Blog : Rooftop Design

Floating House in Thu Duc: A Home under the Canopy That Fits Right in Nature
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Floating House in Thu Duc: A Home under the Canopy That Fits Right in Nature

/ Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam /

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

/ Photographs: Hiroyuki Oki /

Here’s a midsize three-story house in Thu Duc, a neighborhood on the northeast side of Ho Chi Minh City. It’s nestled in a riverside community that’s no stranger to seasonal flooding. Houses on stilts can be found almost everywhere. This new concrete home is no exception. It’s raised on pilings about a meter above uneven ground to keep it safe from rising floodwaters. More importantly, it’s open-concept design that adds character to the home. Precisely, over 70 percent of the house plan is open to fresh air and natural daylight, a well-design outdoor living space that brings joy to the home.

Floating House in Thu Duc
The light and airy flat-roof home is ensconced in the lush greenery of a riverside community.

On the whole, the concrete-framed house plan appears light and airy. It shows how component parts are pieced together using straightforward building techniques.

Functional areas are scattered over three concrete slab floors that vary from one to the other depending on needs. The ground floor at plinth height holds a quiet, secluded space consisting of the master bedroom and lovely veranda overlooking the backyard garden. It’s positioned to be invisible from the carport and main entrance areas.

Bypassing the first-floor private space, a flight of stairs at the rear of the building leads to the upstairs living room. With traffic flow arranged in this way, the master bedroom lies hidden from view — out of sight, out of mind.

Floating House in Thu Duc

The carport lies under the concrete slab that makes the second floor. The bedroom is separated from the entry area by service spaces such as bathroom and laundry room.

Floating House in Thu Duc

Floating House in Thu Duc

Floating House in Thu Duc
The terrace along the outside of the house is an open-air space with double height ceilings on the outer edge.
Floating House in Thu Duc
Thoughtful design opens the master bedroom to natural light.

The second-floor living space contains a sitting room, dining room and kitchen. It’s made attractive by good-sized balconies that wrap around all four sides of the house plan.

The entire building envelop that encloses the sitting room is glazed using clear glass that stands tall from floor to ceiling. It’s a natural way to create a visual connection between the interior and exterior spaces on the balcony and beyond.

Floating House in Thu Duc
The stairwell at the rear of the building connects the first floor to the upstairs living room.
Floating House in Thu Duc
The living room is glazed using glass paneling that opens to take in fresh air and views of the surroundings.
Floating House in Thu Duc
The enclosed kitchen opens to a nearby hall. Large windows make it equally well ventilated.

Floating House in Thu Duc

Floating House in Thu Duc
The veranda offers ample space that merges with nearby sitting room.

The third-floor deck offers a panorama of surrounding communities. It’s accessible from the second floor via an outdoor staircase that’s built into the front façade. There’s a bar counter with outdoor grill table for the perfect barbecue. A cool place to be, it lies under the canopy of overhanging trees with luxuriant foliage reaching into the sky.

Floating House in Thu Duc
An aerial perspective shows plenty of calm and relaxing family rooms.

It is, in brief, a design where nature is front and center, a home that’s comfortable without being strikingly noticeable. It reflects the line of thought that a simple, beautiful home can be built using ordinary materials and techniques; such as concrete masonry, timber, terra cotta tiles and white walls.

A drawing shows the house’s location within the community. / Courtesy of Sda. – Sanuki Daisuke Architects
Downstairs house plan / Courtesy of Sda. – Sanuki Daisuke Architects
Upstairs house plan / Courtesy of Sda. – Sanuki Daisuke Architects
Rooftop deck plan / Courtesy of Sda. – Sanuki Daisuke Architects
A front-elevation drawing shows structural relationships between concrete slab floors and functional spaces. / Courtesy of Sda. – Sanuki Daisuke Architects

In this particular case, the concrete-framed house is built on a budget using the usual commonplace materials. There’s practically no limit, and it’s up to the person to pick and choose to beautify his home. Take for example the outdoor staircase built into the front façade. In terms of the general impression, it’s an interesting architectural feature that performs its intended function.

Floating House in Thu Duc

Architect: Sda. – Sanuki Daisuke Architects (www.sanukiar.com)

Lead Architect: Sanuki Daisuke, Nguyen Huynh Bao Ngoc

Structure Engineer: Thanh Cong Construction Design Co., Ltd

ME Engineer: Hung Viet Tst Corp

Contractor: Coppha Builders Construction Co., Ltd

This house appears in the Special Bilingual Edition (English and Thai) of Baan Lae Suan and Living Asean, titled “Tropical Suburban and Country Homes”. It focuses on designs for cozy living in harmony with nature.

We have handpicked ten houses for this special edition that serve as the perfect example of design innovations in sync with the natural world. Front and center, it’s about the pursuit of ways to live more sustainably and create a better future for all. Looking for inspiration? Perhaps a glimpse into nature-inspired “Tropical Suburban and Country Homes” is a good place to start.

Delve into the new book today. It’s hitting Thailand shelves now. For more details, visit https://www.naiin.com/product/detail/592504

For bulk ordering, contact livingasean.bkk@gmail.com

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MP House: Striking the Right Balance between Jobs and Home
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MP House: Striking the Right Balance between Jobs and Home

/ Tangerang, Indonesia /

/ Story: Phattaraphon / English Version: Bob Pitakwong /

/ Photographs: Arti Pictures /

A house plan that combines living spaces and a home office could be just what you’re looking for. Here’s the home of a designer couple in Tangerang, a city half-an-hour’s drive from central Jakarta, that illustrates this. Known as MP House, it marries work-from-home essentials with well-planned living spaces that come loaded with personality.

MP House TANGERANG

The secret to a productive daily routine, the house plan combines residential and home office functions into a uniform whole. The workspace occupies the first floor that also includes a split-level lower floor, while the quiet and peaceful residential area is placed on the level above it.

The ample living area in itself is divided into two parts. Semi‐private spaces such as the living room and dining room take up the front part of the house, whereas more secluded places and bedrooms are located at the rear designed for rest and relaxation.

MP House TANGERANG

MP House TANGERANG

The first floor has a dry courtyard garden that separates the home office area from guest and kids’ rooms tucked away at the rear of the house plan. Healthy green foliage in the yard doubles as engine that drives natural ventilation and provides a light and heat barrier. And the result of MP House is a calm and peaceful indoor environment that’s the key to a happy family life in Tangerang.

In a sensitive and practical way, an indoor ramp with handrail is put in as an alternative to a set of stairs to provide access between different levels. The inclined plane is particularly useful for the homeowner’s aging parents. Plus, it’s the split-level house plan that makes the most effective use of available space.

There is a real sense of achievement in the way the living room and dining room combine into one large lounge with comforting earth tones and double-height ceilings. It’s a place to eat home-cooked meals and enjoy family conversations that help keep everyone together. Semi-private by design, the ample social interaction space is well-lit and well-ventilated.

MP House TANGERANG
LIVE/WORK DESIGN
MP House TANGERANG

The house boasts a modern envelope and perforated brick façade overlooking a dry garden located just above the carport. The decorative breeze blocks are chosen for their ability to provide sun protection and maintain openness and airflow.

In the meantime, flat masonry textures that are repetitive and earthy in color provide a variety of light refraction that adds aesthetic pleasure to the interior living space.

MP House TANGERANG
A dry courtyard garden separates the home office from kids’ rooms tucked away at the rear.
MP House TANGERANG
The breeze block façade looks out over a dry garden above the carport.

Taking everything into account, the house under a gable roof provides plenty of ample spaces to serve functional and aesthetic purposes. MP House in Tangerang strikes the right balance between office work and home life, creating a perfect combination that feels cozy, comfortable and roomy.

Architect: TIES (www.ties-db.com)

Lead Architects: Sansan & Tritya

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A Home with Unique Rooftop Design in Singapore
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A Home with Unique Rooftop Design in Singapore

/ Singapore /

/ Story: Ronnapa Nit / English version: Bob Pitakwong /

/ Photographs: Sitthisak Namkham /

In Singapore, people look for creative ways to make the most of limited space, and that includes the rooftop design. A multiple-floor renovation by Formwerkz Architects clearly illustrates this. The Singapore-based architectural practice has succeeded in creating a unique living space on the rooftop tailored specifically to the homeowner’s lifestyle needs.

rooftop design
The rooftop deck is a vista point to capture amazing panoramic views.

From a distance, the place looks similar to other two-story homes in the neighborhood, except for the rooftop deck. The platform-like structure is unlike anything else, yet it fits right in the modern context that forms the setting of the area.

[Left] An open kitchenette connects with the dining room making the area look neat and uncluttered, while a warm shade of brown and burgundy on the wall contrasts with modern furniture. / [Right] A U-shaped sectional sofa is set against the wall to maximize space.
[Left] An open kitchenette connects with the dining room making the area look neat and uncluttered, while a warm shade of brown and burgundy on the wall contrasts with modern furniture. / [Right] A U-shaped sectional sofa is set against the wall to maximize space.

The designing process started out with the living room, dining room and kitchen before moving on to the upper floors that hold a sitting room, multipurpose area, bedrooms and a rooftop deck. It represents a line of thought that ensures all areas are easily accessed and connected.

The overall effect is very light and airy, thanks to natural light shining through a rooftop skylight and fixed windows in the sidewall.

Fundamentally, it’s about harnessing the power of nature to create good living conditions. This is evident in well-thought-out design that ensures no electric light is ever needed during the daytime, translating into big savings plus excellent indoor thermal comfort.

Earth-tone color adds a touch of warmth to the living room on the second floor.
Earth-tone color adds a touch of warmth to the living room on the second floor.

Strictly speaking, the interior living space is an interesting amalgam of modern architecture and graphic design innovations. This is especially true of the living room, where Art Deco style meets modern materials, such as mosaic tiles, terrazzo walls, glass panels on wood, and metal frames.

[Left] A nook beside the wall offers seclusion in the son’s bedroom. Louvered windows with wood slats alternating with glass panels are used to aid air circulation. [Right] The front facade bedecked with a vertical garden provides natural sunscreens protecting the master bedroom.
[Left] A nook beside the wall offers seclusion in the son’s bedroom. Louvered windows with wood slats alternating with glass panels are used to aid air circulation. / [Right] The front facade bedecked with a vertical garden provides natural sunscreens protecting the master bedroom.
The stairwell connecting to the lower floor is illuminated by a rooftop skylight.
The stairwell connecting to the lower floor is illuminated by a rooftop skylight.
[Left] A bright and airy bathroom at the far end is visible from the stairway leading to the top deck. [Right] The bathroom in white comes with a wall-mounted countertop. The mirror with a rounded corner paired with soft pink recessed lighting creates a sense of spaciousness.
[Left] A bright and airy bathroom at the far end is visible from the stairway leading to the top deck. / [Right] The bathroom in white comes with a wall-mounted countertop. The mirror with a rounded corner paired with soft pink recessed lighting creates a sense of spaciousness.
rooftop design
A ramp and a staircase provides access to the rooftop deck.

Among other things, the most eye-catching feature is the rooftop design that extends from the penthouse roof resembling a continuation of the indoor living space. The al fresco area is a perfect place to relax and unwind on a lazy afternoon, or to host an outdoor party.

From a distance, the newly remodeled house is thoughtfully devised to blend with the surroundings. It’s a way that forms a pleasing whole, where traditional and modern values peacefully coexist in this residential neighborhood of Singapore.

rooftop design
A skylight beside the rooftop deck allows plenty of sunshine to reach all the way to the lower floor.
The house’s four levels lie hidden from view, while its front facade fits right in with two-story homes in the neighborhood.
The house’s four levels lie hidden from view, while its front facade fits right in with two-story homes in the neighborhood.

Owner: Dr Kelvin Lee

Architect: Formwerkz Architects (formwerkz.com)

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