As the name indicates, Code Space—by Chiang Mai-based firm Full Scale Studio—is the headquarters for a software design company. However, it’s more than that, providing a co-working space for programmers, a coffee shop, conference rooms, library, and pantry, all housed in a long, narrow space that both draws inspiration from and pays homage to nearby Doi Suthep, the sacred mountain that looms large over this northern Thai city.

“We wanted to highlight the location’s panoramic view of Doi Suthep,” says Full Scale Studio design director and lead architect Attasit Kongmongkol, of the 245 square meter site, “which is why the mountain is reflected in both the building’s structure and design.”

It explains how the striking end product—with its sharp angled roof—manages to both stand out in the quiet residential neighbourhood, yet also remain in harmony with its surroundings. Looking through his portfolio, angles seem to feature prominently in Kongmongkol’s work, which has recently included residences, a music studio, and a hostel.

“Those angles normally derive from the context and geographical features, though they are also inspired by the gable roof, which is one aspect of the vernacular architecture of tropical countries.” With Code Space flooded with light thanks to generous windows, light also is a design theme.

“We highlight the use of natural light. It not only adds to the sense of architectural beauty, but also creates unique feelings for each space, and avoids the wastage of electricity,” says Kongmongkol. The architect created numerous small green areas surrounding the building to give the feeling of being connected with nature, an environmentally aware approach that extended to using eco-friendly materials such as metal, wood and brick.

To keep the construction process simple, the studio based the design on a grid structure, allowing them to put the functions in order and arrange them on the land. Hence, the front of the building was set as a cafe to provide easy access from the parking lot, accentuated by an inviting open green courtyard. The co-working space came next, then the office, all enclosed by a roof transformed to be the form of Doi Suthep, the backdrop of the project.

It’s this natural influence that makes Code Space—and many other projects within Chiang Mai—different from what you’d find in Bangkok. “This is a small city but rich with art and culture, and surrounded by abundant natural resources,” says Kongmongkol. “Combined, they form a rich urban fabric that plays a very important role in shaping my productions.”