trees protrude through VTN architects' 'stacked planters house' in vietnam

as a result of rapid urbanization, many vietnamese cities are losing large swathes of their tropical green spaces. this transformation of low-density landscapes into densely populated metropolises not only increases flood risk, but also significantly contributes to air pollution and a dislocation from the natural environment. in ho chi minh city — one of the urban areas most effected by this change — VTN architects is developing ‘house for trees’, a series of residential projects that incorporate green spaces as part of their design.

all images by hiroyuki oki

for its latest project, VTN — the architecture firm led by vo trong nghia — has designed ‘stacked planters house’, a property that seeks to establish a strong relationship between nature and its inhabitants. the plot forms part of a ‘neatly planned urban area’, where maximum living spaces were achieved by at the expense of green space. conceived as a a ‘small park in a dense neighborhood’, VTN’s response was to design a house where functions are contained within a series of stacked volumes.

the residential project incorporates green space as part of its design

‘each private function is packed into a concrete box that is seemingly stacked randomly,’ explains the design team. ‘the horizontal concrete slabs, between boxes, are the terraces where trees grow. these semi-outdoor spaces serve as living and dining rooms where people gather.’ as with VTN’s previous residential projects, the design utilizes local and natural materials with a terrazzo wall a striking feature of the design.

the property seeks to establish a strong relationship between nature and its inhabitants

the project has been conceived as a a ‘small park in a dense neighborhood’

the design utilizes local and natural materials

various functions are contained within a series of stacked volumes

semi-outdoor spaces serve as living and dining rooms where people gather

the roof terrace overlooks the surrounding neighborhood

‘stacked planters house’ illuminated at night

animation illustrating the building’s construction
image courtesy of VTN architects

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project info:

name: stacked planters house
status: completed 2017
location: ho chi minh, vietnam
site area: 233.6 sqm
GFA: 260.8 sqm
design firm: VTN architects (vo trong nghia architects)
principal architect: vo trong nghia
project architects: masaaki iwamoto, nguyen quynh han, kuniko onishi
photography: hiroyuki oki
contractor: wind and water house JSC

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