a porous brick façade surrounds G8A's 'tropical chalet' in da nang, vietnam

G8A architects has completed a four-bedroom family villa on a site close to the sea in da nang, vietnam. called ‘tropical chalet’, this new residence is articulated by a folded concrete roof and an external skin of a mashrabiya-like brick skin.

images by oki hiroyuki

located within a residential area on the coast, the house boasts an idyllic context. to make the most of these surroundings, G8A invites the outdoor environment inside through the use of a porous design. views out to the sea are maximized by the L shaped massing of the building while the large garden respects the natural surroundings and helps create a cool indoor atmosphere for the family to enjoy.

the project is characterized by two main architectural elements. the first of which is the permeable brick façades. combined with recessed galleries, this porous external skin that wraps the building welcomes diffused sunlight, cross ventilation, and panoramic views into the main living spaces. on the ground floor, the social functions of the house such as the kitchen, living, and dining area, are open yet also protected from sporadic coastal weather conditions.

the second key element of the architecture is the folded concrete roof. inside, the rough concrete surface of the roof is left exposed while from the outside, it’s articulated by the orangey-red terracotta tiles that clad it. 

the materials for tropical chalet were chosen not only for their durability and climate resistance but also for their minimal and natural aesthetic, once again blending in with the surrounding landscape. a strong presence of wood, textured concrete and rough brick highlight the organic nature of the concept, referring also to the historical context of danang’s baked brickwork that has been used as early as the 4th century.

project info:

project name: tropical chalet

type: residential

location: da nang, vietnam

architect: G8A architects

client: private

status: complete 

photography: oki hiroyuki