vo trong nghia architects stacks house for trees in vietnam

in response to the rapid and near total urbanization of vietnamese cities, vo trong nghia architects has designed a prototypical house as part of an ongoing initiative to reverse the trend. built within ho chi minh – a region where only 0.25% area of the city is covered with greenery – the dwelling seeks to reconnect its residents with the natural environment. entitled ‘house for trees’, the scheme comprises five individual concrete boxes envisioned as planters. as a result of the unit’s thick layer of soil, the dwellings also serve as basins, retaining water and reducing the risk of flooding.

the scheme is built within ho chi minh – a region where only 0.25% of the landscape is covered with greenery
image by hiroyuki oki | all images courtesy of vo trong nghia architects

located in one of the most densely populated areas of the vietnamese city, the site is positioned on a landlocked suburban block, only accessible via a pedestrian lane. the project is conceived as an accumulation of individual fragments, standing out amid the surrounding formal row houses. in order to minimize costs, (the entire project was constructed for $156,000 USD), and reduce the scheme’s carbon footprint, local and natural materials are employed throughout the design. external walls are made from in-situ concrete with bamboo formwork, with internal finishes exposing locally-sourced bricks.

the dwelling seeks to reconnect its residents with the natural environment
photos by hiroyuki oki

filling the unconventionally shaped site, the five units are positioned around a central courtyard, creating further small and interconnected gardens. large glass doors and operable windows at ground floor level ensure that each dwelling offers abundant light and ventilation, while making certain that the building remains secure and private. common areas such as the dining room and library are located at the lower storey, while above, upper floors accommodate private bedrooms and bathrooms. blurring divisions between inside and outside, the courtyard and gardens – shaded by the trees above – become part of ground floor living space.

the five individual units are positioned around a central courtyard
photo by hiroyuki oki

upper floors accommodate private bedrooms and bathrooms
photos by hiroyuki oki

external walls are made from in-situ concrete with bamboo formwork
photo by hiroyuki oki

large glass doors at ground floor level ensure that each dwelling offers abundant light and ventilation
photo by hiroyuki oki

the entire project was constructed for just $156,000 USD
photo by hiroyuki oki

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project info:

project name: house for trees
architect firm: vo trong nghia architects
principal architects: vo trong nghia, masaaki iwamoto, kosuke nishijima (3 principals)
project architect: nguyen tat dat
contractor: wind and water house JSC
status: built in 04.2014
program: private house
location: tanbinh, ho chi minh city
gfa: 226.5 sqm
footprint: 111.7 sqm
site area: 474.3 sqm
maximum height: 10.3 m
construction cost: 156,000 USD