Vietnamese architects design an urban jungle in Saigon

By Moc Mien   January 1, 2019 | 08:01 pm PT
From the façade to the  interiors, a new house in Saigon hosts tropical greenery, giving a new twist to the term 'urban jungle'.
A habitable tropical forest admist urban Saigon (unedited)

Photos courtersy of Hiroyuki Oki

The 252-square-meter property is located in a new residential area of Ho Chi Minh City, next to a park to its north. Architect Vo Trong Nghia and his colleagues at the firm that he heads worked on a design that turned the house into an extension of the surrounding environment.

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In a space created by a block that cuts through three floors, the living room blends with the greenery outside.

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Greenery inhabits every part of the house, including each and every floor. Each floor is a mini indoor park. All stairways are made of wood, going along with the green theme of the property.

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Even corridors in this house are lined with big trees. 

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The roof beams casts linear shadows into the house's interiors while allowing natural light into private spaces. 

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Despite a lot of indoor space, the greenery allows the house to blend seamlessly with its lush green surroundings. 

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The floor space is opened diagonally upwards, providing natural ventilation throughout the property. This naturally minimizes the use of air conditioning. 

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The bedrooms are greened by more than wooden shelves and the usual potted plants. Vines and trees planted just outside glass walls limit provide shade from the sun while providing plenty of natural light. 

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The bathroom's space and luxurious furnishings would match that of a high-end resort. 

 
 
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