red facade by nghia-architect reflects hanoi’s urban contours through ramdomized patches

Nghia-Architect presents a multi-use residential space in hanoi

Nghia-Architect reveals Maison KN, an individual residence located in the historic core of Hanoi. The house stands out with its bright red facade, characterized by random solid and empty patches inspired by the chaotic contours of the surrounding rooftops. This structure reflects the noise of the area and creates different visual frames from the inside according to the elevations of each floor. The office focuses on creating a self-contained, inward-looking residence that includes living, working, and leisure spaces, emphasizing maximizing outdoor garden space. A design highlight of Maison KN, the third-floor garden, connects the indoors with the outdoors, acting as a buffer space that ensures ventilation and privacy from neighboring houses. 

all images courtesy of Nghia-Architect

Maison KN promotes sustainable living

Nestled in an area known for its dense urban construction and narrow, tightly clustered alleyways, Maison KN by Nghia-Architect was commissioned for two grown children of a longstanding Hanoi family, aiming to provide a living space that addresses the constraints of their former neighborhood. It accommodates the needs of remote work and offers a semi-autonomous living arrangement that ensures privacy while maintaining close family ties. Inside, a floating walkway, crafted from a steel framework shaped with soft, fluid lines resembling a thin strip of silk, connects the two levels of the house. The Hanoi-based firm uses perforated steel and mesh to enhance transparency, allowing natural light to permeate the garden and the lower levels, which typically lack adequate natural light due to the city’s narrow front facades.

Sustainability is a core aspect of Maison KN, with natural light and ventilation optimized throughout the house. Rainwater is collected and used for the garden, and a circulatory biosystem ensures that plants are irrigated with stored rainwater and fertilized with organic matter from dead vegetation, creating a mini-ecosystem within the house.

Nghia-Architect reveals Maison KN, an individual residence located in the historic core of Hanoi

the design focuses on creating a self-contained, inward-looking residence

Maison KN includes living, working, and leisure spaces, with a strong emphasis on maximizing garden space

random solid and empty patches characterize its bright red facade

drawing from the chaotic contours of the surrounding rooftops, the facade features randomized patches

connecting the indoors with the outdoors, the third-floor garden serves as a highlight

the design ensures ventilation and privacy from neighboring houses

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maison KN accommodates the demands of remote work

a floating walkway shaped with fluid lines resembles a thin strip of silk

crafted from a steel framework, the walkway connects the two levels of the house

offering a semi-autonomous living arrangement that ensures privacy

perforated steel and mesh to enhances transparency

natural light permeates the garden and the lower level

the lower floors typically lack adequate natural light due to the narrow front facade

sustainability is a core aspect of Maison KN

natural light and ventilation are optimized throughout the house

rainwater is collected and used for the garden

a circulatory biosystem ensures that plants are irrigated with rainwater and fertilized with organic matter

project info:

name: Maison KN
architect: Nghia-Architect | @nghia.architect
location: Hanoi, Vietnam

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edited by: thomai tsimpou | designboom