada Pianpanit, Apisara Lertrattanakit

Lighting Designer: Accent Studio by Nopporn Sakulwigitsinthu

Structural Engineer: Next Engineering Design Co., Ltd.

Mep Engineer Next Engineering Design Co., Ltd.

Building Contractor: Chatgen Construction and Design Co., Ltd.

Interior Contractor: Archi Construction and Architect (Thailand) Co., Ltd.

Main Materials: Wood Shingle, Polycarbonate Sheet and Coloured-Concrete

Photography: W Workspace Company Limited