when CTA | creative architects was asked to design a new dwelling in the vietnamese city of bien hoa, they approached the project with the aim of building a ‘house that breathes’. realized over two storys, the wall house is composed of eight blocks, which all connect to a protective layer of hollow bricks and lush greenery. 

CTA designs a house in vietnam with ‘breathing walls’ to improve indoor air quality designboom

all images by hiroyuki oki

 

 

according to recently published research, indoor air quality is more polluted than the air outside. therefore, most of CTA‘s discussions with the client pointed to the idea of developing a house that is able to ‘breathe’ 24/7 by itself. through the design process, the wall house was shaped gradually by eight separate spaces that are surrounded by ordinary walls. these eight blocks are interspersed and intersect at a common space, which is formed by the breathing walls.

CTA designs a house in vietnam with ‘breathing walls’ to improve indoor air quality designboom

 

 

the breathing walls consists of 2 elements. an open wall system is the first layer to prevent pollution entering from the outside environment. this protection shell is made of hollow bricks that are lined up in the opposite direction of the conventional method of construction. with such an arrangement, these hollow bricks afford a circulation of fresh air and natural light into the house. with their unique features and randomness in color, burnt-defective bricks are reused in a new, harmonious and more environmentally friendly form.

CTA designs a house in vietnam with ‘breathing walls’ to improve indoor air quality designboom

 

 

the garden space is the second layer to prevent the negative impact of the external environment into the living space inside. the abundance of greenery helps to clean the air and creates an effective buffer zone. together, these two protective layers are equivalent to a standard wall, but the important difference being they ensure the circulation of air and light, resulting in a healthier living space.

CTA designs a house in vietnam with ‘breathing walls’ to improve indoor air quality designboom

CTA designs a house in vietnam with ‘breathing walls’ to improve indoor air quality designboom

CTA designs a house in vietnam with ‘breathing walls’ to improve indoor air quality designboom

CTA designs a house in vietnam with ‘breathing walls’ to improve indoor air quality designboom

CTA designs a house in vietnam with ‘breathing walls’ to improve indoor air quality designboom

CTA designs a house in vietnam with ‘breathing walls’ to improve indoor air quality designboom

CTA designs a house in vietnam with ‘breathing walls’ to improve indoor air quality designboom

 

CTA designs a house in vietnam with ‘breathing walls’ to improve indoor air quality designboom

CTA designs a house in vietnam with ‘breathing walls’ to improve indoor air quality designboom

 

 

project info:

 

project name: wall house

location: bien hoa, dong nai province, vietnam

design: arch.bui the long – CTA | creative architects

client: mr. hong anh

year: 2018

site area: 10,908.15 ft2 (1013.4 m2)

ground floor area: 2235.66 ft2 (207.7 m2)

storys: 2

contractor: viet tin phuc co., ltd

photography: hiroyuki oki

 

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

 

edited by: lynne myers | designboom