Termitary House

Termites build with very little: their bodies, soil and saliva, guided only by changes in wind and temperature through the day. The Termitary House takes that as its model. It stands in a tropical climate with sharp swings between the sunny and rainy seasons and several storms a year.

The house is made of layers of brick wall pierced with holes in a random pattern, like a termite mound, with generous space between floors. The holes act as vents, keeping air moving and letting breeze and light reach every corner. At both gable ends a double skin, brick outside and sliding glass inside, forms a buffer zone within the wall. In storms the inner layer holds back wind and rain, while the change in pressure pushes air toward the gap.

Stairs, storage and bathrooms sit on the east and west sides, shielding the rooms from direct sun and stiffening the structure against typhoons. At the centre is a large shared space with a cooking counter, a dining table and a corner to relax, which leads to the living room, bedrooms and bathroom. The mezzanine holds another bedroom, an altar room and a small library, and the attic is an open terrace under climbing vines. With no solid walls between shared areas, family members can see and talk to one another through the perforated brick.

By day the sun throws patterned shadows across the inner walls, and slim skylights frame the sky and the planted roof while letting hot air escape. The changing light shifts the colour of the brick through the day. At night the house glows like a lantern.

The house cost about US$27,000 for 140 m². Timber from the family’s old house was reused for furniture, finish layers were left off, and unnecessary walls and doors were removed. Brick, a cheap local material that recalls the region’s ancient brick temples, absorbs moisture and helps regulate humidity, and the team chose to leave it bare.