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: Living ASEAN team /
A tight budget coupled with the problem of limited space in the heart of Bangkok’s downtown is a challenge that tests the architect’s abilities to overcome site constraints. In this particular case, it’s the renovation of an old three-story shophouse as a modern living space that’s done in accordance with city ordinances. More so than anything else, it’s a home tailored to the lifestyle needs of its occupants and improvements in living conditions. Thanks to well-thought-out strategies on the part of DRFJ (Design & Research by Fusinpaiboon & Jang), a model for home renovation projects was created. It can be used as an example for the general public to follow.
To begin with, the shophouse with three floors was a narrow lot place lacking light, fresh air and ventilation. The design team at DRFJ decided to apply the concept of “simple and more” to create a contemporary living space that’s within the law, more time efficient, and involving a relatively small cost. The secret to success lies in making the least amount of change to the existing building plan. They include wall openings, plus pillars and beams used as a support for the building. In this instance, the building plan is made up of three sections, each of which is four meters long.
There are stairs giving access to the upper floors, while the façade with external devices provide solar shading and ventilation. Taking everything into account, it’s quite a departure from the usual in terms of appearance. The result is an old home beautifully renovated to banish stuffy rooms by bringing fresh air and sunshine into the interior. Plus, there’s the overall vintage appeal in building materials that promotes originality and style. Most importantly, it’s a peaceful place of abode right in the middle of a big city. It provides a showcase of ideas for the general public to follow.
Despite the small area, the purposes of structures and spaces are clearly defined. The first floor has enough room for a carport well-lit and well-ventilated by wall openings at the front and the rear of the house adorned with greenery. Go further inside, and you come to a flight of terrazzo stairs giving access to the home office on the second floor. The low headroom is nicely compensated for by walls painted a cool-toned white that’s easy on the eye.
The first floor holds a carport that’s well-lit thanks to an exposed ceiling, while an opening at the rear provides controlled natural ventilation to the home. The space can be updated for a future business undertaking.A small green space breathes new life into an area at the back of the house. It’s made by taking out an add-on unit of construction and replacing it with plants.A view from below shows wall openings at the rear of the house designed to admit natural daylight and banish stuffy rooms.The beauty and functionality. Old wooden stairs are replaced by ones made of steel. The staircase without risers makes the hallway feel light and airy.
The workspace itself is illuminated by natural daylight shining in through balcony windows. As to be expected, the bedroom is tucked away on the third floor that’s more private and quiet, thanks to a double wall system glazed using clear glass that opens to a balcony. Proceed to rooftop deck which holds a sitting room adorned with greenery. The sitting room itself is roofed over with Sandwich Roof Panels, a lightweight material known for good heat insulation. Inside, a floating furniture layout makes it easy for future updates. Step outside, and you discover a small sky garden hemmed in by walls that have since been given a fresh coat of paint for easy cleaning.
The workspace on the second floor is neat and uncluttered with just the right amount of furniture.
The bedroom on the third floor is protected from heat and noise by a double wall system glazed using clear glass.The bathroom is well-lit by natural daylight, thanks to an array of awning windows glazed using frosted glass, while the walls are painted white to increase light and space.
Simply put, it’s the story of a home improvement done right, one made light, airy and comfortable by careful planning in spite of the problem of limited space and a tight budget. Furthermore, because it’s a shophouse converted into a home, there’s without doubt a look that imitates the style of the previous era, yet it blends beautifully into the community. From DRFJ’s points of view, it’s the prototype of a home from which other design can be developed, a preliminary model that’s open to the general public.
Panes of glass fixed at an angle projecting outward from the main wall bear some resemblance to the beautiful bay window.A small green space on the rooftop deck provides many benefits. Hemmed in by breeze block walls, it’s a relaxing space with a view of the cityscape.
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.
/ 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.
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 ArchitectsA 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 ArchitectsA perspective drawing in cross section shows the integration of curved ceilings in the design of the second floor. / Courtesy of Sanuki Daisuke ArchitectsThe 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.
A folding door system opens wide from one end to the other admitting daylight and providing natural ventilation to keep the home cool.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.
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.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.
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.
/ Story: muanpraes / English version: Bob Pitakwong /
/ Photographs: Trieu Chien /
People change locations at some point in time, and reasons to move are aplenty. Among others, the desire for better living is pretty common. The same applies here, as this young family has discovered. Their new address is a one-story brick home made attractive by the earthy reddish brown of perforated brick facades set amid lush greenery.
Perforated brick facades regulate fresh air and natural daylight streaming into the home and double as outdoor privacy screens.
Named “TB House”, it’s nestled in a peaceful residential neighborhood of Son La, a city in Vietnam’s Northwest.
For the young married couple who lives here, everything about it brings back childhood memories, those carefree days of summer and a home snug by the warmth of beautiful landscapes. Bestowed with mountains, forests and rivers, Son La comes in useful as the right location for their new home.
The husband, who knew the geographical area very well, came across this piece of land during a weekend house hunting trip. It lies on the crest of a wooded hillside with dark green forests in the background.
Small rock formations stick out of the ground where large trees stand as if nature has left a lasting imprint. Almost instantly he got to thinking about building a humble abode here. The question was how to leave everything where it’s always been.
A vaulted ceiling extends upward to the ridge beam at the apex of the roof, creating a volume of overhead space in the family living room. Underneath it, perforated brick facades admit fresh air and natural light into the interior.
And that was where the design team at Trung Trần Studio was brought into play. They were tasked with creating a home that would best fit the owners’ needs, at the same time conserving all the existing natural elements in the landscape – the hillside, the trees, the rock formations and, most important of all, its friendly, welcoming atmosphere.
A diagrammatic representation shows the positioning of living spaces and functional areas disposed around greenery-filled courtyards designed to create indoor thermal comfort. / Courtesy of Trung Trần Studio
The result is a one-story, split-level brick home with breathing brick facades thoughtfully devised to regulate fresh outdoor air and natural daylight streaming into the interior. And it’s achieved without cutting down existing trees on the property.
The floor plan simply has abrupt alternate left and right turns to avoid cutting down the trees, ascending a small mound to stop at a bank of stone that makes the retaining wall protecting the backyard garden.
An open-concept floor plan improves foot traffic flow between rooms, turning a modest amount of space into clean, well-lighted interiors.
A curious mix of graphic tiles on the kitchen backsplash adds intrigue and interest to interior design.
On the whole, it’s a simple house plan starting with a paved platform up front that serves as a car park. A set of concrete steps leads to the front door that opens to the entrance hall, while the dining room and kitchen lies furthest to the rear.
There’s a playroom by the small inner courtyard that ensures the little children can be seen in full view from anywhere inside the home.
A set of rustic log table and bench seats lines the corridor connecting the front of the house to the secluded residential area tucked away at the farthest end.
The family living room with wood wall paneling is invitingly comfortable by any standards. At the farthest end lie three bedrooms, tucked in a calm secluded area away from noise and distractions. For privacy, all the bedrooms have windows that open to charming backyard garden views.
From an architectural point of view, the breathing wall concept offers many advantages. Among others, it creates a sense of connection between indoor and outdoor living spaces.
High above, the uppermost branches of the trees provide shade keeping the home cool during summer months. They blend with retaining rock walls that add usable land for planting and relaxation. At the same time, the roofs made of fired clay tiles are covered in slow-growing lichens reminiscent of homes in times past.
A retaining rock wall creates usable space for planting, while a roof made of clear polycarbonate sheeting protects a utility/wash room at the rear from the elements.
A bird’s eye view illustrates the house plan with greenery-filled courtyards in relation to neighboring homes and lush woodlands in the background.
Taken as a whole, it’s a vintage-inspired humble abode that exudes a timeless appeal as evidenced by the use of simple building supplies sourced from within the community. Needless to say, the lush landscape makes it feel cozy and warm, while architectural details enhance the easy lifestyle and advocate for sustainability.
/ Story: Kangsadan K. / English version: Bob Pitawkong /
/ Photographs: Paul Phan /
A gable front townhouse with a high-pitched roof stands out from the rest in a peaceful neighborhood of Phan Rang-Thap Cham, a coastal city in Ninh Thuan Province about four hours’ ride from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The limited amount of space notwithstanding, the indoor environment is surprisingly comfortable thanks to a small inner courtyard designed for improved natural light and ventilation.
Using wood adds visual interest to the indoor environment, improves acoustics and balances out the coarseness of concrete surfaces.
Named “QAH”, the three-story terraced house offering 220 square meters of living space is the brainchild of Q&A Architects, an architectural practice based in Phan Rang-Thap Cham. As to be expected in a dense urban environment, the company was tasked with creating a townhouse that would strike the right balance between work and the fast pace of city life.
A detailed diagram shows all three levels of the house plan. As a whole, 30 percent of the total space is dedicated to open areas filled with lush greenery. / Courtesy of Q&A Architects
After examining the nature of the site and exploring public realm (a shared space in the community), the design team came up with a three-story townhouse plan with roughly 30 percent of total living and functional spaces dedicated to open areas front and back for relaxation. Plus, there’s a small interior yard under the stairs brightened up by an array of skylights built into the rooftop.
The indoor environment feels invitingly comfortable, thanks to a greenery-filled yard enclosed within the building.
That’s not all. Everywhere, smart home functions blend perfectly into convenient interior design hiding in simplicity. Take for example the terrace leading to the front door that’s covered in stone pavers and adorned with greenery thriving under tree cover. To create charm, good looks, the walls are built of wood painted an earthy dark brown that balances out the coarseness of nearby concrete surfaces.
Walk in the door, and you come into the entrance hall connected to a neat and clean dining room and kitchenette. Close at hand, the small inner courtyard lies illuminated by skylights directly above. And beyond, a quiet, secluded office nook hides in plain sight at the farthest end of the room.
Using wood adds visual interest to the indoor environment, improves acoustics and balances out the coarseness of concrete surfaces.A bright interior courtyard under the stairs separates an office nook at the rear from the dining room and kitchenette up front.
In a nutshell, it’s thoughtfully devised to let nature permeate, yet it fits in well with the homeowner’s needs and circumstances. Among the features that create work-life balance in the home, the stairwell at the midpoint of the house plan eliminates the need for mechanical ventilation and artificial light during daytime hours.
A flight of stairs built flush with the adjoining walls separates an office nook at the back from the dining room up front.
The principal bedroom on the second floor is cozy and spacious, thanks to the vaulted ceiling that follows the pitch of the roof. The ceiling and the walls are painted a cool-toned cream, while a sofa set in dark brown and bedding in muted green accent the background colors in the room. Up front, large windows open to admit natural daylight and fresh outdoor air stream into the interior, a perfect combination of colors and textures by any standards.
The principal bedroom on the second floor feel relaxed, thanks to a sofa set in earthy brown and well-positioned large windows affording a view of the cityscape.
The stairway leading to the third floor is brightened up by skylights casting shadows and colors on rough sandy textures on the walls. Together they work in tandem turning the home into a comfortable living space despite space constraints and a narrow frontage abutting the street.
A skylight system built into the rooftop lights up the stairway and a courtyard directly below.
As one would reasonably expect, the third floor holds an ancestral shrine symbolic of Vietnamese folk religion. It’s a mezzanine with an uninterrupted view of the entire interior. Carefully thought out, the courtyard directly below can be seen in full view from here.
A system of skylights built into the rooftop brightens up the spacious, well-ventilated stairwell, a clever hack to create calm and peaceful interiors.
At the very heart of design thinking, the gable front townhouse named “QAH” is made for easy, simple living, and in the fewest possible words, a house plan that strikes the right balance between work and life in the city.
A bird’s eye view of the gable front townhouse in relation to other homes in the neighborhood.
Edible landscapes provide amazing benefits. But what if you don’t have space for them? Raised garden beds and planter boxes come in handy to deal with the challenges of living in a small space. This narrow lot home in Kuala Lumpur is a living proof of creative design and the advantage it brings to garden plants fit to be eaten. Done right, they thrive everywhere, building façades included.
Form panels made of bamboo strips leave their imprints on poured concrete surfaces and unadorned planter boxes on the building façade.
Boasting beautiful edible gardens and lush fruit trees, the modern home in KL affords 340 square meters of living and functional spaces. The overall effect is impressive notwithstanding its austere simplicity characterized by the rawness of concrete surfaces. But that’s precisely the quality that radiates curb appeal.
There’s more to it than meets the eye. The secrets to creating indoor thermal comfort and sustainable living environments lie in those planter boxes that adorn building façades at the front and back. Plus, the rooftop deck has even more room for raised garden beds filled with herbs, vegetables and fruit trees growing luxuriantly.
A drawing illustrates the positioning of living, functional and gardening spaces on all three levels of the house plan. / Courtesy of Ameen DeenA side-elevation view of the house plan in cross section shows front and rear façades bedecked with deep planter boxes starting from ground level all the way to vegetable gardening spaces on the rooftop. / Courtesy of Ameen Deen
Named the Planter Box House, it’s the brainchild of Formzero, a homegrown architectural practice renowned for advocating sustainability and design best suited to the geographical features and the Tropical climate prevailing in this part of the Malaysian peninsula.
That being said, it’s designed to be power efficient, thanks to passive building strategies that include deep planter boxes on the balconies where lush trees and edible plants grow. Together they work in tandem to keep the sun and heat out, thereby regulating indoor temperatures by allowing just the right amounts of daylight and fresh outdoor air into the home.
From a distance, the planter boxes crafted of poured concrete have a rawness feel to them that blends seamlessly with trees in the vertical garden landscape. The building exteriors are made to appear untidy and unrefined by design.
Take a closer look, and you discover more than 40 types of edible plants. For safety, big trees are securely anchored in deep planter boxes. Needless to say, they fill passers-by with curiosity as to whether it’s some kind of a fruit orchard tucked in the middle of an urban neighborhood.
A drone’s eye view shows planter boxes filled with fruit trees overlooking edible plants in the front yard garden directly beneath them.
For lack of a better word, it’s a home in a class of itself, one made attractive by a forest of lush foliage and the upper branching of trees that set it apart from everything out there. The poured concrete surfaces lack sophistication as a result of bamboo strips being used to make concrete form boards.
For the architects who designed it, the house represents a fusion between heritage unique to this part of Kuala Lumpur and a new design concept that attempts to redefine Tropical residential architecture from a modern perspective.
A concrete form board made of bamboo strips leaves its imprint showcasing ridges and grooves on the surface in its austere simplicity.
Take a look inside and, surprise! The solid, unsophisticated exteriors belie the fact that the house plan is quite open and airy creating a sense of space, thanks to windows and doorways glazed using clear glass with generous wall openings strategically placed for good ventilation all year round.
Downstairs sitting room enclosed by a clear glass wall affords a view of the front yard filled with thriving fruit trees.
The ground floor contains a kitchen and dining room lying furthest to the back of the house. A set of light and bright stairs crafted of steel separates them from a sitting parlor with comfortable furniture located upfront. The kitchen and dining room combo takes pride of place under a high ceiling that rises 6 meters from ground level.
It’s a spacious, well-lighted place, thanks to clear glass walls that stand tall from the floor to the ceiling. On the opposite side of the stairway, the sitting parlor affords a view of the front yard garden adorned with edible plants and trailing woody-stemmed vines handing down from concrete exteriors.
A steel staircase made light and airy by design separates the living room upfront from an open kitchen and dining room lying furthest to the back of the house.The homeowner enjoys his retirement busy making art in the dining room enchanted by high-ceiling design.A small piece of ground affords room for vegetable gardening right next to the kitchen and dining room.A large dining table takes the most prominent position under a high ceiling that rises 6 meters from ground level. The room serving multiple purposes feels light and bright enclosed by a glass wall with swing doors opening to a small backyard.
Climb a flight of stairs, and you come to the second floor that’s in fact a private mezzanine containing a bedroom and a sitting room en suite. From here, the stairway continues on to the third floor holding a quiet, secluded reading nook. Worthy of attention is that every part of the home is surrounded by vegetables and herb gardens growing luxuriantly at the in front and back of the building.
Concrete planter boxes and fruit trees provide a privacy screen for the semi-outdoor shower room enclosed by glass walls.
Proceed to the rooftop deck, and a beautiful panorama of the cityscape unfolds before us. Equally fascinating are lush and shadowy gardens developing vigorously covering the full extent of the deck space.
Low-profile barriers on the third-floor balcony afford a beautiful panorama of the cityscape.
Albeit small in size, it’s a living space that speaks volumes for the homeowner’s love of gardening. And it shows in the way raised garden beds and planter boxes are put in every possible place.
In the end, it boils down to ingenious design, the kind that’s fit for the warm and humid Tropical climate prevailing in this part of Malaysia. Plus, it’s a confluence of ideas resulting in crisp cool shade, good ventilation and indoor thermal comfort. Simply fantastic!
/ 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.”
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.
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 Architectsthen 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 ArchitectsA diagrammatic representation shows the coming together of support structures and building facades crafted of fireclay roof tiles. / Courtesy of H&P ArchitectsThe 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.
Split level design makes for a pleasant and airy interior.
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.
A custom loft net system offers visual continuity between upper and lower floors.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.
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.
The rooftop garden affords a beautiful panorama of the city landscape.A façade of fireclay tiles is beautifully handcrafted with wide openings for a better view of the great outdoors.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.
The orange of the fireclay tile façade stands out from mostly white buildings in a suburban neighborhood of Hanoi.
/ Story: Sarayut Sreetip-ard / English version: Bob Pitakwong /
/ Photographs: Soopakorn Srisakul /
Built on a slope, this three-story home renovation project sits beautifully ensconced by a vast expanse of lush vegetation. The front façade opens to the east to take in panoramic views of the rolling hills as the sun rises over the horizon. The back of the house facing the hillside holds a quiet, secluded area for living rooms and bedrooms.
Originally purchased as part of a development project back in 1980, it has gone through several improvements to maintain a good state of repair. After the children had grown up and moved out to start a family of their own, the home was last renovated from 2015 to 2018.
Among other things, the upper floors were tailored to meet the needs of aging Mom and Dad while rooms downstairs are reserved for accommodations for visiting children.
Drawings of floor plans for all three levels. / Courtesy of Zlg DesignA cross-section drawing shows the side elevation of the home renovation project built on the hillside. / Courtesy of Zlg Design
Back in the day when the kids were young, the interior of the house was divided into smaller rooms. Things have changed and hence all the room dividers were torn down to create a larger, more light and airy interior that’s compatible with the Tropical climate.
The result is a complete home renovation that brings elements of the outdoors into the home. They include rays of sunshine that stream in through openings in brick walls and skylights, plus fresh air and the smell of flowers in the room.
The first-floor bedroom overlooks the front yard that’s set apart from the entrance to the main living spaces on the second floor.The bedroom is tucked away at the farthest end while skylights illuminate a nearby utility area.The bedroom wall is fitted with plantation shutters designed for good ventilation. It opens to connect with the entrance hall and center court.
The first floor contains a studio apartment complete with bedroom, bathroom, laundry space and a front yard landscape. The second floor holds sitting room with a kitchen island and dining space that opens to the terrace overlooking the backyard.
All second-floor room dividers have since been removed to create an open-concept living space that connects with a green hillside landscape in the backyard.
To ensure safety, the backyard is made secure by retaining wall systems that protect against flooding and erosion as well as create usable land for plants to thrive, a setting that conjures up images of being in the great outdoors.
A semi-outdoor kitchen is hemmed in by retaining walls built into the mountainside.The room in the front of the house affords beautiful views of the mountain landscape. The façade is glazed in metal framing with window hinges recycled from the old house.Skylights in the rooftop illuminate the center court. They serve as engine that drives natural air circulation vertically and horizontally.
The third floor is accessible via a spiral staircase. It’s a quiet, secluded living space with sitting room, home office and bedroom set apart by divider curtains for easy updates. Open to the outdoors, it conveys a great deal about the inextricable connection between humans and nature.
A spiral staircase connects to third floor. It’s enclosed in perforated walls built of light mass brick that’s inexpensive, plus there’s no need for cement plastering. During the daytime, rays of sunshine streaming inside add interesting dimension to the room.The third-floor corridor runs the entire length of the weather-beaten cement wall. Framed art pieces line the interior wall reminiscent of a small gallery.
In terms of value it’s a good home renovation that stands the test of time thanks in part to quality materials that perform well despite the weather. Meantime, bare concrete surfaces and brick masonry walls blend perfectly into their surroundings.
The front façade has since been adapted to go well with metal window and door casings. For good looks, they are fitted with vintage hinges recycled from old homes.
There’s a part of the wall that’s made using light mass bricks without cement plastering. They are relatively inexpensive and easy to find locally. Where appropriate, openings are made in the brick walls to let fresh air and natural light stream into the home creating abstract reflections on the wall. It’s a way to keep the interior cool and comfortable without air conditioning.
Drapery hanging in loose folds divides the third floor into different rooms. At every level, the bathroom is set against the exterior wall to create ample living spaces inside.
The bathroom is enclosed in perforated brickwork for good ventilation. Nearby solid sliding doors and walls add privacy protection while the gap at the top lets air pass through.
The natural surroundings play a crucial role in making a home renovation full of life and energy. This place is no exception. It’s a happy home built on a good understanding of the environment and the humble nature of human and non-human elements in nature.
So it’s good to let nature take its course for a change. Let lichens grow. Leave those little mud stains on the wall alone. Let climbers thrive on the trellis and the wall. They are there for good reason.
The same applies to those unkempt ground covering weeds here and there. There is beauty in imperfections too, especially those semi-outdoor decks made of wood planks. They may be worn by exposure to the air.
Unpleasant, perhaps? But they serve the purpose as place to enjoy a good cup of tea, have a conversation, even prepare food and wash dishes, or just sit back and relax in the early morning quiet. That’s the secret to living a memorable life.
A relaxing nook on Floor 3 sits directly above the semi-outdoor kitchen on Floor 2. It opens to a vertical garden that fills up the retaining wall built into the hillside.
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
/ Story: Kor Lordkam / English version: Bob Pitakwong /
/ Photographs: Indra Wiras /
A contemporary home stands amid the rice fields that merge into the breathtaking landscape of Ubud, a town on the Indonesian island of Bali. It consists of two identical houses situated, side by side, parallel to the paddy fields growing luxuriantly in front and back.
Incorporating stunning earth tones into the exterior, each building covers about 200 square meters in extent, which translates into roughly 150 square meters of usable spaces. In essence, it’s a design that celebrates the richness of culture and rustic charm typical of the Balinese countryside.
Skillfully planned, it culminates in a living space made more private without a fence, a home in the rice fields set against the backdrop of rainforest ecosystems.
Opaque front façade ideas make this contemporary home in Bali feel more private without a fence.
From the perspective of the architects who designed it, the first thing that came to mind was how to create the external envelope that would sync with the natural environment. They decided on a single-level home plan that fitted perfectly in the circumstances that formed the setting of the place. Hence, simple clean lines parallel to the horizon are a focal point in the design as we see it.
The same applies to low-pitched roofs that are chosen for their ability to fit in this environment. In this particular case, dual garble roof lines create a distinct architectural feature. Plus, they perform as effectively as high-pitched roofs without appearing too large or too heavy for the surrounding paddy fields.
Hand carved to perfection, the front door embraces the richness of local art and culture. The panel is kept relatively small for more privacy, while sidelights on the brick façade let natural daylight stream into the home.
Interior space planning is tailored to meet simple lifestyle needs. The overall effect is impressive. Step inside, and you come to a small hallway where you can feel the atmosphere change.
The house plan shows spatial relationships between living and functional spaces. / Courtesy of UOS Architecture StudioA cross section drawing shows different floor levels in relation to ceiling heights. / Courtesy of UOS Architecture Studio
There’s a comfortable living room-dining room combo with a small kitchen, and two bedrooms at the farthest end. The sitting room looks out over the rice fields, while an in-ground swimming pool and nearby wooden decks provide a visual connection between indoor and outdoor spaces.
All the rooms open to the green expanse of rice fields at the back of the house while, on the opposite site, the solid front façade goes to work protecting family privacy.
Sidelights in the brick façade create warmth and a sense of openness in the entry hallway leading to the interior.
The living room-dining room combo opens wide to bring the outdoors in. High sloped ceiling design creates a light, airy home vibe.
By design, the nontransparent front façade creates a unique architectural feature. It uses color and texture creatively combining the brownish red of brick masonry walls with the gray of Paras Tulung Agung, a type of sand stone obtained from sources in the locality, plus the carved wood doors that convey a great deal about the island’s cultural heritage.
A rooftop skylight illuminates and improves ventilation in the bathroom, plus more privacy.The primary bedroom at the far end of the pool has large openings connecting to nature and the outdoors.
Together, they protect privacy and make for a strong and durable home. Elsewhere, the living room overlooking the swimming pool and nearby sun decks open to admit natural light and fresh outdoor air into the home. All things considered, it’s a delightful place with gorgeous scenery to calm the mind and create deep relaxation.
Solid walls and vertical fins conceal windows and doors at the rear of this contemporary home in Bali.
Design Team: Tjokorda Gede Dalem Suparsa, Putu Rahayu Sitha Dewi
Contractor: NATS.Project
Owner: Hendra Rusli
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.
/ 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.
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.
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.
The terrace along the outside of the house is an open-air space with double height ceilings on the outer edge.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.
The stairwell at the rear of the building connects the first floor to the upstairs living room.The living room is glazed using glass paneling that opens to take in fresh air and views of the surroundings.The enclosed kitchen opens to a nearby hall. Large windows make it equally well ventilated.
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.
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 ArchitectsDownstairs house plan / Courtesy of Sda. – Sanuki Daisuke ArchitectsUpstairs house plan / Courtesy of Sda. – Sanuki Daisuke ArchitectsRooftop deck plan / Courtesy of Sda. – Sanuki Daisuke ArchitectsA 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.
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.
Marketing/Advertising Cookies – used to remember and process the relevance to your website visit in order to personalize contents shown including optimization of commercial advertising placements. For instances, we use this type of cookies to display commercial advertisements related to user’s attributes and interests as well as to limit how many times should a user see repeated advertisement in order to optimize and measure marketing activities. อ่านเพิ่มเติม
Two Homes Built of Local Materials as a Way to Foster Family Bonds
