textural brickwork shapes trung tran studio's home in rural vietnam

trung tran studio designs a home for rural vietnam

Nang House sits in the rural outskirts of Hanoi, Vietnam, a place where new construction presses steadily into long-established village patterns. Designed by Trung Tran Studio for a three-generation household, the residential project works with the grain of its surroundings rather than clearing it away. Mature trees occupy the garden, and every one remains in place. Their canopies shape the roofline and guide circulation, producing quiet pockets of shade that soften the presence of brick and tile.

The street view gives an early sense of this approach. A low roof clad in traditional terracotta tiles shelters a broad, folding gate, while taller angular volumes step back behind it. The composition reads as incremental, suggesting a house that has grown with its site. The transition from road to home unfolds gradually, beginning with a garage and a small tea-drinking space framed by open brick arches.

images © Trieu Chien

a material palette of tiles and brickwork

The main living spaces sit deeper within the home, where Vietnam-based practice Trung Tran Studio arranges a sequence of rooms around a central void. This inner zone holds the living area, dining room, and worship room, which are treated as a continuous core for the family. Light filters through narrow clerestory openings along the pitched ceilings, casting small, shifting highlights across textured brick walls.

Four bedrooms and their ancillary spaces extend toward the back. Each is modestly sized yet warm, shaped by timber ceilings and brick surfaces that meet at concise junctions. The atmosphere feels steady and enclosed, with windows positioned to frame pieces of the garden rather than broad outward views. These moments support both privacy and a quiet awareness of the landscape.

the design by Trung Tran Studio creates a gradual transition from street to home

courtyard life for a warm climate

Brick defines the project, appearing in curved walls, deep reveals, arched thresholds, and circular openings. Trung Tran Studio uses it as both structure and finish, allowing variations in tone and surface to animate otherwise simple geometries. In the common areas, the brickwork rises to a tall gable, its surface subtly patterned to guide light and air through the interior.

The clay tile floors continue the tactile character of the house. Their warm color anchors the rooms and connects interior and exterior terraces, encouraging movement through partially sheltered areas. Timber ceilings introduce a contrasting smoothness above, bringing another layer of warmth without overwhelming the palette. The result is a balanced environment where each material carries equal weight.

Nang House in Hanoi preserves all existing trees and shapes its roofline around the garden

a home infused with outdoor space

Outdoor spaces form an essential part of the plan. Brick arcades, planted courtyards, and recessed seating areas extend daily life beyond enclosed rooms. Openings in the roof and floor plates accommodate the existing trees, and their trunks become vertical markers that guide orientation across the house. Shade, air movement, and filtered sunlight are handled through practical means rather than mechanical emphasis.

This approach responds to the climate of Vietnam while preserving the rural character of the site. The interplay between covered and open space allows family members to circulate comfortably throughout the day. Sounds from the surrounding village filter through the garden, creating a gentle link between private life and the wider community.

terracotta tile, roofs, and brick walls connect the project to its rural Vietnamese context