US weblog fetes ‘House of Light and Wind’ in northern Vietnam

The U.S.-based architecture weblog has named it the 'House of Light and Wind" for a design that uses skylights and natural ventilation to effect significant energy savings.

Built on a 550 square meter plot in Phu Tho Province’s Viet Tri City near the Red River, this villa has a total floor area of 650 square meters.

With two large skylights in the middle of the house, homeowners do not need to turn on any light during the day and always get cool air during summer season.

Since three sides of the house would be subjected to thermal effects, ArchDaily has dubbed it the "House of Light and Wind" for perfectly answering the needs of heat insulation, natural ventilation and energy savings.

In addition to the two skylights, the villa also has a garden in the front, rear and two sides, so the residents can see greenery in every direction.

Stone walls in the living room and dining room are not only an effective insulation solution, but also gives the house a comforting solidity.

Architects at Ray Architecture designed vertical and horizontal routes running along the house.

The ground floor has a living room, followed by the first skylight, the kitchen, the interconnecting dining room and the second skylight in the garage.

The stairs from the first floor to the second floor and from the second floor to the third floor are located in two different positions, breaking the monotony and making people feel they are walking around the place, rather than climbing two flights of steps.

The house has three stories. The upper floor is wider than the lower floor, creating shade for the lower floor and having enough space for the light to disperse and not be too bright inside the room.

The wooden louver creates a shelter for glass doors from direct sunlight while ensuring privacy by limiting visibility from outside roads and nearby houses.

The house has glass folding doors that can be opened when needed and help connect functional volumes to the skylight.

Most of the roof area is designed to grow clean vegetables. The roof collects rainwater in a pond and uses it to irrigate the garden.

Photos by Hoang Le