Form: Main Floor

 The main floor of the house represents the influences of climates toward the spaces and design of the house. These influences can be shown through the placement of walls, windows and doors as it indicates the connection of nature around the house. Now, the Southern Laos House or Lao Loum House clearly represents the influences on climates on the house very well. Southern Laos House has one perimeter wall with walls that formed into a family room and have windows at every side letting the natural air flow to the common area of the house. These walls and floor are made out of the woven split bamboo or sawn wood that is found locally. Additionally, the veranda is quite long which gives the space for the family to sit, eat together and talk to neighbors who pass by their house. Another example that shows the influences of climates to the house in our neighbor country is Indonesian House. The Indonesian house is usually an open house in terms of enclosed area, it simply has one large room without walls to separate each space but the rooms were identified by the furniture instead. These walls were made from the split bamboo to prevent the dangerous animals and protect the family from the evil spirits according to Indonesian beliefs. The air is ventilated by the windows from every side of the house, giving the occupants feel comfortable while staying inside. From comparison between the two houses from neighboring countries we will see the similarity that both of the houses think of the effects of climates to the house. Apart from the influences of climates to the house, North East Thai House also shows the connection between the outside and inside of the house. This house has a large veranda next to the main room and it is an important space of the house. The veranda has no roof giving the sense of contact or connection to nature though the occupants are still staying in the residential area. Moreover, we can see that they usually don't construct the actual windows but have the small channels as windows instead. The house has only one door at the front as an entrance and exit to prevent the wind entering during the winter time. Additionally, the distribution of the rooms for the occupants is barely related to the climates. The family members will sleep together in one room but once the daughter is growing up and ready to marry, she will have to move to another room called “ห้องส้วม”, which is a room for the daughter and her groom. On the other hand, the son does not usually have his own room due to less attention to society rules.