When you think of living in a city condominium, it is easy to believe that you will be leaving nature behind.

Not so at Baan SiriTwentyfour in Sukhumvit Soi 24. The central area of this condominium is decorated according to a "nature, modern style" concept that mixes trees, stone and water with the building's modern architecture.

Kongkiat Pimpasak, one of Sansiri's senior architects, explains that the theme of Baan SiriTwentyfour attempts to create a closeness to nature at a city condominium, as well as offering units designed to feel like luxury detached houses.

Under the concept, an architect and an interior designer created a waterfall at the entrance to Baan SiriTwentyFour and used more than 40 metres of space between the building and the road for a small garden, complete with its own "modern" waterfall.

Meanwhile, wooden ceilings are a dominant feature, from the entrance to the lobby.

"We wanted to create the feeling that this was a house, for visitors to the condominium as well as for owners. The ceiling decorated with wood will inspire a feeling of warmth - more so than a painted ceiling," Kongkiat says.

The predominantly white and natural wood colours also match the close-to-nature design concept. White and cream have been chosen as the main colours in the lobby and around the public area, matching with the natural materials of wood, stone and waterfall.

Visitors will find a small spring in the front garden, adding the sound of falling water to the natural setting. The main waterfall - all 12 metres of it - is in the lobby, so that this area has the constant sound of falling water.

The lobby is also lit from above, creating an attractive light and shadow and highlighting different surface textures. The end result is an atmosphere of warmth and peace.

The main colours of the lobby continue to the lift, and up on the sixth floor, the nature concept is maintained for the condominium's swimming pool and fitness centre. Residents using the pool will find a design that matches the lobby waterfall, featuring white stone and green areas.

The fitness centre is surrounded by glass, and occupants can enjoy a 180-degree view with a small garden in the foreground and Sukhumvit Road beyond.

"We know most people love to be close to nature, although they live in a city condominium. So we have created our 'Nature, Modern Style' concept to respond to our customers' demands. Baan SiriTwentyfour is not just a condominium - it is their home," Kongkiat says.

Somluck Srimalee

The Nation