Project: Binh House
Architects: VTN Architects
Location: Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
Area: 2,507 sq ft
Photographs by: Courtesy of VTN Architects
The Binh House demonstrates an approach where tropical gardens, open spaces and water are integrated within a high density neighborhood. It is a part of VTN Architects’s House for Trees series and it is located in the city of Ho Chi Minh in Vietnam. This 2,500 sq ft contemporary home is occupied by a family of three generations so establishing a home that will give each inhabitant their own space while still encouraging interaction was quite a challenge for the architects.
The building is organized with vertical stacking where the gardens and glass walls are bound between the two main concrete facades. This is a strategy that improves the micro-climate by introducing natural ventilation and daylight into every room while also increasing the visibility and interaction inside the home.
From the architects: “Under the rapid urbanization, cities in Vietnam have diverged far from their origins as low density tropical green space. Newly developed urban areas are losing their connection with nature. Binh house by Vo Trong Nghia Architects (VTN Architects) is one project in the “House for Trees” series, a prototypical housing design, providing green space within high density neighbourhood.
Gardens located on top of the vertically stacking spaces; bounded by sliding glass doors. This strategy not only improves the microclimate by using natural ventilation and daylight in every room, but the alternately stacking openings also increase visibility and interaction between the family members.
Living, dining, bedrooms, study room are continuously opened. From one room, people’s sightlines can reach beyond to the other rooms via the gardens.
Service areas such as the kitchen, bathrooms, stairs and corridors are located in the west to limit heat radiation exposure towards frequently occupied areas. The vertical variation of spaces creates a lopsided pressure difference. Thus, when the surrounding houses are built, natural ventilation is maintained. Thanks to these passive strategies, the house always stays cool in the tropical climate. Air conditioning system is rarely used.
Using sustainable materials such as natural stone, wood, exposed concrete combined with the microclimate, this house reduces greatly operational and maintenance cost. Up to date, residents have never used furnished AC. The architecture is not only to meet the functional and aesthetic concerns, but also as a means to connect people to people and people to nature.”
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