HOUSE / Living ASEAN - Inspiring Tropical Lifestyle

A Narrow, Multigenerational Home Lets Nature Permeate

By kangsadank
June 24, 2025
HOUSE,LIVING

/ Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam /

/ Story: Kangsadan K. / English version: Bob Pitakwong /

/ Photographs: Apinine Thassanopas /

A home in an elongated rectangle performs a dual role as a multigenerational residence and an architectural office in the middle of a densely populated area in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Needless to say, there were site constraints that limited the design of the building. Some of the challenges were just inevitable, but an architect homeowner has found a way to deal with them, turning the hot and stuffy home into a clean, well-lighted place. The secrets to success lie in reconnecting with nature by integrating green spaces in the plan. Notwithstanding the narrow space, the home is lovingly restored and fully loaded with all functionalities.

Multigenerational Home — A view from the street shows how a narrow lot limits and influences design, making it necessary to build vertically.

As the architect explained it, living in a crowded urban environment doesn’t always mean sacrificing good life or cutting off from the great outdoors. On the contrary, it’s design flexibility and serious attention to detail that’s the key to combining both opaque and see-through structures to form a whole, ultimately creating in a living space that breathes easily.

A charcoal sketch illustrates spatial planning and functionality on the first floor. / Courtesy of k59 atelier

Charcoal drawings show spatial planning on the second and third floors. / Courtesy of k59 atelier

Charcoal sketches show the positioning of rooms and functionalities on the fourth floor [top], and the rooftop deck [bottom]. / Courtesy of k59 atelier

A drawing of the side elevation view in cross section. / Courtesy of k59 atelier

In other words, it’s a home that’s not so much a solid mass of stonework, and not so much a sealed-off glass enclosure that can never be open. They are inherent parts of the building that reach out to reconnect with nature, people, culture and society at large.

Speaking of design, all four levels of the building feature open floor plans that allow natural light and provide fresh air to the interiors. The first floor holds a spacious living room up front and a kitchen at the rear that’s proper in the circumstances of a big family.

Together, they form the heart of a multigenerational home, with plenty of space for an elderly mother, an aunt, a brother, and the architect’s own family with a little child. The second floor bears some resemblance to a mezzanine with an altar for the veneration of family ancestry characteristic of Vietnamese culture. The third floor is the architect’s private office space, while the fourth holds the principal bedroom with a green garden oasis for complete relaxation.

The third floor has a footbridge providing access to a bedroom at the far end elevated by potted indoor plants.

The third floor holding an architectural workspace feels spacious and airy, thanks to an open floor plan.

The architect’s office space benefits from natural light and fresh air, passive cooling strategies that saves big on AC costs.

There’s one feature that’s exceptionally good. The elongated rectangle is divided into two more or less distinct sections. The front and rear parts of the house lie separated by a center corridor onto which rooms open.

The top floor holds a private residential space accessed via a footbridge that connects the sitting room up front with the bedroom at the rear.

By design, functional spaces are located up front, with private residential areas tucked away in quiet places at the rear. The bedrooms for family members are scattered on almost every floor. For optimal traffic flow, all the rooms are linked to one another via the corridor and stairway at the center.

The facade supports a vertical garden from the third floor to the top. Plant irrigation is well planned to prevent water splashing back into the home.

Apart from the bright and airy center hall, the building façade features pleasing simplicity of appearance. At ground level, a bi-fold fence system is crafted of perforated metal panels for good ventilation.

Above it, the balcony façade is enclosed by custom iron frames in various sizes and configurations, adorned with lush climbing vines. They thrive in company with small threes growing luxuriantly nearby. In essence, it’s about bringing green into the home, turning it into a healthy and happy place to live for a multigenerational family.

Architect: k59 atelier

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H.A Garden House: A Nature-Inspired Vacation Home Exudes Vietnamese Suburban Charm

By kangsadank
May 13, 2025
HOUSE,LIVING

/ Khanh Hoa, Vietnam /

/ Story: Kangsadan K. / English version: Bob Pitakwong /

/ Photographs: Hiroyuki Oki /

The hustle and bustle of a city can be overwhelming. It can make most of us yearn for a countryside escape. Looking for ideas about living a quiet, more natural lifestyle? Here is a vacation home in Cam Lam District, Khánh Hòa Province in south central Vietnam. Nestled in vibrant greenery, it offers a blend of suburban charm and an oasis of serenity where time stands still.

Created by Pham Huu Son Architects, a design firm based in Nha Trang, Khánh Hòa Province, the country house offers 600 square meters of usable space, large by any standard. The property is a rectangle with a wide frontage facing the street. It’s accessible via a small road that can be busy at times due to commuters heading to and from work. For privacy reasons, the house is situated further away from the front boundary, thereby leaving a sufficient quantity of parking spots up front by the main entrance. The result is a calm and peaceful living space that prioritizes privacy, visual balance and well-being.

An artist’s rendition shows the house being built towards the back of the property, separated from the street by a parking area at the front. / Courtesy of Pham Huu Son Architects

For privacy reasons, H.A Garden house is built further away from the front property line, protected by a breeze block fence that separates it from a parking area.

The countryside retreat named “H.A Garden House” boasts large common areas that include an interior hallway, living room, kitchen and dining room with views of a water pond fringed by vibrant greenery. Together they go to work creating a serene and immersive garden oasis. For practical reasons, private living spaces are tucked away in a tidy little garden filled with natural light. It contains two bedrooms, one for the homeowners and the other for guests. They are easily accessible via a small patio adjoining the house.

The reception room is adequately illuminated with natural light, thanks to tall glass wall systems combined with a high pitched roof and light-colored furniture.

Inspired by mountain landscapes, the roofs are set at different heights for aesthetic appeal and improved ventilation. Apart from enhancing the house’s exterior, they create a harmonious blend between the built environment and beautiful natural surroundings. In the fewest possible words, it’s a design concept that regards humans and nature as fundamentally one and the same.

What makes this house stand out is a plethora of big window ideas that provide sweeping views and open wide for better airflow coming in from nearby gardens. But wait, there’s more. A water pond in the yard also helps promote overall wellness and relaxation, while long eaves overhanging the walls of the house provide protection from the elements, ultimately keeping the home cool in summer. Briefly, the entire place just feels good the moment you step in.

Named H.A Garden House, the place is made for cozy holiday living. It’s one that places great emphasis on informal spaces for relaxation, socializing and bonding with others in a warm and inviting atmosphere. Above all else, it’s a design that fosters a sense of connection with nature by bringing the outdoors in. And that’s precisely the purpose of architecture. The result is a home in a rural setting that’s not only functional, but also sustainable and aesthetically pleasing. Have a look.

Architect: Pham Huu Son Architects

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Office for Trees: Beautiful All-Glass Workspace amid Lush Green Gardens

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A Wood Façade House Nestled in the Beauty of a Tropical Garden

By kangsadank
April 28, 2025
HOUSE,LIVING

/ Jakarta, Indonesia /

/ Story: BRL / English version: Bob Pitakwong /

/ Photographs: KIE /

Like an oasis from a picture book, this cozy modern home with a wood slat façade is carefully thought out to reconnect with nature and outdoor spaces fringed by lush tropical trees. It’s a unit of construction added to an existing heavily built concrete house in classic style, creating a unique blend of old and new. From the beginning, few trees grew in the yard adjoining the old family home. There came a time when more living spaces had to be created, and the homeowners chose to put in a contemporary style home using wood slats for the exterior façade. To make it complete, tropical trees and shrubs were added for comfort, warmth and relaxation.

From a design perspective, the challenge lies in creating a sense of pleasing agreement among parts of the buildings. Before anything else, large openings in the wall are installed resulting in good natural ventilation and improved lighting in the interior living spaces. Then it’s time to spruce up the existing landscape filling it with healthy green foliage, a swimming pool and a carp pond in the front yard. Together they go to work making the outdoor living spaces invitingly comfortable.

The front yard has a carp pond that runs alongside a stepping stone walkway connecting the two houses. Needless to say, the mellifluous sound of water flowing in the yard is so refreshing.

But the things that make a difference are the tropical trees that clean the air, provide oxygen and enhance the quality of life for house occupants. Among them, tower trees, also known as giraffe trees, provide shade that helps regulate temperatures, plus they blend together beautifully with the hardwood façade in deep browns and warm tone colors. The new house with wood slats for exterior walls offers a welcome contrast to the bland uniformity of the old family home nearby.

The outdoor room is refreshing thanks to a swimming pool that extends for the full length of the house. Peacock flower trees (scientific name: *Delonix regia*) planted at specific distances apart can grow very tall while long thin leaves allow sunlight to reach the garden floor.

The new three-story home has all the appropriate parts and functions. The first floor has a bedroom, a fitness room and service areas tucked away below ground level. The central common area on the second floor consists of a living room and dining room with a view of the garden and swimming pool.

The second floor holds a common area that’s the heart of family life. By design, the open floor plan creates a seamless flow between rooms.

The third floor room gives access to a rooftop deck with plenty of space for an outdoor seating area. Steel columns that serve both structural and aesthetic purposes are erected along the building’s outer limits. In this way, a glass wall that runs the full 15-meter distance can be created without pillars. For visual harmony, the upright steel pillars on the periphery of the building are covered with long, thin, flat pieces of timber that blend into the garden landscape.

Steel columns along the outer edge of the building are covered with hardwood boards in deep browns that blend with decorative wood paneling in the interior.

Disparities between materials create a welcome contrast in the furnishing and decoration of the interior. Here, Carrara marble floors and granite walls sparkle alongside wood slat panels in deep browns.

As for the furnishing and decoration of the interior, the emphasis is directed towards showcasing differences between materials, ideas and sensations on the eye. In this particular case, it’s about highlighting disparities between two living spaces – one is built using wood slats for the exterior façade while the other is painted a clean white shade.

A view from the street shows the new home with a wood façade (left) and the old white house (right) placed close together for contrasting effect.

Among other things, it offers pairs of contrast between white Carrara marble floors and wood surfaces in deep browns. The two things that are opposite from each other lie juxtaposed under natural light shining in through skylights in the rooftop. Together they go to work creating a home atmosphere that’s light, airy and conducive to relaxation. Plus, there’s a modern tropical courtyard garden that connects everything to everything else.

Architect: RCAB Studio

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By kangsadank
March 18, 2025
HOUSE,LIVING

/ Hoa Binh, Vietnam /

/ Story: BRL / English version: Bob Pitakwong /

/ Photographs: Chimnon Studio /

Here’s an ordinary-looking gable house that embraces the calm and the magic of a wild forest-inspired garden. Behind an unassuming façade, the house in Hoa Binh, Vietnam opens to reveal functional and flexible spaces with lots of cozy outdoor seating making it a perfect fit for family lifestyle needs. The simple secret to happiness lies in leaving the existing landscape as it is, plus it’s built of lightweight materials with the minimal impact on the environment.

A front elevation view shows the old house facade in cool-toned white colors, left, and the new extension enclosed by the glass walls, right. The old residence now serves a new purpose as workroom, while the new add-on has plenty of living spaces with a garden view.

Nestled in what was once a fruit orchard in the countryside, the humble abode by the pond has been the family home for decades. Soon it came time for a renovation, and the homeowners thought it wise to put in an add-on unit of construction that adapts to changing needs. The result is a piece of gable roof architecture that’s warm and welcoming.

A pen-and-brush rendition illustrates different levels in the landscape. The family home is sited at the center with the lodge for the accommodation of guests on the left, and a water tower typically built on high ground on the right. / Courtesy of 814lab

The old house now serves a new purpose as workroom, while the newly built wing seamlessly blends form and function creating an ample interior space that inspires and performs as intended. There’s an open-concept living room at the center of the house plan with a dining room and clever pantry ideas for a kitchen nearby.

The front façade is glazed using clear glass paneling for a view of the forest-inspired garden. Upright pillars erected with equal intervals support a long, sturdy beam spanning an opening in the wall. They are intended to match the dimensions of wooden ceiling boards, a clever way to reduce waste and help the environment.

An open-concept floor plan appears bright and airy with plenty of space for a living room, dining room and a pantry for preparing light meals located at the far end.

The living room has a wide porch in front overlooking a lush, thriving yard with a playground for kids. To protect from the elements, the roofed platform along the outside of the house is enclosed by clear glass paneling that’s an integral part of the building façade. Step inside, and you find a pantry giving access to an outbuilding containing a hot kitchen for cooking traditional meals. Together they form the heart of family life, a sensible way to bring back the taste of home and flavors of simpler times.

gable house — The roofed platform along the outside of the house is covered with brick pavers that are durable, resilient and weatherproof. They are installed with narrow cuts or depressions in between to allow rainwater to drain.

The covered shelter projecting in front of the building doubles as a long passage connecting the old house with newly added living spaces. The floor is covered with brick pavers with narrow cuts or depressions in between to allow rainwater to drain. As a protection against flooding, the entire plinth area is raised on columns over the surface of the soil. At the same time, split level design creates an interesting combination of distinct areas within the same building.

The veranda is roofed over with corrugated metal sheets supported by steel framing that’s lightweight with a minimal impact on the environment, plus it’s easy to use and easy to transport.

By integrating nature into a design concept, the architects at 814lab, Vietnam have succeeded in creating a home that evokes a sense of tranquility and balance. In other words, it treats all the visible features of an area as equally important as the house itself. Like so, every tree on the property is valuable and worth keeping for as long as possible. The house and its landscape remain a familiar sight in the area, plus it’s easy to maintain, requiring little care and making the home more livable.

The property also includes two other buildings: a lodge by the river used exclusively for the accommodation of guests, and an outbuilding with elevated tanks to distribute the water via a piped system. They are located in less-often used areas that allow nature to take its course. Impressive in its austere simplicity, the lodge is stripped down to the bare essentials with only bedrooms and baths. Basically, it’s about creating tranquility and balance in ecosystems and meeting the needs of the present without compromising on the well-being of future generations.

Architect: 814lab

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MN House: A Gallery-Inspired Home Warmly Cocooned in White Architecture

By kangsadank
February 24, 2025
HOUSE,LIVING

Here’s a gorgeous white home built with love and dreams. Named “MN House”, it’s an oasis of calm and comfort in the midst of the hustle and bustle of city life. Plus, there is a sense that art is present everywhere, inspiring creativity and making the expression of human imagination part of everyday living.

/ Bangkok, Thailand /

/ Story: Lily J. / English version: Bob Pitakwong /

/ Photographs: Rungkit Charoenwat /

More than anything, its interior lighting design is inspired by galleries for the display of works of art, while the external envelope consists of long, straight and curved walls likened to a combination of oversized papier mâché. The curvature of the building shell is there for good reason. It opens at intervals to bring natural light into enclosed rooms. In the meantime, the light is more diffuse thanks to crisp clean white tones that make the home feel airy, warm and welcoming.

Creative big windows bring natural light into the home, while light-colored surfaces and curves in the walls effectively reflect much of the heat away, keeping interior living spaces cool.

First Floor Plan / Courtesy of SaTa Na Architect

Second Floor Plan / Courtesy of SaTa Na Architect

Third Floor Plan / Courtesy of SaTa Na Architect

The house’s modern interior boasts a pristine living room illuminated by daylight streaming in through a large opening in the wall. For privacy, the side of the room facing a nearby building is overhung by second-floor walls that protect it from unwanted eyes. In the meantime, a skylight built into the rooftop contributes to a healthy indoor air environment. A shaft of sunlight spreads over a wide area creating an impression reminiscent of the white interior of an art gallery.

Viewed from above, the courtyard pool provides natural ventilation and daylight in the middle of the home. The mere sight and sound of water enhances interaction between indoor and outdoor living despite limited available space.

The heart of the home consisting of a living room, dining room and a home office provides easy access to the courtyard pool and a small terrace at the center of the house plan.

The second floor has a courtyard pool and poolside deck offering a serene space for relaxation. It’s the heart of the home enclosed by glass walls and accessible from multiple rooms. By design, it facilitates easy flow from one area to another, creating the ultimate communal living area that includes the living room, dining room and a home office nearby. Such beautiful visual continuity and spatial relationships can also be seen in full view from the third floor.

The inner courtyard allows sunlight and fresh air into the home while the swimming pool offers a peaceful area for relaxation. It’s amazing how the mere sight and sound of water enhances every aspect of living. Add sunshine and a gentle wind, and you get a light and airy environment despite limited space.

In terms of spatial arrangement, the floor plan layout reveals a series of rooms connected by well-thought-out lighting design and clean lines that arouse different emotional responses from one area to another. It’s like looking at picture frames placed side by side. At every turn, perfectly crisp lines and bold curves create a pleasing visual combination that matches the details of the walls and ceilings, culminating in a modern interior decorating style.

Curved symmetrical structures and round windows work alongside each other to increase natural light in the home.

The simple modern house in cool-toned whites contributes to the neighborhood’s overall appeal.

To put it shortly, it’s seamless flow between rooms that makes this white home in the city a desirable place of residence, one that reflects well on the way of life, preferences and experience of the family living in it. Here’s a home inspired by serene and inviting interiors of an art gallery. Its white walls tell the story of the importance of privacy in the midst of urban chaos.

Locals go about their daily routines in the neighborhood where the white house is located.

Precisely, a well-thought-out design ensures the homeowners get what they’ve been looking for, a beautiful home that’s fully functional and capable of answering their lifestyle needs. Plus, there’s the peaceful atmosphere of the finest private art gallery.

Architects: SaTa Na Architect

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By kangsadank
January 6, 2025
HOUSE,LIVING

/ Phnom Penh, Cambodia /

/ Story: Kangsadan K. / English version: Bob Pitakwong /

/ Photographs: Robert Kleiner /

Every project has challenges to overcome. This modern suburban house in Phnom Penh is no exception. Aptly named “Sanctuary Villa”, it’s the residence of a factory owner determined to make his home a haven of comfort and peace despite being in close proximity to an industrial facility. The secret lies within. It overcomes site constraints by integrating natural features in design, ultimately creating an open and airy home that’s relaxing, cozy and private.

Well-kept areas of grass, trees and a parking space give access to the front door of the house.

“Sanctuary Villa” is an example of outstanding works by BLOOM Architecture, a Phnom Penh-based architectural firm. By design, it separates work from personal life, presenting an escape from busy movement and activity in the workplace. Plus, it affords beautiful views and connects people to the outdoors without being affected by the nearby factory.

A drawing of the house plan illustrates how green spaces can improve the quality of life at “Sanctuary Villa” despite being in close proximity to an industrial facility. / Courtesy of Bloom Architecture

The living room at the center of the house plan is enclosed by full-height sliding glass doors. Fresh air flowing in over a nearby pool keeps the home comfortable when the weather is cool and there’s no need for air-conditioning.

The house has 600 square meters of usable space. It’s raised above the ground level to protect against flooding and separated from the factory behind it by protective wall barriers. The front yard is filled with well-kept lawns and a parking space giving access to the entryway. As the architects intended, the atmosphere is very positive, promoting a sense of peace amid a comfortable and stress-free environment.

villa — The kitchen area is open and airy, thanks to glass walls that let in more natural light creating a seamless transition between indoors and outdoors.

Interestingly, natural features are incorporated into architectural design to make life more livable. Among other things, the living room at the center of the house plan is open and airy, enclosed by sliding glass doors that extend from the floor to the ceiling.

They are a perfect match for the open-concept floor plan that emphasizes natural light in the home. On the perimeter, overhead wood slat ceiling panels block sunlight during the hottest hours, casting shadows that form distinct patterns on polished cement floors.

Wood furniture in warm hues proves a perfect complement to polished concrete, creating a warm, inviting and comfortable atmosphere.

Where appropriate, bedroom walls are glazed using clear glass designed to bring the outdoors in.

The house’s left and right wings hold personal living spaces, including the principal bedroom, guest bedrooms and multipurpose areas. Each individual room is equipped with its own private balcony, the best way to connect with areas of grass, trees and other vegetation in the yard. Together they increase natural ventilation and light, allowing the house to stay comfortable on days not hot enough to turn on air conditioning.

This house on the outskirts of Phnom Penh reveals a remarkable capacity for problem-solving, where the architects overcome challenges through innovation. The result is a place of abode that’s not only aesthetically pleasing, but also peaceful and safe despite being in the immediate vicinity of a factory. The answer lies in letting nature permeate.

Architect: Bloom Architecture

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By kangsadank
December 17, 2024
HOUSE,LIVING

/ Bangkok, Thailand /

/ Story: Phattaraphon / English version: Bob Pitakwong /

/ Photographs: Panoramic Studio /

Every name tells a story. Here’s a modern home on Pattanakarn Road that impresses with beautiful architecture and a love of open spaces. Named “1+1=1 House”, it’s the pride and joy of a multigenerational family. Three generations, including grandma and grandpa, mom and dad, and their children under the age of adulthood, live together in one household. The house has 650 square meters of usable space with enough personal room for everyone to live comfortably, not to mention common areas and amenities that are integral components of modern living.

Designed by Poonsook Architects Co, Ltd, a Bangkok-based architectural firm, the house comprises three main functional spaces, namely, the living area for mom and dad and their children, the living area for grandma and grandpa, and shared spaces arranged in the shape of the letter C.

The exterior walls are positioned to face the north, south and west directions so as to protect a central courtyard filled with greenery and a paved outdoor area for relaxation. Together they go to work shielding the interior from the summer sun, balancing temperature and enhancing home comfort.

A courtyard that’s the center of the C-shaped house plan creates a family-friendly outdoor living space in the backyard.

The C-shaped floor plan creates a tranquil retreat enclosed by the walls of the house that keep it in shade for much of the day. The result is an outdoor oasis that’s comfortable and pleasant.

There are two sets of stairs located on either side of the living room. They give access to the upstairs bedrooms belonging to grandma and grandpa, mom and dad, and the children, plus a workroom close by. The downstairs common area is clearly defined. There’s a carport conveniently connected to the house entrance.

modern home — The first floor boasts an open-concept design with features for living and dining in a single, uninterrupted space. To the side, large sliding glass doors can be stowed away neatly, allowing fresh air into the spacious living room.

Walk in the door, and you see a courtyard landscape with a level paved area that makes the home feel warm and welcoming. There’s a shade tree that provides a focal point in the yard and doubles as a privacy screen for the sitting room upstairs.

The downstairs dining room lies under a higher-than-normal ceiling, 5 meters tall to be exact. As would be expected, it makes the interior living space feel spacious, bright and airy. There are large, east-facing folding doors that open to connect with the veranda and a courtyard garden nearby. It’s everybody’s favorite hangout, a place for the family to get together and shoot the breeze.

1+1=1 House — The living room enclosed by glass walls has a modern sofa set in a creamy white that goes together well with wood furniture, creating a calm environment for elderly parents.

Taking everything into account, the ground floor boasts a beautiful open floor plan. There’s a sitting room with a pantry and dining area close by. Large sliding doors glazed using clear glass open onto the central courtyard, creating a visible impression that makes the room feel longer, wider and well-ventilated.

Grandma and grandpa’s private sitting room is connected to the kitchen area. The nearness in space to the central courtyard provides physical ease and relaxation in their sitting room. From here, a flight of stairs gives access to green spaces on the second floor that also contains their bedroom and a multipurpose area nearby.

By design, it’s a modern home that fulfills the needs of an extended family, one that provides enough private space plus a communal area shared by everyone. Among other things, the dining room is dedicated to foster social interaction and strengthen a bond of understanding in the family. It’s rare to find a multigenerational home these days when the nuclear family gradually becomes the norm.

Architect: Poonsook Architects

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By kangsadank
November 18, 2024
HOUSE,LIVING

/ Chiang Rai, Thailand /

/ Story: Phattaraphon / English version: Bob Pitakwong /

/ Photographs: Rungkit Charoenwat /

This secluded country retreat in Chiang Rai belongs to a graphic designer who loves spending time in nature as a way to find inspiration and spark creativity. Nestled in a valley among the mountains, it’s a place in which to rest, relax and have a break of the hustle and bustle of the big city. At the risk of stating the obvious, building on a slope can be challenging and hence a lot of effort was put into planning and design. The house facade is set in open land with scattered groups of trees abutting a highway, while the building itself is built on the sun-facing hillside overlooking lush rice fields that turn gold when it’s time to harvest in winter, a sight to behold to say the least.

From this vantage point, the view is breathtaking. And that’s precisely where a design team from IS Architects comes into play. Their job: overcome construction site obstacles and create a place that’s beautiful, safe and comfortable to live. The result is a modern country house that blends with the local way of life so as to become indistinguishable from it. Where appropriate, parts of the steeply inclined hillside are adjusted to create an ideal setting for the house and landscape design. Overall, the house plan is simple yet functional with indoor and outdoor spaces arranged according to levels of importance.

Built on sloped land, the house is designed to keep things simple to avoid over-engineering and technical complications. The bedroom is tucked away in a quiet, secluded area on the uppermost floor. The second floor holding a living room, kitchen and the art room opens to a large timber terrace overlooking a steep hillside that descends to meet the rice fields below.

Open the main gate, and you come to a small yard lined with trees that provide a buffer between the house facade and the main thoroughfare up front. Together they protect the house from outside noise, dust and dirt. By design, the front yard is as long as the house is tall. For indoor thermal comfort, the building is positioned in relation to the sun, wind and climatic factors. Plus, open concept floor plans help get rid of cooking smells fast, resulting in a healthy home environment.

A row of trees protects the home from outside noise, dust and smoke. By design, the front yard is as long as the house façade is tall to avoid getting too close to the road in front of it.

From the driveway, a flight of garden steps beside a perimeter wall provides access to the backyard below. So there’s no need to go through the interior of the house. The overall foot traffic route is neatly planned, obvious and easy to follow. From the backyard, another flight of stairs set in a north-to-south direction leads to quiet and secluded living spaces on the second floor, something vaguely reminiscent of a corridor connecting different parts of an art gallery. To put it briefly, it’s a place to get away from it all.

Walk in the door, and you discover an integrated house plan that brings together functional spaces for working, living and leisure. There’s a living room that’s conveniently connected to the kitchen, dining room and the art room. It opens to a large timber balcony set in the southeast direction to take in the view of lush paddy fields and forested hills. In the late afternoon, the setting sun casts a warm glow over the architecture and surrounding mountain landscapes, creating light and shadows that inspire artists with its many wonders.

Noteworthy features of the house include the adaptation of elements of vernacular architecture to meet modern-day lifestyle needs. By design, the interior living spaces are well-lit and well-ventilated, thanks to generous wall openings that let plenty of natural light and fresh outdoor air into the home. In a way, it’s the marriage of modern and folk architecture that gives the house its character. Among other things, roof trusses, rafters and wooden parts of the home are built of reclaimed timber. It’s roofed over with fired clay tiles in warm shades of brownish-gray color. The floors are finished in terrazzo alternating with washed sand beautifully handcrafted by local artisans.

A contemporary style and elements of vernacular architecture combine to make the house look and feel good. It’s simple yet attractive, thanks to a variety of local materials that give the home its character.

All things considered, the project is a challenge that brings out the best in local builders, designers and engineers who put their heads together and produce a beautiful work of architecture. The way it looks attracts people’s attention. It sends a message that contemporary architecture has pride of place in society, and in this case a home that blends with the context that forms the setting of rural Chiang Rai.

In short, nature has always inspired artists and thinkers. In this particular instance, it has given the homeowners and architects the tools they need to deal with many challenges that occur on site. The result is a home that looks and feels good, plus it combines a contemporary style with elements of folk architecture in a neat and organized way.

Architect: IS Architects

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By kangsadank
November 4, 2024
HOUSE,LIVING

/ Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam /

/ Story: Kangsadan K. / English version: Bob Pitakwong /

/ Photographs: Hiroyuki Oki /

This single-story brick home, offering 180 square meters of usable space, is the brainchild of CTA (Creative Architects), an architectural practice in Vietnam. It’s designed to fit in the climate prevailing in Ho Chi Minh City, where average temperatures are 8-10 degrees Celsius higher than in the countryside.

The living room is open and airy thanks to cool winds coming in over the water pond.

It’s thoughtfully devised to make the most effective use of materials to create a comfortable living space. Plus, it conveniently connects to the home of the owner’s mother. For the most part, the house’s exterior walls are built of fired clay bricks. To avoid heat buildup in the home, the walls are placed in relation to the sun and winds that change seasonally.

A view from above shows the brick house comprising three blocks of living spaces with the old home belonging to the owner’s mother nearby.

By design, the building comprises three blocks of living spaces with a sitting room, dining room and kitchen located at the center of the light and airy house plan. The rooms are disposed around a large water pond that doubles as engine drawing cool northeasterly winds into the home. The house of the owner’s mother located nearby can be seen in full view from here.

Living room furniture is positioned to take in the view of the water pond, while folding glass doors allow for a wide opening from one end to the other.

The center block overlooking the water pond connects the right and left sides of the house plan. The left wing holds the main entrance with a carport beside it, while the right wing contains a bedroom and reading room. Thick walls give the home a sense of privacy and protect from the elements. There are two other bedrooms and the laundry located at the rear.

A lush yard provides the focal point and architectural feature drawing cool air into the living room.

The lovely place named “Nam House” features exterior walls measuring 250 millimeters thick. Designed to insulate the home against high temperatures, they contain two layers of protection with empty space in between. The outer walls protect from sun heat, while the void of space and the inner walls provide a buffer keeping the interior cool in summer. The holes in the bricks also add more thermal insulation capacity to the inner walls, thereby reducing heat transfer.

Exterior walls built of fired clay bricks insulate the home from outside heat.

Apart from that, bricks are used to build architectural elements that shield the interior from sun heat. They are set at an angle that draws fresh outdoor air in through openings in the walls. Meanwhile, vents above the level of the head allow hot air to exit the building, keeping the rooms cool and comfortable. Plus, the house is positioned in relation to the rise and fall of the sun and prevailing wind patterns, a passive design strategy that makes every day beautiful.

A bedroom opens to allow fresh air streaming in over the water pond while folding glass doors create a transition between indoors and outdoors.

The technique of building in an appropriate relative position can impact the house’s comfort and well-being. Like so, Nam House is designed to fit in with the surroundings. It looks the epitome of design that’s flexible and responsive to changing light and wind patterns that are the inevitabilities of life. The result is a home capable of overcoming site limitations, meanwhile expressing rich and subtle meanings.

Architects: CTA (Creative Architects)

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By kangsadank
September 19, 2024
HOUSE,LIVING

/ Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam /

/ Story: Kangsadan K. / English version: Bob Pitakwong /

/ Photographs: Lonton Studio /

Who would have thought a modest house could transform into a warm and welcoming home amid the hustle and bustle of downtown Ho Chi Minh City? Well, it’s possible. This five-story narrow lot house has plenty of room for a couple with two children to live comfortably. It even has a sitting room that echoes the timeless tradition of tea and coffee drinking, a relaxed atmosphere that keeps conversations going. Well-thought-out design gives it a streamlined and simple look, while the interconnected interior speaks volumes for a strong family bond. The house is the brainchild of Story Architecture, a homegrown architectural practice in Vietnam.

The balconies enclosed by walls and railings are staggered throughout the façade in warm shades of brown. They provide places to sit back, relax and enjoy family time outdoors.

Built on a plot of land that’s unusually long in relation to its width (3.5 x 17 meters to be exact), the tall and skinny house offers 59.5 square meters of usable space. For privacy, there are three bedrooms plus communal spaces that form the heart of family life. They include a modern kitchen with dining room nearby, as well as a living room, an ancestral altar, and a swimming pool on the rooftop deck.

For added convenience, there is an elevator that provides access to all the rooms on five levels. Taking everything into account, the design team did an amazing job at integrating all the useful features in one small space.

Drawings of the mezzanine and the ground floor show an elevator shaft and sets of stairs at the rear of the house in relation to the living spaces and other functions located up front. / Courtesy of Story Architecture

Drawings of Floors 2 and 3 show the master bedroom and one of the children’s bedrooms located at the front of the house. / Courtesy of Story Architecture

Drawings of Floors 4 and 5 show one of the children’s bedrooms and the rooftop swimming pool at the front of the house plan. / Courtesy of Story Architecture

A drawing of the side elevation view in cross section illustrates the flow of air through openings in the walls at the front and the back of the building. / Courtesy of Story Architecture

The design concept centers around creating a more connected living space, one that’s well-lit and well-ventilated considering the warm and humid climate prevailing in the region. And that applies to all five levels, as well as the stairwell and the vertical shaft for the passage of an elevator located at the far end of the building.

The mezzanine contains a modern kitchen with dining room nearby. A skylight installed in the roof up front maximizes light and allows people inside to see out while preparing food.

By the looks of things, there are two features that stand out from the rest. First, the front of the house contains living spaces for the family plus a dining room and a kitchen located on the mezzanine. Then, the swimming pool on the rooftop deck conveys a great deal about genius ideas aimed at overcoming the problem of limited space in the city.

The swimming pool on the rooftop deck offers a panorama of Ho Chi Minh City.

That’s not all. To make a home feel more comfortable, choosing the right building material for the job is equally important. In this particular case, the rear walls built of breeze blocks provide ventilation, decoration and privacy. Plus, they protect the interior from rain and bad weather. Where appropriate, glass windows are put in place to maximize light streaming into the rear of the house. Other features that contribute significantly to the overall appearance are the balconies staggered throughout the front façade in rich warm tones of brown, an amazing design that makes the house unique in its own special way.

A bedroom embraces the beauty of simplicity illuminated by natural light.

All things considered, it’s a task that makes great demands on the team of architects who designed it. Not only is it about overcoming the problem of limited space, but it’s also about building a place that’s comfortable to live in, a well-detailed design with plenty of room to grow a family and promote positive communication. And this warm and inviting, five-story home is created to do exactly that.

Architects: Story Architecture

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