The three-story, 260-square-meter house is situated in urban section of the province's Thanh Hoa Town. Architects are only allowed to restore the inside of the structure as they are not permitted to modify the façade of the property, which would impact the surrounding landscape.
The architects chose an Indochinese style of architecture which combines French neoclassical architecture and traditional Asian materials to mix contemporary and local cultural aspects as the owners desire a warm living environment for family members.
The skylight in the form of a silk ribbon is the focal point of the house. It also welcomes the first morning rays into the house. The silk ribbon is created in the atrium area and spans one story from the third to the second floor. The silk-shaped skylight not only softens the area, but also screens direct sunlight from above, making the light entering the home softer and glare-free.
The silk ribbon, according to the architect, is comprised of a thin concrete mesh-steel frame with just two very tiny touch points on the second floor. As a result, it was a challenge to give this concrete block a soft appearance while maintaining the structure's solidity.
"The silk ribbon is reminiscent of the swinging bodice worn by northern ladies in the spring,” said one of the architects. "I want to incorporate such lyrical beauty into the architecture of contemporary structures.”
A glass roof system atop the "silk ribbon" with white painted iron motifs and a curving timber lattice system evokes the roofs of typical northern houses while also giving protection from the direct sunlight above.
This design generates elegance and decreases the amount of direct light entering the home.
Everything must be ordered and have principles in the Indochinese style, yet the architects reduce the living area to show off the house's contemporary design.
The predominant color of the house is white, which contrasts with the rich brown of the inside - both of which are characteristic of the Indochinese style. The majority of the wood utilized in the home is oak.
The Indochinese style is particularly visible in the living and dining rooms, which include bamboo and rattan furniture as well as traditional ornamental themes.
The shoe cabinet links to the first-floor toilet and extends across the kitchen to create a continuous room. This design practically conceals the bathroom without detracting from the overall attractiveness.
The second-floor lobby area around the atrium is intended to be a reading space. With this style, everyone in the home feels comfortable and calm, and they can easily engage with one another.
The atrium from the first floor to the top aids in air circulation and natural lighting throughout the structure. Through glass walls, light from this section readily enters private areas.
The hallway leading to the dressing room is decorated with classic flower tiles that include both traditional and contemporary elements.
The home reliefs are oil paintings on canvas with a wooden frame structure.
The whole substance of the paintings is based on the architects' thoughts and recommendations to complement the overall design of the home.
