Architecture News

The site is located in a typical high density area near the center of Hanoi. What used to be the residential area of old agricultural villages , is now under the process of urbanization. The characteristics of the area are land that tends to be divided small, in many irregular small pieces and narrow road access. The site is only 41 square meters with dimensions 4×12.2×2.6×12.4m and the alley approach is only 1.3-1.5m wide, only enough for motorbike to access. These conditions challenge us to design a house that can be good at natural ventilation and bring natural light into the house as much as possible. We also search for a design that allows the owner to enjoy the chaotic townscape outside from inside while maintaining security.

The 2 story dwelling house sits on a trapezium-shaped plot of land with a narrow frontage. The owner’s brief was to maximize the built-up area to cater to the family of 6, and at the same time provide a swimming pool while maintaining the existing genius loci of the place – a reclusive green microcosm. The house comprises two inward-facing volumes overlooking a pool in the center, forming an H-shaped orientation plan which captures the North-South prevailing breezes.