The Boat House

See project BKK 728

We are thrilled to announce our latest venture set beside the "River of Kings", the Chao Phraya River in Thailand. For this project, the architecture team at Rigby and Rigby were commissioned to design a private boat house, with the intent of creating a space for family gatherings and events, and to accommodate a variety of boats, from speedboats to traditional flat river boats.

Historically, the river served as a vital route for transporting goods like rice and teak and other timbers, with its network of canals facilitating trade and irrigation. The surrounding areas have seen a range of typologies, from warehouses, riverside temples to stilted fishing villages, all influencing the region’s architectural character. Our project on the riverbank allowed us to study these local typologies and incorporate them into our design, drawing inspiration from the beauty of traditional structures and the simplicity of natural materials used and once transported along the river.

The geometric form of the main boathouse is divided into three key segment: an entrance foyer with utility spaces, an outdoor cooking and lounge area, and an indoor gathering space with simple stairs leading to the river’s edge.

Accompanying this building is the covered dock and the open dock.

The client’s vision was for a versatile space that serves both practical transit needs and leisure activities on the river, for pre- and post-cruise enjoyment.

Lead Architect, Charlie Kentish, says:

"We embraced the challenge of designing an economically efficient yet beautiful structure, drawing inspiration from the simple forms and humble materials characteristic of the traditional fishing stilt houses that once lined the riverbanks.

Our concept reimagines a typical architectural form by opening it up to evoke the spirit house of the traditional Thai roof, fostering a seamless indoor-outdoor space that celebrates and connects with the Chao Phraya River."