VTN architects vertically stacks gardens inside binh house in vietnam

part of VTN architects’ ‘house for trees’ series, the ‘binh house’ demonstrates the approach of integrating tropical gardens, open spaces and water within a high density neighborhood in vietnam. as the dwelling is occupied by a family of three generations, the challenge was to establish a home that will give each inhabitant their own space, while encouraging interaction.

UPDATE: vo trong nghia architects won the ‘house – completed buildings award’ for binh house at the 2017 world architecture festival.

image © hiroyuki oki

VTN architects (previously vo trong nghia architects) has gained recognition for their greenery-filled architecture, and ‘binh house’ follows suit. a vertical stacking has been applied to the building’s organization with the gardens and glass walls being bound between the two main concrete façades. this strategy improves the microclimate by introducing natural ventilation and daylight into every room and, at the same time, the alternating openings increase visibility and interaction between the family members.

protruding volumes form the balconies of the house
image © hiroyuki oki

palms and plants form the different courtyards that link the continuously open living room, dining, bedrooms and study. the vertical variation of spaces provides interesting sightlines and a ‘lopsided pressure difference’, therefore natural ventilation is constantly maintained throughout the tropical temperature of vietnam.

the dining room is placed in-between two courtyards
image © quan dam

the building is finished with a roof garden which hosts large trees for shade. on the exterior, a distinctive character has been created with the few rectangular fenestrations revealing glimpses of the overgrown nature inside.

‘using sustainable materials such as natural stone, wood, exposed concrete combined with the microclimate, this house reduces greatly operational and maintenance cost. 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.’ – VTN architects

the home accommodates a family of three generations
image © hiroyuki oki

one of the bedrooms opens up to the central balcony which also provides privacy
image © hiroyuki oki

binh house is one project in VTN’s ‘house for trees’ series
image © hiroyuki oki

the gardens located on top of the vertically stacked spaces are bound by sliding glass doors
image © hiroyuki oki

a play of light and shadow is seen even in the private bathroom spaces
image © hiroyuki oki

looking down into the different levels of the home, greenery is apparent
image © hiroyuki oki

rectangular openings reveal glimpses of the greenery inside
image © hiroyuki oki

the private home is located in ho chi minh, vietnam
image © hiroyuki oki

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project info:

name: binh house
principal architects: vo trong nghia
design team: masaaki iwamoto, chiang hsing-o, nguyen tat dat, nguyen duy phuoc, takahito yamada
status: built in march, 2016
program: private house
location: ho chi minh, vietnam
site area: 321.6 sqm
footprint: 136 sqm
gfa: 233 sqm
contractor: wind and water house jsc