To us, trees always add a unique feeling to architecture, from their shade, their sound, and the way they move in the wind as if the building has come alive. On a land plot sized at 120 sq.w. in a Bangkok residential district, the site is distinctive from the neighborhood, even from a distance, with a huge Mahogany tree standing in the middle of the site, planted by the homeowner’s father 30 years ago. “Is it possible to fit 4 bedrooms, a flexible family space, separate hobby corners for everyone, an outdoor play yard for kids, and make it flexible enough to cope with expansion or changes in the future?” the homeowner asked. We treated the tree as the core of the house and placed the rooms around it, creating the Mahogany Court where everyone in the house can gather and play. With a requirement of 500 sq.m. of interior area plus a large opening for the tree, finishing in a two-story flat is quite a challenge and would be tight. Instead, we carved a form with staggered heights, starting from a single story on the south to three stories on the west, engaging the wind and blocking the afternoon heat from the sun. Then we placed the rooms and aligned the openings according to the time of use and the path of sunlight, maximizing natural light in the space when needed. The exterior is decorated with rustic materials and earth-tone colors to harmonize with the tree's shade and the rough bark of the Mahogany. Meanwhile, the interior focuses on using white paint and dark hardwood cladding to complement the simplicity of the space and the beautiful shadows of the wood slat façade screen during the daytime. In any space in the house, you may see the shades of the Mahogany tree through the window, hear the wind moving the leaves, and hear activity from the court, connecting the family together. These are the heart and soul of “Mahogany House.” ---