In this latest project in Bangkok, we helped a couple transform their overgrown front garden into a usable space where they could spend time easily and with privacy.
No one wants to be the owners of a sinking concrete terrace in Bangkok…
The home was a few years old, but the concrete terrace that came as part of the original design had sunk several inches into the Bangkok mud, a problem very common in many parts of Bangkok.
This had left a sagging sitting space, uncomfortable for resting, as the tiled slab was left at an angle when exiting the home!
Thai Garden Design proposed to completely remove the sagging slab, and replace it with a wood plastic composite decking, which would have wide and deep concrete footings, with a galvanized steel frame set on top. The top boards of the deck would then be attached to the frame, giving a stable, light but strong platform that would indeed last for many years.
Wood plastic composite decks are great in urban areas. Good quality WPC decks do not warp in the heat, are normally attached together with stainless steel fixtures, and are 100% insect and termite proof.
New Custom Pathways
The old slab was removed quickly, and the team levelled the garden and installed the footings and built the framework. The final level of the deck would be the same as the interior floor of the house, giving an easy and seamless transition from inside to outside.
Transitioning from the new decked area to the carport was important, so the team proposed to make their own ‘easy walk’ pavers, poured squares and rectangular concrete, reinforced, to create the customers own custom-made walkway, without the need for shop bought paving slabs.
The area was cleared, and the team got to work pouring the new pavers, which would be finished in a grey sand wash effect. This is when small grades of sand are set into drying concrete, which is then ‘washed’ by hand, to reveal the colorful sand effect on the surface of the concrete.
The rest of the garden was haphazardly planted, although some nice plants could be salvaged. The design team recommended a low maintenance but colorful planting list, which was approved. The main feature plants in the garden are an impressive looking ‘dragon tree’ or ‘junpaa’ in Thai (Dracaena loureiroi), some spikey white and green agave plants (very low maintenance) and a variety of heliconias and dwarf date palms.
These are all lit up nicely during the evening by a network of garden spotlights installed by the team.
As a final touch, the team nestled a black terrazzo style water feature in the middle of the planted area, linked with a timer, to run automatically during morning and early evening.
The job took just two weeks, from start to finish, and the couple were thrilled with their new social garden space, easily accessed from their living room, and therefore adding extra space to this lovely urban home, and no more sinking concrete terrace in Bangkok !
