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Vom House: A Nature-Embracing Urban Home Made Attractive by Curved Design

Vom House: A Nature-Embracing Urban Home Made Attractive by Curved Design

/ Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam /

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

/ Photographs: Hiroyuki Oki /

This three-story urban home belonging to a nuclear family is located in Binh Thanh, a district of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Needless to say, it’s an urban neighborhood characterized by overcrowding and lack of green spaces. That’s where architect Sanuki Daisuke comes into play and turns environmental challenges into a solution. The result is a home tailored to the small family’s specific needs, one that’s comfortable, well-lit and well-ventilated despite the problem of limited space.

urban home Ho Chi Minh City Vom House
A massive curved ceiling of raw concrete has the most prominent position in the entryway holding a semi-outdoor sitting room. It’s separated from the front yard by a façade of decorative metalwork.

By design, the house’s public spaces are placed on the first and second floors. They consist of a semi-outdoor communal space that’s shared by all members of the family. There is a dining room, with reading nooks and green spaces nearby that open to bring natural daylight and fresh air into the home.

Meanwhile, the private spaces holding only two bedrooms are perfectly adequate for family needs. They are tucked away on the third floor that’s quiet and secluded. The rooms are made somewhat smaller than usual so as to increase the size of empty spaces in the home. For the most parts, Vietnamese homes tend to have more bedrooms as a way to accommodate visiting houseguests.

Drawings of the house plan illustrate space utilization ideas on every level, including the rooftop. / Courtesy of Sanuki Daisuke Architects

 

 

A trio of front elevation drawings shows how curved designs are integrated in different parts of the building. / Courtesy of Sanuki Daisuke Architects
A side elevation drawing illustrates space utilization in relation to openings in the wall and rooftop designed to admit daylight and provide natural ventilation. / Courtesy of Sanuki Daisuke Architects
A perspective drawing in cross section shows the integration of curved ceilings in the design of the second floor. / Courtesy of Sanuki Daisuke Architects
urban home Ho Chi Minh City Vom House
The front door and house façade of perforated metalwork beautifully merge to form a cohesive unit. In combination, they open to admit light and provide natural ventilation to the home.

urban home Ho Chi Minh City Vom House

urban home Ho Chi Minh City Vom House
A folding door system opens wide from one end to the other admitting daylight and providing natural ventilation to keep the home cool.
urban home Ho Chi Minh City Vom House
The entryway up front can be seen in full view from inside the dining room and sitting room at the rear.
An open floor plan makes the first floor feel larger, giving a feeling of comfort, warmth and relaxation.

Up front, the first floor holds a sunlit courtyard beneath a distinct curvature that bears some resemblance to an underground chamber in a hillside. At the same time, high ceiling design makes the entry area look so inviting.

The rounded contour, also known as “vom” in Vietnamese, serves a dual purpose. It creates good visual flow between the first and second floors, while providing a passage leading to rooms and functional spaces in the home.

Small openings in various sizes at the top of a wall keep the second floor well-lit and well-ventilated.

urban home Ho Chi Minh City Vom House

Curving contours, or “vom” in Vietnamese, take pride of place in the sitting room and reading nook on the second floor. Together they create good visual flow connecting all the rooms in the home.
urban home Ho Chi Minh City Vom House
A relaxing reading nook on the second floor is illuminated by reflected sunlight, while natural ventilation keeps the interior cool and comfortable.
An ample amount of space on the second floor and nearby stairway promotes natural ventilation in the house.

Extending directly beneath the curving contour, the house façade of perforated metalwork separates the front yard from a sitting room at the front. It’s designed to admit daylight and provide controlled natural ventilation to the home.

The sitting room is connected to a kitchen and dining room nearby via a folding door system that opens wide from one end to the other. From here, the reading nook on the second floor is clearly visible under the double height curved ceiling. Taken as a whole, the interior is cool and comfortable thanks to fresh, outdoor air coming in through the front door.

urban home Ho Chi Minh City Vom House

The bedroom on the third floor is breezy, uncluttered and illuminated by natural daylight.

Because it’s such a clean, well-lighted place, the homeowner couple sees potential in it developing into a house-cum-café in the future. The idea comes in handy since the family’s private living spaces are hidden away on the third floor. Plus, the open concept house plan provides many benefits, among them improved traffic flow, adequate daylight and good air circulation at every turn.

Concrete surfaces are left unfinished by design after being cast using bamboo strips, creating shadows that change throughout the day.

Amidst the hustle and bustle of life in Ho Chi Minh City, the house feels comfortable, light and airy thanks to great attention to detail. By design, it’s an urban living space that seeks reconnections with nature, a house made attractive by curved design just like the architect intended.


Join us for insights on creating urban homes that maximize quality of life. The room Books X Living ASEAN Design Talk 2024 on the theme of “(Re)Thinking inside the Box: Vol. 1 Living in Small Urban Spaces” is a discussion event in English focusing on urban living opportunities and design challenges that need to be resolved. It’s aimed at creating an awareness and knowledge among the general public about the importance of design in residential development within the context of city life across Southeast Asia.

The discussion will be in English. It’s open to everyone who is interested. There is no admission fee. Seats are limited. Please preregister at https://cooll.ink/DesigntalkLA/

Looking forward to seeing you all at Hall MR 214-216, Second Floor, BITEC Bang Na on August 4, 2024 from 1300 to 1530 hours. It’s happening as part of the Baan Lae Suan Fair Midyear 2024.


Architects: Sanuki Daisuke Architects


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A Renovated Shophouse with a Hidden Gem, Simply Delightful

A Renovated Shophouse with a Hidden Gem, Simply Delightful

/ Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam /

/ Story: Phattaraphon / English version: Bob Pitakwong /

/ Photographs: Quang Tran /

This small shophouse in Ho Chi Minh City has been renovated to answer the specific needs of a family of four and their pet cats. From time to time, Grandma comes by to watch the little children and stay overnight. As may be expected of the narrow-front dwelling ubiquitous across Vietnam’s urban landscapes, the house plan is much longer than it is wide, plus there is a problem.

renovated shophouse Vietnam
A view from the street, perforated metal panels painted a cool-toned white provide privacy protection.

Facing the northwest direction, the front façade gets full afternoon sun causing heat gain inside the already tiny home lacking fresh air and ventilation. It’s amazing how a well-thought-out makeover changes everything, resulting in a bright and airy living space.

renovated shophouse Vietnam

The perforated metal fence gate works in tandem with the principal face of the building creating a transition between indoor and outdoor living spaces.
renovated shophouse Vietnam
Arranged on a long and narrow plan, the sitting room up front is separated from living spaces at the rear by a small green oasis lit by a rooftop skylight.

The homeowners sought the advice of professionals, THIA Architecture of Ho Chi Minh City, to improve the situation. After thorough site inspections, a team of designers came up with a plan to renovate the front of the house in two parts.

First, at ground level the old opaque fence gate was removed and replaced by a new one made entirely of perforated steel sheets. Little holes in the steel panels let fresh outdoor air pass through and circulate inside, meanwhile providing diffused light and improving home privacy.

Then, on top of the fence gate a framework of metal bars is put in, anchored securely to the concrete wall up front. Designed as a support for climbing plants, it rises as high as the roof eave, creating in a double layer façade that’s beautiful and capable of keeping the heat out. At least that’s the future plan.

[Left] A trio of drawings illustrates space utilization on the first and second floors as well as the rooftop skylight. / [Right] A street map shows the house location in relation to others in the neighborhood. / Courtesy of THIA Architecture
[Left] A side elevation view in cross section shows the relationship between natural and built-up environments. / [Right] A concept of decorative patterns on the house façade seen from the street. / Courtesy of THIA Architecture

renovated shophouse Vietnam
An open floor plan creates a smooth flow from the sitting room to dining room and a small green space lit by a rooftop skylight.
A sunlit small courtyard, for lack of a better word, brightens the room at the center of the house plan.
Sitting nook design ideas under a gable roof provide a gimmick intended to evoke memories of Vietnam’s rustic countryside.
Grandma’s bedroom tucked away at the rear is a calm personal living space well-lit by natural daylight.

Walk through the metal fence gate, and you discover a small terrace bringing in natural light and fresh air into the family living room with a kitchen and dining room nearby.

Grandma’s bedroom is tucked away at the rear of the house plan, separated from the sitting room up front by a small interior green space illuminated by a rooftop skylight. By design, it’s an added feature that solves the problem of stale air and stuffy room once and for all.

renovated shophouse Vietnam

Its small size notwithstanding, the interior green space exudes the simplicity and charm considered typical of the Vietnamese countryside. It looks neat and is well cared for. Plus, weather-beaten wood and vintage earthen roof tiles provide a gimmick intended to attract attention.

From here, a set of stairs lead to the second floor holding the principal bedroom up front, separated from two bedrooms for kids by the void of space above the tiny center courtyard.

renovated shophouse Vietnam
The stairway and its surrounding walls are illuminated by a skylight built into the rooftop.
renovated shophouse Vietnam
Split level layout ideas paired with a mezzanine add intrigue and interest to interior design.

renovated shophouse Vietnam
The bedroom wall facing the void of space above the yard opens to admit light and fresh air.

renovated shophouse Vietnam

renovated shophouse Vietnam
A custom made window in just the right size opens to connect with the inner courtyard, a clever hack to avoid stale air and stuffy summers.

renovated shophouse Vietnam

In closing, it’s the story of a little house made comfortable, bright and airy by well-thought-out design. The center courtyard, for lack of a better word, provides a communal space shared by all members of the family, the result of a renovation done right that makes a small home a happy home.

renovated shophouse Vietnam
A set of stairs gives access to children’s bedrooms at the rear, separated from the principal bedroom up front by the void of space above the sunlit small courtyard.

Architect: THIA Architecture

Lead designer: Arc Huynh Xuan Thi


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The Journey of Studio Miti: An Atelier Expert at Materials and Design Integrations Fit for Tropical Climate

The Journey of Studio Miti: An Atelier Expert at Materials and Design Integrations Fit for Tropical Climate

/ Bangkok, Thailand /

/ Story: Kor Lordkam / English version: Bob Pitakwong /

/ Photographs: Nantiya June /

Studio Miti is founded by Prakit Kanha and Padirmkiat Sukkan, two architects who have been friends since college. They attended the same school of architecture at a university. Since 2010 the architectural firm has won acclaim for its expertise in materials science skills and ability to integrate knowledge of design with the circumstances that form the setting of worksite surroundings. Having earned many architectural design awards over the years, Studio Miti is clearly living up to his name.

The story of Studio Miti had its beginnings at a workbench inside a rented room that doubled as their humble abode. As the amounts of work increased, the pair thought it wise to move into a decent workplace. They moved several times to different places, among them a rental space on the ground floor of an apartment block that, albeit small, became their first design studio.

The turning point in their career as architects came as the company grew and grew to the point they decided to move again, this time to a permanent home with a brick façade showcasing materials that speak volumes about their ideals and corporate identity.

Studio Miti Padirmkiat Sukkan
Studio Miti’s new office showcases the building’s principal face capable of staying open and shut as needed as one of its main design features.

For almost 15 years, Studio Miti has kept firmly to its guiding principle in design, one that combines knowledge of design with an understanding of the context that forms the setting of a place, plus the ability to research the structure and properties of materials used in construction.

In the fewest possible words, it’s about knowing what the materials are made of and how they can be used so as to achieve the best results and aesthetic appeal. Equally important is the ability to create design that’s conducive to improving the quality of life plus charm, good looks that inspire.

Studio Miti Padirmkiat Sukkan

The company’s unflinching determination to stand by its design principle and beliefs is reflected in the looks of its new office set amidst the bustle of the Lad Phrao Soi 71 neighborhood in Bangkok where it moved into in 2024.

It’s an old townhouse that has since been lovingly restored as an office. It showcases the front façade covered in lightweight concrete blocks in dark gray that conveys a great deal about Studio Miti’s ideals and in-depth visions guiding its actions.

We have the pleasure of meeting with Padirmkiat Sukkan, co-founder of Sudio Miti, and getting to know more about the company’s design concept, plus taking a tour inside their new office. Join us in discovering the secrets behind the building façade crafted of gray concrete blocks, plus the design concept and beliefs that have put Studio Miti in a class in itself.


Q: Tell us about your journey, design principles and beliefs that guide your actions.

A: “As you know, Studio Miti has moved office several times over the years. Every time we moved, we did some experiments on the materials that we used. We tried to weigh the work we did to determine its essential quality. We believe in using real materials. By that is mean that we use pure materials in their original visual shape, color and texture without over embellishments.”

Studio Miti Padirmkiat Sukkan
Flashback: Studio Miti’s old office building showcases brick façade ideas in every direction.
Despite its solid brick exteriors, Studio Miti’s old office building feels open and airy, thanks to skylight systems that turn the interior into a well-lighted place.
Enclosed workspace inside Studio Miti’s old office provides freedom from external disturbances, making it easy to stay focused during the work day. Plus, it’s adequately lit by overhead skylight systems.

“At our current location, we used mostly bricks as the material of choice. We experimented on brick constructioon as well as bricks and steel. This time, we tried using lightweight concrete blocks as the main material instead.

“In fact, we found it by chance at a worksite. We were using the product and, out of the blue, it broke at the seams at the midpoint. We discovered a curving contour inside it.

“It looked interesting when touched by light. So we took it apart and looked inside it. The effect was good by a touch of light. I thought we could build the entire building facade using this material. And we did. The same applied for other parts of the building, too.”

Studio Miti Padirmkiat Sukkan

“We implemented this project, renovating an old townhouse built some 30 to 40 years ago. There were site limitations that we had to deal with. The external envelope was opaque, being built entirely of brickwork. It came with one restriction; a complete teardown was not permitted.

“So we created a building façade that’s capable of being open and shut as needed so as to control the amounts of natural daylight shining into the interior, thereby making it easy to stay focused during the work day.”

“Actually, we are interested in the design process. We look for ways, by which the tools that we use in designing diagrams can also be applicable or relevant to the materials being used as well.

“Oftentimes we put the materials to the test ourselves. It gives us confidence in doing designs, plus the benefits that come from touching it and getting the feel of the materials. It’s an important approach that we use.”


Q: What’s your thought on using real materials and creating Tropical design?

A: “On real materials and Tropical design, I regard the two concerns as being part of one cohesive whole.

“In a warm and humid climate like ours, first, I say we have to understand and be able to use the sun and the winds prevailing in the region to our benefit. It’s very basic to begin with. If we have the opportunity and the owner agrees and likes what we do, then we can develop the materials that we need together.

“And when it comes to using pure materials, I feel they are beautiful without being over embellished. We just need to find out how design can be used to make them look beautiful with little or no modification. To us, understanding the materials and how to them is of the utmost important.”

Studio Miti Padirmkiat Sukkan
A meeting room-cum-recreation space on the ground floor feels bright and breezy, plus it’s easily modified to respond quickly to changing needs and activities.
Studio Miti Padirmkiat Sukkan
A meeting room for receiving clients is glazed using clear glass to admit natural daylight into the interior.

“Speaking of knowledge of a Tropical climate, I feel it’s a must-have for architects. Thai architects, especially, must have a good understanding of sunlight, the heat, humidity and the cold. They are the basics. To create designs, knowing all the basics takes priority over any other matter.

“But more than anything else, me have to make sure the kind of architecture that we create represents the owner. If not, at least it must speak volumes about the place, about the site and the context that forms the setting around it.”


Q: Help me understand some of the work you did in the past? A few examples, perhaps?

A: “To show you some of our past achievements and the results of our experiments, I say we used bricks. Bricks were the material that we used often. As for wood, we used that often, too. We used brickwork mixed with wood in the construction of Athita the Hidden Court Chiang Saen, a boutique hotel in Chiang Saen District of Chiang Rai Province. It’s a hybrid of brick and timber.”

Studio Miti Padirmkiat Sukkan
Athita the Hidden Court Chiang Saen, a boutique hotel in Chiang Saen District of Chiang Rai, Thailand’s northernmost province. / Courtesy of Studio Miti
Athita the Hidden Court Chiang Saen / Courtesy of Studio Miti
Athita the Hidden Court Chiang Saen / Courtesy of Studio Miti
Athita the Hidden Court Chiang Saen / Courtesy of Studio Miti

“If I may show you a project built entirely of bricks, or brickwork mixed with steel, it’s the “High Brick House” or “Baan Look Moo”.

Studio Miti Padirmkiat Sukkan
High Brick House / Courtesy of Studio Miti
High Brick House / Courtesy of Studio Miti
High Brick House / Courtesy of Studio Miti
High Brick House / Courtesy of Studio Miti

“In fact, we’re working on another one, too. I believe bricks release the heat faster. We’re working on a house project called “Baan Yoo Yen”. It’s built entirely of bricks. The wind blows through it, keeping the interiors nice and coo. It benefits from traditional beliefs about Tropical design. By creating indoor thermal comfort, we can rely less on air conditioning.”

Studio Miti Padirmkiat Sukkan
Baan Yoo Yen / Courtesy of Studio Miti
Baan Yoo Yen / Courtesy of Studio Miti

“Every piece of work has its distinct character. It’s a quality of being aesthetically pleasing that lies deeper than traditional beliefs per se, even deeper than knowledge of a Tropical climate. I’m referring to an understanding of human nature, and knowledge about the circumstances around a worksite. They are the mystery we’re trying to unravel, leading to further development.”


Q: Tell us about the Goal of Studio Miti, or the object of your ambition.

A: “As for the goal of Studio Mini in ten years from now, I want to provide an idea foundation for younger members on the team today. I believe we have the capacity to develop further.

“There’s still a lot to learn. There’s more to it than design in and of itself. It may involve understanding the context that forms the setting of a place, be it socially or economically. There are lessons to learn going forward. The transmission of knowhow from us to younger members on the team is important. We want to provide the tool they can take with them.”

Studio Miti Padirmkiat Sukkan
High ceilinged workspace inside Studio Miti’s new office is well-lit by natural daylight. Among others, the redesigned building facade can open and shut as needed to provide privacy and freedom from external disturbances, making it easy to stay focused on the task at hand.

“If I get lucky, we will move forward together. If I get luckier, they may move on to their future undertakings, where they continue to grow in their line of work. But everyone must have the basic knowledge to begin with, knowledge about the climate prevailing in Thailand, knowledge about the context that forms the setting of a place.

“It’s something that’s more than meets the eye. That’s the basics that will help them grow and mature and, at the same time, give us the old guards at Studio Miti the impetus to grow and develop as well.”

“I believe the future of our office isn’t up to me alone. Rather, it comes from younger members on the team who must understand this, and work together toward a common goal.”


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Studio Miti Office: A Townhouse Tastefully Renovated as Design Studio Showcasing Material Savvy

Studio Miti Office: A Townhouse Tastefully Renovated as Design Studio Showcasing Material Savvy

/ Bangkok, Thailand /

/ Story: Kor Lordkam / English version: Bob Pitakwong /

/ Photographs: Nantiya, Weerawat Sonriang /

It all started with a 30-year-old, three-story townhouse and a company of architects Studio Miti in need of a new home. Like a fortunate stroke of serendipity, they found exactly what they had been searching for, a building with a wide, six-meter frontage abutting the street, an architectural quality attribute that gave it a decided plus.

The new building facade consisting of lightweight concrete blocks in slate gray is built of a framework of iron securely anchored to the original supporting structure of concrete masonry construction. The building’s principal face can open and shut as needed to regulate the amounts of natural daylight and fresh outdoor air streaming into the rooms. More than anything else, it’s design that meets engineering standard requirements and specifications for safety and durability.

Needless to say, it’s hard to find anything like it nowadays. More importantly, it’s located in an easily accessible community area with a variety of amenities, eating places and businesses serving surrounding populations.

Studio Miti management obviously saw the potential of it developing to future success. And that’s what gave them the inspiration going forward. They set off without delay to breathe new life into the old townhouse, transforming it into a modern design atelier that’s the home of the company’s finest 20-strong staff.

Their secrets lay in creating an exciting new external envelope covered with lightweight concrete materials. And the result of all this is a pleasing visual appearance unlike anything out there. Architecturally speaking, it’s an interesting amalgam of color, texture and the perception of shape and size that inspires admiration.

studio miti office bangkok

studio miti office bangkok
A set of wooden steps rises past a trough where leafy plants grow leading to the reception room on the ground floor.

Ground floor interiors afford comfortable workspaces designed to boost productivity, with communal facilities such as small meeting rooms and client reception areas neatly arranged throughout the building. There’s also a casual dining area with a kitchen and pantry, not to mention recreational spaces with a ping-pong table and quiet nooks to chill out.

Taken as a whole, it’s design that speaks volumes for the company’s operating principles — investing in a conducive work environment so as to reduce stress and improve concentration. Likewise, it makes perfect sense to ensure its design team can stay focused on the task at hand.

studio miti office bangkok
The corridor is separated from a meeting room on the ground floor by a folding glass door system, a clever tool that defines boundaries in a way that’s easy to understand.

studio miti office bangkok

With the folding glass door system stowed away, the ground floor serving multiple functions as a meeting room, storage room and recreational area instantly transforms into one big open space.

Climb a flight of stairs, and you come to the main meeting room reserved for formal meetings or when work needs total concentration. There’s a customer reception area nearby that makes a great first impression, with facilities for online video conferencing, a dining room and areas used for recreation.

Different from what’s usual is the building façade that can open and shut as needed to regulate the amounts of natural light during the daytime or admit fresh outdoor air into the room in the late afternoon, a clever hack to save big on energy bills.

The stairway leading to workspaces on the upper floors remained where the old, tired looking stairs had been prior to renovation, only slightly altered to give it a look that belongs to the present.

studio miti office bangkok
A glass-wall and sliding-door system provides visual continuity from inside the room to the balcony hemmed in by the front façade that can open and shut as needed for privacy, light and fresh air.

studio miti office bangkok
Wooden bookshelves of a modular nature are the epitome of imagination and resourcefulness. They stand ready to be taken apart and reassembled elsewhere if needs be.

studio miti office bangkok

The third floor holds ample workspaces with a mezzanine just below the high-pitch roof. Together they boast the comfort of a high-ceilinged room made light and airy by design. For lack of a better word, it’s the pride and joy of some 20 staff members working here as a team.

Of all parts of the building, the roof received the most extensive renovation. To get where they wanted to be, the architects had the old roof torn down to make room for a new high-pitch upper covering.

This gave the interiors much more space overhead, more natural light and aesthetic appeal. Plus, new ceilings built flush with the underside of the roof add real character to the room, while the mezzanine provides extra storage space just below the roof.

studio miti office bangkok
Third-floor workspaces are light and airy by design, thanks to high ceilings aligned with the underside of a new high-pitch roof. Plus, there’s plenty of ample space providing neat storage solutions on the mezzanine just below the roof.

All things considered, it’s about creating a workspace that bodes well for the good health of all members on the team, while inspiring productivity and job satisfaction. These qualities can only come from having access to a conducive work environment, the ability to stay focused on work and freedom from noise and distractions.

To achieve the desired results, all the workspaces and functional areas are warmly cocooned inside a solid external envelope made of lightweight concrete materials. Yet they feel connected to the elements of nature, thanks in part to large openings in the front façade that let natural light and fresh air stream into the rooms on the second and third floors.

studio miti office bangkok

An opening in the mezzanine reinforced by a steel I-beam system provides visual continuity from above and below.

Not only that, all the arrangements in place also allow the architects to experiment with exciting ideas and innovative materials never before seen, among them a new kind of lightweight concrete materials for wall construction.

The building exterior showcases the ridges and grooves in concrete blocks cut open and left exposed to the weather, thereby allowing time to leave its imprint.

In Studio Miti ‘s most recent experiment, they decided out of curiosity to split an ultralight concrete block in half, only to discover that it contained ridges and grooves on the inside creating light and shadows. They then proceeded with installing the ultralight blocks inside out, thereby showcasing the beauty of imperfections of materials on the building’s exteriors.

It’s sort of going in the opposite way of what usually happens.

The result is charm, good looks without embellishments or decoration of any kind, one that creates an interesting light and shadow play when touched by light. Plus, it’s a spectacular sight that changes with the time of day.

In the fewest possible words, it’s a renovation that conveys a great deal about Studio Miti ’s belief, which says that, first and foremost, it makes a lot of sense to be material savvy. Better yet, it’s prudent to investigate the material before using it. Why? Because knowledge of materials and how they perform in real situations is essential to creating architecture.

A side-elevation view of Studio Miti’s new home shows the exteriors adorned with lightweight blocks in slate gray, a feature that gives it distinctive character.

Studio Miti Bangkok
With the façade closed, the building looks perfectly solid, transforming Studio Miti’s new home into a piece of architecture in a class of itself.

 


Architect: Studio Miti (www.studiomiti.com)


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/ Bac Ninh, Vietnam /

/ Story: Phattaraphon / English version: Bob Pitakwong /

/ Photographs: Hoang Le /

Small space? No problem! Here’s a tall and slender concrete home built and furnished in a modern style. Plus, it transforms into a verdant oasis that’s beautiful and warm in a class of its own. Albeit small in size, the house boasts the relaxed interior ambience bedecked with houseplants thriving in containers scattered throughout. Nearby, the walls painted a cool-toned cream are lined with troughs where leafy exotics grow, creating an atmosphere for calm.

concrete home vietnam
The tall and slender concrete home rises amid shade trees in lush full bloom that provide indoor thermal comfort all year round.

Located in Bac Ninh, a city just an hour’s drive to the northeast of Hanoi, it’s a small family residence ingeniously devised to deal with space constraints and limitations. To make the most of the situation, the four-story concrete home occupies the full extent of an 80-square-meter plot. The elongated rectangle measures 4 meters wide and a whopping 20 meters long.

A street map shows the house location in relation to others in the community. / Courtesy of Kien Truc NDT

What makes the home stand out from the rest is its front façade adorned with shade trees and lush vines thriving luxuriantly, keeping the interior cool and comfortable. Walk in the door and you come to a living room with minimalist flair and a dining room in dark brown lying further inside.

One thing for sure, nature permeates through the entire home. Overall, the effect is impressive thanks to space design solutions created by a team of architects at the design studio Kien Truc NDT based right here in Bac Ninh.

Floor plans of the first and second levels / Courtesy of Kien Truc NDT

Floor plan of the third level (top), and a drawing of the roof plan (bottom) showing a garden (9) flanked by the stairway wall (7) and the skylight system with a rooftop deck (10-11) at the rear. / Courtesy of Kien Truc NDT

A side elevation view in cross section shows the rooms and functional spaces disposed around the interior courtyard with a stairway designed to improve ventilation and lighting. / Courtesy of Kien Truc NDT

The house’s external envelope boasts the simplicity of clean lines and geometric shapes with muted and earthy colors typical of modern style homes. Directly overhead, concrete beams spanning an opening at the top have an obvious rawness feel to them, creating a seamless blend with nearby shade trees in the front yard.

The principal face of the house itself is bedecked with climbing vines that provide added privacy plus freedom from noise and disturbance from the outside.

concrete home vietnam
Interior walls are covered in cement plaster painted a cool-toned cream that’s easy on the eye. They stand in contrast to the exteriors made of raw concrete and brick masonry, resulting in charm, good looks that blend with surrounding landscapes.

Illuminated by an overhead skylight, the stair chamber at the midpoint of the house plan separates the dining room in dark brown from the living room at the front.

According to the design team, by aligning the building with the sun’s path and prevailing wind direction, the house sits facing in the north direction that gets moderate amounts of sun, resulting in indoor thermal comfort even during summer months. This makes it possible to set up outdoor furniture anywhere under shade trees in the front yard.

The living room at the front of the house provides access to the dining room that lies furthest in.

concrete home vietnam
A set of stairs and surrounding areas lie illuminated by skylight systems built into the rooftop.

Skylight systems built into the rooftop provide enough light to keep indoor plants alive, creating a pleasant visual appearance.

On top of that, open-concept design admits natural daylight and fresh outdoor air into the home all day. This is achieved by positioning the building slightly toward the rear of the property, resulting in a win-win situation. The house becomes quieter and more secluded, while the front yard gains bigger space for rest and relaxation under shade trees.

A stairway painted white is built flush against the wall, rising above the foyer illuminated by skylights.

A view from the top shows the interior courtyard enlivened by natural daylight streaming in through a skylight in the rooftop that opens to admit fresh outdoor air into the home.

The bedroom with a view. A large door with transom windows opens to admit natural daylight and fresh air into the room.

The bedroom has en suite facilities enclosed by clear glass for uninterrupted visual continuity.

From a design perspective, the house plan has two parts to it, separated only by a well-lighted stair chamber occupying the in-between space.

To avoid the interior feeling stuffy typically occurring in row houses, the architects installed a skylight system in the rooftop to regulate the amounts of sun and fresh outdoor air streaming inside, turning the ordinary narrow lot home into a salubrious living space.

An overhead skylight illuminates the stair chamber separating the home office from a cozy reading nook at the far end.

A quiet, secluded reading nook benefits from natural daylight streaming in through a glass-glazed skylight in the rooftop.

The reading nook opens to a small garden with a set of stairs flush against the wall (left) leading to the rooftop deck.

concrete home vietnam
An outdoor room bedecked with lush exotics under raw concrete beams affords a vista of the city landscape.

concrete home vietnam

concrete home vietnam
A drone’s eye view shows a small garden oasis overlooking the street in front of the house.

To create rough textured walls, the home is built of structural concrete with exterior walls made of exposed brickwork that allows climbing vies to thrive. This contrasts with the indoor living space that’s covered with plaster and painted a cool-toned cream, an entirely different story.

concrete home vietnam
Serene surroundings in the semi-outdoor bathroom without a ceiling provide a salubrious atmosphere well-ventilated and well-lit by natural daylight.

concrete home vietnam
An outdoor room showcases the rawness of concrete beams and a garden oasis hemmed in by exposed brick walls, a beautiful sight that blurs the boundary between inside and outside.

In the big picture, it’s a beautiful concrete home made possible by dealing with space limitations in the most practical way. For the design team, because the land is long and very narrow, the only way to go is up and hence the tall and slender home bedecked with lush vegetation as you see it.

More importantly, it’s made for a green lifestyle that’s simple, power efficient and architecturally pleasing.


Architects: Kien Truc NDT (http://kientrucndt.com)


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Tan Phu House: From a Stuffy, Narrow Shophouse to a Multi-Floor Home with Rooftop Garden

Tan Phu House: From a Stuffy, Narrow Shophouse to a Multi-Floor Home with Rooftop Garden

/ Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam /

/ Story: ND24 / English version: Bob Pitakwong /

/ Photographs: Courtesy of k59 ateliers /

Row houses sharing common sidewalls are a familiar sight across Vietnam. Here’s the story of a complete home transformation. A narrow shophouse lacking fresh air and ventilation in Ho Chi Minh City is tastefully renovated as a four-story home with ample space for gardening on the rooftop. Named Tan Phu House, it’s light, airy and looking really good in cool-toned whites.

Tan Phu House
Upfront, the parking garage is bright and breezy, thanks to the upper covering that opens on one side to let sunlight shine in, thereby improving air quality through greater ventilation.

There are pros and cons of living in the big city. And Ho Chi Minh City is no stranger to air and noise pollution plus overcrowding in the downtown area. Fully aware of all that, a design team at k59 atelier, a homegrown architectural practice, succeeded in breathing new life into the once stuffy old house, turning it into a modern living space with sunny personality and charms.

A diagrammatic representation shows the house location in a city neighborhood characterized by long and narrow row houses, a familiar sight seen everywhere across the country. / Courtesy of k59 Atelier

A diagrammatic representation shows space utilization and functionality on all four levels of the house. / Courtesy of k59 Atelier

A perspective side-elevation drawing illustrates in cross section the connectivity between living spaces, service areas and greenery on all four levels. / Courtesy of k59 Atelier

First things first, they started by observing the behavioral health of the three generations that live here – grandparents, mom and dad, and the children. Then, they looked at the state of the surroundings to see if natural features such as shade trees, air quality and sunshine can be incorporated in the new design.

It’s all about creating a health giving environment. Here, though, it’s accomplished by incorporating shade trees in front of the house in the new design. Together they provide a buffer protecting the front façade against too much sun, noise and air pollution.

As simple as that! The trees and the remodeled principal face of the building now work alongside each other sheltering the interior living spaces from the elements.

Tan Phu House

And it’s achieved without blocking the air flow and natural light streaming into the home. The architects did it by creating flow acceleration channels in the building design that act as engine driving natural air circulation into and out of the home.

The result is a refreshing change on all four levels of the home. At the same time, all the living spaces and service areas are arranged in a neat, required order.

Tan Phu House
Double-skin design. The greenery-filled front façade provides a buffer protecting the inner house wall against sun heat. Meantime, louvre windows offer protection from the elements.

Take a look inside. The ground floor holds a parking garage and entry area leading to interior living spaces, which include a sitting room where Grandma babysits little children during the daytime. It lies exposed to sunlight in the morning that proves beneficial for physical and mental health, among others.

Tan Phu House
On the ground floor, a kitchen and dining space next to the welcome area provides a refreshing change.

Tan Phu House
The ground floor holds a sitting room for relaxation at the rear of the house plan.

The second floor has a living room and study room with quiet reading nooks to kids. They are connected to children’s bedrooms located further inside.

The third floor that’s quiet and more secluded contains the principal bedroom with bathroom en suite and a laundry room at the far end.

The fourth floor has a Buddha room with the altar for the traditional veneration of family ancestry and a vegetable garden overlooking the street below.

Tan Phu House Ho Chi Minh City
A well-lit family living room lies in the forward area of the second floor.

A well-lit and airy staircase connects to the second floor holding a living room and study with quiet reading nooks for children’s schoolwork.

Tan Phu House Ho Chi Minh City

Tan Phu House Ho Chi Minh City
Double height space design turns a stuffy, narrow shophouse into a well-lighted place.

The architect explained: “In the new design, air flow acceleration channels are of the utmost importance. They are the game changer that improves the existing situation in a significant way, resulting in a relaxing atmosphere in the home.

“In the meantime, all the rooms and functions are conveniently linked while the floor plan is easy to understand and suitable for Asian culture and traditions.”

Tan Phu House Ho Chi Minh City

All told, it’s practical design that comes from paying attention to detail. Tan Phu House is completely renovated as residential community living model, one that’s tailored to suit specific family lifestyle needs.

Wood colors add feelings of peace and calm to the master bedroom on the third floor.

Tan Phu House Ho Chi Minh City
Double height space design makes the laundry area lit by skylights feel spacious and airy.

The third-floor bathroom at the rear of the house is well lit by skylights providing protection against humidity damage.

The top floor has an altar room for the traditional veneration of family ancestry in accordance with Asian culture.

In the end it boils down to, as the architect put it, “a design that provides all the desirable elements perfect for good living in this day and age, a living space that’s complete and integrated in one coherent whole from our perspectives.”

Tan Phu House Ho Chi Minh City
The rooftop sundeck on the fourth floor has ample space for vegetable gardening.


Owner: Le Ngoc Hoang, Bui Thu Thuy

Architect: k59 atelier (k59atelier.com)

Design Team: Phan Lam Nhat Nam, Tran Cam Linh

Structural Engineer: Phạm Dong Tâm


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Ngói Space: A Community Center in Vibrant Orange Graces a Suburb of Hanoi

Ngói Space: A Community Center in Vibrant Orange Graces a Suburb of Hanoi

/ Hanoi, Vietnam /

/ Story: Phattaraphon / English version: Bob Pitakwong /

/ Photographs: Le Minh Hoang /

A good-sized community center is making its presence felt on the outskirts of Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital. The building stands enclosed in authentic Vietnamese fireclay roof tiles. The external envelope in exuberant shades of orange rises above a street corner surrounded by modern structures. It begs the question. Is this some kind of experiment being undertaken to test a point that has never been dealt with? “Your guess is right.”

Ngói Space Hanoi

Named “Ngói Space,” the community center building sends a strong message that exciting new architecture can be created using indigenous building materials. In this particular project, more than 20,000 thin rectangular slabs of baked clay are used to make the building facades. They are the same ubiquitous building materials as those used for covering roofs.

Ngói Space Hanoi

Ngói Space Hanoi
The immediate empty space between the perforate shell and the building wall offers semi-outdoor room for relaxation.

Ngói Space performs a dual role as recreation center promoting community wellbeing and reception area for both normal and important occasions. It’s open to everyone in the community who needs a place and time to unwind, not to mention empowering the people and strengthening the neighborhood.

Among others, it has coffee shops, multiple purpose rooms, conference venues and exhibition halls plus a rooftop garden for relaxation.

The interior space is light and airy, a peaceful place to escape the hustle and bustle of city life.

The unique outer surface of the building got its inspiration from trees thriving vigorously in the wild, while the interiors conjure up mental images of the atmosphere inside a prehistoric cave dwelling. The design thinking process started with interior planning. Once that’s done, the team at H&P Architects then proceeded to work on the building’s exteriors.

A pencil sketch illustrates steps in the thinking process culminating in the final design of the community center building named “Ngoi Space” / Courtesy of H&P Architects

A diagrammatic representation shows the coming together of support structures and building facades crafted of fireclay roof tiles. / Courtesy of H&P Architects

The floor plans in cross section / Courtesy of H&P Architects

To arouse people’s curiosity and interest, the facades are covered in roof tiles fired the old-fashioned way, an indigenous building material that the Vietnamese were most familiar with. In a way, it’s a design that takes people back in time by reintroducing traditional materials and techniques and putting them to good use in modern day applications.

A trio of images shows how the thin rectangular slabs of baked clay are put together creating the face of the building that houses the community center. / Courtesy of H&P Architects)

There is one incentive for doing so. As the country continues to advance, more and more old homes are torn down to make room for new ones. So now is the time to start thinking about the need to reuse and recycle as a means of preserving natural resources.

For this reason, the facades are built of fireclay roof tiles recycled from much older homes. In this way, nothing goes to waste plus it’s a creative and cost-effective way to build in this day and age.

Ngói Space Hanoi
Split level design makes for a pleasant and airy interior.

Ngói Space Hanoi

Here, the old roof tiles are put together diagonally to create one triangle after the other that in turn forms the perforate outer shell of the building. Together they go to work protecting the walls and windows behind them from severe weather.

Besides providing shade and more insulation for the interiors, the immediate cavity in between the two layers provides room for exhibitions and nooks along the walls to sit sipping coffee. That’s not all. There’s also a rooftop garden offering a wonderful panorama of the cityscape. Or just chill out and enjoy the view through wall openings anywhere in the building.

Ngói Space Hanoi

Ngói Space Hanoi
A custom loft net system offers visual continuity between upper and lower floors.

Ngói Space Hanoi
A multi-use space lies between the fireclay tile façade and the building wall fitted with panes of clear glass.

A meeting room set in theater style is illuminated by natural daylight.

Ngói Space Hanoi
Fireclay roof tiles fixed in position with abrupt alternate left and right turns add balance and harmony to interior design.

From the design perspective, “Ngói Space” takes pride of place in this part of suburban Hanoi, having occupied a prominent position among modern buildings in the area. What makes it stand out is the perforate shell made of old roof tiles in shades of orange, an intriguing combination that gives it character and the power of storytelling about the city’s past and present.

Ngói Space Hanoi
The rooftop garden affords a beautiful panorama of the city landscape.

Ngói Space Hanoi
A façade of fireclay tiles is beautifully handcrafted with wide openings for a better view of the great outdoors.

Ngói Space Hanoi
A simple opening in the building facade allows access to the building. The exterior wall covered in orange roof tiles fired the old-fashioned way provides a window into the community’s long-standing traditions.

All told, it’s a beautiful piece of modern architecture made possible by putting together little things to create a bigger thing. That being said, it takes courage and the ability to see things from a different perspective. Only then can one appreciate the value hidden inside little things and successfully turn them into a product that pleases the senses and the mind, much like an artist adeptly turning “objets trouves” into art.

Ngói Space Hanoi
The orange of the fireclay tile façade stands out from mostly white buildings in a suburban neighborhood of Hanoi.


Architect: H&P Architects (hpa.vn/en)


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Proud Phu Fah Muang Chiang Mai: A Hotel at Nature’s Edge Embraces a Mix of Modern and Traditional

Proud Phu Fah Muang Chiang Mai: A Hotel at Nature’s Edge Embraces a Mix of Modern and Traditional

/ Chiang Mai, Thailand /

/ Story: Phattaraphon / English version: Bob Pitakwong /

/ Photographs: Nantiya /

A hotel chain widely recognized in Chiang Mai’s Mae Rim District for the past 15 years has opened a new branch in Muang District in what is seen as a major expansion of luxury, comfort and style. Proud Phu Fah Muang Chiang Mai advocates living next door to nature while showcasing an intriguing combination of modern design with rich culture and beautiful traditional crafts. Its design concept keeps firmly to the belief that being in nature provides deep relaxation. And the result of all this is a resort hotel that’s environmentally conscious, plus it’s tailored to the needs of specialized segments of the market.

Proud Phu Fah Muang Chiang Mai

Needless to say, the hotel landscape is out of this world. Like taking a spellbinding journey into the woods, Proud Phu Fah Chiang Mai is a perfect escape away from the crowds, where the air is filled with the continuous murmuring sound of water flowing and leaves rustling in the trees creating detailed mental images of the beautiful northern landscape.

The brainchild of Full Scale Studio, a homegrown architectural practice, Proud Phu Fah Muang Chiang Mai embraces reconnections with the natural world. It consists of a pair of three-story buildings thoughtfully devised to merge into countryside vernacular, at the same time reaping the full health benefits of sunshine and fresh air.

Proud Phu Fah Muang Chiang Mai
The sound of a babbling brook amid lush green vegetation reconnects Proud Phu Fah Muang Chiang Mai with its natural surroundings.

The main idea is to let the aroma of nature permeate through the landscape. Such is manifested in a pair of well-maintained giant rain trees providing shade and a focal point in the center courtyard. By design it has become a favorite place of relaxation and rejuvenation among hotel guests.

Proud Phu Fah Muang Chiang Mai
Lee Kuan Yew trees (scientific name: Vernonia elliptica DC) growing luxuriantly inside a protective barrier provide natural privacy screens for hotel rooms.

Well-maintained trees keep the center courtyard in shade for much of the day.

Front and center, well-thought-out planning ensures that all the rooms have access to the best view of the natural surroundings. The first building, called Building A, is directed at a 45-degree angle to soak up a wonderful panorama of the mountains, while the second, known as Building B, is set along the 90-degree line for a beautiful orchard view.

Where appropriate, new trees offering fragrant flowers are added to the existing contiguous woodlands, resulting in uniform composition.

Architecturally speaking, it’s a project that emphasizes the use of concrete, brick and wood directly sourced from the locality as the building materials of choice. Aside from giving a sense of identity and cultural heritage, they double as storytelling tools conveying a great deal about the love of nature and preservation of traditional crafts.

Proud Phu Fah Muang Chiang Mai
Where solid walls are not suitable, perforate walls are built of breeze blocks in various contemporary styles to promote natural air circulation on the premises.

Proud Phu Fah Muang Chiang Mai
A gallery along the outside of the building is designed to connect with nature.

An example of this is Minimal Lanna, a type of room that advocates Minimalism in art infused with a mix of traditional crafts and modern interior design.

The room has furniture beautifully crafted of teakwood, ceramic tiles, and ceramic washbasins with kid design custom-painted by the property owner, plus decorating items in a variety of finishes handcrafted by local artisans and contemporary artists in the region.

Overall, it’s a design that places great emphasis on the beauty of simplicity and the use of soft neutral tones for deep relaxation.

A type of guest rooms called Minimal Lanna advocates Minimalism in art with an interesting combination of local crafts with modern furnishing and decoration.

Proud Phu Fah Muang Chiang Mai
The Honeymoon Grand View room on the third floor of Building A boasts the beauty of split level design in descending order starting with the bathroom, bedroom, living room and finally the balcony.

Proud Phu Fah Muang Chiang Mai
The Honeymoon Grand View room on the third floor of Building A has a bathtub in the open air with an unbroken view of nearby wooded hillsides.

To reduce the harsh texture of concrete construction, red bricks come in handy for multiple applications. Among other things, the external envelope of Building B consists of brick walls inspired by the craft of basket-making known as “Lai Song” patterns in the vernacular of the Northern Region.

Like poetry in motion, the reflection of sunlight on the walls creates interesting sights and shadows that change from morning to evening.

A guest room on the first floor of Building B has a private onsen, or hot spring pool with a refreshing garden view.

Proud Phu Fah Muang Chiang Mai
Perforate building facades in different colors and textures add interesting dimensions to the architecture of the hotel and landscapes.

For indoor thermal comfort, where appropriate perforate walls are built using contemporary cement blocks with holes in them that serve as engine driving natural air circulation and letting natural daylight stream into the interior.

In a way, they form an integral part that blends seamlessly with the landscape enlivened by the sounds of a babbling brook amid a forest garden with walkways made for relaxation. Together, they go to work connecting Proud Phu Fah Muang Chiang Mai with the idyllic natural setting.

Proud Phu Fah Muang Chiang Mai
Brick walls in stunning earthy hues inspired by weaving techniques known as Lai Song patterns blend harmoniously with lush vegetation in the immediate surroundings.


Architect: Full Scale Studio, Tel. 08-9154-1758

Landscape Architect: H2O Design Co., Ltd, Tel. 08-1531-1871


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Small Houses in Cambodia: Lack of Space Is Nicely Compensated for by a Cozy Garden Ambience

Small Houses in Cambodia: Lack of Space Is Nicely Compensated for by a Cozy Garden Ambience

/ Phnom Penh, Cambodia /

/ Story: Kor Lordkam / English version: Bob Pitakwong /

/ Photographs: Hiroyuki Oki /

Like a dream turning into a vibrant reality, a trio of small houses sits beautifully ensconced in a cul-de-sac away from the noise and traffic on the main thoroughfare in central Phnom Penh. Together they occupy the full extent of a tiny piece of property, with leafy vines growing luxuriantly covering much of the front façade in subdued earthy reds.

small houses cambodia

The lush covering conveys a great deal about the architect’s firm determination to overcome space constraints and create enjoyable homes against all odds. The result is a trio of thoughtfully devised living spaces made cozy and comfortable by allowing fresh, outdoor air and natural light into the home.

Plus, dense green trailing plants add privacy to the inside, a clever hack to let nature permeate and protect the home from the glare of the midday sun.

small houses cambodia

Albeit small, the three houses have four levels of usable space and functions, including a sky garden on the rooftop deck. The building façades crafted of concrete breeze blocks in dark shades of reds blend with the vertical garden growing luxuriantly on the balconies, creating a pleasing combination clearly visible from a distance.

Together they form a double-layer thermal envelope that’s the first line of defense against the harsh sun and rain. For neat appearances, the three entrance doors at street level blend into the shimmering perforate façades adorned with climbing plants.

Flashback: Old photographs show the physical appearance of the subsidiary street neighborhood prior to construction. / Courtesy of Bloom Architecture

A diagrammatic representation of the subsidiary street neighborhood where the trio of small houses islocated. / Courtesy of Bloom Architecture

First-floor house plan / Courtesy of Bloom Architecture

Second-floor house plan / Courtesy of Bloom Architecture

Third-floor house plan / Courtesy of Bloom Architecture

A simplified drawing shows space utilization on the rooftop decks of the three houses. / Courtesy of Bloom Architecture

Concrete breeze blocks with a concave outline designed and manufactured for outer shell construction. / Courtesy of Bloom Architecture

small houses cambodia
Concrete breeze blocks in subdued earthy reds blend perfectly with the dense green foliage on the building façade.

Being of the right size and shape, the three homes fit perfectly into a square-shaped piece of land. The first two houses are relatively small, with similar square-shaped plans built side by side facing the same way. The third house is rectangular shaped and slightly larger. It’s situated at the rear of the property facing a different direction.

small houses cambodia

small houses cambodia
Double height ceiling design makes the small living space fell larger and more comfortable.

small houses cambodia

With regard to interior design, the first floor holds a spacious, uncluttered living room with a kitchenette for entertaining houseguests, while the more secluded second and third levels contain bedrooms.

The fourth floor is a rooftop deck with semi-outdoor sitting rooms for relaxation and leafy plants thriving in containers placed along the edges. The same interior layout applies to all three, except for the rooftop decks of the two front units that are connected to create a bigger shared space.

small houses cambodia

Quite the contrary to what might be expected, it’s a trio of small homes with larger house functionality, plus roomy, uncluttered design made for cozy, comfortable living.

What is lacking in terms of space is nicely compensated for by well-thought-out design, plus plenty of refreshing greenery all around. Like a pleasant surprise, they make perfect escapes, a trio of quiet and secluded family homes despite their proximity to the hustle and bustle of downtown Phnom Penh.

Here, the secrets to a happy home lies in the perforate shells adorned with leafy vines keeping the snug interior nice and warm all year round.

small houses cambodia
Green leafy plants growing luxuriantly on the balcony provide refreshing coolness and privacy protection for the bedroom.

Semi-outdoor room on the rooftop deck is decorated with plants thriving in containers along the side of the building.

small houses cambodia

small houses cambodia
The perforate shell covered in lush greenery provides a focal point and sense of space in the neighborhood.

By design, the perforate facades made of concrete breeze blocks serve as engine that drive natural ventilation keeping the home cool in summer. They also allow just the right amounts of daylight streaming into the interior turning it into an oasis of calm during the daytime.

On the outside, they add an extra layer of protection from sun and rain, creating a double-layer outer shell that allows air to pass through the intermediate gap in between.

More so than anything else, they provide a visual combination showcasing the beauty of simplicity, the power of nature and human ingenuity in providing solutions to problems and overcoming challenges. It’s as simple as that!

small houses cambodia
A slab of concrete at the bottom of the window frame affords a good view of the neighborhood below.


Architect: Antoine Meinnel of Bloom Architecture (www.bloom-architecture.com)

Design Team: Antoine Meinnel, Kong Lim, Ny Kechseang, Heng Thanak


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MAISON K: A Home Office Made Attractive by Façade of Shimmering Ceramics

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MAISON K: A Home Office Made Attractive by Façade of Shimmering Ceramics

MAISON K: A Home Office Made Attractive by Façade of Shimmering Ceramics

/ Binh Dinh, Vietnam /

/ Story: Ektida N. / English version: Bob Pitakwong /

/ Photographs: Tuan-Nghia NGUYEN /

An eco-friendly home office building named Maison K hovers above the ground, looking out over a traffic circle in the center of Quy Nhon, a coastal city in central Vietnam. The overall effect is out of this world, inspiring admiration for its well-thought-out design and build quality. The building’s double-skin façade gives off good vibes, thanks to air flowing through the intermediate cavity. At the same time, hanging and trailing vines add a lush appeal to the building’s principal front shimmering in the sunlight. Right next to it, another home office building with beautiful raw concrete finishes stands back to back on the same location. Albeit different characters, the interior is essentially the same.

Home Office vietnam MAISON K

Blending aesthetics with sustainable design, the building’s feature wall is covered with ceramic panels in subdued shades of orange that provide a buffer against the glare of the sun. Hinged on one side, they swing open like doors to regulate air and light streaming into the interior.

Together they merge into one coherent architectural feature that creates an indelible impression on people passing by.

Home Office vietnam MAISON K

Dubbed the home office for the future of work, it’s a design that makes decorating with plants an integral part of interior and exterior design. Every workspace is thoughtfully devised to best serve its designated purpose, while the wellness, peace and quiet of a home office atmosphere remain the front-and-center concerns.

It’s thanks to meticulous design that an oasis of calm is created despite being located in a busy downtown neighborhood.

Maison K is the brainchild of Nghia-Architect, a homegrown atelier admired for their imagination and skills, plus an excellent track record in architecture and knowledge of the geography in Vietnam. Their main forte includes a thorough understanding of climate variability since weather conditions can change significantly on the oceanfront, directly affecting how a building performs.

Home Office vietnam MAISON K

This is especially true in the case of Quy Nhon, which is subject to strong winds in the coastal area, plus hot and humid weather conditions happening from time to time.

As the architect puts it, Quy Nhon being warmer and more humid than other parts of the country, the knowledge and experience in choosing the right materials for the job is imperative, and hence standards be maintained every step of the way.

Understandably, concrete is the mainstay of the construction industry in this part of Vietnam. It’s preferred over other building materials and techniques for its strength and durability, plus it’s resistant to weather and salt damage.

Especially in the context of Quy Nhon, concrete containing broken gray stone is preferred for its wear and tear resistance, plus its pleasing color and texture are sought after in this region.

Home Office vietnam MAISON K
Green design keeps the covered parking area cool when the mercury rises. A triangular void of space curved into rounded form creates a double volume air space that allows a tree to grow through it reaching for the sky. For a look that’s easy on the eye, sharp interior angles are trimmed into curved corners to reduce the harshness of raw concrete finishes.

There’s an element of surprise. Maison K sits on land shaped like a piece of pie, a quarter of a circle, so to speak. That being the case, the architect thought it best to put in an L-shaped building with one side open to take in the beautiful view of a nearby lake.

Plus, it’s in compliance with the city ordinance in effect at present. To facilitate business operations, he put the office space downstairs and all the family living areas on the upper floors where it’s quiet and more private.

First floor plan. / Courtesy of Nghia Architect

Second floor plan. / Courtesy of Nghia Architect

Third floor plan. / Courtesy of Nghia Architect

Fourth floor plan. / Courtesy of Nghia Architect

House section. / Courtesy of Nghia Architect

For practical reason, the office and residential spaces each have separate entrances. The office itself is conveniently accessed from the covered parking area. Sliding doors glazed using clear glass make the business space warm and welcoming.

The residential entry area is made less visible by design. It’s an ordinary swing door tucked away in a quiet place. Upon entering, you find a flight of stairs leading to the second floor that’s the first step into the home.

The stairwell and upstairs sitting room are well-lit by shafts of sunlight streaming in through the rooftop and generous openings in the walls.

Overall, the home interior is simple and clean with the clearly defined order for space utilization. Where appropriate and legal, the architect put in generous openings in the exterior walls to connect the indoors with outdoor spaces. And the result of all this is a feature wall on the side overlooking the covered carport.

It’s an architectural feature that’s easily noticeable and immediately appealing from a distance. Apart from adding visual interest to the building’s external envelope, it allows plenty of fresh air and natural light, creating a relaxed ambience in the indoor living spaces.

Home Office vietnam MAISON K

Home Office vietnam MAISON K

Pursuant to the city ordinances in effect at present, only two sides of the exterior overlooking the traffic circle and the street below are permitted to have openings in the walls. The other two sides adjacent to neighboring buildings do not enjoy the same privilege.

However, what is lacking due to limitations is nicely compensated for by rooftop skylights that illuminate the stairwell and other parts at the rear of the home. It’s a practical solution that helps reduce electricity costs and protect against humidity damage over a long period of time.

Home Office vietnam MAISON K
The third floor holds the family’s main living area.

Home Office vietnam MAISON K

Meanwhile, the other two sides have an unobstructed view of the roundabout and the street below. Climb another flight of stairs, and you come to the third floor holding the family’s main living area that’s protected by the feature wall of shimmering ceramic panels in muted shades of orange.

Together they provide a layer of insulation against heat and stress, protecting the gray concrete wall behind it. The ceramic panels that form the first line of defense are hinged on one side and swing open like doors to control light and winds passing through. The panels have grooves in them so as to drain stormwater fast in heavy rain.

Home Office vietnam MAISON K

Home Office vietnam MAISON K
The upper branching of a tree rises through the void of space on the second floor, creating an oasis of calm and a focal point in the upstairs courtyard.

Home Office vietnam MAISON K
An impressively geometric facade projects from the building. Its feature wall is covered in multiple ceramic panels in subdued shades of orange. Hinged on one side, they swing open like doors to control air and light streaming into the interior, an architectural feature designed to create an indelible impression on people passing by.

All things considered, it’s a revolutionary idea that integrates greenery as an integral part of architectural design. Green spaces offer multiple health benefits. Among other things, they give the building its character, provide shade and improve air quality.

From a distance, they add visual interest to the urban space around the traffic circle. More so than anything else, it’s the lively green and orange façade that creates a gently calming effect for people passing by.

Home Office vietnam MAISON K
Viewed from across the street in the nighttime, Maison K is a clean, well-lighted place created for health, comfort and security.


Architect: Nghia Architect (www.nghiaarchitect.com)

Lead Architect: Nguyen Tuan Nghia


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