Hue, the ancient capital of Vietnam, maintains its historical charm and preserves numerous cultural heritage sites. The city features narrow central areas and grapples with the challenges of a humid and harsh tropical climate, characterized by extreme heat in summer and heavy rains in winter. Consequently, the predominant residential architecture consists of houses with a somewhat understated and aged design.

Located just a 10-minute drive from the city center, the owner wanted to build a distinctive house, providing a haven for relaxation after a demanding workday. The land spans almost 450m2, but the house itself occupies a modest 180m2 (with the ground floor covering 80m2), leaving ample space for landscaping, a pool, and cultivated gardens.

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The ground floor adopts a minimalist design, extending horizontally from the fence wall, dividing the garden into two sections: the front, featuring the entrance, parking, pool, and outdoor gathering space, and the rear, presenting a garden with vegetables and fruit trees. The first floor, positioned perpendicular to the ground floor, provides views of both the front and rear gardens. A 2.5m console structure extends from the upper floor, forming a broad overhang to shelter the ground floor from the elements. Eaves, essential in tropical architecture, shield the house from intense sunlight and direct rain.

Using the solid-hollow contrast technique, the ground floor emphasizes openness, connecting the front and rear landscapes while promoting natural elements and ventilation. In contrast, the first floor is a solid block with purpose-designed windows. In a world where the habitable space for trees is decreasing, the architect, acting as a guide in shaping lifestyles, strives to guide people towards nature, coexistence, and environmental respect. As Vincent van Gogh expressed, “If you truly love nature, you will find beauty everywhere.”

Credits:

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Location: Hue, Vietnam
Architects: 3fconcept
Area: 180 m²
Year: 2022
Photographs: Nguyen Dang Hieu

0:00 – Cua’s House
2:08 – Living/Dining, Kitchen
3:44 – Bedrooms
5:25 – Drawings

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