“My goodness! Is this really a house?” I had to exclaim as I observed the large white building with its strange shape and sizes. It didn’t have the roof I was used to nor did it have the square shaped window frames. Once compared to the other houses in the area, I could confirm that this was no ordinary house. (The owner of the house is Khun Chachawal Setthabutr) The architect who is the brain behind all these odd designs, Pornchai Boonsom, tells us that when the house was first constructed on Rama 6 Road, a child came by and asked if it was a spaceship. This just substantiates my point. Pornchai explains to us,“My work can be defined as modern architecture, but modern can be categorized as simple modern or complex modern. The simple designs are shapes of boxes while the complex designs embrace the many shapes that are combined to respond to the demands of the environment and the available space. No matter how complicated the design is, it is essential to utilize the entire area.” It’s without a doubt that the work of this particular architect, who has more than two decades of working experience, falls into the category of complex modern architecture. I asked him why there were so many lines and has the normal boxed shaped house with its 90 degree angles become so tedious? “In my work, I don’t feel the need to explicitly tell what is the floor or the ceiling, but everyone can instinctively recognize them. I wanted to create an image in which the floors could become the walls or the ceiling so I built them of the same material.” There is a connection among every aspect in the house and is of equal importance. Pornchai does not only create this feeling in the residences, but also in unique coffee shops, fashion show booths and even automobile showrooms that he has helped build. Whether if it’s the strange curving walls, or slanted square shaped windows, it’s not as if you can use them all just for the sake of being unique. “This all depends on each family’s lifestyle and their definition of a house. Some define it as a sanctuary, where others describe it as a private space or a place for family members. The architect’s job is to meet the demands of each family.” Our meeting place was the house of Boonmee Payoongtanakorn, although not that odd and peculiar but which also reflects the owner of the house. Taweewat Payoongtanakorn, the son of the owner of the house, speaks to us about the design of the house made by Pornchai. “We’re quite happy with the design. Although it fits in as very complex and modern on the outside, it’s quite practical inside and focuses on simplicity and utilization. This house undeniably reflects my family and our habits, with its trees, streams of water and a place for everyone in the family.” I wondered how the look of this architect’s house would be like, and how extravagant the floors, ceilings, windows and roofs would be. “My house is very simple and not at all complex like what I have designed for my customers. I would want to but it would cost an extreme amount. I’m quite a simple person, and like to spend time at my work desk or with my trees. I would rather have my work reflect my talent, rather than talk about it. I feel proud when my work communicates to people.”