The three-stories house is located in HCMC’s Thu Duc City, with two sides facing the road and the front overlooking Saigon River.
Green trees wrap the house from top to bottom and from outside to inside. Vegetation, according to the architect, takes up around 15% of each floor, from the ground floor to the terrace.
The house appears to be entirely carved from monolithic concrete by the architect, who employed Beton brut to add simplicity and eco-friendliness to the home.
Beton brut, which translates as "raw concrete," was a phrase coined for futurist architecture. The title is used to classify this kind of design, defined by the massive scale of the buildings and the use of raw unfinished concrete where functional areas are hidden behind giant concrete walls.
While its exterior is made of concrete blocks, the interior is decorated to resemble a forest, making it a great space for relaxation and rest.
The living room's open layout lets in plenty of light and air from the yard out front.
Due to the cool environment afforded by the house's riverside location, the living room and kitchen have been thoughtfully integrated into the layout, and a skylight at the home's terminus has been installed to facilitate natural air circulation.
The house does not adhere to a single architectural style, instead drawing inspiration from a variety of influences including Japanese Edo, Dutch De Stijl, and Vietnamese modernism. Consequently, the home's interior is very variable, adapting to the needs of the owner at any given time.
Behind the living room are stairs leading to the mezzanine and kitchen, which is below ground level.
In keeping with the minimalist aesthetic, the house is constructed primarily of standard materials, with some decorative touches and added greenery for warmth.
On the first level, there is a bedroom in the center of the home.
The majority of bedroom furniture is wooden, adding an old-fashioned appeal. The mattress is lowered to the floor, making it more comfortable and tidier than a standard bed. Trees are strategically placed in the middle and at the far end of the room to help filter the air and keep the room cool.
Residents can congregate in the buffer zone to unwind and have friendly conversations when they have free time.
The atrium's crimson wall is reminiscent of conventional burnt bricks. The red wall and bright glass panels contrast with the dark wood of the steps and the drab concrete ground, highlighting the space and interior.
The bathroom on the second floor has an open-concept tub. With all the natural light and lush plants, homeowners can enjoy the spa-like feeling of a vacation without leaving their home.
Wooden floors give a room warmth and a traditional, rustic look. Old pieces of wood from shipping lines are used to make them.
The bedroom's balcony doesn't project outward like most, but rather recedes inward so that it can be shadier. Many large trees have been planted in front of the balcony area to provide shade and ensure privacy.
The architect cut holes in the walls to let in fresh air and natural light instead of installing windows. These slits serve as solar dials. Observing the sun's reflection on the floor, homeowners might get a sense of the passage of time.
To avoid heat and keep the house cool, the swimming pool is erected immediately on the terrace. At the top are wooden slats that simulate railway sleepers. They are meticulously positioned to delineate the roof's outer framing.
It took six months to finish the project at a total cost of around VND6 billion (over $251,000).
