This residence is situated in the bustling city center and belongs to a lady who deeply desires a comfortable and convenient living environment. As in our previous projects, where urban expansion compresses living spaces, we strive to maximize space through thoughtful design.
Our main focus in discussions with homeowners is to simplify their needs—ensuring the design meets their requirements without excess. This approach allows us to create a larger, unified garden rather than multiple small green patches at the entrance or doorstep.
The core concept is a living room suspended above a mini garden, evoking the sensation of walking on a bridge. This design connects all activities within the home through the interplay of plants, water, and natural light.
A unique aspect of this project is its location adjacent to historic landmarks in Saigon, such as Tan Dinh Church and Tan Dinh Market. Situated in District 3, the city’s most densely populated area, residents can hear the church bells clearly in the morning and afternoon, or step outside to experience the vibrant “alleys” of Saigon—a defining feature of the city’s urban culture.
△ General layout plan
To define private spaces while capturing the building’s distinctive features, the design team incorporated a layer of thin steel plates. Over time, vines will grow over this steel frame, bringing a refreshing green atmosphere indoors, replacing the coldness of concrete and steel. The rolling shutter door system has been optimized to blur the boundary between indoors and outdoors, while structural thickness was carefully calculated to maximize space without compromising the airy ambiance.
From the outside, the house appears as a simple box, but inside it reveals rich spatial layers with the dynamic interplay of light and shadow across smooth concrete and stone surfaces. Most importantly, it offers the owner comfort, allowing them to enjoy the garden at home while experiencing the unique charm of Saigon.
Design Drawings
△ Underground Floor Plan
△ First Floor Plan
△ Second Floor Plan
△ Roof Plan
△ Section A
△ Section B
△ Axonometric Diagram
Project Information
Project Type: Independent Residential Building
Location: Vietnam
Architectural Design: MIA Design Studio
Area: 538 m²
Year: 2020
Photographer: Hiroyuki Oki
Manufacturers: Dulux, Hafele, Toto, Unios, Bravat, HTC
Lead Architect: Nguyen Hoang Manh
Conceptual Design: Truong Nguyen Quoc Trung, Pham Thi Phuong Nhung
Interior Design: Bui Thi Hong Phuong
Technical Design: Bui Hoang Bao, Nguyen Ngoc Thien Phuong, Nguyen Thi Hao
General Contractor: Thanh Phat
Mechanical & Electrical Contractor: Khai Minh
Mechanical Contractor: Coppha Builders
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