Shape shifting: southern house with moving facade

By Minh Trang March 31, 2022 | 07:05 pm PT

A house in Can Tho City has a brise-soleil that changes its shape based on the needs of the occupants, giving the impression the facade is moving.

The house is situated on a 105-square-meter plot of land in the southern city. The louver blind serves to both keep out the sun and ensure privacy for the owner, especially given that the house is on a narrow alley-like road.

A design team from SPACE+ Architecture led by Tran Cong Danh came up with the idea of using the brise-soleil to create a kinetic facade.

The steel-core wood-grained aluminum slats are more than five meters high, making the house look bigger than it actually is.

The curved shape also adds a modern touch and enhances the appearance of the house's facade.

The laminar system moves according to the needs of the occupants, causing the front of the house to change accordingly. It also reduces noise and dust from the street, providing quietness while improving indoor air quality.

It also keeps out street noise and dust.

This second crust is also adapted to the climate of the Southwest region. In the rainy season, the blue system can be completely closed to avoid rain and cold. In the dry season, the house can still breathe on its own and catch the natural wind. On hot days, when using air conditioning, the glass door layer and the blue layer form a buffer zone, limiting the cold heat from the room escaping as well as the penetration of solar radiation.

To keep out rain and cold, the blind can be completely closed.

The ground floor of the house is currently unoccupied and will be converted into a clinic. Because the owner's living space is confined to the first floor, minimalism and versatility are required.

Stair lobby area is used as kitchen space. All cabinet systems are designed into the wall, making the most of the length of the house and fully integrating functions such as hanging cabinets, dry shelves, refrigerators.

The stairwell lobby serves as a kitchen. All cabinet systems are built into the wall, maximizing space and fully integrating functions such as hanging cabinets, dry shelves and refrigerators.

Next to the kitchen is a living room combined with a low sofa set for the purpose of receiving guests, relaxing or having light meals.

Next to the kitchen is a living room with a low sofa set.

Hanging shelves instead of railings and handrails for stairs both have the function of keeping safe and displaying the owners collectibles.

The hanging shelf serves as the handrails for the stairs and displays collectibles.

The skylight area is decorated with a 3D brick wall to reduce noise. Thus, business activities on the ground floor will have a less significant impact on the living area above.

The terrace is where the owner grows clean vegetables. The wooden slats above and green trees create shade and absorb heat, avoiding heat for the downstairs bedroom. The rotating wooden beam system in the facade acts as a railing to protect the terrace. The building has enough personality to serve business and safe enough for private life.The house was to be completed in 2021.

The owner grows clean vegetables on the terrace. The wooden slats above and the vegetation provide shade and absorb heat, keeping the downstairs bedroom cool. The house was built in 2021.

Photos by Minq Bui Photography