Unknown Surface Studio builds Terrarium House in Ladprao
Terrarium House is a private urban residence located in Ladprao, Bangkok, designed by Unknown Surface Studio for a constrained, landlocked site surrounded by neighboring buildings on all sides. The project responds to these conditions by adopting an inward-looking spatial strategy, organizing the house around a central courtyard that preserves existing trees and serves as the primary source of natural light, ventilation, and visual relief.
Access to the house is provided through a narrow four-meter-wide passage that connects the street to the interior. This elongated entrance sequence establishes a gradual transition from the public urban environment to the private domestic space. Enclosed by stone walls and a timber ceiling, the passage leads into a double-height living area that opens onto the central courtyard, creating immediate visual and spatial continuity across levels. The courtyard functions as the core of the house, mediating environmental performance and spatial organization. Existing trees were retained and integrated into the design, with the surrounding architecture forming a continuous enclosure around the planted void. Glazed surfaces facing the courtyard allow daylight to penetrate deep into the interior while maintaining privacy from adjacent properties. Throughout the day, shifting light conditions animate the interior surfaces and reinforce the relationship between architecture and landscape.
all images by Rungkit Charoenwat
exposed Steel, glass, and wood compose the material palette
Internally, the house is structured around a double-height living space that connects the ground floor with the upper level. Curved glass partitions soften transitions between rooms and maintain visual openness despite the compact footprint. The second floor accommodates more private functions, including the main bedroom and spaces for displaying an art collection, all arranged to maintain visual connection with the courtyard below. The structural system is conceived as a column-free arrangement, allowing flexibility in spatial planning and uninterrupted interior views. Steel elements and Takhian wood-framed glazing support the aluminum roof structure, enabling large spans without internal supports. Materials are left exposed, emphasizing construction logic and detailing. Timber, steel, glass, and stone are used consistently throughout the project, with attention to joints, finishes, and proportions.
Seven species of wood were selected and chemically treated to achieve a uniform tone, creating visual continuity across floors, ceilings, and built-in elements. This controlled material palette reinforces the integration of structure, surface, and furniture, reflecting the client’s background as a contractor and the studio’s emphasis on craftsmanship. Landscape plays an integral role in the architectural composition. Trees at the entrance extend through ceiling openings, visually linking interior spaces with the sky above. Within the courtyard, planting acts as a natural screen, filtering views between spaces and enhancing privacy without reliance on opaque boundaries. Terrarium House presents an approach to dense urban housing that prioritizes internal landscape, environmental performance, and material clarity. Unknown Surface Studio’s design team treats architecture, structure, and nature as a unified system, producing a private domestic environment within a tightly constrained urban context.
Terrarium House is a private urban residence located in Ladprao, Bangkok
an inward-looking layout organizes the home around a central courtyard
existing trees were preserved and integrated into the courtyard design
curved glass partitions soften spatial transitions inside the house
visual connections are maintained across levels through the central void
the courtyard mediates privacy from surrounding buildings
the courtyard serves as the primary source of daylight and ventilation
a column-free structural system allows uninterrupted interior views
glazed surfaces facing the courtyard allow light deep into the interior
a double-height living space links the ground and upper floors
the second floor contains private rooms and art display areas
exposed materials emphasize construction logic and detailing
seven species of wood were treated to achieve a consistent tone
project info:
name: Terrarium House
architect: Unknown Surface Studio | @unknownsurfacestudio
location: Ladprao, Bangkok, Thailand
photography: Rungkit Charoenwat
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edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom
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