A white zig-zag-roofed family villa in Khao Yai, Thailand

Khao Yai Mountain Grounded Villa is a new family retreat in the green countryside of north-eastern Thailand, designed by HAS Design and Research, the practice of Jenchieh Hung and Kulthida Songkittipakdee. Crisp white against the leaves, it is defined by a zig-zag roof that traces, in abstract, the outline of the surrounding mountains. The architects say the project responds to King Rama IX's Sufficiency Economy philosophy of self-reliant, environmentally conscious living.

That shows in how it works. The L-shaped plan borrows from the courtyard layouts of local farm buildings, shading some rooms and opening others to the breeze. With sun and ventilation carefully managed, the architects say the house holds around 26°C without air conditioning, and rainwater is collected for the garden. The jagged roof also throws pixel-like mountain shadows across the floors, an idea they link to Nang Yai, Thailand's traditional shadow puppet theatre.

Inside, a flowing open plan leaves room for gathering, yoga or meditation, with a tatami room, music room, kitchen and wine cellar arranged around it. One arm of the L holds the social spaces; the other, two en suite bedrooms.

It is a private home, so there is nothing to visit, but it is a rewarding read for anyone curious about tropical houses that stay cool by design rather than machinery.

Our summary of a story from Wallpaper*, published 26 October 2026. Read the original

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