Row houses are a distinctive and popular architectural style in Vietnam. Typically rectangular, these buildings have a significant length-to-width ratio, with only one side facing the street and the other three sides adjoining neighboring structures. They are commonly used for commercial or mixed purposes. This project is based on such a row house design.
The original four-story house occupies 49 square meters, with a 4.7-meter-wide street-facing facade. Situated opposite a river, the building receives abundant sunlight from noon to evening on its west and southwest sides. Having undergone multiple renovations, it currently accommodates three generations—ten people across four small families. Consequently, each floor is divided into numerous small rooms, resulting in cramped spaces with limited natural light.
The owner aims to renovate the house’s interior and exterior while preserving the original structural framework. The goal is to create a warm environment in winter and a cool one in summer, with improved natural ventilation. Additionally, the design must accommodate the family’s needs, including two young children, and allocate commercial space for a family business on the first and second floors.
To address these requirements, the building’s functions are vertically divided through floor partitioning. By adding 1.5 floors, the living areas are relocated to the third through fifth floors. The third floor houses the living room and kitchen, while the fourth and fifth floors contain the bedrooms. The original partition walls have been removed to allow unobstructed sunlight from the rear, enhancing ventilation and airflow from front to back and bottom to top. Auxiliary functional spaces are positioned at the rear, benefiting from good lighting and ventilation.
△ Section diagram
Our chosen design features multiple concrete groove balconies that introduce layered natural elements. These concrete troughs have a dynamic, rhythmic form, alternating in slope forward and backward, and stepping back every two layers as the building rises. Vibrant plants planted within these troughs create an aerial garden that provides insulation while filtering dust and smoke. This greenery helps keep the interior cool and fresh.
The top of the glass doors reach close to the ceiling, offering expansive views and a sense of spaciousness. They also aid in regulating temperatures across seasons and allow ample natural light into the living spaces.
Our renovation plan seeks to harmonize the building with nature, creating a gentle, welcoming, and eco-friendly living environment for the homeowners.
Design Drawings
△ First floor plan
△ Second floor plan
△ Third floor plan
△ Fourth floor plan
△ Fifth floor plan
△ Sixth floor plan
Project Information
Project type: Apartment
Location: Hanoi, Vietnam
Architectural Firm: i.House Architecture and Construction
Area: 279 m²
Year: 2019
Photographer: Hoang Le
Suppliers: AkzoNobel, Bosch, Croled, Daikin Vietnam, Hafele, Saint-Gobain, Schneider Electric, Vietceramics
Lead Architect: Le Manh Trung
Design Team: Dang Huy Cuong, Hoang Anh Tuan, Pham Thanh Tung, Nguyen T. Thai
Construction Team: Centicons JSC, Nguyen Dinh Tiep, Nguyen Van Hoi
Partners: Nguyen Thanh Hai, Nguyen Sy Chat, Le Van Thuong, Tran Quang Manh, Tong Van Trieu, Nguyen Tien Huy, Khanh Phong Company
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