Form: Introduction

Many years ago, humans started to build their own shelter to protect themselves from any harmful

circumstances like weather, enemies or dangerous animals. The shelters might be different from each

other which all depends on the nature and culture of their environment. The form, function and design of Thai and Southeast Asian houses are also influenced by nature and culture because of the climate, resources, activities and beliefs that surround them. The form of the house shows the representation of the climates that affects the spaces, roof, placement of doors, terraces, and materials of the house, along with the foundation techniques. The roof helps to represent the climatic factors of the house site and could indicate the culture where the house owner belongs as well. The walls, windows, doors, its placements and materials show the influences of climate on the house with the solutions to let the house occupants live peacefully with the environment they had. Then, the foundation is a key that demonstrates how the house is constructed in such conditions of the environment which might face some problems from the climatic factors. The places that provides the ideas of influences of nature and culture on house forms; Central Thailand, Southern Thailand, Northeastern Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and Southern Lao.