The document describes a proposed vertically-oriented single family house designed to take advantage of views. Major living spaces are elevated above ground to expand views of the surrounding landscape in three layers - ground, mid-air, and high-level natural elements. The house is conceived for a wealthy couple and two teenage children in a Southern California mountain suburb area alongside a lake with mountain and waterfall views. Verticality is experienced through a triple-height stairwell giving a sense of walking in mid-air.

1. The Vertical House
Designed by Indhava Kunjara Assisted by PowerCADD, SketchUp
Why a house should be organized
vertically
Living spaces such as living rooms,
bedrooms, bathrooms, and kitchens are
typically organized horizontally, built close
to the ground with a view that is limited by
the surrounding environment including
buildings, trees, and other natural
elements of the terrain. In this proposal all
major living spaces are elevated above the
ground to expand the view, The elevated
position suggests a better sense of
possessionoverthesurroundinglandscape
and an increased sense of security. Second,
a horizontal framed window on different
floor levels of the same side of wall lets
one enjoy different views of nature. In this
proposal there are three different layers of
view: ground natural elements (e.g. waters,
shrubs, and tree base), mid-air natural
elements (e.g. tree tops, small cascades),
and high round natural elements (e.g.
mountains, waterfalls).
This house is conceived as a vacation house
for a wealthy couple with two teenage
children. The ideal site of the house was
set to be in a suburb area of the Southern
California mountains that lie alongside a
lake with magnificent views of mountain
ridges and a waterfall to the north.
EAST ELEVATION
NORTH ELEVATION
SOUTH ELEVATION
WEST ELEVATION
THE BRIDGE ENTRANCE OF THE HOUSE
THE OPEN BATHROOM HIDDEN FROM OUTSIDE VIEWS
THE LIVING ROOM AREA
Verticality can be experienced in the triple
height stair chamber area where the up-
ward loops of the airflow gives a sense of
walking in the mid air.
Abstract
Today, housing dominates the majority of land use due partially to its horizontally
organized living spaces which results in relatively large buiding footprints. As an
alternative to this default horizontality, a vertically-oriented single family house is
studied. The house takes advantage of the verticality by offering unusual spatial overlaps
with a set of choreographed views corresponding to level and visibility distance of the
surrounding terrain.
Hyperlink to ETD:
https://vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/bitstream/handle/10919/51183/Kunjara_Na_Ayudhya_I_T_2015.
pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
5

2. The Vertical House
Designed by Indhava Kunjara Assisted by PowerCADD, SketchUp
THE MAIN BEDROOM LOOKING AT THE CLIFF WALL BENEATHE THE BRIDGE
VIEW OF THE BEVERAGE BAR AND POOL TABLE
THE KITCHEN FLOOR ON TOP ALLOWS ARIAL VIEWS TO THE DISTANT LANDSCAPE
THE COOKING OUT AREA ON GROUND FLOOR NEXT TO THE SWIMMING POOL
THE SWIMMING POOL WITH ILLUMINATED CEILING AND WATERFALL ON THE WALL SURFACE
GENERATE A UNIQUE VERTICALITY EXPERIENCE
VIEW OF THE BEVERAGE BAR LOOKING AT THE CLIFF WALL
6

3. The Vertical House
(M.Arch Thesis) Designed by Indhava Kunjara
7

4. Graduate School of Architecture
Designed by Indhava Kunjara Assisted by PowerCADD, SketchUp
As a probable extension for the school of architecture and urban studies at Virginia Tech,
the graduate school of architecture with housing project was established on an empty
siteacrossTautmanArtmuseuminRoanoke,Virginia.Thisbuildingcomplexiscomposed
of three zones; the studio, administration, and apartment units that accommodate 60
students. This empty site is located on a corner of the city where the building would
be one of the first constructions to welcome the visitors who are driving along the I-81
highway heading north. This was translated into an opportunity for the building to
become a city landmark that helps pedestrians orient themselves in the city.
An eleven storey apartment tower was placed at the intersection corner to anchor the
land constrast in height to its surrounding. On the third floor glass facade facing the
intersection funcetions as a jury room during academic hours and also functions as the
student gallery after the end of each semester. The traditional red brick was selected
to use for exterior cladding along the building outline to generate the harmony to
the surrounding brick buildings. The brick cladding interlocks with the contrasting
customized translucent bricks used for the studio building. The building height which
declines from the tower mass to meet with the existing two storey building on the far
side is partially an attempt to achieve the harmony as well.
Roof Plan and surroundings
EARLY DESIGN
FINAL DESIGN
BUILDING PERSPECTIVE AFTER OMITTING THE SITE CONTEXT
9

5. ELEVENTH FLOOR LEVEL
ROOF LEVEL
C A F E T E R I A
UP
KIT.
FOOD !
STORE 1
W/C
FOOD !
STORE 2
FOOD !
STORE 3
!
D!
R!
O!
P !
!
O!
F!
F!
L E A S I N G!
O F F I C E
W/C
W/C
W/C
W/C
F I T N E S S
MECH.
MAIL ROOM
STAFF'S OFFICE
UP
A!
D!
M!
I!
N!
I!
S!
T!
R!
A!
T!
I!
O!
N
MEETING!
ROOM
WAITING AREA
W/C
W/C
UP
VEHICLE ENTRANCEVEHICLE EXIT
PEDESTRIAN!
ENTRANCE
KIT.
OFFICE
STOR.
SECURITY
FOOD !
STORE 4
S
1
KIT.
P!
!
L!
!
A!
!
Z!
!
A
UP
UP
0
4
10
20
30
40
SCALE FEET
NFIRST FLOOR PLAN
Printed from PowerCADD™ Demo. ©Engineered Software.
ELEVENTH FLOOR LEVEL
ROOF LEVEL
STUDY AREA
UP
LIBRARY
COPYING
MACHINES
RESERVED BOOKS
CLASSROOM
CLASSROOM
LOUNDRY!
ROOM
UP
UP
UP
STAFF'S OFFICE
STAFF'S OFFICE
UP
S
1
0
4
10
20
30
40
SCALE FEET
NSECOND FLOOR PLAN
UP
Printed from PowerCADD™ Demo. ©Engineered Software.
Printed from PowerCADD™ Demo. ©Engineered Software.
ELEVENTH FLOOR LEVEL
ROOF LEVEL
CLASSROOM
UP
SITTING AREA
CLASSROOM CLASSROOM
CLASSROOM
JURY AREASTUDENT PROJECT
GALLERY
DN
DN
S
1
0
4
10
20
30
40
SCALE FEET
THIRD FLOOR PLAN N
UP
Printed from PowerCADD™ Demo. ©Engineered Software.
Printed from
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6. ELEVENTH FLOOR LEVEL
ROOF LEVEL
STUDIO 1
UP
PROFESSOR'S
OFFICE
PROFESSOR'S
OFFICE
W/C
W/C
UP
4TH FLOOR APARTMENT S
1
0
4
10
20
30
40
SCALE FEET
FOURTH FLOOR PLAN N
UP
Printed from PowerCADD™ Demo. ©Engineered Software.
ROOF LEVEL
5TH FLOOR APARTMENT
UP
STUDIO 2
UP
PROFESSOR'S
OFFICE
PROFESSOR'S
OFFICE
W/C
W/C
S
1
0
4
10
20
30
40
SCALE FEET
FIFTH FLOOR PLAN N
UP
Printed from PowerCADD™ Demo. ©Engineered Software.
ELEVENTH FLOOR LEVEL
ROOF LEVEL
6TH FLOOR APARTMENT
UP
STUDIO 3
UP
PROFESSOR'S
OFFICE
PROFESSOR'S
OFFICE
W/C
W/C
S
1
0
4
10
20
30
40
SCALE FEET
SIXTH FLOOR PLAN N
UP
Printed from PowerCADD™ Demo. ©Engineered Software.
Printed from PowerCADD™ Demo. ©Engineered Software.
ROOF LEVEL
7TH FLOOR APARTMENT
STUDIO 4
UP
PROFESSOR'S
OFFICE
PROFESSOR'S
OFFICE
W/C
W/C
UP
S
1
0
4
10
20
30
40
SCALE FEET
SEVENTH FLOOR PLAN N
UP
Printed from PowerCADD™ Demo. ©Engineered Software.
Printed from PowerCADD™ Demo. ©Engineered Software.
ELEVENTH FLOOR LEVEL
ROOF LEVEL
8TH FLOOR APARTMENT
STUDIO 5
UP
PROFESSOR'S
OFFICE
PROFESSOR'S
OFFICE
W/C
W/C
UP
UP
S
1
0
4
10
20
30
40
SCALE FEET
EIGTH FLOOR PLAN N
Printed from PowerCADD™ Demo. ©Engineered Software.
Printed from PowerCADD™ Demo. ©Engineered Software.
C A F E T E R I A
UP
!
D!
R!
O!
P !
!
O!
F!
F!
L E A S I N G!
O F F I C E
F I T N E S S
STAFF'S OFFICE
VEHICLE ENTRANCEVEHICLE EXIT
S
1
P!
!
L!
!
A!
!
Z!
!
A
Printed from PowerCADD™ Demo. ©Engineered Software.
11

7. S
The NRCC Mall-Site Renovation
Designed by Indhava Kunjara Assisted by PowerCADD, SketchUp
There are two existing problems inthe New River Community College at the mall site that
cause the need for a renovation. Firstly, the sharing entrance from the parking area can be
confusing without reading the sign; the mall-site extension for the college was the replace-
ment of the theater area of the mall. Secondly, the college needs an expansion with more
classrooms and student service functions.
The exterior view of the sharing entrance for both the mall customers and NRCC students
School Entrance
Mall Entrance
EXISTING GROUND FLOOR PLAN
N
0
2
5
10
15
20
SCALE FEET
FOOD COURT
Teacher's room
NEW GROUND FLOOR PLAN
Teacher's room
Teacher's room
Teacher's room
School
Entrance
Mall Entrance
Lecture room
Study room
Student Kitchen
+ Lounge
Male Restroom
Female Restroom
Reception Area
N
0
2
5
10
15
20
SCALE FEET
FOOD COURT
Emergency
Exit
The interior views at the sharing entrance where there is a food court to the left
and the college door to the right
The proposal is to designate a character for the college by creating its own entrance away from the mall
entrance. Since the mall site exists as a STEM center (The science , technology, engineering, and maths)
the front part of the college is treated to reinforce the concept of this place. The building masses are ar-
ranged horizontally along the four towering dividers that serves three functions. It allows STEM sign to
be placed (one for each letter). The lower portion of the tower houses the teacher office while the top
portion acts as a rain collector. The building mass and the tower are aligned alternately and both slowly
raise up to the roof level at the student study room. This manner symbolizes the sense of the thrive of
the students or the sense of a tree growing from a stem. The rear part of the building maining the high
floor to ceiling with a series of fenestration to allow daylight to get in.
Interior showing the man-made cascade along the round chamber of the study room
The new entrance of the college
12

8. 15
Sharpening Preschool
Designed by Indhava Kunjara Assisted by Revit
Concept:
- The idea was inspired by a pencil sharpener.
- Basic geometric shapes are attractive to little kids.
- Architecture that blends the flow of nature into life.
It is a glass-box like building that is enveloped with an oblong fin-like frames with a series of
clearverticalstripsaffixedontheupperpartoftheframe;lettingafreeflowonthebottomend.
Each piece of strip is tied with a metal hollow tube at the bottom to let the natural wind gener-
ate musical melody in the air as the tubes hit each other while being blown by the wind. This
architecturalelementbringslifeintotheoutdoorplaygroundactivity.Therearethreebenefits
of this special element. First, it acts as a musical instrument. Second, it soften daylight (reduc-
ing glare). Third, it slows down wind speed, thereby, reducing lateral load on the curtain wall.
The Exterior perspective looking at the outdoor playground
The oblong facade generates the dynamic effect to the building that coresponds to other cuving features
of the building which include round columns and corners
Second floor plan
The quiet zone: Classrooms, Waiting areas, Admin. area, Teacher offices, Conference room, Library, Science center
First floor plan
The loud zone: Art room, Drama room, Music room, Cafeteria, Indoor and outdoor playground
North Elevation
East Elevation
South Elevation
West Elevation
Longitudital Section
Cross Section

9. 16
An interior sample of a classroom;
this one uses different yellow tones on the wall exterior, carpet, and door.
Classroom corridor
The wall of each classroom is painted with a different color following the color spectrum
Indoor playground
Multiple layers of custom shaped planes creating the look of an a cartoon-looking tree connected with branches
on each round column. Indirect green-color lights are hidden in between to simulate the density of the leaves.
Indoor playground
A random-placed cartoon-looking clouds hung down from the skylight
creating an imagination of the outdoor atmosphere

10. `
Butterfly Valve
Drawn by Indhava Kunjara Assisted by Inventor and Showcase PARTS LIST
DESCRIPTIONPART NUMBERQTYITEM
CAST IRONBODY11
STEELARM12
ALUMINUMPLATE13
STEELRETAINER14
STEELSHAFT15
#10-32 UNF X .500ROUND HEAD MACHINE
SCREWS
36
#4-48 UNF ZX .250ROUND HEAD MACHINE
SCREW
27
WOODRUFF KEY18
.375-24 UNFHEX HEAD NUT19
1
1
2
2
3
3
4
4
A A
B B
C C
D D
SHEET 3 OF 4
DRAWN
CHECKED
QA
MFG
APPROVED
INDHAVA KUNJARA 5/8/2015
DWG NO
TITLE
BUTTERFLY VALVE
SIZE
C
SCALE
REV
1:1
9
2
5
8
6
4
1
3
7
BUTTERFLY VALVE
INDHAVA KUNJARA
PARTS LIST
DESCRIPTIONPART NUMBERQTYITEM
CAST IRONBODY11
STEELARM12
ALUMINUMPLATE13
STEELRETAINER14
STEELSHAFT15
#10-32 UNF X .500ROUND HEAD MACHINE
SCREWS
36
#4-48 UNF ZX .250ROUND HEAD MACHINE
SCREW
27
WOODRUFF KEY18
.375-24 UNFHEX HEAD NUT19
1
1
2
2
3
3
4
4
A A
B B
C C
D D
SHEET 4 OF 4
DRAWN
CHECKED
QA
MFG
APPROVED
INDHAVA KUNJARA 5/8/2015
DWG NO
TITLE
BUTTERFLY VALVE
SIZE
C
SCALE
REV
1
4
2
3
6
9
1.5:1
1
1
2
2
3
3
4
4
A A
B B
C C
D D
SHEET 1 OF 4
DRAWN
CHECKED
QA
MFG
APPROVED
INDHAVA KUNJARA 5/8/2015
DWG NO
TITLE
BUTTERFLY VALVE
SIZE
C
SCALE
REV
1
8
6
3.000
.563
1.125
.438
.875
.077 X .126 KEYWAY
.187
.438
.625
120°6 X
NOTE: SOME HIDDEN LINES ARE OMITTED FOR CLARITY
.750
1.610
3.000
.4706 X
R.500
3.499
R1.406
1.938
120°3X
2.000
1.500
.875
Ø .562  2.813
 .250
.313
1.125
1.937
2.250
3 X #10-32 UNF  .375
120°3 X
1.500
3 X .200
.250
1:1
SECTION A-A
SCALE 1.5 : 1
A A
1
1
2
2
3
3
4
4
A A
B B
C C
D D
SHEET 2 OF 4
DRAWN
CHECKED
QA
MFG
APPROVED
INDHAVA KUNJARA 5/8/2015
DWG NO
TITLE
BUTTERFLY VALVE
SIZE
C
SCALE
REV
3
4
7
2
5
9 .375-24 UNF
#4-48 UNF X .250
#10-32 UNF X .500
NOTE: SOME HIDDEN LINES ARE OMITTED FOR CLARITY
.030
.500
.625
1.125
1.398
1.638
2.013
2.485
3.485
3.950
4.198
1.070
.969
1.000
.1252X
.0892X
.872
.560
.375
.156
.063
.500
.124
.500
THE IONIC COLUMN 17