Located in Bangkok, Villa Le Rac is a duplex residence shaped by nearly four decades of family memories and conceived by a husband-and-wife interior designer duo.
Designed by Bareo, an interior design practice based in Thailand, the 290-square-metre home transforms personal experiences, collected objects, and family journeys into an interior defined by emotion, craftsmanship, and everyday living.
Villa Le Rac’s design concept, ‘Our First Snow,’ is inspired by the family’s winter journeys, photographs collected over decades, meaningful objects gathered from around the world, and shared experiences that have shaped their lives together.
Snow is expressed not through literal imagery, but through the interior atmosphere, with gentle lighting, muted tones, tactile materials, and spaces designed to feel calm and welcoming.
A home shaped by decades of shared experiences
Villa Le Rac was conceived as a secondary home, yet it was planned with the same level of detail and functionality expected from a primary residence. The layout was developed around two essential needs: creating spaces for family connection and preserving areas for privacy.
Shared spaces, including the dining hall, living lounge, and expansive pantry, encourage interaction and togetherness. Bedrooms and private areas provide quieter retreats, allowing each member of the family to have a sense of personal space.
The Double Suite on the lower floor demonstrates this flexibility. During family gatherings, it functions as connected family rooms, while at other times it can be used as a private guest sanctuary.
Across the residence, photographs, artworks, books, and personal collections are integrated into customised display systems. Instead of being displayed as separate decorative pieces, these objects are incorporated into the interiors, keeping the family’s memories present in everyday life.
Capturing the atmosphere of snowfall
The idea of ‘Our First Snow’ shaped the colour palette and atmosphere of Villa Le Rac. Soft whites, muted sky blues, warm wood tones, and dark accents combine to create a calm yet welcoming interior.
The interiors draw from the quiet mood of snowfall through colour, light, and texture, creating a calm environment that remains warm, practical, and suited to daily family life.
Natural light plays a key role in defining the residence. Positioned within the east wing of a private office building, the duplex apartment was oriented to minimise harsh tropical sunlight while allowing soft northern illumination to enter throughout the day.
A six-metre-high window in the main hall brings daylight deep into the double-volume space, allowing the character of the interior to shift throughout the day while preserving its calm atmosphere.
Bringing the concept to life through design
The idea behind ‘Our First Snow’ continues through a series of bespoke elements, including the semi-spiral staircase connecting the lower and upper levels of the main hall.
After exploring several staircase concepts, Bareo developed a flowing half-curve that begins from the first step and continues towards the mid-landing before transitioning into a straight run leading to the mezzanine. Each step is crafted from a single slab of solid mahogany, while concealed LED lighting beneath the treads provides warmth and visibility at night.
The staircase also demonstrates how Bareo balanced practical requirements with the sculptural quality of the design. A black accent panel was introduced at the mid-landing to subtly increase the guard height while preserving the continuous curve of the handrail. The inner side of the balustrade features hazelnut-brown faux leather with beige stitching, adding a tactile contrast to the rich mahogany steps.
In the main hall, the ceiling follows the geometry of the interior through interconnected circular forms aligned with the living area, staircase, and upper lounge. Concealed lighting adds depth to the double-volume space while allowing the sculptural ceiling form to remain the focus.
A palette of warmth, texture, and contrast
Materials throughout Villa Le Rac introduce contrast and texture while reinforcing the residence’s warm atmosphere. Traditional Japanese Yakisugi wood creates a strong visual presence in the pantry and foyer, with its charred surface contrasting against the lighter tones used throughout the home.
The wooden fin ceiling illustrates how the studio responded to an unexpected construction challenge. Initially planned as a simple timber ceiling extension, the feature evolved when construction conditions required a different solution. By dividing the curved timber into smaller layered segments, Bareo created a sculptural ceiling installation resembling cascading wooden fins.
Between the dining area and family lounge, the Prism Mobile Partition introduces another distinctive element. Suspended prism-shaped components made from lacquered wood and blue resin create a subtle division between spaces while maintaining visual connection and openness.
Furniture designed for the family’s way of living
The residence’s customised furniture includes the ONDAL Chair, created exclusively for Villa Le Rac. Designed to provide comfort while maintaining open sightlines within the living spaces, the low-profile chair incorporates enhanced lumbar support within a restrained form.
Inspired by the Korean folk hero Ondal, the chair reflects the project’s belief that simplicity can carry strength and character.
Other spaces, including The Galleria, the Library, and the Paris Suite, each have their own character while remaining connected through a consistent material palette and planning approach. Together, these elements create an interior that feels personal and contemporary while maintaining a sense of continuity throughout the residence.
The story behind the name
The story of Villa Le Rac extends beyond its interiors. The residence’s name was developed as part of the project’s personal meaning, drawing inspiration from Villa Le Lac, the modernist house designed by Le Corbusier.
While ‘Villa’ represents the idea of a refined residence or retreat, ‘Le Lac,’ meaning ‘the lake,’ was reinterpreted as ‘Le Rac.’ In Thai pronunciation, it becomes ‘Ler Rak,’ meaning ‘filled with love.’
This subtle transformation creates a connection between international architectural heritage and Thai cultural expression, reflecting the emotional significance behind the residence.
Beyond its carefully considered interiors, Villa Le Rac captures something less tangible: the comfort of familiarity, the warmth of togetherness, and the emotions that make a place feel like home.
Villa Le Rac won the award for Best Residential Interiors – Luxury Villa in the 2026 BIP Global Interior Design Awards.
