Quirky design bathes Hanoi box house in light

By VnExpress August 25, 2016 | 11:14 pm PT

Traditional bricks give a modern touch to this company showroom.

A group of Vietnamese and Japanese architects has used traditional Vietnamese ventilation bricks to build a five storey-house in downtown Hanoi, which despite having only one small window, is still airy and full of light.

The house, located on a street in the downtown, is used as a showroom for a company.

The house, located on a street in downtown Hanoi, is used as a company showroom.

The house is built on an area of 72 square meters. Looking as a box from outside, it does not have any window facing a busy street nearby but a little one looking at a small lane.

The house covers an area of 72 square meters. Resembling a box, it does not have any windows facing the busy street but a little one looking out onto a small alley..

But ventilation bricks have helped bring in beauty, light and wind for the house from inside.

But ventilation bricks offer beauty, light and a refreshing breeze.

The bricks were used as a traditional Vietnamese construction material before air conditioner appeared in the country. The bricks are suitable for the tropical climate in the country, cooling down sunlight and creating ventilation for the house.

The bricks were commonly used in Vietnam before the age of air conditioning. They are perfect for buildings in the tropics as they help to keep things cool and ventilate the house.