Excerpt: Sandwash Flat by Architectkidd blends raw textures with modern design, using a humble, traditionally exterior material as a key interior element. By embracing its tactile quality and adaptability, the design creates a natural, grounded space that bridges the interior and exterior. This interior design project proves that simplicity and tradition can shape contemporary architecture with depth and meaning.
Project Description
[Text as submitted by architect] The story of sandwash is one that intertwines tradition and modernity, as it reflects the humble beginnings of a building material that’s often overlooked. In Southeast Asia, where increasingly sophisticated building materials are being used, sandwash, with its earthy texture and rough appearance, tends to be forgotten. Yet, beneath its unpretentious nature, sandwash holds a quiet utility and practicality that has served as a cornerstone of local architecture for decades.
Sandwash is a simple combination of sand, small stones and cement. Also referred to as “exposed aggregate”, its production involves mixing these materials, then brushing and “washing” away the outer layer to reveal the aggregates beneath. This process gives the material a uniquely textured finish, one that has traditionally been used for walls and exteriors in buildings like temples and schools across Thailand. Due to its widespread use (it can still be found in worn-out public areas and neglected buildings across Bangkok), sandwash has fallen out of favor over the years, viewed by some as outdated or unrefined.
At Architectkidd, we believe the beauty of sandwash remains underappreciated. Because it is made on-site by local workers using small-scale ingredients and hand tools, we think it is an energy-efficient and cost-effective choice compared to other finishes. Traditionally utilized as an exterior and landscape material, sandwash is used here – a renovation of an older high-rise building unit in Bangkok – as a creative interior material. By experimenting with different cement and aggregate combinations, it was possible to create a variety of surfaces and finishes for the interior space.
The main structure of the interior is exposed concrete, while sandwash is combined with wood and clay tile elements to create a tactile dimension within a raw, natural space. In many areas of the interior, sandwash allowed us to form subtly rounded spaces that would be challenging to make with other finishes. The ability for sandwash to mold smooth and continuous surfaces adds an extra dimension to the interior space.
What makes sandwash special is its adaptability. While it’s traditionally an exterior and landscape material, in this project, we’ve used sandwash to create a sense of connection between the interior and the exterior spaces. The result is an interior space that feels grounded and suitable for the tropical climate.
For Architectkidd, this project represents a rediscovery of a material that once had a role in shaping local architecture. By using sandwash, we are demonstrating how the simplest, most unassuming materials can have lasting value. Sandwash is an example that design doesn’t always require extravagant materials; sometimes, beauty lies in simplicity and tradition.
Images
