An Island Paradise on Thailand’s Koh Samui

An island home for architect Marc Gerritsen on the island of Koh Samui is a testament to simplicity in design.

The concrete, wood, glass and steel structure has a master bedroom up stairs, the public spaces on the second floor and two guest suites under the pool.

The architect has built his own private paradise, surrounded by land and trees overlooking the pool and the sea beyond.

He separated his rudimentary kitchen from the pantry to reduce clutter.

So no cupboards are seen in the open space.

While the top of the house is steel and glass, the bottom half is concrete.

Under the pool, an outdoor swing is suspended.

Outdoor stairs up the hill connect each floor.

On the lowest level, two guest rooms are cooled by intimate jungle views.

The bathrooms are open to each bedroom but can be separated with a sliding wall.

A more serene bathing spot is hard to imagine.

The guest rooms are mirror images of each other.

Scored concrete floors offer a simple but elegant finish in keeping with the eco-chic vibe.

Glass walls slide completely out of the way by stacking past the outside corner of the home.

The feeling is of being in a cliffside cave looking out.

On the top of the house, the master bedroom has an al fresco bathroom, something only possible in the year round mild climate of Koh Samui.

In this bathroom, a bath is always in the open air.

In a home of fresh air and simplicity, the architect can retreat from a hectic work life in Taipei.