TEN, the background

To what extent can both housing design and dwelling be cooperative? If each and every dweller is involved in the design process, then, at which point does design end and dwelling begin? How can one “own” a place that also belongs to others?


The above questions are the pretext of TEN housing project. The issue of cooperation between architects and inhabitants have been the focus of CASE, Community Architects for Shelter and Environment, which is a group originally formed in Thailand in 1996 with central interests in alternate housing visions.

CASE’s major concern also lies in the relationship between dwelling and context. Both the physical environment and the human element of the place are considered vital to CASE’s housing mentality. In other words, CASE’s aspiration is underlie by economic, cultural and social dimension of the related society.



CASE Thailand also shares its vision with CASE Japan, a group formed by similar goal and concept. Both groups are linked by conceptual collaboration, as well as informal exchanges of information and ideas. CASE Japan has been offering housing solutions for those with comparatively less opportunity and choice. Its first systematic cooperative housing project is called TEN Osaka, which consists of ten separate housing units coexisted in the same plot of land. It is the project where the clients are involved in the design process so each and every dwelling unit becomes an expression of their particular ways of life.

TEN Osaka has provided a point of departure for TEN Bangkok, which aspires to similar concepts but is founded upon on different methodology and approach. Its goal is to become the unique and alternate housing creator for Bangkok’s forgotten middle class population.