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 ArchitectureDrawings 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 ArchitectureDrawings 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 ArchitectureA 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.
/ Story: Kangsadan K. / English version: Bob Pitakwong /
/ Photographs: Markus Gortz /
Amidst a beautiful mountain landscape, a steel frame home looks lightweight under a canopy of overhanging trees in Mae Rim District, roughly 15 minutes’ drive from Chiang Mai’s downtown. It’s tucked away in a cozy corner of a peaceful neighborhood blending seamlessly into the dark green of nearby woodlands. Upfront a natural water pond lies hemmed in by the U-shaped house plan, creating an environmentally friendly living space. Needless to say, it’s invitingly comfortable, calm and peaceful thanks to the crisp cool mountain air passing through all day. Nothing compares to living close to nature.
Its spacious floor plan affords a whopping 800 square meters of living, functional and utility spaces snug by the warmth of a northern countryside. The brainchild of Design Qua, an architectural practice based in Bangkok, the house among the trees is designed to be in harmony with nature. This can only come from a profound understanding of the place, knowledge of the local climate and efforts at maintaining ecological balance long term.
A drawing illustrates the various component parts of a U-shape house plan in relation to the courtyard under tree cover and a water pond that’s the centerpiece of landscape design. / Courtesy of Design QuaA diagram of the second floor shows the private residential wing at the far end, utility areas on the left, and the multipurpose wing holding a welcome area in the foreground. / Courtesy of Design QuaA side-elevation view of the U-shaped house plan in cross section illustrates the physical interactions between man and nature, as evidenced by the positioning of living spaces linked by a system of corridors, balconies and verandas overlooking the courtyard with a water pond. / Courtesy of Design Qua
That being said, structural steel framing comes in as a handy building technique. Among other advantages, vertical steel columns take up less space than do concrete ones. This helps to avoid damaging the root system of a rain tree standing close by. Steel frames provide a stronger, more durable structure than concrete does. Plus, it’s lightweight and faster to construct. Overall, they are the key attributes that give the home its character.
Steel framing for building construction offers many advantages. Among others, it takes up less space and provides flexibility in design as evidenced by a system of pathways connecting to all parts of the home. Plus, it promotes good ventilation and interactions between nature and humankind.
Typical of homes in the Northern Region, passive design strategies take priority over any other matter. Correct building orientation ensures there are enough openings in the walls to admit natural daylight and fresh outdoor air into the home, while texture applied to walls and ceilings create shadows and an even concentration of warm soft light in the interior.
Named Maerim House, the two-story steel home is built on a U-shaped floor plan with a courtyard containing a natural water pond occupying the in-between space.
The house consists of three parts. First, the north wing holds a garage upfront leading to the main entrance with a warm and cozy welcome room. The ground is covered with new top soil, paved and polished to give it a neat and clean surface. The raised floorboard ensures safety in case of heavy rain.
The second part of the house plan is raised at plinth height 60 centimeters above the ground. All the equipment and utility spaces are here, among them washing and drying machines plus a work studio at the far end right next to a rather unique circular bathroom.
The third and final section of the home holds a quiet, secluded residential area. The downstairs consists of a kitchen complete with dining and sitting rooms plus a bedroom for guest accommodation. It’s accessed by a veranda tiled in different colors and textures that blend with surrounding courtyard landscapes. Close at hand, the overhanging branches of a rain tree spread above the water’s edge providing crisp, cool shade.
The counter enclosed by an overlapping clapboard of reclaimed timber adds vintage appeal to the kitchen and dining area.For a good first impression, the welcome wing is enclosed by glass walls and sliding doors that open to admit natural daylight and fresh outdoor air into the room.
A set of steps illuminated by recessed lights gives access to a two-meter-wide veranda overlooking the water pond that’s the focal point of the courtyard landscape.
Nearby, an apparently lightweight set of stairs next to a breeze block wall provides access to the second floor holding the principal bedroom. From here, a hallway connects to a living area and a circular bathroom and, beyond, two other bedrooms tucked away at the far end. On the outside of the building, a spacious balcony affords beautiful views of the rain tree and lush courtyard landscapes.
Separate but not divided. Breeze block walls painted a muted shade of green clearly define the boundaries between indoors and outdoors, at the same time providing visual continuity between the two worlds.A yoga pavilion at the rear of the house affords a beautiful panorama of wooded hills and surrounding mountains stretching farther than the eye can see.
For indoor thermal comfort, the house’s wooden floorboard is made up of long planks recycled from older homes, resulting in a feel and appearance that make people feel calm. The interior decor is simple yet elegant, featuring the simplicity of a mix-and-match between old and contemporary items. The furnishings mostly sourced from within the region bespeak the homeowner’s love for pleasingly graceful styles adorned with beautiful works of handicraft.
The upstairs bedroom boasts the simplicity of a floorboard made up of reclaimed wooden planks installed with narrow grooves in between, creating a texture that’s the only one of its kind.Tall wall ideas provide ample room for an awning window hinged at the top. It opens and shuts as needed to regulate fresh outdoor air streaming into the upstairs bedroom.An accent wall in the downstairs living room is tiled in different colors symbolizing variety, with a fireplace directly across from it radiates timeless appeal.
To create a restful atmosphere, perforate brick walls are painted earthy light green that visually blends with the darkness of nearby wooded hills in the landscape. For a lightweight look, the home is roofed over with metal sheeting with extended overhangs protecting the glass walls from the elements. At the end of the gutter, rain chains direct the flow of water from the rooftop to the ground in a more controlled way.
Taken as a whole, it’s a beautiful amalgam of natural and built environments. Built largely of bricks and reclaimed timber, the steel frame home successfully merges into the complex woodland ecosystems that are the pride and joy of this part of Chiang Mai. By design, it’s a simple structure inspired by a yearning desire to live closer to nature. And that’s exactly the point. Gorgeous!
/ Story: Kor Lordkam / English version: Bob Pitakwong /
/ Photographs: Hoang Le /
The Flying Block is a hotel project in a class of itself. The low-rise, six-story tower in a beach-inspired sandy brown is located in the heart of Phu My, a town in Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province bordering on Ho Chi Minh City. Only recently the coastal province has grown to become one of Vietnam’s economic powerhouses with busy sea ports, factories and industrial estates. Also known as the Cay Vang Hotel, it’s festooned with lush green foliage on balconies that provides effective window treatments and reduces summer heat gain, keeping the interior cool and comfortable.
But why Phu My? The answer lies in location, location, location. Ba Ria-Vung Tau is also renowned for its rich ecosystems with lots of sunshine and great views plus tourist destinations attracting travelers from across the globe. So it’s all about being in the right place at the right time.
Children’s drawings illustrate the multiple-use concept of box-shaped balcony design. / Courtesy of TAA DesignA diagrammatic representation shows the welcome lobby and hotel rooms on Floor 1 [above], and more hotel rooms in relation to greenery-filled balconies on Floors 2 to 4 [below]. / Courtesy of TAA DesignA diagram of hotel rooms on Floors 3 to 5 [above], and the penthouse on the top floor [below] / Courtesy of TAA DesignAn axonometric projection illustrates the three stages of design development, from a bare building outline, to the addition of rooms with balconies, to the final image of tree-filled facades. / Courtesy of TAA Design
The main idea is that, with an increase in industrial activity, more housing demand and land becoming pricy, the only way to build now is upwards. At the same time, the natural environment must be preserved so as to enhance the quality of life, housing and lodging accommodations for locals as well as visitors.
The result is a tree-covered vertical living model aptly called the “Flying Greenery Blocks”. In essence, it’s the coming together of box-shaped balconies with trees secured firmly in ultra-deep planters. The rectangular platforms on the outside of the building vary in size from 2 to 3.5 meters wide.
The extra-large balconies among them even have a trough for growing decorative plants at the edges. Together they serve multiple purposes, as a charming garden space for green thumbs, a place for physical fitness exercises and a landmark clearly visible from a distance.
A spacious balcony serves multiple purposes, as a quiet reading nook with a view and room for gardening as a pastime.
Take a look inside, and you find a spacious hallway that’s a breath of fresh air. Uncluttered and arranged in an orderly way, it leaves a very good first impression.
Plus, the entryway feels light and airy, thanks to the stack ventilation effect that allows hot air to rise while low pressure draws fresh outdoor air into the interior. In a few words, there’s no lack of air circulation and hence no need for air conditioning.
On the whole, it’s about integrating urban green spaces in modern design to create indoor thermal comfort all year round. Psychologically, it provides an escape from the hustle and bustle of the city undergoing fast economic development. The bottom line. Every greenery-filled space matters when it comes to improving the quality of life in an urban area.
The Flying Block in a lovely light sand tone stands silhouetted against the emergence of new industries in Phu My town, Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province, Vietnam
In the midst of stunning skyscrapers and the hustle and bustle of city life, there exist serene temples and communities in the old part of town. This is where Jason M. Friedman has chosen to build his rooftop house.
Spacious glass walls open to take in the view of old Bangkok. The neighborhood boasts a comfortable lifestyle that Friedman has always wanted, and for good reason.
At first, Friedman had planned on buying a condominium within the prime business district. But then he discovered a vacant penthouse unit on the seventh floor. He gave it a serious thought, and the rest was history.
“I was fortunate to have discovered this place. The home with a 360-degree surround view is nestled in the heart of old-town Bangkok. So I changed my mind and immediately got down to the business of remaking it into a residential home,”Friedman recalled.
An al fresco sitting area provides outdoor comforts and a 360-degree view of Old Bangkok. A sky garden filled with thriving houseplants adds green urban space to the top of the building – frugal ideas to reconnect with nature.A living room speaks to the rustic industrial style rich in outstanding features. They include naked brick walls, exposed systems of electrical conduits, and a full complement of light fixtures illuminating the space with sofas in a cool-toned white.
Utilizing the vantage point to the maximum benefit, he positioned all the rooms in a way that afforded a beautiful view of the city. Plus, they are conveniently connected to one another.
He put in large wall openings to bring the great outdoors into the home, creating a passive cooling system for everything from the reception area to dining room, to kitchen, bedroom, bathroom and the balcony.
The dining table crafted of teakwood displays beautiful wood grain textures in goldish brown finishes. The room comes alive with flowers and a chandelier in vivid colors.
Inside, some of the most eye-catching elements include the exposed brick walls that add rustic Industrial charm to the guest reception area and dining room. Furniture crafted mostly of intricate woodwork dominates the interior living spaces.
Decorating materials, most of which obtained through years of extensive travels, convey a lot about his love for Oriental art and culture. They are placed on display silhouetted against the brownish orange hues of surrounding brickwork, while plenty of natural light shines through the generously sized glass wall.
There’s a corridor leading to the quiet, more secluded bedroom at the rear. It runs straight past the kitchen that’s the highlight of this penthouse. In the meantime, black-and-white floor tiles set the kitchen apart from nearby functional spaces, a clever way to separate the interiors into different rooms with using solid dividers.
The kitchen is custom-built since Friedman is particularly fond of home cooking. He usually buys fresh produce and does his own grocery shopping. The room comes well equipped and spacious enough to meet his specs. It’s like putting an entire hotel kitchen in a home setting, so to speak.
For the most part the floors are tiled in black and white, arranged in the chess design pattern to blend harmoniously with nearby exposed brick walls. The bottom line is they are easy to keep clean.
The kitchen is spacious and custom-built to the specs created by Friedman, an avid home chef.
The bedroom boasts clean line design that’s easy on the eyes with furniture speaking to a passion for Oriental style. Awake or asleep, panoramic views of old Bangkok are always there, thanks to large windows glazed with clear glass on all sides.
The food preparation area features a spacious kitchen island table and a backsplash tiled in white for easy cleaning.
While the city continues to grow and face new challenges that come with an expanding economy, one must not forget that Bangkok is where old neighborhoods coexist with new skyscrapers.
There is rustic charm to the beautiful culture and lifestyle that cannot be found anywhere else. This Western gentleman is fortunate to have found happiness in his rooftop home, and is loving every minute of it!
Decorating materials are taken from sentimental collections that Friedman has kept for many years. Imperfections, scratches, and dents tell stories of their journey through time. The same applies to pictures mounted on the wall and the antique hanging lamps.This stylishly chic bathtub is custom-made. The rim comes wrapped in genuine leather for firm grips and safety precautions.
Sharing his slice of paradise, Friedman said: “Living the best of life is not necessarily about being in a well-appointed home, rich in elaborate design and expensive décor. To me, a happy home is one in which you feel relaxed. It is nice to wake up fully rested and enjoy tranquil sounds of Old Bangkok, its lifestyle, and a culture that is so unique.”
Twin antique bathroom mirrors come in wood frames adorned with Chinese calligraphy. Its traditional look complements the natural finishes on the wooden dressing table.
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Two Homes Built of Local Materials as a Way to Foster Family Bonds
