In Thailand, a house built specially for a surgeon’s family and his 14 dogs
At Dox house, every architectural detail is designed with the happiness and wellbeing of the homeowner’s dogs in mind.

Recognising the importance of exercise and play, especially for larger dogs, this house boasts expansive grounds where the canine can roam freely. (Photo: Freestate Productions)
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Dogs roam freely across a spacious grass lawn, stopping every now and then to sniff each other or to accept head rubs and tummy scratches from their loving owners. This could be just about any dog park – except that it is not.
Instead, this is a private home in the Mueang Nakhon Pathom district of central Thailand that a dog lover built specially for himself and his pets. Owned by orthopaedic surgeon Dr Norawee Wainipitapong, this abode has been designed to offer sanctuary to not only its human residents but also to a beloved pack of 14 magnificent dogs, spanning breeds from the majestic Great Pyrenees to the enchanting pocket-sized Pomeranians.
His vision for the award-winning house, called Dox House, goes beyond the typical dwelling as the doctor wanted a home that his dogs would love as well.


“They are like family to me. We take care of each other like humans do. Like humans, they have emotions and can express their feelings. That is what makes them very close to humans,” said Dr Norawee.
He loves of all his dogs and speaks fondly of them. For example, Alice, the first dog he brought into his home, holds a special place in his heart with her gentle nature and unwavering loyalty. Then there are cute mischief-makers like Casper and Momo who add lively energy to the household, reminding everyone of the joy and spontaneity that comes with canine companionship.
Hoping to meet the unique needs of his pets, he envisioned a space where they could thrive physically and emotionally. Recognising the importance of exercise and play, especially for larger breeds, the house boasts expansive grounds where they can roam freely.

Another essential feature of the house is the dog pool, which caters to the dogs' love for swimming while promoting their health and well-being, particularly for the older ones who need low-impact exercise. It was specially built with steps for them to enter and exit the water with ease.
After an extensive search for the right architect, Dr Norawee chose to collaborate with architect Ekaphap Duangkaew (Nueng), founder of Ekar Architects. He wanted to work with Nueng to take his vision one step further by incorporating harmonious spaces that both his family and his dogs can enjoy together.
“While many architects were interested, I chose to work with Nueng because I felt we could connect and are most in sync with our ideas,” said Dr Norawee.



Neung’s design philosophy centred around creating a seamless connection between humans and dogs, ensuring that every aspect of the house caters to both the distinct needs of humans and canine.
“The purpose of the architecture is to build a space for connection; hence we try to find a common ground between humans and dogs through design,” he explained. For instance, the low, sloping gabled roof and the upwards sloping garden was created to allow humans and dogs to see “eye to eye”.
“When you enter, you need to bow down as the roof slopes down. This allows the human to view the surroundings from the dog’s perspective,” said Neung. At the same time, because the garden gradually slopes upwards, the dog stands in a higher position.

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Reflecting a deep understanding of canine behaviour, the roof is made with soundproofing material to preserve privacy and reduce loud noises that may startle the dogs. “Unlike concrete, the fibre asphalt the roofs are made off absorb sound from the surrounding area. When it rains, it also will not cause a loud sound in the roof,” said Nueng.
Other elements of the abode have also been carefully considered. The double gates around the premise ensures the dogs’ safety and curved pillars were used in the building of the house to facilitate easy cleaning since dogs are prone to marking territories at different parts of the property. There is also an outdoor doggy toilet built with gravel so that waste can collected and washed easily for hygiene purposes.

In 2022, Dox House received the prestigious Gold Medal for Outstanding Residential Design from the Association of Siamese Architects for its architectural innovations.
The needs of the human occupants are equally carefully considered, and the architect incorporated plenty of personal space such as a garden where Dr Norawee’s favourite hometown trees grow and indoor living spaces for the family.
“I like the functionality of the house as it meets all our needs. We have a zone where dogs can run and play but also separate zones for when we do not wish to interact a lot,” said Dr Norawee. “I can connect with nature, dogs and people here. It helps me focus on my work and my quality of life is better here. This is the biggest gift from the house,” Dr Norawee observed.
After living in Dox House for two years, Dr Norawee decided to open to space to other dog owners and has since incorporated a pet hotel, grooming salon and even a waiting room for owners to mingle with other like-minded individuals.
This is why the house is a bustling hive of activity these days, which is exactly how Dr Norawee likes it.
“This house is supposed to be the happiest place in a dog's life – and it really is,” he reflected. “We do not just think about our own dogs, I feel that other people's dogs deserve the same care. If a friend brings a dog to me, I will take care of it like it is my own.”