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Eight quirky house designs of the year

By Minh Trang December 27, 2020 | 09:05 pm PT

VnExpress’s editor chooses the most unique and innovative architectural styles from over 200 houses carried in these pages over the last 12 months.

Half rising half sinking house on a rock hill The 280-square-meter house is built on a mound on a two-hectare plot in Cam Ranh in the southern Khanh Hoa Province, with the main section being on top.

Half rising half sinking house on a rock hill
The 280-square-meter house is built on a mound on a two-hectare plot in the central Khanh Hoa Province, with the main section being on top. The symmetrical structure, guarded by a giant mango tree, lies in stark contrast with its idyllic surroundings. The house incorporates an entire mango garden, preserving it from the effects of urbanization and climate change.

Durian leaf shaped house The 150-square-meter house on M’nong Highland is inspired by the Ede ethnic people’s traditional long houses. The owners are a young couple from central Vietnam living in Dak Nong Province. The roof resembles a durian leaf touching the ground, allowing the occupants to gaze at the clouds and sky.

Durian leaf shaped house
The 150-square-meter house in the Central Highlands of Vietnam is inspired by the Ede ethnic people’s traditional long houses. The owners are a young couple living in Dak Nong Province. The roof resembles a durian leaf touching the ground, allowing the occupants to gaze at the clouds and sky.

Saigon family’s ‘blockhouse’
Looming like fortress, the HCMC house, situated on a 877-square-meter plot of land, is a concrete block. Three concrete legs prop up concrete waffle slabs. The large and spacy house has unobstructed views.

Aircraft cabin-style house
The house measuring 3mx30m on a wide street in Tan Binh District, HCMC, gets its inspiration from an airplane cabin. The furniture is divided block by block along the length of the house. The concept got a thumbs-up from the owners especially since one of them is a pilot.

‘Insiders only’ marital home A young married couple considered this 94-square-meter house an intimate space and so placed the kitchen near the entrance. Instead of a living room, guests have to walk past the cooking area.

‘Insiders only’ marital home
A young married couple considered this 94-square-meter house in the southern province of Dong Nai an intimate space and so placed the kitchen near the entrance. Instead of a living room, guests have to walk past the cooking area.

‘Ironclad’ house Measuring 103 square meters, the house has modern furniture behind its minimalistic façade. Due to the low budget, the owner and architect decided on a cost-effective approach and opted for corrugated sheets and spent most of the money on interior design.

‘Ironclad’ house
Measuring 103 square meters, the house in southern Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province has modern furniture behind its minimalistic façade. Due to the low budget, the owner and architect decided on a cost-effective approach and opted for corrugated sheets and spent most of the money on interior design.

Layered roof house
Three months to design and eight months to build. That is what it took for this house on a 65-square-meter plot in Go Vap District, HCMC. It has four layers of roof. The roof has a steel floor.

Open space house A three-member family chose a 160-square-meter piece of land in Binh Thanh District, HCMC, to build an open living space. It overlooks a small alley and the architects created ‘outdoor rooms’ for the occupants to enjoy natural light and ventilation.

Open space house
A three-member family chose a 160-square-meter piece of land in Binh Thanh District, HCMC, to build an open living space. The house overlooks a small alley and the architects created ‘outdoor rooms’ for the occupants to enjoy natural light and ventilation.