Tropical Modernism

Texted by Uracha Chaiyapinunt

In the heart of Bangkok, a concrete bare-shell apartment has been transformed into a sophisticated private home in the sky. Designed by STUDIO DAMINATO, the second Chanintr Residences is a careful balance of modernity and tradition, cool and warm materials, and open and intimate spaces.

It was the majestic proportions of the unit and its location inside Bangkok’s most contemporary residential buildings that first drew Albano Daminato, the creative energy behind the award-winning STUDIO DAMINATO, to the project. Here, at WINDSHELL naradhiwas, every unit features soaring 6.5-meter high ceilings and is delivered bare-shell. In other words, Daminato was living every designer’s dream: to be given the spatial freedom to create without any constraints.

Daminato’s duplex is full of subtle and elegant design juxtapositions, marrying opposing elements with effortless harmony. The team reimagined the 550 square meters of open concrete space into a series of thoughtfully integrated living areas. Upon entering the residence, guests are greeted by a stunning double-height living and dining room. The bottom floor houses two kitchens, a media lounge, guest room, powder room and are bookended by expansive terraces on the east and west side, the latter of which was designed to take in the most of the city’s sunset. Above on the second floor sits the master bedroom suite with luxurious separate his-and-hers zones on either side of the bedroom, and an outdoor deck providing secluded sanctuary. A children’s bedroom suite enjoys privacy at the end of the walkway with its own built-in study, walk-in wardrobe and ensuite bathroom.

To create warmth against the brutalist concrete structure of the building, Daminato strategically layered materials and colors. Pale Italian travertine seen throughout the apartment is left as natural as possible, with the stone’s characteristic texture accentuated with a deep chocolate brown filler. Indoors, matte teakwood — synonymous with tropical architecture and design — has been selected for feature paneling, cabinetry and custom furniture, including an intricately detailed, multi-tasking joinery unit that takes center stage in the salon. While much of the furniture is custom-designed by Daminato, iconic pieces from Carl Hansen & Søn, PP Møbler, Liaigre and Baker can also be found in the apartment.

“Whilst the primary function was to provide a place of refuge, solace and calm for our client, it was only natural that the space would also provide the perfect backdrop for entertaining family friends,” Daminato said of the duplex’s careful balance of public and private spaces. The completed project proves to be the ultimate sanctuary in the sky — so luxurious, so considered and so well done.