Bear House is a memorable holiday home designed for a fun loving young couple and their two small children in Cha-Am beach, Thailand, by the local practice of Onion. The inspiration came into being through the request of the client to provide a prominent space for their collection of Bearbrick figures, a modular bear figure created by the Japanese firm of Medicom Toy Inc. These bears of various sizes gained popularity and collector’s status following a number of collaborations with celebrities such as Vivienne Westwood and NY graffiti artist, Stash!
As requested, a display cabinet was designed for the bears, and in fact dominates the entire living space. Faced in oak panels, as is the remainder of the house, it is not so much a cabinet but a dolls house, or should I say a bears house with windows, doors, steps and ladders! This playful concept was repeated throughout the design of 380 sq.m.home over three levels with a remarkable play on solids and voids, hatches and doors and even ladders leading to nowhere at all! The accessories and furnishings of this fun home are either oversized or undersized and make the inhabitants feel as though they are living in a playroom.
The bears are not only kept in their cabinet but displayed randomly around the home, as a constant reminder of their passion the family hold for the cute little creatures. The rare use of colour within the design is limited to the children’s rooms and the light hearted wall paintings carried out by well-known graffiti artists known as MMFK and P7, who have adorned the walls of the interior and exterior with pictures of bears, pirates and monsters. This is a great second home with an outstanding sea view to be enjoyed by this young adventurous couple and their two small children for years to come!
