As Vietnamese cities rapidly urbanize, they have strayed from the original vision of low-density tropical green architecture. Newly developed urban areas are gradually losing their natural connections. The Binh Residence, designed by Vo Trong Nghia Architects (VTN Architects), is part of the “Tree House” series—a model that integrates green spaces into high-density communities.
The residence is home to three generations of a family living together. The main design challenge was to create spaces that encourage interaction and communication while preserving privacy for each family member.
The garden is situated at the top of the vertical space. Each area is separated by sliding glass doors, a design that maximizes natural ventilation and lighting to improve the microclimate in each room. It also enhances visibility and encourages interaction among family members by interlocking different spaces.
▲ Sectional perspective view
The living room, dining area, bedrooms, and study unfold sequentially. From one room, views pass through the garden, allowing sightlines to other rooms.
Service areas such as the kitchen, bathroom, stairs, and hallway are positioned on the west side of the house to minimize heat exposure in frequently used spaces. Vertical spatial changes promote airflow, allowing the house to maintain natural ventilation even when neighboring buildings are constructed. Thanks to these design strategies, the house remains cool in the tropical climate with almost no need for air conditioning.
The rooftop garden features shade trees that help lower indoor temperatures. Vegetables grown here provide fresh produce for daily use. This vertical agricultural concept fits well within high-density residential settings and aligns with the lifestyle of Vietnamese residents.
Using sustainable materials such as natural stone, wood, and exposed concrete, combined with the house’s microclimate design, significantly reduces operating and maintenance costs. Since moving in, residents have not needed to use air conditioning. This building not only fulfills functional and aesthetic needs but also strengthens the connection between people and nature.
Project Drawings
▲ First floor plan
▲ Second floor plan
▲ Third floor plan
▲ Roof plan
Project Information
Project type: Independent residential building
Location: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Architect: Wu Zhongyi Architectural Firm
Area: 233.0 m²
Year: 2016
Photographers: Hiroyuki Oki, Quang Dam
Lead Designer: Vo Trong Nghia
Design Team: Masaaki Iwamoto, Chiang Hsing-O, Nguyen Tat Dat, Nguyen Duy Phuoc, Takahito Yamada
Contractor: Wind And Water House JSC
Building area: 136 square meters
Floor area: 321.6 m²
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