Floating bamboo houses serve as a practical housing solution for Vietnamese locals, particularly in the Mekong Delta region where livelihoods depend heavily on water. These new three-bedroom homes are constructed from solid bamboo poles (3 to 4.5 centimeters in diameter, 3 to 6 meters in length) connected simply using pins and straps.
The exterior walls and interior partitions are made from lightweight materials such as compressed woven bamboo sheets, leaves, corrugated iron, and bamboo screens. A large roof collects rainwater and harnesses solar energy. The door system is designed for flexible opening and closing, enabling the house to withstand harsh weather. This design gives the home a distinctive look—like a flower floating on water.
The floating bamboo houses stay buoyant thanks to plastic bucket systems fixed beneath the floor. At the core of each house are a freshwater storage tank and a septic tank. The base measures 6 by 6 meters in a square layout, with the option to expand openings to increase usable space. Removable floors above allow the house to open up and become more spacious—ideal for use as a community residence, classroom, or library. This design recalls traditional Vietnamese architecture such as the Rông House (stilt house) and the Đình Pavilion (high pillar pavilion), both with rich historical significance.
Looking ahead, when multiple floating bamboo houses connect through shared floating spaces such as playgrounds, vegetable gardens, and fish farms, they could form harmonious floating communities made up of diverse residential groups.
Vietnam is among the countries most severely impacted by climate change worldwide. It is projected that a 1-meter rise in sea levels would submerge 47% of the Mekong Delta and 13% of the Red River Delta, directly affecting 20 to 30 million people. In this context, floating bamboo houses offer a powerful alternative for millions of impoverished families, allowing them to quickly establish stable, safe homes and adapt to the most severe climate change scenarios.
Project Drawings
△ Construction Process
△ Analysis Chart
△ Structural Schematic Diagram
△ Rendering
Project Information
Architect: H& P Architects
Area: 36 m²
Project Year: 2022
Photographer: Le Minh Hoang
Design Team: Doan Thanh Ha, Vu Minh Dien, Pham Hong Son, Nguyen Hai Hue, Nguyen Tuan Hai, Le Duy Thanh
Student Project Team: Duong Minh Duc, Vu Ngoc Tuan, Nguyen Hung Gia
Architectural Consultant: Nguyen Tri Thanh
Drifting Bamboo House Sponsor: Samsung Foundation of Culture
Drifting Bamboo House 02 Sponsor: Architecture & Social Responsibility Foundation (ASR Foundation)
Location: Hồng Thái, Vietnam
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