Known for their plant intensive architecture, studio VTN’s work is informed by a renewed evaluation of traditional Vietnamese lifestyle. Quite the pioneers of unconventional ideas and materials in contemporary architecture, this studio’s lofty ideas are rapidly blossoming over several cities around the world.
The depth required to create the planting beds dictated the layout inside the two-storey house. The interior spaces of the house are structured as per the system of parallel tiers above.
Known for their plant intensive architecture, studio VTN’s work is informed by a renewed evaluation of traditional Vietnamese lifestyle. Quite the pioneers of unconventional ideas and materials in contemporary architecture, this studio’s lofty ideas are rapidly blossoming over several cities around the world.
If rooftops sprang up suddenly from the ground like mushrooms, their tops would be covered with a layer of soil and plants. But that’s not how humans build. The most conventional way is to dig the Earth, erect the structure and cap it with a rainproof, presumably forgettable roof. It’s logical to presume then that the roofs become man-made deserts of lifeless bituminous spaces and bitter winds with an antipathy to water.
Nghia shares, “Gently sloped, this roof landscape is visually connected to the surrounding mountains”.
Breaking away from this stereotype, Vo Trong Nghia Architects have started a new line of architecture – they graft a biological layer atop buildings of almost any scale. “The role of architecture is to bridge the gap between humans and nature”, shares Nghia. This is something that each of his projects strives to achieve and the Hoan House is no exception to the rule.
Sprawling over 492 square meters with a foot print of 235 square meters, the Hoan House is a private residence built in the city of Nha Trang, Vietnam. Ringed by a necklace of hills and a sweeping crescent beach, Nha Trang enjoys a splendid setting. Known for their work in adding greenery to the cities of Vietnam, VTN Architects unveiled their latest innovation of a hanging garden with this project – The Hoan House.
“The client wanted a large house with a large garden”. Fulfilling this request in spite of the lack of extra space on the side, a single roof was designed as a hanging garden.
Part of their ‘house for trees’ series, the Hoan House demonstrates the approach of integrating tropical gardens, open spaces and water within a high density neighbourhood of Vietnam.
Nghia tells us, “The client wanted a large house with a large garden”. Satisfying this request in spite of the lack of extra space on the side, a single roof was designed as a hanging garden, where numerous trees and plants were introduced to help recycle air and reduce energy consumption. “However, the local building code requires 50% of the roof area to be covered by grey or orange coloured tiles and to be sloped”.
To obey this rule and maximise the open area above at the same time, the roof is divided into parallel bands of green and tiled spaces in an alternating sequence. This created staggered levels which made the structure resemble a large broad staircase. The roof not only helps to capture water for irrigation and allow drainage, it also helps support growing medium and resists invasion of roots.
Using sustainable materials such as wood, exposed concrete and natural stone, this house reduces operational and maintenance costs.
The depth required to create the planting beds dictated the layout inside the two-storey house. The interior spaces of the house are in sync with the system of parallel tiers above. The living room and bedrooms are mainly positioned beneath the terraces, giving them higher ceilings, while the planted areas sit above bathrooms, storage areas and corridors.
On the ground floor, the entrance leads through a generous lobby. The living room, dining room and kitchen are all lined up on one side and can be opened out to a narrow garden along the north-east edge of the site. A pair of bedrooms are located on the other side of the floor with two more perched above. A void and three patios are designed within the system of bands to enhance natural lighting and ventilation.
The house also contains small planted courtyards that help bring in extra daylight, improve airflow and create a visual connect between the interiors and the roof garden above. Two of these courtyards are located on the ground floor and the third on the upper level.
A void and three patios are designed within the system of bands to enhance natural lighting and ventilation.
There is also a smaller roof terrace that extends out from the first floor bedroom across the driveway, helping in increasing energy efficiency and enhancing the urban soundscape.
Nghia shares, “Gently sloped, this roof landscape is visually connected to the surrounding mountains”. Living roofs remind us of what moderating force natural biological systems are. The soil mixture and vegetation act as an insulation and help control the temperature within the house.
It also shields the roof from ultraviolet radiation extending its life. Above all it is pro human comfort and the judicious use of sustainable materials such as wood, exposed concrete and natural stone, mitigates operational and maintenance costs.
There is also a smaller roof terrace that extends out from the first floor bedroom across the driveway which helps in increasing energy efficiency and also enhances the urban soundscape.
“The roof serves as a pocket park and is open to neighbours” adds Nghia. Talking of passive ventilation in climates pertinent to Vietnam, the architect informs, “By using the shadow system of trees and by playing with sunlight and ventilation, one can easily create perfect natural air conditioning”.
Appearing amidst the density of the city as a landmark, the Hoan House is yet another Nghia construction that creates more greenery than is destroyed. VTN always endeavours to combat environmental stress by becoming a catalyst for a more sustainable development.
Text By Kanupriya Pachisia
Photographs Courtesy Hiroyuki Oki
Contact
Web: www.votrongnghia.com
