Thailand - Innovative Low Cost Housing - Baan Eua-Arthorn - David Hoicka

© David Hoicka 2009

Thailand’s Innovative Low Cost Housing

Baan Eua-Arthorn ● David Hoicka

Benefits of Thailand’s Low Cost Housing Baan Eua-Arthorn Program

• Thailand’s Low Cost Housing – Baan Eua-ArthornProgram has several benefits:

1. Lower construction cost for attractive independent homes

2. Expandability as family income increases and family grows

3. Commercial possibilities to increase family income

4. Empowers family self-help resourcefulness and dignity by rewarding family initiative

© David Hoicka 2009

Thailand’s National Housing Authority has embarked on an ambitious program to build hundreds of thousands of affordable homes.

© David Hoicka 2009

Typically these are starter homes, which can be expanded as the family gains income or grows. Here, expandable area includes the front first floor area.

© David Hoicka 2009

Initially, the homes are attractive and simple. These photos were taken at a housing development a few kilometers north of Bangkok.

© David Hoicka 2009

Over a short period of time, the families customize their homes with gardens and construction of new additions.

© David Hoicka 2009

Many families install commercial areas, such as stores, beauty parlors, and workshops, to increase family income.

© David Hoicka 2009

Many improvements and decorations are simple, attractive, and effective, personalizing each family’s home.

© David Hoicka 2009

In this case, a family is replacing a wooden fence with a sculpted concrete wall, and building out the ground floor area.

© David Hoicka 2009

This family has changed the entrance from the front to the side.

© David Hoicka 2009

Another family is building a personalized fence. Small trees are starting to mature around family homes.

© David Hoicka 2009

Some families build ceramic tile decks around their homes, to make the outside an easily usable extension of the inside family area.

© David Hoicka 2009

This picture shows construction of a new room in the ground floor expansion area.

© David Hoicka 2009

Another picture of ground floor construction (on left) to expand the home. On the right is a completed ground floor expansion.

© David Hoicka 2009

In this photo, the first house has expanded the ground floor for residential use; the next for commercial. Other homes on the right have not yet expanded.

© David Hoicka 2009

A popular retail store on the ground floor expansion area.

© David Hoicka 2009

A family retail store on a street corner.

© David Hoicka 2009

Another family retail store on a street corner.

© David Hoicka 2009

Another family retail store on a street corner.

© David Hoicka 2009

A well-stocked small retail store on a street corner.