Hidden Talent
With a developing portfolio and ever increasing international attention, the modest pair behind small Bangkok design firm Anonym reveal the simple secrets to their success
“Why are we Anonym?” I've just asked co-founders Phongphat Ueasangkhomset and Parnduangjai Roojnawate about the intriguing choice of name for their design studio. They ponder for a while, and then Roojnawate answers: “We chose this name because we don’t want our clients or the public to focus on who we are. It's like when you visit a gallery and an artist has labelled their piece ‘Untitled’ - our work speaks for itself.”
The low-key pair combine to do everything for their projects, with Ueasangkhomset - a graduate of King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi who later worked on condo projects in Singapore - focusing on the exteriors, and Roojnawate - who studied design in France after a bachelor's degree in interior architecture from King Mongkuts Institute of Technology Ladkrabang - tasked with finessing the interiors.
This small firm - suitably based in humble surroundings, occupying a converted terrace house down a small lane in Bangkok's eastern Ekkamai district - has drawn international attention for its work which, while adapted to the requirements of each client, follows a belief in creating open spaces, providing airflow, and bringing in natural light. Clean lines and geometric shapes also feature in their projects, which to date has mostly focused on residential projects, with one rather prominent exception.
“We had huge trouble deciding on what pantone green to use,” says Ueasangkhomset, referring to ‘Green 26’, their exciting office design for a Thai TV production company. Occupying a space measuring just 62 square meters, the client wanted a shade that obviously represented their name, but the challenge was to find a colour that would be distinctive yet also liveable for the staff who had to work there day after day (or from home more recently). The resulting dark hue, accented by white light fittings that resemble hanging vines and reflected through large windows by a small courtyard garden, gives off a shaded forest feel, offset by the bright white epoxy floor that runs the length of the space. “It was difficult,” says Roojnawate. “With decisions like these there’s never a real right or wrong, it’s just about your own perception and feeling.”
To that end, the pair are often careful about the people they choose to work with. “Before we take on a new client, we have to find out what their attitude is,” says Ueasangkhomset. “Think of it really like starting a new relationship. After all, we’ll be spending the next three years closely together, and will be sharing very intimate details - we'll know the smallest detail about everything in their home, from what’s in their bedroom to behind closed doors!” To that end, they meet with potential clients and discuss with them what their aim is, and what they envision for their new home. “They have to be willing to take this journey with us,” says Roojnawate. “It's a long process full of discussion and arguments, though everyone will be happy in the end.”