The Naked House has been designed by architect Marc Gerritsen as a single-family contemporary home for himself in Koh Samui, Thailand. The site location was chosen for the large expanse of the surroundings and quietness. Life in Taipei is very hectic, so the architect needed a place to escape, a quiet area with fabulous views.

He wanted an open-plan living room with doors that can totally slide away, overlooking a pool and the ocean, something he had been dreaming about for a long time. With this plot, he was able to put the pieces of the puzzle together. “The house was a return to the basic values in life: good clean air, wide open space, quiet solitude.

With these basic values, you can be in a space that is uncluttered, and your mind can become still.” This was also the reason behind the basic materials that were applied to this project: concrete, wood, steel, and glass. With no embellishments, the focus was applied more heavily on the space rather than the materials.

“I originally planned three stories: two bedrooms on the bottom; the pool, living area, and kitchen on the middle level; and an office on top. But I’ve added a bathroom on the living room level, a laundry room, and a pantry. I wanted a simple kitchen, with no overhead cupboards or tall fridge, so the pantry is good for storage. I added a freestanding open-air bathroom, as the top room became a magnificent master bedroom that needed an en-suite. The tank and plant room became a large open room with a swing bed, underneath the deck I added a steam room, and the space below the bedrooms now houses an office and maid’s room. So it ended up being five stories – the result of a work in progress.” — Marc Gerritsen

“My work over the last few years as an architectural and interior photographer has taught me what not to do. Looking at all the incredibly fine detailed properties I photographed in Asia. I thought: “Is this really necessary to be comfortable? If I walk on a concrete floor or if I walk on a marble floor, is it going to make my living experience so much better?” No. You just need a floor to walk on. I am interested in a return to basics, in a luxury monastic way of living.”

Photos: Marc Gerritsen