Petchabun, Thailand

EKAR architects and landscape architects Groundsplay team up to create Walk / House, taking cues from nature to transform physical space into a boundless mediation on mental and physical states of being.

Surrounded by trees and mountains Walk/House is located in a tranquil part of a temple in Petchabun, Thailand.

The project is conceived as a walking meditation, not only a place for an abbot to live but also to maintain his daily ritual practice together with other monks.

For its inspired twist on the traditional home, Walk / House has recently been awarded a 2022 International Architecture Award by The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design and The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies.

Instead of designing a traditional house, the key concept of walking meditationwhich is a concentration on the present dimensions of earth and sky to enhance awareness of mental and physical stateswas reinterpreted in the architectural context.

The configuration of the house is wide and long, facing the east to receive gentle morning light, with respect to the vast landscape of this faraway temple.

The continuous 59-meter long roof covers the whole space, with a slope that follows the mountains contour.

The space below and above the roof is designed to accommodate and support daily practices, including walking.

Some parts of the roof are indented, allowing trees to grow and sunlight and rain to pass through.

Meanwhile, the form of the long, curved roof helps divert rainwater flow to the middle line and to fall on the ground at the very endimitating a natural water flow on the mountain.

Under the bent roof, the lowest ceiling space, there are different functional areas for the abbot, including a sleeping area, working area, and praying area.

The interior space is compact, which is an attempt to comprise the nature of Buddhismhumbleness, in the place.

The long continuous path that also follows the natural contours makes a gentle slope for a comfortable walk.

Step, flat, and curve are the elements featured in the path, together with different simple materials, such as paving blocks, mosaic tiles, earth, and grass, allowing monks to walk barefoot and feel different textures.

The objective of the Walk / House is to offer no boundary for monks to meditate by walking, with the hope to enhance their ritual practice anywhere.

Project: Walk/HouseArchitects: EKAR ArchitectsLead Architect: Ekaphap DuangkaewDesign Team: Thaywin Wannabamroong and Saranyu KamphukaewLandscape Architects: Groundsplay (Athipat Ae-uam, Pacharee Sophonphaisit)Contractor: V-SathapatProject Management: Thaywin WannabamroongTechnician Assistant: Saranyu KamphukaewStructural Engineer: Pimol NontaleeClient: Dhammayan TemplePhotos Courtesy of Ekaphap Duangkaew

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Based on three path elementsstep, flat, and curveWalk / House enhances the walking meditations and daily rituals of monks - Global Design News