© 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-Arthorn Program 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.