Upper Floor Addition Creates Airy Tropical Home

Designed By: AD+studio.

Location: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam  |  Latitude: 10.80104˚ N

This upper floor addition adds a master bedroom suite to this Vietnamese home. The roof over the upper floor addition characterises the Umbrella House. It provides shade while allowing a wide, open view.

Architects, AD+studio did the design for a young couple with a simple lifestyle. The site is in the Phú Nhuận District of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

Site and Context

This 120 sq.m. house is hidden away on the corner of a small alley. Its long, narrow access makes it easy to miss. Hence, the site feels secluded and private.

Photo: Quang Dam

In addition, there is a surprisingly expansive yard to the front of the house.

“This position leaves us with a feeling of silence of the site inside as well as an astonishment at its wide yard when we go through the gate.”

AD+studio

The site is 6 metres (19’-8″) wide. This width is different from most row houses in Saigon, typically 4 metres (13’-1″) wide. Therefore, the architects were able to divide the spaces on the site in both directions. They were also able to create more diverse areas for a small, protected lot.

The existing house was small and old. However, it had familiar architectural characteristics, such as the patio and the screen block wall. These characteristics were responses to designing and building in a tropical climate. Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) has hot weather with lots of rainfall.

These considerations went into the architect’s design approach for the new house.

House Design Approach

The new house maintains the privacy and seclusion of the previous home. Privacy is an essential factor in this house at all levels.

A high gate at the entrance to the property protects the view from the main road. On entering the gates, this approach creates a more dramatic revelation of the house’s architecture.

However, though privacy was necessary, the house still opens out to the outdoors. This relationship occurs because of the seclusion of the site. The setback of the buildings and the existing greenery on the site allows for private outdoor areas.

Photo: Quang Dam

One of the main concepts behind the house design is having open spaces under a protective roof.

“…from the height of the roof, we can utilise the view – an airy and private area that is formed by the current greenery and the setback from surrounded buildings. These two main factors orientate the refurbishing method: AN AIRY AREA LYING BENEATH A WIDE ROOF.”

AD+studio

Among other influences, the umbrella was one of the sources of inspiration for the form and structure of the roof.

The ground floor carries the public spaces. These rooms include a living and dining area as well as a kitchen. In addition, a courtyard separates the living and dining rooms which lets in a lot of natural light.

There is a bedroom, bathroom and a patio on the upper floor. The patio has a high wall that provides privacy to the bedroom.

A large tree outside the bedroom window and a planter box under the wrap-around corner windows create a great connection with the outdoors and nature.

House Construction Design

The design team evaluated the old house. From this evaluation, they decided to keep the structural columns and beams of the existing home. However, they reinforced it with additional support to accommodate the upper floor. This strategy saw an increase in useable floor area as well.

In addition, this structural framing system meant that the upper floor could be airier with fewer physical room divisions.

However, they had to limit the roof’s load capacity while allowing clear, open views from the upper floor addition.

The house uses a mixture of materials. They include terracotta brick walls, unfinished concrete and warm wooden tones, large glazed openings, and a corrugated metal roof. Hence, creating a modern tropical home that is responsive to its climate.

Designing For The Tropics

Covered open spaces are great for living in the tropics.

Photo: Quang Dam

“In a tropical urban area with high temperature all year long, shades of the trees, the patio or an umbrella will inspire a feeling of comfort.”

AD+studio

The roof, covered patios and trees provide shade from the sun. However, large window openings and other open spaces allow ample natural ventilation flow. This arrangement cools the area around and inside the home. Hence, creating a comfortable indoor environment under the umbrella roof.

Photo: Quang Dam

This home highlights the nature of a tropical building with its open views of nature and cool interiors.

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Photographer: Quang Dam
Architect: AD+studio