Sustainable building design should use good technologies from the vernacular architecture and consider the Thai culture. For example, properly-sized overhangs that can shade the buildings from excessive solar heat gain should be used in new designs. The living and sleeping spaces in the houses should still be on the second level or higher to avoid foods. The ground foor, which can be left open for drai¬nage, could serve as a multipurpose area and1or a car garage. On the other hand, a large, open terrace may not be very necessary in today's society, because Thai families are now mostly nuclear, containing only parents and children. Multi-generational families are diminishing. Therefore, the terrace can be much smaller, allowing for fewer outdoor activities.