Project: LiveInn Nong Khai
Posted By Alec on May 29, 2011
We have completed our initial concept for the exterior of the hotel and will now work with the client to refine our design. We have already begun this process of refinement and whilst the main accommodation section of the building is likely to remain much as it is shown, the smaller block that houses the reception, restaurant and conference rooms and so on, is likely to evolve considerably as we move towards a final design. At the moment, I am working on redesigning the main entrance, in particular.
As for the interior, the actual layout of the floors of the main accommodation block is more or less finalised. Each floor has 14 standard rooms and two suites with lounge, kitchenette, bedroom and bathroom. A total of 80 rooms over 5 floors. However, establishing the layout is the easy part. The next stage will be to carry out all of the engineering work to integrate all of the services into the design and also the physical interior design work.
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Tags: architecture, Commercial Building, hotel design, House Builder, Isaan, Khon Kaen, Laos, Nong Khai, Resort Design, Structural Engineering, Thailand, Udon Thani, Vientiane
Project: Thip Thani - 4 Bedroom Home
Posted By Alec on May 29, 2011
It’s been a while since my last post about this project, but all of the floor slabs are now in. The steel roof framework has been constructed and the block work is well nearing completion. We will now begin tiling of the roof and continuing with the block work.
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Tags: Architect, Home Construction, House Builder, Isaan, Khon Kaen, Laos, Nong Khai, Structural Engineering, Thailand, Udon Thani, Vientiane
Project: Modern Style 2 Bedroom 1 Storey Home (Nong Kom Ko)
Posted By Alec on May 29, 2011
Last week, we completed the main structural framework by pouring the concrete for the roof beams and also the concrete slabs for the parts of the house that have a flat roof. The next step is to install the pre-cast concrete floor slabs, build the roof structure and begin the block work.
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Tags: architecture, Home Design, House Builder, Isaan, Khon Kane, Laos, Nong Khai, Structural Engineering, Udon Thani, Vientiane. Thailand
Project: LiveInn Nong Khai
Posted By Alec on May 22, 2011
The “LiveInn Nong Khai” is one of Nong Khai’s newest hotels, however they are already finding themselves full to capacity and needing to expand. We have been commissioned to design a new 6 storey 80 room building to add additional space. The new building will house a new larger reception area to replace the one in the existing building. There will also be a restaurant and conference facility. We are now busy developing our initial concept – I will be posting some 3D renderings of the concept as it develops. Construction is due to begin later this year.
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Tags: architecture, hotel design, Khon Kaen, Nong Khai, Structural Engineering, Thailand, udont Thani
Project: Amoon on the Mekong
Posted By Alec on May 22, 2011
I have not blogged about this project before, however it is one that we have been working on for over a year, now. I enjoy all of our design and construction projects, but this one has been particularly thrilling to have been a part of so far. ”Amoon on the Mekong” will be a luxury guest house in an idyllic setting amongst 13 Rai (5 Acres) of mature trees on the banks of the Mekong River, backed by the rolling hills of Sangkhom and enjoying wonderful views across the river to Laos.
When we were first approached, the design project was well underway. Our client had already been working with an architect in Australia for a number of years developing an architectural concept. This concept has remained largely unchanged, so I can not take credit for all of the architectural design, however we have worked with the client to make tweaks and alterations to achieve a final design. We also carried out all of the necessary structural analysis, electrical and plumbing engineering work to produce all of the necessary construction drawings and documentation.
We are still working with the client to look at additional potential refinements to the final design. The construction phase of the project is due for completion before December 2012.
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Tags: architecture, Guest House Design, hotel design, Khon Kaen, Laos, Nong Khai, Sangkhom, Structural Engineering, Thailand, Udon Thani, Vientiane
Project: Korean Barbecue Restaurant
Posted By Alec on May 16, 2011
I recently prepared an initial concept for a two storey Korean barbecue restaurant. There are a large number of Korean Barbecue restaurants in Nong Khai of which “999″ is one of the most popular. So much so, that they are outgrowing their current location and are intending to move in to their new premises by the end of this year. The restaurant will be spread over two separate plots of land, one of which already has a house on it. I designed the new building to use the existing column and beam structure of the current building and then extend into the adjacent vacant land. The restaurant will be two storey, with the second floor being half covered and half open air terrace. The plot is on the Rim Khong road, which runs next to the Mekong River, so the roof terrace will enjoy excellent views across the river to Laos. Having received approval of the concept, we are now developing this into a final design and complete set of engineering drawings.
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Tags: architecture, Laos, Nong Khai, Restaurant Design, Restaurant Interior Design, Structural Engineering, Thailand, Udon Thani
Project: Modern Style 2 Bedroom 1 Storey Home (Nong Kom Ko)
Posted By Alec on May 5, 2011
This morning, the site received its official ‘blessing’ in a traditional Buddhist ceremony, so construction can begin. We have now begun pouring the footings and setting the steel column reinforcement structures in place. Meanwhile, some staff are also preparing the steel beam reinforcement structures. Ready for installation over the coming days.
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Tags: architecture, construction, Home Design, House Builder, Laos, NKD Construction, Nong Khai, Nong Khai Design, Structural Engineering, Thailand, Udon Thani, Vientiane
Project: Thip Thani - 4 Bedroom Home
Posted By Alec on April 30, 2011
Today we took delivery of the pre-cast concrete floor slabs for our Thip Thani project. Once all in place, a re-inforcing wire mesh will be laid over the top and a the final concrete floor surface will be poured over the top.
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Tags: architecture, Home Design, House Builder, House Construction, Nong Khai, Pre-cast Concrete Slab, Structural Engineering, Udon Thani
Project: Modern Style 2 Bedroom 1 Storey Home (Nong Kom Ko)
Posted By Alec on April 30, 2011
We attempted to excavate the footings for our latest project a couple of days ago….. unfortunately, we encountered a rocky seam about half a meter down full of huge rocks that proved to be too much of a challenge for the small excavator that we were using. The reason for initially using a small excavator is that it produces much neater holes that require less manual ‘dressing’ prior to pouring the concrete footings. Today we are continuing with a larger excavator that is more up to the task of removing the large rocks!
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Tags: architecture, Excavation, Footings, Home Design, House Builder, Khon Kaen, Laso, Nong Khai, Structural Engineering, Thailand, Udon Thani, Vientiane
Project: Modern Style 2 Bedroom 1 Storey Home (Nong Kom Ko)
Posted By Alec on April 27, 2011
In January I posted images of a concept for a modern style two bedroom home. Since then, we have worked with the client to develop this concept into a final design and a full set of engineering drawings. Planning permission has now been granted and today we began clearing the plot of land and marking it out for construction. The lucky Buddhist day for the first columns to be erected is 4th May. Between now and then we shall be digging the footings and preparing all of the column reinforcement structures.
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Tags: 2 Bedroom, architecture, construction, Home Design, House Builder, Khon Kaen, Laos, Modern Home, Nong Khai, Structural Engineering, Thailand, Udon Thani, Vientiane
Project: Thip Thani - 4 Bedroom Home
Posted By Alec on April 26, 2011
Today we completed the initial concrete structural framework of our latest project in Thip Thani, and began work on the steel roof structure. We are now awaiting delivery of the precast concrete floor slabs, and will begin the block work.
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Tags: architecture, construction, Home Design, Hous eBuilder, Khon Kaen, Laos, Nong Khai, Structural Engineering, THip Thani, Udon Thani, Vientiane
Project: Fao Rai - 2 Bedroom Home
Posted By Alec on April 25, 2011
It has been a busy month, hence the lack of updates on the blog! We have all but completed our project in Fao Rai. All that remains is a little bit of finishing to the wood work. The following pictures were taken about a week ago before clearing the site. I shall post a full video of the interior & exterior in about a week.
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Tags: architecture, construction, Fao Rai, House Builder, Nong Khai, Phon Phisai, Structural Engineering, Two Bedroom House
Project: Fao Rai - 2 Bedroom Home
Posted By Alec on March 24, 2011
We have now completely tiled the floor of the house and covered the floor with a layer of cardboard to protect the tiles whilst we complete the rest of the interior work. We are also in the process of installing all of the windows and fitting out the bathrooms. The granite for the kitchen counter top is due to de delivered and fitted by Monday, which will then allow us to complete the tiling and fitting of the kitchen cabinets and appliances. We have applied an undercoat and are now awaiting top coats of paint.
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Tags: 2 Bedroom Home, Architect, Budget Home, Bungalow, Fao Rai, Home Construction, House Builder, Khon Kaen, Laos, Low Cost Home, Nong Khai, Phon Phisai, Structural Engineering, Udon Thani, Vientiane
Project: Fao Rai - 2 Bedroom Home
Posted By Alec on March 15, 2011
We have completed most of the exterior architectural detailing work and have poured the concrete foot path and patio areas around the house. We have also nearly completed adding in the suspended gypsum board ceiling and have begun to paint the house. We have also begun constructing the kitchen and bathroom counter units and carrying out the necessary plumbing work.
Yesterday we started bringing floor tiles and bathroom fittings etc… to the site, ready for installation.
We are currently a week ahead of schedule for our initial planned completion date of 24th April for this project.
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Tags: architecture, construction, Fao Rai, Home Construction, House Builder, Khon Kaen, Nong Khai, Phon Phisai, Structural Engineering, Udon Thani
Project: Thip Thani - 4 Bedroom Home
Posted By Alec on March 8, 2011
Having marked out the site, we broke ground on our latest project in Thip Thani late yesterday afternoon. Often the footings would be dug by hand, but the scale of the task on this project required a mechanical solution! By 11pm all of the footings and the large hole for the basement had been excavated. Today, we are busy preparing the holes ensuring that the precise size and depth of each is correct.
Yesterday, we also took delivery of a large quantity of re-bar, so today some of our team are now preparing the footing, column and beam reinforcement structures etc..
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Tags: architecture, construction, Excavation, House Builder, house design, Isaan, Laos, Nong Khai, Structural Engineering, Thailand, Udon Thani, Vientiane
Project: Thip Thani - 4 Bedroom Home
Posted By Alec on March 2, 2011
I have just finished the design of a new four bedroom two storey home which we are going to build in Thip Thani, Nong Khai. Today we began clearing the land and preparing the site and arranging for connection of utilities ready for work to begin. Our client would like to have the official buddhist ceremony for the new house building on 17th March. This takes place when the first concrete footing is placed within its foundation hole. Between now and then, we shall be digging all of the foundation holes and also the large hole for the basement room that this house has. We shall also by preparing all of the steel reinforcement for the columns, footings and some of the beams, in order to speed up the construction process after the 17th March.
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Tags: architecture, Home Construction, House Builder, Nong Khai, Structural Engineering, THip Thani, Udon Thani
Project: Fao Rai - 2 Bedroom Home
Posted By Alec on February 9, 2011
The main roof frame has now been added to the house and the tile mounting spars are being added. The roof tiles are due to be delivered in two days. Most of the initial block work is completed and we shall be starting to render the walls in the next couple of days so within a week the house will begin to take shape.
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Tags: architecture, Fao Rai, Home Construction, House Builder, house design, Isaan, Laos, Nong Khai, Phon Phisai, Structural Engineering, Thailand, Vientiane
Project: Other Projects
Posted By Alec on February 3, 2011
I have just completed an initial concept design for a 300 sq.m. two storey four bedroom home.
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Tags: Architect, Four Bedroom Home, Home Design, House Builder, Isaan, Khon Kaen, Modern Style, Nong Khai, Structural Engineering
Project: Fao Rai - 2 Bedroom Home
Posted By Alec on January 25, 2011
We have been continuing preparations for the casting of the main floor beams in a couple of days by adding all of the shuttering around the steel beam reinforcement structure.
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Tags: architecture, Fao Rai, Home Construction, House Builder, Khon Kaen, Laos, Nong Khai, Phon Phisai, Project Management, Structural Engineering, Thailand, Udon Thani, Vientiane
Project: Other Projects
Posted By Alec on January 24, 2011
The owner of a travel agent in Nong Khai asked us to help them with a problem they were having with their office. The problem was that the office was becoming unbearably hot as it had a glass curtain wall frontage and also large windows at the side. Sun streamed in all through the day. Adding blinds inside had not helped as although it blocked out the glare of the sun, it did not stop the office temperature increasing, cause by the sun heating up the air in the gap between the inside of the window and the blind. Whilst they had air conditioning fitted that should have been the correct power for the size of the office, it did not account for the excessive heat that can build up in such a glass box! The problem had become so bad that they had resorted to leaving the security shutters down for most of the time. The problem with this was that passers by then thought that the office was not open!
My solution was to provide a physical barrier to protect the office from the sun. First we applied a sheet of adhesive material to the window that allows you to see out of from the inside, but blocks much of the light coming in. I also designed and printed some sections of this material to promote some of the world destinations that the travel agent offers packages to. I then designed a series of solid facia board constructed from a combination of wood, stainless steel and plastic that incorporated the company logo to be mounted outside the window as another physical barrier to the heat of the sun. These facia boards are all removable from the frame to which they are mounted to allow for cleaning of the windows behind them. The large white board actually has a hinged glass front in a stainless steel frame and can be opened up to allow posters to be displayed detailing the latest promotions on offer by the travel agent. Everything that was installed fits between the window and the existing security shutters so that it is protected when the office is closed at night.
We completed all work with this small project a little over a week ago and are happy to report that it has solved the problem…. the office is now cool and airy, and passers by never miss the office because not only are the security shutters open all day, but the company also has a greatly increased street presence as a result of the new signage.
Here is the office as it was, the CAD concept that was presented, and the final result.
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Tags: Architect, Graphic Design, Isaan, Khon Kaen, Nong Khai, Office Remodelling, Office Renovation, Structural Engineering, Thailand, Udon Thani, Vientiane
